I researched for 6 months before I figured out which van I wanted, settled on the Astro, and am very happy with it.
Overall, it gave me the most to work with. Its great on the freeway, which is at least my first 30-120 minute leg out of town. Powerful enough to not stress and carry good speed climbing over the mountain passes. Its big enough for camping, small enough for off roading. With mods, is proving to be what I need for light duty off pavement driving. Its simply a great utilitarian vehicle. And gets decent mpg while doing all of the above. Just as I suspected when I chose it in the first place.
However, IF I had the money for my dream garage and a fleet of cars, I would also have purchased a VW Syncro, swapped the crappy little motor for a Suburu conversion or a Turbo Diesel I (not quite sure which way to go) The VW Van is voted "Most likely to be found at the head of any freeway bottleneck" as they don't have enough power to pull their own shadow up a slight grade. (Q: Why do hippies tend to go whichever way the wind blows? A: Ever try driving a VW van into a slight head wind?) Yes, I would love to be able to own both, modify the Astro as I want it, modify the Syncro as I want it, then drive both for as long as it takes for a clear cut winner to emerge and kick the other one out of the proverbial garage.
The thing I know I like about the Syncro (the 4x4 version of the VW Vanagon) is that while the wheel base is 11" shorter than the Astro, the interior room from front seat back to rear door is 16" longer, due to the forward control configuration (driving position).
There are a lot of VW vans out here in Washington, especially in my hippie/granola town. And a handful or really cool Syncros. ALas alac, thanks to you guys, I am the only lifted Astro in town.
![Applause =D>](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif)
The Delicas are cool. but I think they are only imported into Canada, and seem to be only right hand drive. Forget that nonsense. I saw them when I went to college in Japan 20 years ago, they were cool but too small.
Ditto for the 'Yota vans; sorta cool, but too small and way too limited.
Syncro: The cool orange one is owned by a Syncro aftermarket parts guy. I believe he's running a Subaru 2.5 in it, slight lift, and 245/16.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIii6Mo2fso
Delica: If you look closely you will see that what appears to be a reciever hitch is actually where the "wind-up key" goes.
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JtKUv65MZo
Toyota van: Love the factory sheet metal rock sliders! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4skJ763 ... re=related
Did any of you consider other vans before getting into the Astro? WHy/how did you end up with an Astro van for off roading?