Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:53:54 -0700
Reply-To: Ben Cichowski <ben@SUNKINGPRODUCTIONS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben Cichowski <ben@SUNKINGPRODUCTIONS.COM>
Subject: Re: 1986 Syncro vs. later models
In-Reply-To: <501dc8150902131049i5f62727es921fa92310409c31@mail.gmail.com>
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<< have a dumb question - why the Syncro over the Subaru in the snow?
Just preference?>>
Hi Donna,
Not a preference of one over the other. Though I do like driving my
van much more than I do a car. Subys are certainly quite capable in
the snow, as are the Syncros.
Even my 2WD drive van is just fine in about 90% of what Montana throws
at us...but, the kids are getting older and are more capable in skiing/
outdoor winter situations now, so I'm finding the need to head into
the mountains a more frequent event.
Again, for most things, the 2WD's are actually great in the snow (as
long as you know how to drive them), but the 2WD has limits of course.
Some backcountry parking spots have demonstrated those limits when
I've gone off on my own, and those demonstration would be even more
challenging with kids in the van... hence, looking at Syncros.
There are also just a lot of times when there's tons of snow on the
ground and my wife and I need to go separate directions with the
vehicles - a Syncro would be nice.
-Ben
On Feb 13, 2009, at 11:49 AM, Donna Skarloken wrote:
> We have an 87 and have had to replace a lot of routine things the PO
> ignored, but otherwise it's been fine. I can't think of any big
> differences. We have white outside with brown inside, which I
> really like. We are the third owner. Paid $3500 almost 4 years
> ago, but the PO was a friend of my husband and lowered the price; he
> had listed it at 5,000 in Northern California. We've taken it to
> Hollister twice and hope to go more, especially to Pismo someday.
> Otherwise it's my hauler/grocery getter/portable tack room, etc. We
> need the room to haul things/people, and we have the side tent and
> other camping equipment to camp out of it if we so desire. (It has
> the fold down z-bed or whatever it's called).
>
> I have a dumb question - why the Syncro over the Subaru in the
> snow? Just preference?
>
> Donna, 87 Syncro.
>
> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 8:29 AM, Ben Cichowski <ben@sunkingproductions.com
> > wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm trying to find a nice Syncro to work on and keep as a permanent
> addition to the family.
> I've always looked toward the 1989-1991 models, but I'm seeing a lot
> of '86 and '87's on the market - One 1986 model for sale seems
> especially well suited to my needs.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there are good reasons for avoiding the 86 and
> 87 Syncros?
> I'm not as worried about the engine - just significant design "flaws"
> involving 4WD, weird wiring issues, or suspension, etc.
>
> I appreciate the help, I'm only familiar with 2WD vans...but need a
> better option than always using the wife's Subaru when heading up into
> the mountains on snowy days.
>
> (feel free to P-mail or post)
>
> Cheers,
> -Ben
>
>
>
> --
> Donna
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