Please post: Vanagon Real World Bought/Sold prices

[edgood1]

I'm starting the post to bring the Vanagon market back down to earth a little.

Please post the price at which you bought or sold your Vanagon.

Please describe the van accurately as it was at the time of the transaction, and if you have a classified ad to accompany it even better, especially with pics.

Please include the date and location of the sale/purchase, the general condition of the van, any special features or aftermarket add-ons at the time of purchase/sale.

The objective here is to come up with real world data points to help us put values on Vanagons based on comparable sales. This will help filter out some of the over and underpriced vans in the classifieds.

It would be nice to also show how the Vanagon market has changed over the years, so don't hesitate to include purchases and sales from the past.

With quality data points we can do a full Vanagon market analysis.

Moderator edits:

Please use the following format:
Year Purchased:
Location:
Van Model:
Mileage at Purchase:
Asking Price:
Purchase Price:
Source:

Purchase Condition:

Also:
1) Please do not photo-bomb this thread; a couple of photos of the purchase condition are all that's needed.

2) Keep off-topic banter/replies/arguments out of this thread (for example, "What wheels are those?" or "This thread is pointless"). This is a data collection-only topic. If you have a question about someone's van, use the PM system. If you find this thread useless, keep your comments to yourself and find another topic to read.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[edgood1]

I'll start off.

Purchased: 11/8/2008
Location: Brewster, MA
Van Model: 1987 Vanagon Syncro GL
Mileage at Purchase: unknown, estimated 150,000
Asking Price: $2500
Purchase Price: $2200
Source: Craigslist

Purchase Condition: 1987 Vanagon Syncro GL. Moccha Brown, bone stock, A/C not working, engine replaced by seller, replaced speedometer, true miles unknown (estimated at 150,000). Gas and Temp gauges broken, aftermarket water temp gauge installed. Drive shaft out but included. Good body, no body rust, normal dents and dings for 20 year old car. Ran pretty well. Clear MA title.

As purchased:

Bought on 11/8/2008 in Brewster, MA.
Sell was asking $2500. Price Paid: $2200
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[Red Beard]

Purchased February 2013
1990 2WD plane jane vanagon, L90D white
Automatic
130k on body and original engine
Engine ran perfect, no leaks
Transmission in great shape
Working A/C
Swivel passenger seat
Folding rear bench seat
No other passenger seats
85% tires on stock steel wheels
"Usual" dents in back of slider door and same location on driver side
No body rust
No undercarriage rust (wax coated)
Clear, non-salvage title
$1700

I happened to see the CL ad 5 minutes after it was posted, and was the first one there about 45 minutes later. 3 other dudes showed up right after me, and were rightly pissed when the owner told them I was buying it and had cash. That's bad juju to tell a shitload of people to all come by at the same time to look at a car.

Replaced all the coolant hoses, flushed the system, oil change, and full tune-up (maybe not needed.) Have since driven it thousands of miles, including a 1500 mile road trip in the middle of summer (ambient temps up to 100 degrees) without a single problem.....other than getting at best 18-19mpg on long cruises Not a drop of lost coolant, maybe lost about a 0.25 quart of oil. Lucky I guess.

[PDXWesty]

Year Purchased: 2006
Location: Portland OR
Model: 1989 Westy 2.1 Automatic
Asking Price: $12,500
Purchase Price: $11,500

Newly rebuilt engine and transmission.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Steelhead]

Year Purchased: 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Van Model: 1989 Carat (whitestar) 2.1 (rebuilt?), 4-speed
Mileage at Purchase: 135k
Asking Price: $5,000
Purchase Price: $5,000
Source: Local mechanic (his daily driver for 2 years)

Condition on Purchase:
• Interior: Very good to excellent
• Exterior: Good. No Rust. Original paint with some body issues, small dings, front repaired (poorly), cracking glass bumpers and chewed cladding.
• Modifications: None
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'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper)

[Zeitgeist 13]

Year Purchased: 2004
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Van: 1989 Bluestar, 2.1/Manual and all power options
Purchase Price: $4,038 -- via Ebay from original owners

I just re-read the printout of the original Ebay ad, and I had forgotten that the engine and transaxle were replaced under warranty @ 98k miles. The van had 180k at the time of sale.
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Casey--

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

[fuscavw]

Purchased: May, 2013
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
Model: 1986 syncro westy weekender, original 2.1 (never rebuilt)
Miles: 144k original
Purchase price: 10k (asking price was 12k)

Bought this from the original owner who lives in the same town and works at the same place I do. Put new battery, did minor tune-up and new wheels/tires. Overall in very good, original condition.

[zippyslug31]

Paid $16.5k in 2003 for a 1990 syncro westy, 150k miles, unrestored and mostly original except for the add-on front locker.

