yup, I can see your point.  I have an '85 Westy, 2wd, 1.9 L and it is
truly gutless in mildly hilly settings.  I've actually had to have all the
riders get out of it at a paved camp ground in the mountains by Sante Fe,
much to the amusement of onlooking campers.  I still love it, but at times
like that I curse VW for making a camping vehicle that can't handle
anything but the meekest off-road terrain.

Ivan

On Thu, 17 Jul 1997 JCSYNCRO@aol.com wrote:

> Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 14:02:07 -0500
> From: JCSYNCRO@aol.com
> To: Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu>
> Subject: Re: 87 Synchro - too good to be true ?
> 
> RE: both messages below,  I looked for a year for my Syncro.  It took that
> long to believe the prices being asked for them in Seattle.  Mine is an 87 GL
> Syncro Westy.  I watched several '90 and '91's with 60,000 miles go for
> $23,000 and $25,000 right before my eyes while I was waiting to have my turn
> to look.
> 
> All I can add is look it over carefully and decide if you are prepared to pay
> the price to keep replacing things as they go bad because all 10 year old
> cars have things that need replacing.
> 
> As far as what I think about Syncros over 2WD Vanagons:  The GRIN factor on
> my face has more than trippled on my explorations in the mountains and the
> snow.  I have the money to keep it in top shape,  and I have wanted one since
> I saw the first one in '86.   Check with the Kelly Blue book.  The NADA book
> has always been way off the real selling price.
> 
> Also, at 100,000 miles, you are near the point where many things are ready
> for replacement, you just have to weigh the costs and the selling price to
> determine if you are ready for the expense.   If you only drive in good
> weather on good roads, you will never know the difference,  but you'll be
> missing all the fun of going where the Syncro can go.  The Compound low gear
> has proven very valuable to me on steep streets and very slow moving traffic
> jams, not to mention off-road exploration!!!
> 
> Good Luck
> 
> Curt Long
> 
> 
> In a message dated 97-07-16 01:14:01 EDT, vw4x4@fyi.net (Joe Wagner) writes:
> 
> << Lets use a little common sense here. Any Car That was 10 years old,
>    with 100k miles would be selling for scrap pricing, if this were
>    the 1960's. Because of autos lasting longer and better design, this
>    deal can be reasonable. BUT in MY Opinion you are on the edge!
>          Joe Wagner
>  
>  On Tue, 15 Jul 1997, James Adams wrote:
>  
>  > Hello,
>  > 
>  >     I've found an 87 Synchro which is selling for $4200.  100K miles, nice
>  > body, paint, etc.  Is this a good bargain or a sign of trouble ?  I've
> haven't
>  > seen any 87's priced as low as this, and the fact that this is a Synchro
> (4WD)
>  > makes me even more suspicious.
>  > 
>  >     Would anyone care to comment on the pros and cons of having a Synchro
>  > rather than the 2WD version ?  >>
>