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Date:         Mon, 17 Oct 94 16:51:45 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         macklow@sybase.com (Jim Macklow)
Subject:      Re: Insane Syncro Prices!!!

Dave Carment comments:

> > > Pardon me for intruding, but what makes a syncro great and desireable?

Everything!

> Does it handle better in the snow/rain/mud?

Since all four tires get power, traction is much better in inclement weather and on crappy roads. However, if you lock up the brakes, you're screwed as in every other car. The trick is to use the transmission to slow you down, so braking can be distributed to each tire, without locking up all four tires at once.

> Is fuel economy better or worse?

Since it has to drive two differentials, fuel economy is worse. But not much, I think the syncros get around 19mpg.

> Does it ride smoother?

Depends on your driving. :-) But the front suspension is a double wishbone setup, which I think can provide a better ride (if it's built correctly). I've never driven a normal Vanagon, so I can't say if there's much of a difference.

> Does it handle better?

Same as with riding smoother, except you also have your driving forces distributed between the front and rear axles, so handling is different acclerating out of curves.

> Will it go off road?

I've never been, but have been on fairly steep (well, steep enough so that I couldn't climb in first gear, and had to shift down into Low), muddy, and snowy logging roads, and even with balding MXLs on it, have never lost traction. The syncros also have a higher ground clearance than vanilla Vanagons.

> Is it expensive to repair?

for the drivetrain, very much so. Very very very very expensive.

> Is it peppier? >

Heck no! Not unless you drop in something bigger.

-Jim


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