Date:         Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:55:21 -0700
Reply-To:     honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Improvements to Vanagon crash safety? Maybe time for a
              Eurovan camper?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Just got rid of an 02 EVMVWK and kept the
90 syncro westy.  Driving a honda element now as my
daily driver.

We end up taking the syncro everywhere on
longer trips/camping jaunts etc:  Took a total of 2 road trips
in the EV in as many years.  Just got tired of it as my daily
commuter.

That being said, the EV is a more plush ride for sure.  Feels
more like a german car, than a german van. Not the typical
mini-van experience, but also smaller than the EV camper.

Long road trips in it were few and far between though since we usually
were doing the 'full' camping thing, or heading to snow country
(cant put any chains/cables on the stock cool mag rims that come
std: on the mvwk)  a full on set of additional wheels/snow tires seems
silly in AZ.  The treads will dry rot before you get a chance to use em
that much!

They are totally different beasts.  EV has crap for ground clearance
as well.  the Camper is even worse in that regard.

The syncro westie is cool, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go
with the weekender version in either ride.  Esp with regards to all the
reports I see/hear on the camping layout of the EV Winne..

Only if you're tired of working on it, dumping money into it, and overall
sick of the Vanagon/VW bus experience would I dump it IMHO.
 -tim

90 Syncro Westy
Gilbert, AZ


ps  FWIW the honda element is a cool ride, utilitarian, all whee drive,
     solid tried/true 4 cyl honda accord engine (sans that stupid timing belt..
     they finally put a timing chain on it)  166Hp 5spd AWD   Its not a syncro
     but not bad.  I'm used to driving boxes anyways.. :-)