hey, larry:

On Thursday, August 1, 2002, at 05:43 AM, Larry Chase wrote:
> Trip  Assumptions:
>
> 1. Duration .. continuous travel for approx. 1 yr (US, Mexico, Canada,
> Alaska, Nova Scotia etc)

as long as you got the money and the time, any will do.

> 2. Gas Mileage

depends upon engine (gas, diesel, subaru, tiico, other inline 4, other)
combined with whether it's an evc, syncro westy, or westy.  i believe,
given the same engine type/size, the westy will do the best and the
syncro westy will do the worst (i don't know what kind of mileage an ev
gets).  that can also change if gearing changes have enabled the driver
to change the way the van is driven, though.

we get between 13 and 18 mpg in our syncro westy, depending upon
topography, headwind, and type of driving (city or highway).

> 3. Ability to travel into  moderate back country (off road) areas.

syncro westy,
westy,                        evc.

we've only touched the surface of our syncro's potential, and it's
amazing.  once i've got new shocks, springs, engine, and tranny settled
in there, i doubt there's many places we'd want to get to we won't be
able to go (unless they're off-limits due to other reasons).  i hear
westy's are excellent on many "off" roads, especially if properly sprung
and damped.  a locking rear differential can also make a world of
difference, according to some folks.  i think an evc is largely a
paved-road vehicle.

> 4. Parts Availability

probably evc is easiest (many dealers should have a way to get you
parts), but with cellphone and volkscafe, vanagain, and bus depot phone
numbers, you're generally only a fedex package away from most items.
plus, the westy interior is great for hiding spares.  evc is more
expensive in parts (dealer-only, most of them).

> 5. Repair Availability (Breakdowns & Preventative Maintenance)

newer vehicles tend to break down less than older ones, but
well-maintained vehicles break down even less than that.  i find my
syncro westy to be easy to work on, given the correct tools.  i wouldn't
touch a eurovan, at least not without having much more experience with
them than i do now.

> 6. Travel Comfort

depends upon number travelling, but unless the evc is MUCH more comfy
than a westy, the only thing i can think of that could be telling is the
engine/driving noise of a westy.  it gets tiresome, though
sound-reduction materials, good seals, and a different engine (esp a
subaru) can decrease the noise.

> 7. Overall reliability

again, it all depends upon how the van has been maintained prior to your
use of it.  once i get my syncro westy dialed in (it hadn't been
well-cared for by the PO) i wouldn't have any problems taking it on a
trip of any length.  with a eurovan i would want to have a credit card
with a large balance to take care of the mechanical issues that (could)
arise; with my syncro i have faith that i can get through most things
(with help from the list or listees) and stay on the road, rather than
in a hotel.

> 8. Cost of travel (Maint, Fuel, etc)

sum the above.

good luck!

bill