any advice before buying?

Post by **syncropatrick** » 04 May 2008, 16:18

Hi,

I'm looking at this syncro 14" campervan on ebay - item 250240943478.

This looks ideal for my needs.

I'm in Bristol and the van is in Leeds and I'm not mechanically minded. If I get a chance to telephone the seller, what questions should I be asking to check the syncro side of things are ok?

regards
Patrick (forum id phpct).

Post by **toomanytoys** » 04 May 2008, 17:41

Lots of syncro info in the WIKI (at the top of the page) and on the syncro site...
eyes wide open.. mechanicals can be fixed but can cost a good bit, so any funny noises or feelings need investigating.. if it has had work done, reciepts and who did it...

Post by **Aidan** » 04 May 2008, 17:46

? Do the diff locks work, is the prop fitted and is the VC ok, have the tyres been regularly rotated.
Looks nice, worth taking a good look at it.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 04 May 2008, 17:55

Looks straight and gen in the pics.. does it belong to anyone on here???

Post by **syncroandy** » 04 May 2008, 18:21

Saw this van today at Stanford Hall. It's in original paint, exceptionally clean. If you're after a RHD 2.1 Syncro hightop camper, and you don't want to get Syncronutz to build one for you, I'd say this is about as good as you'll find.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 04 May 2008, 19:17

Is it the one we had in the garage the other week?
A lady brought it over from Leeds to see if it was fit for her to buy?
Guy emmigrating?

Post by **syncroandy** » 04 May 2008, 19:25

Didn't speak to the seller, just had a quick dekko at the van.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 04 May 2008, 19:27

Ah, it is the van.
VC is tight, it's not very quick, until it left ours it was impossible to get 2nd gear, ust an adjustment but it had been left.
I can't remember everything that was wrong with it but to me at £7500 it's a very, very expensive van that wants some work.
It's not a £7500 van.
Seats aren't bolted in right, handbrake doesn't hold
I'll ask Mike, he will remember more about it that me, I didn't pay much attention once I found out how much the owner wanted.
To me, it's a 4 grand camper that needs some money spending on it.
Dash is knackered from what I remember, no oil light, fanbelt was squealing away and pi$$ slack, again a simple adjustment that had been neglected.
It's not a bad van, just not a good one, it's a project.
I never bothered with diff locks, only took it around the block, wasn't that impressed with it, lady who brought it over just wanted a camper and not a syncro, as soon as we started chatting it was fairly obvious that it wasn't the van for her.

I must say though, there is very little that impresses me anymore!

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 04 May 2008, 19:29

Oh, it did however have a brand new genuine pair of rear springs.

Post by **syncroandy** » 04 May 2008, 19:30

Sounds like it been neglected mechanically. Body is nice tho.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 04 May 2008, 19:34

To be honest, when I drove it I came back and thought it was a 1.9l, I was quite surprised to find it was a 2.1l, I think Mike nipped up the fan belt for her too.

Post by **andysimpson** » 04 May 2008, 19:39

Simon Baxter wrote:To be honest, when I drove it I came back and thought it was a 1.9l, I was quite surprised to find it was a 2.1l, I think Mike nipped up the fan belt for her too.

1.9 and 2.1 waterboxers are both slower than slow things anyway.

Post by **syncropatrick** » 05 May 2008, 07:26

Gosh chaps, you certainly know a lot!

Is there a syncro in this country you don't know of?

This is almost a buy-by-mail position for me - Leeds is a long way from Bristol and commitments prevent me making the trip more than once (to collect), so unless I can get a really great price (ie. a sale off ebay at below his starting price) I don't think this one is worth it at £6.5-7.5k.

Thank you all for your help.

best regards
Patrick.

Post by **KarlT** » 05 May 2008, 08:29

They're traders, & want everything for 1.5K!

andysimpson wrote:[
1.9 and 2.1 waterboxers are both slower than slow things anyway.

Ding ding.............Round 2.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 05 May 2008, 10:45

KarlT wrote:They're traders, & want everything for 1.5K!

andysimpson wrote:[
1.9 and 2.1 waterboxers are both slower than slow things anyway.

Ding ding.............Round 2.

I don't want it?

Mr Simpson isn't a trader, he just works in the trade.

SyncroAndy also isn't a trader.

I'm just trying to tell the guy that the van is not worth what the owner is asking for it, and I know because someone brought it to us for us to check.
I can keep my gob shut if you like, let him buy it at the asking price then you can have a pop at him later telling him he has been ripped off when all the faults come to light later.

You really do have a problem with people in the trade don't you, it's not the fist time I have been on the recieving end of your silly comments.
If all the traders were that bad do you think they would come here and muck in and help out, or just sit back rolling on the bed in all those £20 note we so obviously make.

Now I suggest you keep your silly remarks to yourself, or at least think what you are typing before you press submit.