Would you drop your Westy for a Winnebago Solis pop top?

[Ride-Fly]

I wouldn’t trade my Westy for a loaded Sprinter camper, but dayum, this Winnebago is awfully tempting. I think I’d do it. Anyone else see this bad boy? It’s expensive but just about an ideal in size and amenities. It’s like a larger Westy and even has a shower and room for bikes inside. If I wasn’t shopping for a plane, I’d be all over this thing.

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1987 Westy, Dove Blue
1987 Wolfsburg Tintop, Vesuvius Grey no more
1977 Toyota FJ40, Freeborn Red
2018 Ford F-350 Platinum, Ruby Red Metallic
2017 Mercedes GLE350, Polar White

[Abscate]

I would rather have 5 T3 Westies , one with a Subaru engine, thank you very much.
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.ssS!

[pnwkayaker]

I've actually been looking at the Solis for more almost 2 years, not as a replacement for my Syncro, but more as a complement (I can see how it would work great for long roadtrips to Yellowstone or Glacer, while I use the Syncro for more local off-the-beaten-path outings).

Alas, my kids are in the teen phase and are starting to think that camping with the parents is not as cool anymore (plus we've already did Glacier and Yellowstone with the Syncro) so the need/desire for the Solis is fading out.

I think Winnebago did a great job designing a simple poptop camper for a family that ticks a lot of items - sure, it could be improved with Lithium, etc and some folks would prefer to have an AWD Transit as the chassis instead of a Promaster but the starting point is very good.

I found that the following Facebook group (Winnebago Solis Owners and Wannabees) is one of the most comprehensive and knowledgeable resources available for the Solis (https://www.facebook.com/groups/382676146010723)
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[joetiger]

I saw one of these at a travel show a couple of years ago. Fit and finish was much nicer than a Eurovan Winnie and they've done a great job of modernizing what is essentially the Westfalia design.

I've spoken to a couple of van outfitters (asking for a friend ) about them and have been told that they're good for customizing because they're wider than Transits or Sprinters so the bed can be more easily fitted horizontally, but that mechanically they're not the same quality.

Also I don't like that super low-looking rear axle/bar on Promasters. It looks like a perfect rock target.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[4Gears4Tires]

[Sodo]

[PDXWesty]

I've been a Van owner for 26 years and I'd trade in a minute if it weren't for the price. The Westy is great for solo travel but when you add family to the mix, it just gets too small and doesn't have the amenities I want as I get older.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Andymon]

[JudoJeff]

I traded in for 1998 GTRV Ford 4.6L V-8. Westfalia layout but 33% roomier. It’s actually the “Westfalia “ model.

I dislike the “10 pounds of rocks in a 5 pound bag” layout of many of the newer designs. Folding bench seats facing each other also bug me. And the price tag makes me faint…for a Dodge!
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[Sodo]

Whats the cost of maintaining those new vans?
Do you have to get the oil changed at the dealer to maintain the warranty?
How much does a Sprinter oil change cost at Mercedes?
Does is cost more than the mortgage payment?

But they do more than change your oil, they check washer fluid etc. and update the van software.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[dabaron]

i would not find the joy i find in a Vanagon in the Solis. my Vanagon is my hobby and i find it to be affordable and fun. when it stops being those it will be sold.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[Ride-Fly]

[Ride-Fly]

[Ride-Fly]

[khughes]

[designer]

I prefer the cult that is vanagon / syncro.
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87 Syncro Westy : 2.5l

"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013.

[Q-Dog]

Starting at $112,000? I would rather have a small Class C. Lots more room. A 24' Lazy Daze, one of the best built in the business, is actually a little bit cheaper.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[cbeck]

My bossman gave me a ram promaster with a aluminum contractors body on it to work out of. Not impressed. V6, front wheel drive. Have to make a run at some gravel driveways, has no front traction. Have to climb in carefully so you don't knock your head. Overhead shelf makes you have to duck down to see the traffic light you are stopped at. Sunvisor is usless since it only swings straight down blocking the view of anything more than 10 feet in front of you. Hope you like to hear the engine scream, 6 gears and it is never in the right one. Seems awfully European, fix it again tony.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[holdthewind2]

It's a promaster so hell no, I would however without a thought trade the syncro westy for a EAV converted Sprinter and probably through the tristar syncro and t2 65 deluxe in the trade also... heck I'd even through in both of the Ex's kidneys if needed
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65 deluxe
89 Syncro Westfalia
90 Tristar Syncro

[Abscate]