2wd as good as a syncro!

[JerseyMike]

And the sliding door would be on the wrong side unless you got a twin slider. Unless you were an dab hand it would cost a fortune to pay someone to do this!!!

Cooper: I have been reading this thread from the first post and as much as i love your enthusiasm i really don't think your being very realistic.

As many have said before the less you spend on the van, the more you spend in parts on the van. Over the years i have had many 2WD t3's petrol and diesel and i can tell you from my experience that my £400 1.9 log panel van ended up costing me £2000 and the next owner got a bargain when they bought it from me for £1200. I have just bought a diesel LLE for £5000. I immediately spent £750 on carpet, stereo, headlight clips, new bulbs, lea sure battery, etc... and just to get it up to scratch and how i want it i will probably spend another £2000 on it. Considering this is one of the younger T3's on the road you can only imaging how much maintenance these vehicles need. Thats why i drive a t4 for work, that cost me £5500 3 years ago and i haven't spent a penny on it since. If i could find a syncro for £4600 i still would be apprehensive of this being my only van as if it let me down not only would i be paying for the fix, i would be loosing money not working while the van was off the road.

I'm always looking at vans for sale and you WILL NOT get much for your budget (£4600) in europe. Flight over £150, Nights stay in a hotel £50-75, (at this point if the van is a dog you'll need a flight back) Diesel or petrol £300ish, Boat back £150, Auto electrician and RHD headlights £200 (more if square). So you'll have about €5000 to spend on a van. Definitely not impossible to get a solid van but can't see you getting a camper for that money.

If you still want a T3 i recommend you buy a good 2wd camper for £3000-£3500. This would leave you some money in the bank for any fixes that may need doing. During your time with the 2wd you'll learn the ropes (think of it as an apprenticeship) of T3 ownership. If you find a good one and keep it in good shape theres no reason why you shouldn't sell it for the same money in a year or 2. After that time you could look for a nice syncro and with all you have learned on your 2wd you should be able to do most things yourself saving you some money and adding value to your van.

[Cooper]

I get what your saying.

Ive looked up:

£50 flights
But van for 4k
Drive back home diesel £300
Get euro tunnel hardly any money as i have these special tickets.
No hotel drive back in a day.
So lets say £4500 done.


Nah dont want a twin and dont care what side it opens.

The van ive seen has just had a mot a week ago.
Everythings been checked out and body is mint.

[JerseyMike]

Good luck to you!

[Cooper]

Wel i do need some luck. I have no luck and never one anything in my life. Not even a raffle.

[ninja.turtle007]

Just because something has an mot doesn't mean it is any good.

[KarlT]

I agree with most of your points Mike, but there are thousands of T3's out there with 200 even 300,000 miles on the clock. They are no more unreliable than your newer (but still 10/15 year old) T4's if well maintained & serviced. If T4's & T5's didn't need fixing many VW garages would be out of business by now!!

[Cooper]

Just because something has an mot doesn't mean it is any good.

The guy whos is selling it told me that he had everything looked at. And all the running gear/gear box/vc and other syncro stuff is very good. + he said he will get export plates for me and pick my dad up from the airport.

[syncropaddy]

Everythings been checked out and body is mint.

Checked out by who? How do you know the body is mint ..... you said the one on e bay was rotten but how do you know? Unless you have seen it in the flesh and had it checked out you wont know. Even the best of us can get caught out.

Cooper .... I think you are a dreamer / 14 years old. You wont listen to our advice. You wont be able to convert a LHD to RHD unless you REALLY know the T3. You wont be able to convert a 2WD to a Syncro unless you REALLY know your stuff. Clearly you dont and I doubt if you know anyone who does. I know every nut and bolt on my Syncro, I have all the skills you need to do either conversion and I would be reluctant to take on either project. If you have you 'eye' on one in Europe, go and buy the feckin thing and stop dreaming about it

[Cooper]

Checked when he had it motd.

I dont have a glue about t3's yet or syncros but ill learn.
My dad knows alot about cars n my brother in law is a mechanic.
Im a fast learner.

I just wanted to know if anyone knows of somewhere that will do the conversion cheaper than 3k.

Ive seen the photos and looks good.

You say im a dreamer but Im not the only one!

I do listen to advise. Im just asking different questions.

I am going to buy it.

[lloydy]

Am i right in thinking your going to buy a 5k lhd and spend 3k converting it to rhd? If so, get a rhd for 8k. You havent been looking for long, there isn't many of these around so you have to be patient. Personally i think you will be fine with lhd, but if really think you need a rhd then wait. there is that blue syncro panel van on ebay, which looks ok. Spend the remainder of that 8k getting timber technicians to put a hightop on it

[Cooper]

4k on a syncro.

Im not paying for a conversion , my dad said he might if i can find a better price than 3k.

Nah dont really fancy a high top.

Ive been mulling over getting a syncro or 2wd t3/t25 for about 2 years but havent had the funds.

[JerseyMike]

I agree with most of your points Mike, but there are thousands of T3's out there with 200 even 300,000 miles on the clock. They are no more unreliable than your newer (but still 10/15 year old) T4's if well maintained & serviced. If T4's & T5's didn't need fixing many VW garages would be out of business by now!!

I know what your saying. I love and pamper my T3's and don't really care for my work van (T4 2.5td) but if i had to take some furniture to spain i know what one i'd take. The T3 is me. The T4 is a tool (a comfortable and powerful tool that drives like a car). I bought a brand new T5.5 in 2010 but sold it recently as it was sole less. Thats when i bought the LLE. Looking for a syncro myself. Looking to spend about £7500. Will probably get one from the continent but am amazed at the low price of them in scandinavian countries but would have to wait until the summer to drive one back from there.

[max.karisma]

Sorry but you have to get out there and get experience!!!
As a woman Syncro owner, I spent a year as a passenger and driving other members vans . . . you need to do this so you know what you want and what you are prepared to spend . . . DO NOT BUY A SYNCRO WITHOUT EXPERIENCE!!!
I have owned 2wd for 20 yrs and still have one but moving over to the 4wd is a life changing decision
Through my gained knowledge within the club and contacts, I am happy to be driving a Syncro and love it

[axeman]

Sorry but you have to get out there and get experience!!!
As a woman Syncro owner, I spent a year as a passenger and driving other members vans . . . you need to do this so you know what you want and what you are prepared to spend . . . DO NOT BUY A SYNCRO WITHOUT EXPERIENCE!!!
I have owned 2wd for 20 yrs and still have one but moving over to the 4wd is a life changing decision
Through my gained knowledge within the club and contacts, I am happy to be driving a Syncro and love it

well said that girl

neil

[max.karisma]

Thanx Neil, always happy to pull you out of a hole