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Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:04 am

I used to laugh at these when new, but they are the newest version of a car-based motorhome. We still drive these ancient Westys because there is nothing on the market we like or can afford. Has anyone ever owned a Rialta? The used prices range from $15k to $40k. Its kinda like a westy, but with a potty/shower.

ALSO, how do they keep the trannys from exploding every 10k miles, with all the weight? Maybe they added a heavy duty transmission cooler.

Stu

Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:22 am

I've seen them in the shop but we don't take them in anymore. While the concept is nice, it's too much for the underpowered VR6 and their automatic transmission. If I were looking into that size camper, it would be American van based or a Sprinter van.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:28 am

I think the Rialtas are an ideal candidate for TDI and 5 speed swap. Personally that would be the only way I'd want to own/operate one. The VR6 is thirsty and the auto trans to much an Achilles heel.

The fit and finish of these isn't par with Westfalias but their increased size is nice.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:07 am

CdnVWJunkie wrote: I think the Rialtas are an ideal candidate for TDI and 5 speed swap. Personally that would be the only way I'd want to own/operate one. The VR6 is thirsty and the auto trans to much an Achilles heel.

The fit and finish of these isn't par with Westfalias but their increased size is nice.

They also came in the 5 cylinder model. Before the Eurovan they were making me the Rialta with a French van for the drive system (same camper behind).

The campers are for the most part pretty trouble free compared to what we expect.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:44 am

I think you're referring to the LeSharo

Rialta

Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:51 am

My Dad has a Rialto with the dreaded automatic and other than the occasional snag, mostly AC stuff, it has been a great camper. Gets 30 mpg, and rides great, UP FRONT. However IN THE REAR, the tyres are pumped up to like 80psi which makes the ride harsh to say the least. I drove one of these all over the entire country with two 19 year old Danish girls and recommend the entire experience, highly. My Dad's is for sale since he now had leukemia and not travel. It is in Yorktowne VA and is a very nice one. Pm me if you are looking.

Neil

Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:43 am

The bottom of the heap has to be the LaSharo. Please no offense to LaSharo aficionados. Built in France? using a Chrysler K-car power train. These were pretty popular. Lots of potential with engine conversions.

Sorry to keep this topic going, but I'm shocked that there are no passenger car based RVs available anymore. The cheapest model on the market is a Road Trek van or a Nissan N6.

How much would a Westy cost in today's dollars (usd) ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXCmIDJXIzQ

Stu

Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:31 pm

furrylittleotter wrote: ...I drove one of these all over the entire country with two 19 year old Danish girls and recommend the entire experience...

Sounds great to me but my wife says I can't go.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:33 pm

FWIW- I "upgraded" to a Rialta for the space,beds & toilet features. And 20mpg.
My wife enjoyed our Westy but likes the comfort of having a flush toilet. (No porta-potty in this marriage). It gets 20mpg and does everything we need.
I added the trans cooler and change the fluids when needed. The hard ride in the rear is not noticeable on my ride-maybe you should check the air pressure in the rear air bags?

Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:50 pm

pioneer1 wrote: FWIW- I "upgraded" to a Rialta for the space,beds & toilet features. And 20mpg.
My wife enjoyed our Westy but likes the comfort of having a flush toilet. (No porta-potty in this marriage). It gets 20mpg and does everything we need.
I added the trans cooler and change the fluids when needed. The hard ride in the rear is not noticeable on my ride-maybe you should check the air pressure in the rear air bags?

That's what everyone says, but upon talking to them none of them tried to sleep while driving like we did. We drove 24 hours a day in shifts, one tank per driver.
You can cover a lot of territory that way!

My Portapotty flushes, but I defer to men with successful marriages on the issue.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:30 pm

I have had my 2000 Rialta since April, so I am new at this. things are good so far .

Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:42 pm

I've read a LOT about the EV auto transmission. Honestly seems like an issue that miss real but greatly over exaggerated by the interwebz.

Following the Rialta and EV update group there are sever examples of 200-400k mile original transmissions out there. The external cooler seems to help a lot though.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 5:06 pm

furrylittleotter wrote: Gets 30 mpg, ail

Can't see it getting 30, when the vehicle it is based on (Eurovan) can;t get anywhere near 30mpg. Was just researching these yesterday.
See http://rialtainfo.com/model_info/pros_and_cons.htm#fuel

15-18 mpg which makes sense when you look at what people get with a Eurovan - http://www.fuelly.com/car/volkswagen/eurovan

Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:31 pm

30mpg or 20mpg? I'm surprised he remembered anything beyond two 19-yr old Danish girls. It probably wasn't even a Rialta!

Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:11 pm

Funny this came up, I pulled into the Safeway parking lot tonight and spotted a tan Rialta with Nova Scotia plates. I've never driven or even been inside one, but I really like the looks of them.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:56 pm

beachinwesty wrote: 30mpg or 20mpg? I'm surprised he remembered anything beyond two 19-yr old Danish girls. It probably wasn't even a Rialta! I know, right......Exactly what I was thinking.

My neighbor a few years ago came up and knocked on my door one day....he was so proud that, he too, now had a VW Camper~Rialta. It has served them well for their around OR/WA/CA trips and they have had relatively few problems and now have over 150k on it. They did have to do the timing chain and brakes a couple times, but it is still running strong. Perfect for two, but not for me and my family. I would rather have the Westy anyday 8)

Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:04 pm

I've been tempted by a few rialtas. Some things about them seem very convenient. But I don't like the ones with the 2 twin beds in the back, would only want the dinet that converts to a bed. Not sure about the shower pan, bathroom arrangement, but I guess it works. I actually drove one of those Renault RVs the lasharo?....it was very cool. My husband said no renaults.

Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:25 pm

Having owned just about every EV aside from a Rialta, let me be clear, 30mpg is a pipe dream with the VR. If a far lighter more aerodynamic MV won't reach 20mpg, there's isn't any hope a heavier and bigger Rialta will even those numbers. I'm (honest) owners will attest to this. That's the trade-off, mpg penalty but far more interior room. There seems to be a real following for the Rialtas, as in, people who have them tend to love them but isn't that true for nearly every VW? :D

Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:41 am

That's the lure of a rialta. 20 mpg in a class c motorhome is unheard of, but is a real possibility in one of these. The only thing comparable by today's standards is a sprinter and those get the same 20mpg with the added benefit of diesel costing a buck more a gallon.

As long as sprinter based rvs are starting at 80k the rialtas will continue to command high resale and continuous use. Soon enough I bet it'll be hard to find an example with less than 200k on it. The more affordable it is to drive an rv, the more it gets driven.

Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:37 am

they're great for the more senior retired couple than a young family on the move.
with the low floor and sorta handy potti on board.
they're the right small RV for the right people. where a full westy or vontage vanagon doesn't make sense.

there's a 95 5cyl/AT here in my area 4sale you could get for low teens$
spent more years sitting that driving but not a tough restore if the target demographic was able/inclined. ask for Roger
Code: 8534 Brewerton Rd Cicero, NY 13039 (315) 699-5257