Westfalia speculation

[Tobias Duncan]

[bluefirefly]

[kaalualu]

For me, they are worth a higher price, and it really is how much ya got that decides how much ya get. I know we are as a group mostly nostalgic/practical, searching for the quality we experienced in the past. Not just the German quality but the quality of life. I lived in my '63 panel with my German Shepard when I was 19-20 years old. It took me up and down the West Coast, surfing and hiking and mostly enjoying the dream/reality of those times. I'm 58 now, I'll never relive, by owning, the world just isn't the same, but every now and then, even though i just drive an '82 Diesel tin top, i feel that freedom of times gone by.
I'm elated that i tapped into that vibe that was, and i don't blame younger others who are attempting to experience all that. Cherry 'em out run 'em, use them for what they were built for, and if you can get your investment back +++, good on ya.
What you have to ask yourselves is, "why sell at all?"

[TequilaSunSet]

[tam_shops]

Totally agree, not even a 4x4 will make those that really want a Vanagon change their mind. I briefly looked at the Delica, but didn't even consider a Sprinter. Last week, I took our Vanagon from swimming lessons, to the grocery store, then finally camping. There is *no* way, I would have been able to park a Sprinter at either of those places. I also take it to work sometimes, the Sprinter might be a better/bigger camper, but it's not a second vehicle, which is what we use our Vanagon for!

tam

[kamzcab86]

[candyman]

Lets get off the sprinter discussion and back on the original post.

The best deals never hit the internet, if they do, you are either first or screwed. I personally got lucky on my current super clean unmolested all original 87 westy in April. Ad hit craigslist locally, priced well below market, and I happened to respond within the first 15 minutes. The owner was besieged within the hour with full price offers from all over the country. He happily handed me the keys so he could take down the ad.
I have already put over $2k into it for needed maintenance, like you would always have to anyways (i have beat that drum for years). Fortunately for me the owner who was a super nice and ethical seller, did not have the know-how to work on it or the pocket book to take it in to a shop. That is the key here, as these age more and more people buy them, something goes wrong, they cant work on them, cant afford a shop, so they sell them broken. Hopefully for a realistic value, but not always thanks to the internet. I do feel sad though for those who can not do their own work and then take out a second mortgage to buy $50k money pit
For me, I have camped almost every weekend this summer in my current 87 score and have put close to 8k trouble free miles on it.

[slobrewer]

Don't forget that there's an upside to the hobby by having vans priced a bit higher. If a decently clean running late 80's westy goes for the mid-teens then you're going to see people taking better care of them. A vehicle worth $5000 is always on the cusp of being totalled out in a minor collision or left to rot in a field or a garage somewhere.

Also, buying a car is a bit like dating. You don't really want the ones that are available because they're available for a reason (often significant flaws or unrealistic expectations.) Patience is key.
_________________
White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap)

[danfromsyr]

Tru-dat

[kaalualu]

Agreed.

[iliketowalk]

[61Scout]

As far as a high-end westy goes, I feel many of the current owners are in zero rush to sell. They wait for the market to meet their asking price. They have money and other toys, so who cares if it takes a while. Some of these vans will indeed be on the market for a long time and some will never sell.

And also as others have stated, just the basic laws of supply and demand are at play. More vans get torn down so others can stay on the road. Fewer available vans and more people wanting them create higher prices.

Start buying shells... the high prices are here to stay.

Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=

-Nec Spe, Nec Metu

[campism]

[davevickery]

The only thing I can see in that photo is a sweet looking orange Syncro?

[Jake de Villiers]

[Corwyn]

Anything is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[SCM]

[Syncronoid]

Just my two cents, but I think the impending 4x4 Sprinter is too tall and long to be a viable off-road camper. Sure, it will get you over the beach and down some 4-wheel drive roads, but even with no racks and/or gear on top, they are really limiting when you want to get waaay back in to the good spots. And, have you ever tried to park one of those in a grocery store parking lot? Might as well be a motorhome. Again, just my two cents. Westy's rule! ....will never sell!
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[HoustonPhotog]

before jumping into a Westy I thought about buying a sprinter and building it out as a camper...

now everytime I drive my '87 westy and have people stop me at gas stations or wave at me while driving down the highway i think.... "they wouldn't be waving if i was in a Sprinter..." I made the right choice
_________________
Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now

[TequilaSunSet]