Scott:
There are probably about two dozen of these puppies = running around here in Santa Barbara. (One of the preferred = Soccer Mom vehicles I guess, along with the Suburbans and = Humvees)
All of the owners I have chatted with are very = pleased with them. I talked to one guy up in the Sierras who had = passed me going about 60 on a steep hill (pulling a trailer LOADED with = about 6 kayaks, 4 bikes, and about 1,000 lbs of other = gear). I caught up with him at the next gas station and we = chatted about how great pop-tops are. As it turned out, his gas = mileage wasn't that different from our Syncro - about 15 MPG on the = Highway (though a lot worse around town). It was a 4WD version = built on a Ford chassis, and had huge winches mounted front and = back. He spent about $50k on it and was on his maiden = voyage.
They have very roomy interiors that seem to be well = thought out. Nice and clean, like a Westy (not like a typical RV) = much more utilitarian looking. Some of the real nice touches = include things like climate control (heat and AC) while camping, = auxiliary power subsystems, spacious reefer, and a good kitchen = layout.
I have to confess, I would love to have one, since = when it comes to REALLY rugged off-road use, my confidence has always = come from American iron... (and 35" tires...) = :-)
I'll never part with the Syncro, though! = :-)
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C=
OM]On Behalf
> Of Scott Semyan
> Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 10:19 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Sportsmobile
>
>
> I know this might be a sacrilegious question =
but does anyone have any
> experience with Sportsmobile (http://www.sportsmobile.com/
> <http://www.sportsmobile.com/> )? They used to =
provide
> conversions build off
> of VW busses back in the 60's. Now they make =
camper vans built off of
> standard passenger vans (Ford, Chevy, etc.). =
They have many different
> layouts to choose from including one that =
mirrors the layout
> of a Westie
> (pop top and all). I am the owner of an '85 =
Westie that I am
> happy with but
> as I approach a time when my wife and I will be =
doing some extended
> traveling in the van, I am concerned about the =
reliability of
> the engine and
> transmission. I would love to take the van to =
Alaska or even
> on the trip to
> South America but I can't imagine getting there =
without
> serious mechanical
> difficulties. The last thing I want is to be =
stranded on the highway
> somewhere.
>
> Here is why the Sportsmobile vehicles interest =
me:
> 1) You can get =
them made from of a new van with a brand
> new motor you
> choose (V8, Diesel, Turbo Diesel, etc.) that =
any mechanic can work on.
> 2) You can choose =
the type of transmission from limited slip
> differentials to even a four wheel drive option =
(after market).
> 3) Because the =
vehicles are so "standard" parts are
> cheaper and easier
> to find.
> 4) They have 40 =
pre made designs for the interior and
> you have the
> option of designing a custom interior.
> 5) Did I mention =
you can get a V-8 engine?
>
> Ok, here are the negatives:
> 1) Price. These =
things are expensive. But they are not much more
> expensive then a Eurovan (unless you add a =
bunch of options
> like 4 wheel
> drive - then they get very expensive).
> 2) American Made. =
Let's face it. The Germans know how to engineer
> things (except water cooled boxter engines =
:-)). The American
> made vans are
> just not as well crafted and innovative as the =
Vanagons are.
> 3) Gas mileage. =
That V-8 comes at a price.
> 4) No mailing =
list. The existence of this list was one
> of the factors
> that led me to purchasing a Vanagon. I doubt =
such a list exists for
> Sportsmobile owners (although with standard =
engines and
> transmissions, dare
> I say they might not have as many discussions =
about alternative engine
> choices and head gasket problems?).
>
> I know this is slightly off topic for Vanagons. =
That is why I
> posted on
> Friday. I don't want to be seen as bashing the =
Vanagon but I am just
> interested in some options.
>
> Here is the photo and story that caught my =
attention:
> http://www.sportsmobile.com/4x4/truktren.htm
> <http://www.sportsmobile.com/4x4/truktren.htm>=
FONT>
>