87 Syncro, been around the block. Value?

[E1]

I was speaking in broad terms about the source of several angered posts above, and didn’t want the OP to misinterpret a large part of our collective.

My intent was really obvious, and your take on it could be said in return.

Your satisfaction and approval was never the goal.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

Jonathan Weisheit, Race in Peace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dS7xiFn7I&t=500s

[Abscate]

[kamzcab86]

[E1]

Please understand there’s been an epidemic here of late of disappearing new posters, what seems to often be AI-driven, but mostly unappreciative posters in general getting real, qualified insights from helpful regulars who then get snubbed.

I’ve taken several vacations from here; mostly for that… but also from the exact gang-replies you just got.

While assholic in normal context, history here explains why it is so — unfortunately for you. As said someone else here just posted similarly, so you got some of what they might have had coming. It happens in an ever-thankless world, and while not your fault you get replies that in many if not most cases fit the crime.

>>>

Knowing mileage would make this way better to give productive analysis, and maybe it’s not too late. You might still post photos, some will help.

Your buyer is likely someone who either wants a tintop Syncro — and there’s plenty about — or mostly wants it for the driveline and suspension bits.

To me, it’d have to be a total junker to only get a couple Grand. It’s fair if not wise for a real buyer to assume the transaxles will both need rebuilding, if not everything else.

If I were in the position of wanting it just for the 4WD to convert into our van, and trust me I wish I was, it’d be worth at least $5,000 to me personally since donor Syncros are nearly impossible to find. If one wanted to part out the rest, know those seats are dying to be found by *somebody*, possibly same for a rebuildable engine, if not the chassis itself. Everything has a buyer.

It never hurts to detail any used car to the nines. Do it, shoot it, post an ad at a bit higher than you think it’s worth, and with a little patience the right buyer will show up.

It may well be wisest in the end to go enjoy it for a weekend or more, if nothing else to know what to be honest about to a buyer. Oil pressure will come up if you put in new 20/50 dino oil, if it has trashed and old 10/30 in it the pressure gain could be surprising.

You musta bought it for a reason. If selling it anyway, it helps price to be able to demonstrate that it’s not a completely-undesirable pile that nobody wants. If it runs with no clear gearbox shrieks or grinds, and especially has no whines in 3rd gear, it will be more desirable.

The Syncro cores alone have real value if you can videotape that it’s not worn out while in motion — or are at least very rebuildable. Call Bill Capatch at Arizona Transaxle as a start, he’s a highly-trusted guy and who knows?

Good Luck, and maybe just await the right buyer.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

Jonathan Weisheit, Race in Peace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dS7xiFn7I&t=500s

[ziady]

Thx vanagon jr, others with helpful responses.

[ziady]

[vanis13]

[vanagonjr]

For what you are roughly describing, I'm seeing asking prices of $3 to $5.5K on the east coast (might be different where you are).

I see some sitting for months for sale that 10 years ago would have been scooped up.
The bottom line on less activity lately (I think), is that a rusty body equals a minimum of 10K (and up to 20K) in shop costs and the rust is still likely to be back in 5-7 years.

The tranny could be toast to rebuild, then what is the cost for a rebuilt one, if it can be found - I don't know $7K, 10K?

Then an engine conversion perhaps, and all of a sudden a used 4WD Sprinter is a deal.

So it seems that a rusty syncro at this point is more likely a parts donor, so around 3-4K was the past price - today, I don't know, maybe the same?? It seems so from recent ads in my area.

If you post up pics, history of what was replaced recently, others here might be able to give a better idea, but perhaps listing it at $X,XXX or best offer in TheSamba classifieds is the best approach?

Good luck with the sale, moving on is a good idea.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[Ahwahnee]

[16CVs]

So we've answered your question, do you have it listed in the classifieds or were you hoping someone here would snatch it up for top dollar because it is so rare.

Rule of thumb, collectors and hobbyists buy things cheap because we really don't need them. You need to market to someone with Syncro on the brain on one those fancy sites that few of us old guys understand. Even bringing it out to Mogfest is going to get a bunch of bottom feeders.

Figure out what your happy price is and list it.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[jimf909]

Hmmm, the responses were more helpful than your original post.
_________________
- Jim

[ziady]

Hmmm. Super helpful. Thx.

[16CVs]

Looks like we scared off the guy with the 2WD with PSA in a separate thread, he is gone!

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[MarkWard]

Another first time poster trying to move some metal. If you want it gone, BAT project no reserve if they will accept it. A week later it’s gone. Easy.

[RoryGirl]

I want to trade you screen legend Anthony Quinn's undershirt...he took it off to do sit-ups in the park and I nabbed it
_________________
1991 Twin Slider VR6
1985 Audi 4k

[Abscate]

[syncrodoka]

We have a high bidder!

[ALIKA T3]

[16CVs]

Seems like a softball entry for a For Sale ad like the other guy newbie with one post that just joined.

Post it in The Classifieds, as mentioned market is soft and we are in a buyers market.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Wellington]

$50