Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 09:56:03 -0500
Reply-To: Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Subject: Re: Syncro as a daily driver?
In-Reply-To: <4271373.58442.1260368214175.JavaMail.mcneely4@127.0.0.1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=yes
On Dec 9, 2009, at 9:16 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> I don't know if you are crazy, but the idea of using a 14 mpg,
> expensive to maintain vehicle for regular driving around a metro
> area is crazy. If the capacity is needed for regularly hauling
> stuff, or people, some other vehicles that get much better miileage
> are available. If the capacity is needed for just occasional
> jaunts, then rental when needed is a real, and effective, option.
> Just my judgement, since you asked us. I have a '91 Vanagon GL
> Campmobile (commonly called a Westphalia or "Westy," though neither
> is the name of the vehicle). I use it for camping only, and have a
> Prius and an old Honda Accord for day to day driving about and for
> road trips (the Prius) when the special attributes of the camper are
> not needed.
i wonder about the environmental costs of owning three cars as opposed
to one that gets bad gas milage. i have read that by the time a car
is built it has created around a quarter of the pollution it will
create in it's lifetime. since i have no idea where i read that it
may be totally incorrect.
here is an article that has some mention of this: www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/10/car-scrappage-payments
"A paper published in 2000 by the journal Transportation Research
comes to even grimmer conclusions: that replacing old cars with new
ones increases carbon pollution. Because between 15% and 20% of a
car's emissions are produced during its manufacture, the optimal age
for a car, the paper says, is 19 years."
> The choice of any vehicle because it is "more fun to drive" would
> be, for me, a foolish idea period. Practicality and environmental
> responsibility are more fun for me, in the long run. Just
> sayin'............. .
fun to drive and environmental responsibility are not incompatible
goals. for example i own a mini clubman. according to
greenercars.org it has the seventh best "greenest car" rating of any
car sold in the USA and is a blast to drive.
> And if you are dead set on a Vanagon for the purposes described, why
> a Synchro? You don't seem to have an application that takes
> advantage of 4WD.
again, i would say that having one car that serves all of your auto
needs may be a more environmentally responsibility solution than
owning several cars for different functions. at any rate, i don't
think it is a simple problem.
r
>
> David McNeely
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 6:28 PM, Chris S wrote:
>
>> There are a lot of ideas bouncing around the inside air space of that
>> large head of mine and one of them is procuring a passenger Syncro as
>> a daily driver. It seems like a decent idea as it would keep me from
>> buying newer, more expensive and possibly less entertaining modes of
>> transportation. It will hold my whole family plus luggage on our
>> long
>> trips. With an engine conversion it should reasonably swift,
>> efficient and dependable. Plus I know how to fix just about anything
>> on one since I have had Vanagon Westies for 9 years now (first one
>> was
>> my primary transport).
>>
>> I come to you asking for a sanity check. I live and commute around
>> Atlanta. Am I crazy?
>>
>> --
>> Wysłane z mojego urządzenia przenośnego
>>
>> Chris S.
>> Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
I remain, as always
YrLyl&ObdntSrvnt,
r