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DAIZEE
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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 Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject: ? Europeans buying North American Vanagon? |
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Today while I was working on Scooby (first bath in a lllloooooonnnnnnggg time) a Porche fellow came into the shop. He was European and had just come back. He said that two of his friends just bought 2 Vanagons at $30,000 plus. He also said that I should advertise mine in Europe. Have no concept of how to do it, nor if it is advantageous. CL and Kijiji and Auto Trader only let you advertise in your local area. I'd like to advertise in a bigger geographical area but don't know how to go about it.
So what about Europe and I've been told that if I could advertise in Montreal and Quebec City I'd hear from more people. Any ideas, the good and the bads, etc....
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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madspaniard
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Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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Good timing on this question. Due to my wife's health I'm moving my family back to Europe by July. I've been wondering what to do with my Westy, sell it here or ship it back with us for a later sale over there.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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hans j
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Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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I've been watch vans for sale in Europe, and they are a bit cheaper than here! Besides that, I know many USA vans would NOT pass MOT or TUV because they are so much more strict than our safety inspections.
I'd be interested to see what happens with all of this since I am still looking to own a syncro single cab someday!
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
| I know many USA vans would NOT pass MOT or TUV because they are so much more strict than our safety inspections. |
I'm not worried about this at all. The Vanagon was originally designed and sold in Europe to meet their standards. When brought to the US they made small modifications to meet US standards and those are easily reversible. I have already installed in my Westy european tailights and the three position (rear/front+rear/off) foglight switch. Just need to add the rear fog bulbholder and wiring. I also have the front square H4s and front Projekt Zwo foglights (although I think only rear foglight is mandatory). I would have to convert the camper to butane gas and 220V power.
I don't know a lot about this but I think the safety inspections are nothing to fear. I passed them year after year with cars in much worse condition than our Vanagons. They check things like working brakes (and hand brake), steering, all lights around, horn, windshield wipers and washers, tires. Again, for the Vanagon this is almost a check in the box isnce it was designed in Europe and would meet most standards with very little undoing of the US modifications (I think).
some info here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...mp;start=0
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
I've been watch vans for sale in Europe, and they are a bit cheaper than here! Besides that, I know many USA vans would NOT pass MOT or TUV because they are so much more strict than our safety inspections.
I'd be interested to see what happens with all of this since I am still looking to own a syncro single cab someday! |
You could buy mine.
http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/s-anzeige/vw-t3-syncro-pritsche/227602142-216-7478?ref=myads |
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PDXWesty
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Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| madspaniard wrote: |
| Good timing on this question. Due to my wife's health I'm moving my family back to Europe by July. I've been wondering what to do with my Westy, sell it here or ship it back with us for a later sale over there. |
If you can't decide Mad, I can take good care of it for you while you're gone. 
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| madspaniard wrote: |
| Good timing on this question. Due to my wife's health I'm moving my family back to Europe by July. I've been wondering what to do with my Westy, sell it here or ship it back with us for a later sale over there. |
If you can't decide Mad, I can take good care of it for you while you're gone. |
He, thanks but this is a one way ticket...
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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danbar
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2011
Posts: 464
Location: North Bend, WA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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I don't see higher prices in Europe when I've been shopping over there. I've been looking to bring a Syncro the other way. I have been told I should try and sell my splitty over there. The old stuff goes for crazy money. With the MOT and TUV inspections it not how or what it was built with but how it's been maintained and taken care of. They make sure everything remains operational and save, even on these old rigs.
_________________
'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx |
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vela123321
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2010
Posts: 172
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| madspaniard wrote: |
| hans j wrote: |
| I know many USA vans would NOT pass MOT or TUV because they are so much more strict than our safety inspections. |
I'm not worried about this at all. The Vanagon was originally designed and sold in Europe to meet their standards. When brought to the US they made small modifications to meet US standards and those are easily reversible. I have already installed in my Westy european tailights and the three position (rear/front+rear/off) foglight switch. Just need to add the rear fog bulbholder and wiring. I also have the front square H4s and front Projekt Zwo foglights (although I think only rear foglight is mandatory). I would have to convert the camper to butane gas and 220V power.
I don't know a lot about this but I think the safety inspections are nothing to fear. I passed them year after year with cars in much worse condition than our Vanagons. They check things like working brakes (and hand brake), steering, all lights around, horn, windshield wipers and washers, tires. Again, for the Vanagon this is almost a check in the box isnce it was designed in Europe and would meet most standards with very little undoing of the US modifications (I think).
some info here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...mp;start=0 |
I looked into a van on www.dutchcampervans.com when I lived in Germany. Most countries have a lot stricter smog rules than we do. The Vanagon wouldn't qualify for a green sticker that allows the van to drive into the major cities. I'm not sure how other countries handle this, but I did have a Frenchman ask me about the California catalytic converter for his old Citroen car.