Bought mine from a Denver-based reseller who specializes in Vanagons thus what I consider a full-retail amount.
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previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

[Goldie86]

Year Purchased: 2010
Location: Lyle, WA (75 miles east of Portland, OR)
Model: 1986 Westy 2.1 Automatic
Asking Price: $6,800
Purchase Price: $6,800

Attached pic was taken a few days after purchase. 132k original miles, interior/exterior in great/very good condition. Engine ran good at the time of purchase. Rear axle/cv joints replaced immediately after purchase. That along with a tune up is all it needed mechanically.

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Goldie-but-Goodie, 86 AT Westy, 2.5 Subi power

[TequilaSunSet]

$1,800
Minus the engine and hubcaps I sold final cost $1,400... then crap got pricey afterwards


Purchased spring 2013 in Cali
GL
Auto
PO installed Westy interior

_________________
Don't harsh my mellow...
1985 Hightower Vanagon 1.8T- Gone
1972 Panel Bus- Gone
1967 Bug- Gone
1964 Euro Sunroof Bug- Gone
1969/72/63 Sunroof Bug- Gone
1975 Brazilian Bug in the Philippines 🇵🇭- New to me

[Captjon1959]

Year Purchased: May 2009
Location: Purchased through Ebay out of Virginia, shipped to Michigan
Model: 1984 Westy 19L Automatic
Asking Price: $4,000
Purchase Price: $1,800 net cost after a $2,200 insurance claim from Ebay insurance after van arrived with transmission issues.

Van had 145,000 with broken odometer. Leaking fuel tank, jury rigged throttle cable, leaking rear brake cylinder. Needed TLC. Interior in good shape.

Someone suggested a BEFORE photo, so here's my first photo after purchase. Cheap paint job was done by PO and I haven't changed that. I've put more money than I want to admit into it since that I 'll never get back out, but I love it... it's a sickness.

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1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec

[campism]

Year Purchased: 2006
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Van Model: Westfalia full camper, 2.1L 4-speed, 2WD
Mileage at Purchase: 70,000
Asking Price: $4400
Purchase Price: $4400
Source: Private owner, van was seen parked with For Sale sign in window.

Purchased from the second owner, and both had used it only occasionally. Came with manuals, Bentley and a pile of receipts. PO mods pretty well done. A/C was complete but blowing hot, despite the obvious paper trail of shop work to fix it. Has been reliable since we got it.

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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[kamzcab86]

Van: 1990 Orly Blue Vanagon GL Westfalia (full-camper)
Engine: 2.1 (original)
Transmission: 3-speed automatic (original)
Manual windows, manual locks, no factory cruise control

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2nd Owners:
Year Purchased: 2000
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Mileage at Purchase: 75,000
Asking Price: unknown
Purchase Price: $14,663.75 (includes some $50 accessory + $1113.75 tax; van price $13,500)
Source: R&R Unlimited (used car dealer)
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3rd Owners:
Year Purchased: 2008
Location: Alameda, CA
Mileage at Purchase: 145,000
Asking Price: unknown
Purchase Price: $18,000
Source: 2nd owners
Notes: Transmission went out shortly after getting the van home; 2nd owners paid for the rebuild.
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4th Owner (me!):
Year Purchased: Feb. 1, 2010
Location: Long Beach, CA
Mileage at Purchase: 158,000
Asking Price: $18,000
Purchase Price: $16,200
Source: 3rd owners (The Samba ad)
Notes: Price was dropped to $16,900 during the time I first inquired about the van and going to look at it (December 2009 to late January 2010).

Condition at Purchase:

• Interior: Very good, but dirty; stove cover had small nicks in it. Rear curtains had holes/repairs. All manuals in the glove box. Pile of receipts dating from 2000. Rear hatch screen included. Original tent.
  
• Exterior: Very good. Very little rust. Spoiler was faded; top of roof was heavily oxidized. Bumpers had been repainted and showing wear. Tires were done-for and one had a large nail in it. Bra had not been removed in at least 8 years, but no ill effects aside from slight paint wear on the sides. Lower half of van had been painted by second owners, with decals applied afterwards (immediately after buying the van, in fact). A-pillar clear-coat peeling. Headlights cloudy and dull as spit.
  
• Mechanical: Very good, but lousy brakes. 3rd owners had A/C overhauled (didn't do much good) and head gaskets replaced and transmission rebuilt. Discovered an oil leak the day it was picked up/paid for that wasn't there the day before (long story; short of it: 2nd owners learned never to go to Jiffy Lube).
  
• Modifications/extras: Trailer hitch (ball style), 15" alloys, SA big brakes, Yakima roof rack, bra, Zodi shower, home-made front door screens, awning, awning enclosure, bumper-mounted auxiliary lights, tinted windows, aftermarket cruise control, and a slew of misc. stuff the 2nd owners simply left in the van for the 3rd owners (mesh bags, minor tools, fuses, etc.)

