Have to disagree about the status symbol thing, and the mechanical nightmare. �Yes, if you
have VC/front differential problems it can be vexing and expensive, but otherwise the expense of�
maintaining the Syncro isn't�much greater than the 2WD. �I've owned both. �Our Syncro is my
wife's daily driver, albeit only serving a 6 mile round trip commute.

Daryl at AA Transaxle rebuilt my transmission (very well BTW), and as I recall it doesn't cost�
a huge amount�more to rebuild the Syncro Transmission over the 2WD.

As to the performance in a warm weather climate on the road, I can't scientifically prove
an advantage, but I like having the on-demand 4WD available when splashing through the deep
water provided by our sudden, Florida style thunder-bursts.

I will also add that the more sturdy suspension of the Syncro handles high wind much better than the
2WD suspension. �I immediately noted that the first time I traversed a couple of bridges in the�
Syncro when the�wind was really blowing hard.

Just my humble opinion.

Cheers, Anthony (if you want my Syncro you'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands)
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)

________________________________
 From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 3:13 AM
Subject: Re: Syncro Critic
 

I don;t have one - have driven the two-wheel (really one wheel) Vanagon
from Alaska in Winter to Florida i Winter and summer. And unless you get
off the pavement - a Syncro is just a status symbol and a whole bunch of
mechanical nightmare� you don't want. If however you do get off road -
they are a whole bunch� nice to have,

John

On 9/11/2013 12:46 AM, raceingcajun wrote:
>� �  Hello Vanities,
>
>� �  One of my Sons hit his head in the shower, and now has an
> un-controllable desire to buy a Passat W8. Keep in mind that we live on the
> Gulf Coast. No snow/ice, winter temps are in the high 30's low 40's and the
> last time we had a wisp of snow was in 1997. Also he lives in town, never
> get of the cement or goes off road mud riding. Worst driving conditions
> heavy rains, some fog.
>� �  Now with that back ground in mind. What I'm looking for is a general
> users critic of the Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro system, its mechanic's and
> driving idiosyncrasy's. General cost of maintenance, etc.
>� �  So wipe off those crystal balls and lets have your learned opinion good
> and bad!
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
> Howard
>