Thinking of buying a Syncro....

[KarlT]

Interesting that your modded/heavier bus returns better MPG than factory figures. Bet that doesn't happen these days.

[bikermike87]

When I moved house (other side of the city) it must have been below 15mpg as it was alot of stop starting, but didn't want to work it out!

Sitting at 56mph (gps speed), my van seems to be just ticking over nicely. When I was running 185/85's it sounded awfull at 56mph GPS. But i bet it would have been better around town on the fuel. I do live near main roads and motorways, so tend to use these alot. I imagine Welsh lanes would bring it right down.

I just do my best to keep the van moving, trying not to grind to a halt at lights or roundabouts. I don't ever thrash it and I drive knowing I have 6 pts!

I once went on a safety / economy driving lesson with work. He took measurements before and after. My consumption *increased based on the instructors driving style (not changing gear when the van is turning, meaning you rev the nuts of it )


I would be interested to know how they tested mpg in the past, was it a set speed for every car? Or was it at a speed that suited the gearbox and wheel sizes? Would our modern fuels make a difference?

[tforturton]

Strangely enough, Wales has some A-roads - it's not all country lanes. And I live in Cardiff, which is a big city with lots of traffic lights. So maybe not....

[bikermike87]

Strangely enough, Wales has some A-roads - it's not all country lanes. And I live in Cardiff, which is a big city with lots of traffic lights. So maybe not....

Oh dear, I failed to recognise the importance of being politically correct

Should explain, I spend a lot of time in and around lake Bala, which are accessed via welsh country lanes usually, and a few green lanes if I'm in the mood.

So no offence intended, I have family in Wales and spend a lot of time there, most of the country lanes I drive, are in Wales.

But so everyone is happy,
I imagine the B road lanes would bring it right down

[Aidan]

mixed driving mid wales out to and around the north west last week it was costing me 22p per mile lpg or equivilent to a diesel doing 31mpg, mostly it's about not braking and accelerating too hard
there isn't another vehicle I'd rather run so have to live with the fuel costs, though I'm under 10k miles a year the last 2 years
Would be nice to have another 2 grand to spend on fuel and go to some far flung places

[tforturton]

Sorry bikemike - I wasn't having a go. You'd be surprised how many people come down to Cardiff from London, and ask where all the coal pits are.

[KarlT]

Are you saying that Londoners are thick?

[tforturton]

I think I'll put my shovel away before I get into any more trouble.
But back to the Syncro - must admit that the thought of a Syncro is more appealling that that of a bog-standard T25.
Used to have a Land Rover years ago, and a very earlt Range Rover too, and the problem there was fuel and breakage costs. But I drive a beetle now, so the fuel costs won't be that different - the beetle is rubbish around town. Just have to bite the bullet and hope nothing breaks - but then I'm not likely to be thrashing it off-road anyway.

[bikermike87]

Hehe nee bother mate, didn't realise it was your thread. You don't want to upset KarlT, he wont stop

Tbh, syncro's are ace, but so are 2wd t25's. 2wd's are really capable and have less exspensive parts to worry about.

Unless your obsessing over a syncro, I would give a 2wd a run for a year or two, then start thinking about a syncro.

You really have to appreciate the little extras a syncro has, to justify the extra cost, which is quite a bit.

If you sold your landys due to repair costs, you might find a similar scenario with a syncro. You might not, but why risk when you could get a 2wd that fills your needs, especially if you don't plan to venture too far of the track

Good luck

[tforturton]

Sound advice from bikermike, I think.

[KarlT]

Just messing!

Never mind the sensible 2wd advice from Mike, get a syncro, if we only ever did the sensible thing how boring would life be?

Although if cost/repairs are a issue, I'd stick to a 14" although there is a nice 16" doka in Devon, with known history &........... There I go again!!

[tforturton]

Excuse my ignorance - what's the difference between a 14" and a 16"? Sounds like wheel sizes to me, but how would that affect the rest of the vehicle?

[KarlT]

Ther's loads of info on the forum, but 16's have bigger, heavier-duty parts (Brakes, cv's, drive-shafts) with extra body strengthening. Therefore, more cost to replace/harder to find.

[pilgrim55]

If your not really looking to off road and bash it around a 2wd should be sufficient, if you want to add maybe a bit of extra grip for your drive you could always chat to a throughly approachable bloke named Aidan Talbot about getting a diff lock on the 2wd box.

[syncropaddy]

A 2wd is never enough when you know you can have a Syncro!