TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:53 am

I just purchased what amounts to my dream van this weekend. The problem is I already own my dream van. I know difficult problem. Each van has distinct features that appeal to me and hence the dilemma.
My current van is a 1991 syncro Getaway hightop with westy interior and stock 2.1 motor. I have owned for almost 10 years. It has served me reliably and has really suited my lifestyle. I had always hoped to convert to diesel but mechanically it has never really let me down. I have lived in it for extended times. My family and I spent a year traveling around US and Canada 40000km on that trip, 120 000 in all. Multiple trips across country and lots of back country camping. It is expedition proven and I have really tweaked it to be utilitarian. It has suspension upgrades, brake upgrades, decoupler and is all original paint. Everything has been gone through. The negatives I am faced with are the upper bunk is becoming too small for my teen daughter, it is a finished product and I will not be doing any extended trips for quite sometime. It is at a good time and condition to pass onto someone else looking to get on the road. I do obviously have a high sentimental attachment to it.
My new diamond in the rough is a 1987 syncro Joker hightop. It is a 1.9 diesel conversion(was diesel originally). It has a lot of upgrades as well as a factory winter package including diesel Espar heater. It has decoupler and front and rear lockers. It is not in perfect shape but is a good base. The body needs some work, it needs some mechanical attention and is a potential project with lots of unknowns. I really like the look of the van but it is super similar to my getaway. The upper bunk is much more spacious and can sleep 2 adults. I enjoy working on and upgrading my van and will have sometime/$ if I sell the Getaway.
I guess my dilemma and where I am looking for input is am I crazy to sell a van with a proven track record and original paint for a rare project van with a diesel motor and a lot of features. I know opinions will differ but I am curious to hear what people think. I unfortunately cannot keep both vans.
My Getaway

The new van

Thanks Mark

Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:22 am

All I can say is there are lots of unknowns in any conversion you didn't do yourself - even diesel to diesel.
If you ever see Bruce cruising around in his hightop Syncro 16 just ask him!

Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:33 am

Ah, decisions, decisions.... :-k

Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:34 am

Forget the Get away and get it away from you. The syncro club joker is the way to roll!!!! 8) 8) 8) :vw: :vw: :vw: 8) 8)

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:03 pm

So you got that Diesel hightop. I have been lusting over that van for years, but it came and went so fast. If you do decide to sell it please send me a PM.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:12 pm

I suggest keeping them both. : )

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:16 pm

Hi Mark

I don't envy you having to make that choice. I thought the Getaway was pretty cool when you came through here, but I dunno; I really like that Joker. Do what I do -- just keep them all. Don't you still have a bunch of other Syncros still?

RonC

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:20 pm

:roll:

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:21 pm

Nice westy :D I love mine and wouldnt change it for any other camper. Which 1.9 is it?

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:22 pm

Thanks for the input. We had 25cms of snow last night. I am just sitting out in the van with the diesel heater on. Pretty sweet. It is an AAZ from what I understand. Anyone have experience with Espar heaters? Mine makes a constant ticking. Not sure if that is a pump. Hopefully not a stuck ignitor.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:27 pm

Hey Ron,
I have sold off most of the syncros but could not pass on this one. I need to stop watching the classifieds. I still have my syncro panel and will keep one camper. Hope you are well on the East Coast.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:36 pm

Both super vans. I greatly enjoyed seeing your getaway when I picked up my Westy interior from you. Given that your daughter does not fit the Getaway anymore and the Joker is diesel with twin lockers I think I might go in that direction (if the conversion is good). You can't lose either way.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:18 pm

dipple wrote: Thanks for the input. We had 25cms of snow last night. I am just sitting out in the van with the diesel heater on. Pretty sweet. It is an AAZ from what I understand. VWJedi Don't hate. Anyone have experience with Espar heaters? Mine makes a constant ticking. Not sure if that is a pump. Hopefully not a stuck ignitor.

It's probably the esper fuel pump. My webasto clicks too. I only hear it for a short while before it blends into the background noise.

Nice vans. Keep the diesel!

I'd like to know more about your surfboard carrier. I just put down a deposit on a NA hightops top. I'd like to carry kayaks on the side like that.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:40 pm

Thanks for the heater info. It seems to run fine and generated a lot of heat. I bought the rack of German eBay. It was specifically for high top campers to carry windsurfers. It is hinged and folds down to the window line. It can also be adjusted to different high top heights. I then added Thule bars and an inno surfboard carrier. It is one of my favorite mods on the getaway. I carry a SUP with it and it works really well. Easy to load with 1 person. It could definitely be modified for kayaks.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:46 pm

noganav wrote: So you got that Diesel hightop. I have been lusting over that van for years, but it came and went so fast. If you do decide to sell it please send me a PM.
No problem noganav.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:37 pm

Phishman068 wrote: I suggest keeping them both. : )

X2. Or sell me which ever one you decide not to keep

Fri Nov 23, 2012 7:21 pm

All my D1,D2 espars ticked....make sure you dont have an air bubble or blocked filter, it should go away a little.

Keep the Joker.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:24 pm

Keep the joker!! The getaway is sweet but the joker will be worth more!!

Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:26 pm

You bought the new one, so get rid of your old ride and start working on the new one. Keeping more than one van is a slippery slope and an expensive habit.

The heater ticking can be quieted with rubber mounts. I moved my fuel pump to the fender well from inside the van and the ticking was still noticable outside, but not inside.

Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:46 pm

noganav wrote: So you got that Diesel hightop. I have been lusting over that van for years, but it came and went so fast. If you do decide to sell it please send me a PM.

That did go fast, didn't it? Good buy for the price, IMHO.

My vote is for the Joker too Mark. Your GW is super clean and I havent' seen the Joker but it sounds pretty well kitted out.