TheSamba.com :: View topic - I'm selling all my VWs (8!) to buy a syncro, advice needed

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:01 pm

Under pressure from my family and friends, I've agreed to sell off all of my junk "project" VWs and spend the next year searching for a great deal on my dream vehicle: a hard-top syncro vanagon into which I'd eventually install a TDI engine.

The problem is that I don't have a spare 10 large.

As I search, what are some things I might avoid or look specific to a syncro? If I found an ad for a dust-covered syncro in a nebraska barn for 2 grand, what should I ask about before buying?

thanks all,

WB

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:17 pm

:bay_blue: Buy it the trans is worth that much. Make sure it has a rear locker, can't go very well without . No rust. :D make sure the VC is good they can get pricey , a decoupler would be even netter !

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:40 pm

If there is no rust. Buy it and rebuild it.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:56 pm

Ummm, if you don't sell the other ones first... :D

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:59 pm

total world production of vanagon Syncro from 85-92 was in the ~47,000 units area.. a number that stuck in my head was ~1,200 units less than my Sister's T343 Ghia.

total world production of Syncro Westfalias were around 2,000 units

hence the outrageous values as time continues to tick (and many are totaled in fire & traffic & rust)

nothing else is a 15ft AWD camper that can sleep 4 (westy or converted) in comfort of a coastal rain.. and return ~20mpg.

tintops used to be the cheapies.. not so much anymore.. there's syncro specialists out there snatching them up for the Transmissions alone..

Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:54 pm

danfromsyr wrote: tintops used to be the cheapies.. not so much anymore.. there's syncro specialists out there snatching them up for the Transmissions alone..

Dammit!

I suppose I shouldn't get my hopes up too high. :(

Thanks for the responses guys.

Wed May 02, 2012 1:50 am

And Syncros without rear locking differentials are barely worth owning I take it..

:(

Wed May 02, 2012 2:10 am

Selling several proyects to own a nice running VW ready to be enjoyed makes a lot of sense, in my opinion. You will rest better at night not having to worry about all you need to do to them and have more fun during the day. You will still have to tinker around (it comes with every VW), but at a pace you actually enjoy. I've had many projects going on at the same time in the past, and prefer my current situation with a good running Westy Syncro and a 65 doka project, that is it, no more cars that what I can actually enjoy.

Good luck with your exchange!
Cris

Wed May 02, 2012 4:34 am

(And Syncros without rear locking differentials are barely worth owning I take it..)!!! NOT TRUE !!!

Mine does just fine. It kind of keeps me from beating the total snot out of it. Snow,mud,sand,river crossing,fire roads,forest roads,logging roads it does better then 2wd. Most American trucks are not true 4wd no lockers. Don't let that stop you. I have only bin stuck twice. Once i slid off a mountain top down the side and wedged between two stumps. Got the chain saw out cut the stump and free wheeled down the side of mountain. The other is pictured on page 69 in Vanagon's in the Wilderness Thread. I was just messing around busting down a tank buster. So long story short a syncro no matter witch one you get you will love it.

Wed May 02, 2012 10:48 am

cris torlasco wrote: I've had many projects going on at the same time in the past, and prefer my current situation with a good running Westy Syncro and a 65 doka project, that is it, no more cars that what I can actually enjoy.
Good advice Cris! I find maintaing my 3 "regular" cars (all Honda) and 1 Vanagon to be enough. Yet, I keep thinking about a Bay or Bug....
You need time for other things besides cars - unless that is your only thing (then go for it), Me, I need time to bike, hike, fish, clear land, firewood, etc, etc.
My daughter does like older cars and watches TopGear, so maybe a Bug is in the near future. :lol:

Wed May 02, 2012 11:04 am

wehrbüchse wrote: And Syncros without rear locking differentials are barely worth owning I take it..

:(

My Syncro originally did not come with a locker. Not a big deal, I added the locker later when my tranny needed to be rebuilt. Cost was about $500 more and that was done at Rancho trans. in Fullerton Ca. Its not that hard to add a locker.

Wed May 02, 2012 11:31 am

whynotvw wrote: My Syncro originally did not come with a locker. Not a big deal, I added the locker later when my tranny needed to be rebuilt. Cost was about $500 more and that was done at Rancho trans. in Fullerton Ca. Its not that hard to add a locker.

This is a very welcome post! Btw: how much did rebuilding your tranny cost?

Guys thanks also for the input about all of the "project" cars. The way I get is to think "if I only do A, B, and C, I can sell that car for Z amount and mitigate my losses. But the losses are negligible when spread over the years I waste on these things! I really have issues with this, and I'm at the point where it is way beyond anything I can argue with to say that it hasn't been worth my time. What's worse, these relatively worthless vehicles have anchored me to an area and prevented the pursuit of huge opportunities. They need to go.