Looking to buy a late T3 Syncro van

[syncro]

or replace it with a shaft and put a Berndt Jaeger decoupler in.

[teamCTA]

Syncro,

I have been at a loss for almost 12 months about finding a reliable, fun transport for our family. We have been running a EA Falcon wagon which is on its last legs, and need to find new wheels for us all.

I looked at most options including Toyota, Nissans, Mercedes vans and just did not like what I saw for the price. And the Pajero, Landcruiser, Patrol just do not cut for the space we need with 4 children. My preferred transport, GMH Suburban(owned 2 when we lived in the US) is just out of reach at $50,000+ for a 8 year old truck. So I sort of settled on the VW Transporter T3 or T4. Plus I have only had great experiences with VW products.

Thanks so much for all the links and info you have pointed me to. My biggest issue with the T3 is that I know they are under-powered and when you add A/C and a trailer, you could probably run faster in some cases. But in my surfing I have come across the Subaru transplant lists, and that changes everything. And then there is the TDI conversions by Jaeger, which opens a whole new world of performance for the T3.

The plan of action at this point is to buy a Syncro with the best body possible and in good running condition which can be set-up to seat 6 people comfortably. I want to be able to run at least 12 months before I need to do anything major and at that point either do a 2.5L or 3.3L Boxxer or a Jaeger style TDI conversion.

I usually buy vehicles on a 10 to 15 year plan, and so I would be looking to keep this T3 for a very long-time. So several questions come to mind.

The T3 comes in several variants, round headlights and flush, are the differences only cosmetic, or are there subtle differences in the floorpan and etc which I need to be aware of?

Also whether to buy a T3 with a pop-top or not? Eventually, I would want to convert it into a camper. So is this important or a none issue if I want to have a pop-top installed down the road?

I guess I should really be sending these questions to the Syncro T3 Australia list, since there seems to be more participants in that list.

Anyway, thanks for your time,