Date:         Wed, 9 Dec 2009 10:17:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Paul Guzyk <paullist08@GUZYK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Guzyk <paullist08@GUZYK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Syncro as a daily driver?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Using a Syncro as a commuter vehicle is stupid IMHO.   Why put wear and tear on a collectible vehicle if you are just driving yourself to work?

It's one thing if you are hauling around lots of stuff and need the room, but to drive yourself get a 2nd vehicle....it will be cheaper on gas, better for the environment, and make your syncro last longer...not to mention less likely to get in a wreck then have to deal with greedy insurance companies.

Buy an early 90's Corolla or Civic.   They are reliable and cheap to buy, cheap on gas, cheap insurance, cheap and easy to fix (although not much maintenance required).   I only drive my Vanagons now when I have to carry stuff/go camping....














---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From:         Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Reply-To:     Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Date:          Wed, 9 Dec 2009 09:56:03 -0500

>On Dec 9, 2009, at 9:16 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
>> I don't know if you are crazy, but the idea of using a 14 mpg,
>> expensive to maintain vehicle for regular driving around a metro
>> area is crazy. If the capacity is needed for regularly hauling
>> stuff, or people, some other vehicles that get much better miileage
>> are available.  If the capacity is needed for just occasional
>> jaunts, then rental when needed is a real, and effective, option.
>> Just my judgement, since you asked us.  I have a '91 Vanagon GL
>> Campmobile (commonly called a Westphalia or "Westy," though neither
>> is the name of the vehicle).  I use it for camping only, and have a
>> Prius and an old Honda Accord for day to day driving about and for
>> road trips (the Prius) when the special attributes of the camper are
>> not needed.
>
>i wonder about the environmental costs of owning three cars as opposed
>to one that gets bad gas milage.  i have read that by the time a car
>is built it has created around a quarter of the pollution it will
>create in it's lifetime.  since i have no idea where i read that it
>may be totally incorrect.
>
>here is an article that has some mention of this: www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/10/car-scrappage-payments
>"A paper published in 2000 by the journal Transportation Research
>comes to even grimmer conclusions: that replacing old cars with new
>ones increases carbon pollution. Because between 15% and 20% of a
>car's emissions are produced during its manufacture, the optimal age
>for a car, the paper says, is 19 years."
>
>> The choice of any vehicle because it is "more fun to drive" would
>> be, for me, a foolish idea period.  Practicality and environmental
>> responsibility are more fun for me, in the long run.  Just
>> sayin'............. .
>
>fun to drive and environmental responsibility are not incompatible
>goals.  for example i own a mini clubman.  according to
>greenercars.org it has the seventh best "greenest car" rating of any
>car sold in the USA and is a blast to drive.
>
>> And if you are dead set on a Vanagon for the purposes described, why
>> a Synchro?  You don't seem to have an application that takes
>> advantage of 4WD.
>
>again, i would say that having one car that serves all of your auto
>needs may be a more environmentally responsibility solution than
>owning several cars for different functions.  at any rate, i don't
>think it is a simple problem.
>
>r
>
>>
>> David McNeely
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 6:28 PM, Chris S wrote:
>>
>>> There are a lot of ideas bouncing around the inside air space of that
>>> large head of mine and one of them is procuring a passenger Syncro as
>>> a daily driver.  It seems like a decent idea as it would keep me from
>>> buying newer, more expensive and possibly less entertaining modes of
>>> transportation.  It will hold my whole family plus luggage on our
>>> long
>>> trips.  With an engine conversion it should reasonably swift,
>>> efficient and dependable.  Plus I know how to fix just about anything
>>> on one since I have had Vanagon Westies for 9 years now (first one
>>> was
>>> my primary transport).
>>>
>>> I come to you asking for a sanity check.  I live and commute around
>>> Atlanta.  Am I crazy?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Wysłane z mojego urządzenia przenośnego
>>>
>>> Chris S.
>>> Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
>
>I remain, as always
>YrLyl&ObdntSrvnt,
>
>r
>