syncro westie with 1.9 DG ?

[oorwullie]

anyone have /had/ driven one o' them? i've got the chance of one at a reasonable price but haven't seen it yet.

years ago a mate had an early syncro with the DG, it was a 9 seater caravelle with factory fitted westie roof and nice brown curtains.
it wasn't exactly a rocket though so i'm wondering just what performance will be like with the full westie set up at about 2 tons empty!

[jed the spread]

I have driven one, I drove it from London to Scotland and to be fair it zoomed along at 70 no worries. The thing is the MPG was absolutely awful and it was a good engine It would cost you a fortune to go anywhere at speed.

Jed

[oorwullie]

if i belt along at 70 in me 2.1 injection it'll gobble a lot more than it does at 50.

i'm not in a hurry.

[jed the spread]

You did ask mate

Jed

[oorwullie]

aye, cheers!

[jed the spread]

It was going up hill all the way so probably better MPG on the way back down like.

Jed

[oorwullie]

from where i live the entire world is downhill................

[oorwullie]

i can't get a hold of the guy.

[armyphil]

That's what I have and it happily cruises at 56mph but fuel economy is a crippler. It's terrible but it will pull and its quiet.

Just economy, and mines a daily!,,

[cleagarr]

I have one and drive it daily - I love the drive it gives. Sits very happily at 60mph and I hover between 50 and 60. It will go faster but I don't need to so I don't.

Two things:

1. It is a killer on petrol - 21mpg tops.

2. Converted to LPG helps save a fortune and it drives better in my opinion.

[oorwullie]

thanks guys, that doesn't sound too outrageous but it is more than my 2.1 doka used.

[toomanytoys]

digital throttle.. once cruising aint bad.. but hills and stop start make for hard work..

Stick a 2.1 under the carb (covert engine upgrade if you like) and it makes all the difference.. lots more torque and power for the same mpg really...

[oorwullie]

cheers simon, we do have a few hills round my way..............

i got the guy on the phone today, he says it's allegedly sold but he ain't seen any ca$h yet so anything can happen.

he's had it 8 years and reckons to have been getting about 26mpg on the m-way at about 65.

no diff locks at all.

i nivver asked if he'd taken it off road, but it doesn't look like it..........

he don't know the history of it from new but were they making westies in this plastic bumper /sideplanks style in 1986 ? and the only other DG engined syncros i know about here were 1985.

late 1986 models here were all with a cat for new 1987 legislation...........

[jed the spread]

he's had it 8 years and reckons to have been getting about 26mpg on the m-way at about 65.

I would be questioning all the other good points he has to give if that is the case

Still if you can get it at the right price its worth a punt. Not that I have to even mention it to you but body work is every thing and original interior/trim is very important. Original engines are not worth worrying about because lets be honest if its an amazing base a worth while engine conversion will probably end up in it.

Good luck and I hope you get it for a good price.

Jed

[oorwullie]

i ain't even gonna go the 60 miles north to look at it yet, i'm off to the med next week for a bit and if he's still got it at the end of the month we might see further............

arsking price is something over £8k in your language.

i also came across an ad for a syncro caravelle with westie roof and stuff somewhere in the north of frankyland, DJ lump innit and it was originally a swiss bus.

€7k, and looks like it's worth a LOT less.

any o' you lot coming over here for:

http://www.vwbusclub.ch/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i've managed to be far south for the last couple meets.