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Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:42 am

You know it probably WAS 20 mpg. Duh. It was a long time ago and the focus was not on fuel economy to put it mildly. Sorry about the bad info.

Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:01 am

CdnVWJunkie wrote: let me be clear, 30mpg is a pipe dream with the VR. If a far lighter more aerodynamic MV won't reach 20mpg, there's isn't any hope a heavier and bigger Rialta will even those numbers.

furrylittleotter wrote: You know it probably WAS 20 mpg. Duh. It was a long time ago and the focus was not on fuel economy to put it mildly.

I'll bet. :wink: :P

My 2.8L VR6 Jetta is lucky to get 28 out on the highway... and that's with it empty (i.e. not carrying a load). It averages 24-26, which is on the higher end of the EPA scale for it. So, yeah, I cannot imagine the heavy Rialta getting 25, let alone 30 mpg.

I see Rialtas all the time in AZ; in fact, one lives not far from my parents' place up in Prescott. Met a couple from Canada up in Bryce a couple of years ago travelling across the States in their Rialta... they were enjoying it. The Rialta is too big and too "motorhomey" for me.

And, yes, there's forum for them: http://www.rialtaclub.com/forum/ .

Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:02 pm

Have had a Rialta the last few years. (Along with Air-cooled and Waterboxer Vanagons, and Eurovan Weekender) Have traveled extensively in all of them, and enjoyed them all! Each has it's place, and is fine there.

If kept to Interstates, and moderate inclines on surface roads, the Rialta is cozy comfort on wheels. Steep hills, mountains, narrow back roads- not so good. A little common sense goes a long way to ensuring a wonderful trip.

I'm building a Vanagon Hightop as a Rialta alternative, for extensive cross-country travel, by 2 folks. It will go the places the Rialta is not comfortable!

Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:17 pm

I have to get one of these, simply to join the 65mph club.

In all my life I've never enjoyed the luxuries of taking a poo at speed.

Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:45 pm

chazz79 wrote:
In all my life I've never enjoyed the luxuries of taking a poo at speed.

Quote of the week

Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:04 am

reviving this subject

sold my eurovan 1.9L AHU TDI westfalia 5 speed ...
bought a 2000 Rialta....

reason : bought the Rialta for the same price I sold the westfalia ....

I had to try it !

did 15,000 miles on a roadtrip with the westfalia, 32 states ....

at the end, the: "lets transfer the stock twice a day " was getting hummm

so we bought the Rialta with vr6 and AT ( big cooler )

Both have there good sides : westfalia : drives like a car , you can sleep everywhere ...but cramped on rainy days when staying in ...

Rialta : you put it in park walk at the back & sleep ! a big Plus
but just a litlle big for some fire roads in national forests ...

my 2 cents

Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:10 am

I'd be all over a 4WD drive one ..

Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:50 am

I saw one parked next to a Sprinter one day at the Farmer's Market and thought I'd take a few pictures for size comparison.

I don't think the Rialta is quite as big as many people think it is.

I've got a Sprinter and do enjoy not having to set anything up when we get there too.