Morning after the big purchase:

(spent the very first night in it at WalMart

)
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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[Alaric.H]

91 Caret with 114000 miles original owner. Cruise control A/C PM PDW PW all works. 3600$ 6 months ago.

[goskiracer]

This picture was taken after I added the 15" wheels/tires.

Date: August 2006
Van: 1986 Syncro GL
Engine: 2.1 Original
Transmission: Syncro trans with rear diff lock
Asking Price: $3000
Purchase Price: $3000

No rust, all the accesories worked and interior was in excellent shape. Only missing one mudflap...
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86' Syncro 2.2 Vanistan, WBXhaust, ski-pole shifter for +11hp

[dhaavers]

Year Purchased: 2009
Location: Duluth, MN
Van Model: 1986 Camper (aka "Weekender") 2.1, 4-speed
Mileage at Purchase: 135k
Asking Price: $3700
Purchase Price: $3500
Source: local private sale (PO owned 12 years)

Condition on Purchase:
• Interior: Not great. Shredded tan corduroy, chewed carpet & lots of dog hair.
• Exterior: Quite good. Recent repaint with only one potential rusty spot, "typical"
small slider door ding, good glass, repaired canvas. Old, underrated tires.
• Engine/mechanicals: Generally good. Paper records back two PO's, showed
replaced head gaskets & tranny swap (used) in 1997. Bad shocks; AC not working.

Before sale, local shop did $1000 of work to get it "ready to sell" - paid by
PO: tranny axle seals, rear brake cylinders, H2O gauge sender, tune up.

Has since started to show rust in typical spots: rocker panels, some seams, etc...
...but it has also been our road warrior for trips up to 3000 mi. and never left us stranded.
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[SCP_Austin]

Please try to use the same format as everyone posting. I want to take all the data and aggregate it into a spreadsheet. I didn't put the post up, but I am assuming the point of collecting the data was to analyze it...

[MURRAYMW1]

Year: 1985
Location: flew to LA from Portland. I bought the Westy my kid bought a board and we headed up hwy1
Model: full Westy w stock 1.9
Mileage: 163,000
Ask: $6,500
Purchase: $6,000
Source: sketchy private party
Condition: NO records, no leaks, no rust, unknown cat, flat plexiglass pop top window, weak engine(blew 5 weeks later), interior real dirty but in good condition except for requisite roach burns on the front seats, sink inoperative,

I wanted to rebuild from scratch. Have dropped $20k
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Mark
85 Westy - current
Past - 85 weekender; 72 camper, 65 van; many bugs 54 - 72

[VWinVT]

Year Purchased: 2013
Location: Purchased in California-shipped to Vermont
Model: 1981 Westfalia
Mileage: 180,000
Purchase Price: $6500

New rebuilt motor with 4000 miles.
New rebuilt trans with 4000 miles.
New poptop canvas
New tires
New gas tank
All camping equip. working 100%

[djkeev]

I'll play.......
October 2012

1986 Vanagon Multivan "Weekender"

116,000 miles
Automatic
Factory AC

Listed here on thesamba (where I found it)
And also on the Southern NJ Craigslist.

Originally sold new by Altenburg VW, Taunton Mass on 5/27/87
Sold to a family in Niantic Connecticut.

By 4/5/88 it had relocated to Southern NJ and was serviced by Burke Sellers Inc, Clermont NJ. Records stop at the 30,000 mile service done by them on 12/12/88

It was purchased in 1990 by the family I purchased it from. They lived in Turnersville NJ and used this as their family vacation vehicle.

They stopped using it in 2000 when he discovered a coolant leak and stopped driving it. Turns out the coolant leak was a cracked coolant pressure bottle that I fixed a few months ago,

He decided in 2012 that he was done using it, the town was on his case to license it or get it out of town, he opted to sell.

Rough interior. The plastic and wood is all good but the seats? 1986 Wolfsburg Corduroy shreds

100% complete! original and most importantly to me .... UNMOLESTED!!!

It had a few minor rust issues but no major rust throughs or panel replacement needed. (See my thread on rebuilding thus unit)

I CHOSE to pull the engine and rework it. I could have run it and I found upon disassembly there was no reason not to run it!

I simply wanted to renew all of the gaskets and seals before I use it.

I'm doing a LOT more to it than one had to do. I'm seeking reliability for the next decade or two.

He was asking $3800, I paid $2900. Looking back on it I paid too much but I got a nice clean unmolested canvas upon which to work. I'm not unhappy with it and as a matter of fact am thrilled..... It is great vehicle find for being a native rust belt ride!

By the time the dust settles I'll have a total of $7-8000 in it. (Engine refresh, new interior, tires, brakes, coolant hoses, heater core, radiator, window seals, axle boots, wheel bearings, transmission Reseal, canvas, etc.) All parts and supplies, NO LABOR AT ALL. Not a bad investment for what will in essence be a rehabbed vacation toy.
If I repaint it that number will be pushing $9000.

I've seen others in only slightly better shape (running) here in NJ for $7000 and up!

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert