Date:         Wed, 13 Apr 94 8:43:08 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         macklow@sybase.com (Jim Macklow)
Subject:      Re: Syncro Tech Info

> 
> > 
> > Does anyone have any technical info sources about the AWD system the 
> > Syncro uses?  I recently bought a syncro, and am curious about the
> > 4wd system.  And I can't read German, so sources in English would be 
> > most helpful!
> 
> Hi Jim, Welcome! You came to the right place. Hang around here for a 
> while and you'll get an education on SYNCROS.
> Fill us in on your new toy. What year is it and what type (7 pass or 
> westi...pickup... 16" wheels?)  
> 

My new van:  '87 Syncro GL 
	     the good:
             :-) Titian Red (_really_ looks like a brick!)
             :-) has the weekender bed
             :-) Runs great!
             :-) passes inspection/emissions!
	     :-) came with 3 gal of VW coolant!
	     the bad:
	     :-( no diff lock
             :-( has 106K miles
	     :-( stock 14" rims with stock Michelin MXL 
	     the ugly:
             :-( has low compression (125 across the board)
             :-( has a noisy tranny
             but...
	     I love it!

My van came with all the records, and I can't imagine myself bringing
a car to the dealer.  Each receipt was for at $300, and a lot of them
were for no-brainer items (brake pads, new coolant, oil change, sliding
door lock).

I must admit though, maybe never having owned a new car has spoiled me.
My wife's new Mazda 323 (no flames, I would have bought a golf, but there
weren't any new ones on the lot at the time!) needs the 30K service.  I asked
the guy what they do, and he said "Everything".  "Everything" includes plugs,
oil and coolant change, timing, new belts, repack rear bearings, for the low 
low price of only $410!  Another dealer wants $490!  

Are these normal rates nowadays for a simple tune-up? (rhetorical question)

-Jim