Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:13:23 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: 1986 Syncro vs. later models
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reply-type=response
my two cents would be that there's a feature or two available in the later
models that an 86 won't have.......
for one ............ central locking for the doors.
Power windows could be one also, but I don't regard those as
desirable.......
but central locking...........nice to have.
not sure, but I think 86 won't have that, or most sure won't.
I just thought of the later style, bigger and aerodynamic outside mirrors.
I don't think you'll find those on 86's either........and those are very
desirable over the eerier style outside mirrors.
mechanically , drivetrain and engine-wise I believe they are all pretty much
the same......
speaking of US 14 inch syncro's that is.....
although, not all syncro's have a locking rear differential, something that
you want for sure.
metal bumpers versus the fiberglass ones : I don't think you'll find the
fiberglass bumpers on an 86 syncro.......
on those, I'd say it's personally preference..............I like the look of
the fiberglass bumpers .......but I see them broken here and there pretty
easily, and they are expensive.
oh..............here's one ...............on the syncro westy
.............the frame rails.............running fore and aft right under
the middle of the van.........
after some year, I don't know which ..............those are
stronger...........when you look at them from below, they are filled in ,
compared to the 2WD and early syncro westy frame rails. I know for sure a
90 syncro westy has this upgrade, but don't know if a non-westy has this
upgrade.
I might remember more, but basically it seems to me they are quite the same
in the drivetrain and engine from 86 to 91. .......speaking of just US
models that is.
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Cichowski" <ben@SUNKINGPRODUCTIONS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: 1986 Syncro vs. later models
> << 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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