Sprinter or Syncro: Which one would you keep?

[whynotvw]

I just bought 2007 sprinter sportsmobile to flip but after driving it around for a week I'm thinking I should sell my syncro. I can't keep both. I have offer of $55k for the sprinter and $60k offer for my syncro. Tough decision.

[ThankYouJerry]

You are asking the Vanagon community which vehicle you should keep?
What's the Sprinter Forum say?
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[SyncroChrick]

This is trick question.

[61Scout]

I'll take a stab at it, just to play...

Sprinter = 2wd, better fuel economy, modern, nicer ride?, lower maintenance costs, safer in an accident, decreasing in value for now, probably have to take it to a shop on occasion, easier to source parts, less likely to turn heads, more interior space

Syncro = 4wd (if you use it), antique/classic, stiffer ride, way higher maintenance costs, less safe in an accident, increasing in value though some feel prices are topped out for a while, up-gradable, be your own mechanic, parts can be hard to find, way cooler than a sprinter (babe magnet)

-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=

-Nec Spe, Nec Metu

[GWTWTLW]

[2wdvanagon]

Well, your first clue should be that someone is offing you 60k for the syncro when they could have the sprinter for 5k dollars less. If you don't cherish the syncro, sell it.

[slo356]

My big boy car is a '05 MB wagon purchased new. Now @ 145,000 miles, regular maintenance and one battery later all we do is drive it anywhere, anytime and any weather. It is the cheapest and best car I have ever owned.

Friend up the street with Syncro Doka just replace it with a new Sprinter 4x4 and custom interior to get some reliability in his travels.

But we both admit the Syncro is much more fun and interesting to own and drive.

Good Luck.
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'65 T1 Sedan
'87 T3 Syncro

[Skidub]

Given the increasing scarcity of finding a quality Syncro at a fair price, and assuming that you are making some decent coin off of flipping the Sprinter Sportsmobile, I say flip the Sprinter as planned and plow the margin back into the Syncro. You can get another Sprinter anytime...or, sell both and get a MB Sprinter 4x4 w/ BluTec diesel and start your build.
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86 Syncro GL Tin Top
Subaru 2.5L Swap
Rblt Transaxle w/ R Locker + Decoupler

[kamzcab86]

[jimf909]

^^^ The Sprinter is a commodity. A 2wd Sprinter is dropping in appeal and interest as 4wd units hit the mkt. What is it that you do with these things? Grocery getter? Every weekend to a KOA? Down a forest service road for a climbing trip? Weekend ski hut at the slopes? 1 month road trip every year? The vanagon is more fun, unless if you're ready enjoy the comfort and reliability of a Sprinter.
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- Jim

[whynotvw]

[Microbusdeluxe]

Met a guy on the White Rim trail in Canyon Lands National Park last month. He had a spanking new 4x4 diesel Sprinter. Sweet looking ride, great interior. He also turned around and bailed on the trail because someone coming the other way said it got too difficult in the next section (Murphy's Hogback). We did it in our syncro, it was fairly scary and more importantly possible too narrow for the Sprinter. Something to consider.
_________________
'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!

[Chugach]

Keep the syncro:
At the start of a 5700 mile road trip, The wife of a good friend of mine was distraught over the occasional quirks of the family syncro: "We should get a sprinter!" Like a live radio request, a new broken sprinter passed by on the deck of a flatbed tow truck. That was the last time it came up!
I'm no sprinter hater, if I were still contracting I would be driving one daily, but I could list a hundred reasons why I'd never trade my syncros for a sprinter, I'll let the forum list them


Here are my top 2: Sprinters have no soul!; and they are building more of them.....

[djkeev]

I'll let your own words answer your question.......

From.....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401525&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[OddN]

The fact that you even have to ask, tells me you're not a true Vanagon enthusiast, so the simple answer is what he says:

[whynotvw]

[quote="djkeev"]I'll let your own words answer your question.......

From.....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401525&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

That was one of those ford sportsmobile not a Sprinter sportsmobile, big difference.

[Yondermtn]

Fitting topic/handle combo

You could have far worse problems on your hand.
If my wife knew we were sitting on 2 vans with a FMV of $110k I think she'd be looking for buyers of both of them.
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1977 Westfalia 2.0FI 4spd
1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto

[insyncro]

No one leaping at a high dollar $yncro these days?

IMO, trying to sell a van for over $50,000 is best done using means other than the classifieds section, CL and eBay.

These vans need the seller to find a new owner or use a broker.

Look at all the shops, fabricators and small businesses trying to flip vans now.

I see no reason to keep a Sprinter and sell a Syncro , but as stated previously, it sounds like the owner isn't into the van for the long haul.

Too bad, it is a nice van.

Lowering the price will get it sold.
Lowering, meaning, below what you have in it

[slo356]

I always factor in what will I do with it when I am NOT USING IT?

My Syncro sleeps comfortably each night in the garage…the Sprinter will need a barn. Especially the 4x4…those rigs are BIG!
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'65 T1 Sedan
'87 T3 Syncro

[yiucycle]

Def a tough decision;
Sprinter have nice A/C, quiet at hwy speed, drive 80+mph all day.
Syncro have the cool factor/ conversation starter, appreciate value every yr, 4x4 for offroading.

I think you should do Pro/Con chart since you have experience in both vehicles and rank what is important to you. Only you know what you really want and it will help to see the pros and cons of it visually.
_________________
1980 2.8LV6 Fiero ASI/Riviera Vanagon
"there is no point in being embarrassed of all the stupid shit i done and will continue to do"

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