Please talk me out of it, my bird isn't doing a good job!

[bikermike87]

Hello folks,

I have had my 2wd T25 home brew camper for 18months now and I can honestly say it's the best fun I have ever had.
However, recent camping trips in the snow and the more rural camping has shown some restrictions for my need for real wild camping.

My friend has built a tear-drop tailor and tows it with a customised jimny, which often drags the t25 out of places! I have really enjoyed the off-roading in the jimny and would love to get involved myslef.

Sooooo, I have been thinking about purchasing a syncro. I must admit, Jed's videos have pushed the idea further, even the gf thinks its a cool idea.

This is why I need your help. I know I shouldn't buy one, but the need for some off roading, followed by a nights kip in the middle of nowhere screams challenge!
Plus I would love to tow the jimny out for a change!

Here is my situation:
I live in an apartment, no garage unless I drive 200 miles to my dad's.
My mechanical knowledge is somewhat limited, but I would be keen to learn.
I do have to commute a fair few miles, but I'm hoping this will reduce later in the year.

Is a syncro reliable? My 1.9 petrol 2wd has never let me down and I would hope this is a good sign?!

What sort of cost would I be looking at to buya good honest van. I wouldn't mind converting again to save cost.

Feel free to remove the post if it doesn't fit well within the syncro forum. Just after some honest constructive advice!

[syncropaddy]

The price of a Syncro starts at £500 ....... and never stops! There are Syncros owned by members here that stand them well in excess of £20k and they aren't finished yet .........

Buy the best you can afford and be prepared to keep spending

[lloydy]

http://www.busman.be/pagina57a.html
White camper at the top seems good, new box and VC.

[twiggy]

http://www.busman.be/pagina57a.html
White camper at the top seems good, new box and VC.

thats were my money would go

twigs

[Syncrobaz]

Tidy looking van,I've heard Mike is a decent bloke?? The price looks good depending on the exchange rate plus shipping and registration costs.Cant be an original Westy though??

[peasant]

I'm still of the opinion (against all evidence to the contrary) that the Syncro is not an off-road vehicle or designed for off-roading, at least not primarily.

If you take it mudpludding anyway, you should at least have the ability (and spcae) to do preventative maintenance and aftercare yourself (and if it's just a good clean and check underneath to get the muck off).
Getting an off-road going Syncro serviced and looked after by a garage is not a financially viable option.

If I were you (with the apartment and all your other circumstances) I'd keep the camper I'm happy with, put a tow hook onto it and buy a cheap (and light ! ) old Suzuki off-roader and trailer ...camp in the camper and go off-roading with a cheap pice of carp where damage doesn't matter.

[lloydy]

Tidy looking van,I've heard Mike is a decent bloke?? The price looks good depending on the exchange rate plus shipping and registration costs.Cant be an original Westy though??

Not a westy, probably a homebrew

[v-lux]

a cheap pice of carp

?

[jed the spread]

They say a picture says a thousand words, this is why you might need one. No mud plugging involved or indeed required,I dont know many Syncro owners with campers who do, but you would require four wheel drive at times like these.













Jed

[peasant]

a cheap pice of carp

?

like this ...for example

advertised for 800 Euro

[javabob]

They say a picture says a thousand words, this is why you might need one. No mud plugging involved or indeed required,I dont know many Syncro owners with campers who do, but you would require four wheel drive at times like these.













Jed

Where are the locations?

[alxx_b]

They say a picture says a thousand words, this is why you might need one. No mud plugging involved or indeed required,I dont know many Syncro owners with campers who do, but you would require four wheel drive at times like these.













Jed

^^ I wanna go to all of these places! Where are they?

[Syncrobaz]

I'm still of the opinion (against all evidence to the contrary) that the Syncro is not an off-road vehicle or designed for off-roading, at least not primarily.

If you take it mudpludding anyway, you should at least have the ability (and spcae) to do preventative maintenance and aftercare yourself (and if it's just a good clean and check underneath to get the muck off).
Getting an off-road going Syncro serviced and looked after by a garage is not a financially viable option.

If I were you (with the apartment and all your other circumstances) I'd keep the camper I'm happy with, put a tow hook onto it and buy a cheap (and light ! ) old Suzuki off-roader and trailer ...camp in the camper and go off-roading with a cheap pice of carp where damage doesn't matter.

If you can't stand the heat keep out of the kitchen-buy a landy!!!!!

[bikermike87]

http://www.busman.be/pagina57a.html
White camper at the top seems good, new box and VC.

Thanks for this Lloydy, importing isn't something I had looked at.

I think Jed's pictures sum up why the syncro would offer me more in terms of camping abilities. I'm not one for campsites and the ability to reach places like that would be brilliant. I don't think I want to be able to seriously test these vehicles ability, just reach camping spots where my 2wd would fail.

I must say folks, not many of you are doing a good job at talking me out of this!!!

[v-lux]

Bikermike87....Dont bother. Syncro's are rubbish.