Official whine about Vanagon vans and parts for sale

Country Doc1 · Samba Member Joined: August 14, 2011 Posts: 30

I've been watching the classifieds daily for several months now, and keep seeing the same Syncro Westies come up for sale, for 30-40k . Not sure whether these are just "bad" examples, or whether the perceived value of Syncro's is not realized in the market?

There's one in Vancouver for $35k, another white one in CA for $40k, a red one in CA for $36k, etc.

Are they just not as popular as I thought they were? Harder to sell at that price range?

Anyway, just thought it was interesting. Especially recognizing that I have at least $25k in my diesel 2WD just to get it running and driving reliably (I mean turn-key reliably), and it still needs $10k worth of bodywork.

dc

Tobias Duncan · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:51 pm Post subject:

The market this year is way softer than last.
Last year every westy I looked at sold same day or within a few days and these were no prom queens.
Great time to buy but who knows if it will ever firm up again.

michaelbteam · Samba Member Joined: June 28, 2012 Posts: 232

One has to wonder if the market for old Westies is shrinking a bit as new generations don't see the value in an old slow repair prone vehicle. For many of us with a long Westy history, we just love to have one in the family often as a second, third or even fourth car, but it might be the first to go when $$ becomes tight.
And many of us with Westy or even Syncro fantasies can't justify the prices of the tricked out ones, for an occasional adventure.
So the "reasonably" priced ones go quickly, but refurbished ones may languish at higher prices, even if it really IS worth it to buy one with the sweat equity already built in.
Probably the most useful upgrades to my 86 have been the pop top assist shocks and the headlight wiring upgrade, both inexpensive.
And mine is a "daily driver" to my local kayak destination ten miles away, because my old 13 foot boat fits inside!! Otherwise I use my old Subie with decent power and AC. Thoughts anyone?

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:39 pm Post subject:

sucks to sleep in a subie. especially with a wife and dog.
if you just own it to haul a kayak, then yeah any subie or truck will fit the bill.
that is until you need to change into clean clothes, without exposing yourself to the elements or social scrutiny

while I see plenty here 4sale, I constantly meet new owners and potential new owners during our regular VW events. and that's a small sphere of influence
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campism · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 5:52 am Post subject:

These CL local\regional vans have been for sale for weeks now. The Gloucester one started at $13K, as I've posted about in this thread. Looks like the $3K aircooled Westy missing from this list might have been purchased. All of these ads have appeared previously and have been updated or relisted. Looks like the market is much softer this year unless it's a Syncro or cheap late Westy.

Aug 12 - Volkswagen VAN-REDUCED PRICE - $4000 (Gloucester, VA) pic cars & trucks - by owner

Few LOCAL results found. Here are some from NEARBY areas

Aug 12 - 1984 VW Vanagon - $3500 (burke) pic cars & trucks - by owner

Aug 5 - 1982 Volkswagon Vanagon Camper - $7450 (St.Inigoes,Md) pic cars & trucks - by owner

Aug 4 - Vanagon Camper - $15000 (norfolk va) pic map cars & trucks - by owner

Jul 29 - VW Vanagon for sale - $4000 (hampton va) cars & trucks - by owner
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:56 pm Post subject:

What is this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-VolksWagen-VW-Transpor...mp;vxp=mtr
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

danfromsyr · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

it's NOT the mirror they show on a vanagon door in the 3rd pic.
I had one of those on my van and was kinda nice but required some reprofiling to fit the vangon contour and screws/nutserts to secure to the door

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:32 pm Post subject:

Where did you find your set? I'd want to see them installed on a van, before pulling the trigger
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:42 am Post subject:

fresh ad in the classifieds,
Kids going off to college is often the reason WHY some get into a westy

Tobias Duncan · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:56 am Post subject:

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:37 am Post subject:

I do agree it's a great deal..

I'm whinging about the reasoning to put it 4sale..
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hans j · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:23 am Post subject:

MsTaboo · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject:

BlueGrasser · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:49 am Post subject:

Man, it's not easy to join this club. I've been searching for a few months now and I'm blow away how quickly these things are sold (well, at least the sub-20K ones).

I've been second place in two pretty good deals, but otherwise have been left in the dust westy-less. Is it unreasonable to think I can get myself a decent Westy for under 10K in Northern California? I realize it's going to be a lot more money after I buy one, so that's why I'm hesitant to pay any more (especially on a stock non-rebuilt engine and tranny). I'm also not afraid to get greasy and do some maintanence and put some sweat equity into it, not that I'm looking to sell it afterwards or anything. I just want something safe and somewhat reliable to take the family out roadtripping and camping.

It's hard to compete though when I'm asking for a pre-sale inspection and a little relief on the price while people are saying they'll fly in from all over the country to buy it sight unseen for asking or more Confused

Is there still room in the club for normal middle class families???

Does it get any easier in the "off season"?

Grrr....Anyways, sorry for the whine, but this is the whine topic right?
_________________
Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T

photogdave · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:01 am Post subject:

michaelbteam · Samba Member Joined: June 28, 2012 Posts: 232

At a certain point one has to go with their gut [after research and education], and pick a decent deal and start the adventure. Just found an 85 Westy in Colorado for $5300, and the owner and story seemed legit so I sent the money although I won't see the van for another week.
This is not my ideal, but one I can live with and also not lose too much if I don't keep it. I'll report back on the treasure hunt!
An 89 Westy with 95K in Colorado just sold immediately for the $12K+ asking price, to an eastern buyer sight unseen. Most of these fair deals sell to the first caller.

TequilaSunSet · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject:

BlueGrasser · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:26 am Post subject:

I just barely missed out on a 1991 Westy with 124k miles in Davis in great shape that sold for a little under 10k. It's painful to be second in a deal like that Smile

I was wondering why even the beater ones were sellin pretty quickly. That makes sense if there are "parters" in the area.

Then there are ones like this that have been listed for a month. Can't imagine why it hasn't sold yet (I came oh so close to getting a plane ticket this weekend): http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4596989484.html

I'm just gonna have to be patient, make sure I have my finances in order, and be ready to go at a moments notice I suppose.
_________________
Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T


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Official whine about Vanagon vans and parts for sale
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