Good luck! I'd love a van over there. A lot of the older vans are full of rust and other issues.
_________________
________________________
1987 Westfalia Vanagon 2.1 automatic
2014 VW TDi Jetta Sportwagen (Dieselgate)
2016 BMW 328i
1967 Bug... given to a friend
others not VW... Toyota, Audi, Volvo, Datsun, International Harvester
Last edited by vela123321 on Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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madspaniard
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Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| danbar wrote: |
| With the MOT and TUV inspections it not how or what it was built with but how it's been maintained and taken care of. They make sure everything remains operational and save, even on these old rigs. |
Yes, they also check for rust and any modifications done to the structure. Unless you went crazy with the welder or you have a rust bucket or didn't do much maintenance or had a major accident that affected the frame you should have no problem passing these inspections (assuming all systems operational and in good shape). Some of the Vanagons in Germany have serious rust issues that compromise the structure.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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DAIZEE
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Well then it doesn't seem feasible to try to sell a North American van into Europe.What about the other part of my question. Listing one's van in several (2 or 3) major geographical centres in say Canada. I'd like to post ads in CL, Kijiji, Auto Trader in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.
Wouldn't I just need a local postal code and a different email addy?
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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danbar
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2011
Posts: 464
Location: North Bend, WA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure how CL posting is done but whenever I use Search Tempest I see several vans posted in multiple locations, especially in Canada. Can't be too hard, you might just go to where you want to list it and put it up.
_________________
'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx |
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vela123321
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Joined: May 09, 2010
Posts: 172
Location: San Diego
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vela123321
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2010
Posts: 172
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.auto.de/markt/angebot/id/1085/offerid/125764304/VW-T3
This shows a green TUV sticker for emissions... That's a good sign. I'll try and find a better site for pricing. I do know that many of the vans I looked at over there were full of rust. I would think someone would be happy for a van in good shape
_________________
________________________
1987 Westfalia Vanagon 2.1 automatic
2014 VW TDi Jetta Sportwagen (Dieselgate)
2016 BMW 328i
1967 Bug... given to a friend
others not VW... Toyota, Audi, Volvo, Datsun, International Harvester |
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vanonimous
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2013
Posts: 362
Location: Burien, Center of the Universe
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, amazing, I was just thinking of this scenario this morning and there is a topic about it here? Am I catching someone's brain waves or what? 
We are thinking of moving to Europe so the inevitable questions pops up, take the vans or not?
My worry would be technical inspections and legality of conversions but that could vary from country to country. They have a lot of vans there but for the most part they are beat.
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If happiness is being a mechanic, owning a Vanagon is nirvana.
Lighting upgrades: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578291 |
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rubbachicken
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: socal
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
I've been watch vans for sale in Europe, and they are a bit cheaper than here! Besides that, I know many USA vans would NOT pass MOT or TUV because they are so much more strict than our safety inspections.
I'd be interested to see what happens with all of this since I am still looking to own a syncro single cab someday! |
there are safety inspections out here, where ?
they are not more strict, they just HAVE safety inspections
i've recently been making safe a few california and washington vans, that in my opinion should not be allowed on the road.
their owners though they were safe, until i showed them what was wrong, and then fixed the issues, now they realize how just how bad the condition of their vans were.
_________________
lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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ratrodthing
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: germany
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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hello
the green plates are not the problem in germany
is the bus over 30 years (busses-1984)we make a specal tüv
and than is an oldtimer and all is free in germany
we drive with H-plates
i have red plates and i can drive till 10 cars with 1 plates
in germany free but also for meeting or check drives
i also look in us because i search an syncro westi
because in germany all busses have problems with rust
in germany when snows there are many salt on the streets
that is not good for the cars
wee think in the nex years the good vanagon was very rar in germany and europe
and the price becomes an explosion |
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16CVs 
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4026
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Daizee
Vanagon,bus Westfalia, all the same to most people .Yea the Europeans are paying big money for 77-79 Westfalia Campers ,preferably Berlins with full kitchens, They want them Nice rust free and California plates help to seal the deal.
Sure there is some overlap where they are buying NICE bay window campers and Passenger vans. I have been through Europe 3 times in the last 6 years in one and have seen what they like.
Just like our Vanagons ,most people want 86 and up and more want 88-91 vans ,because they are expensive the 83.5-85 are commanding better money and some 80 -83 sell for better money.
My buddy who builds them,ships them gets them certified and fronts all the costs until it sells ,could not find a Bay Window one year and did a nice full power 89 Westy and had a hard time getting half of what the bay window sold for.
I think it will be a few years until they start to want Vanagons ,and then they will be as picky as they are now for splits and bays.
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. |
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mcdonaldneal
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2013
Posts: 2649
Location: Gullane, Scotland
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ratrodthing wrote: |
hello
the green plates are not the problem in germany
is the bus over 30 years (busses-1984)we make a specal tüv
and than is an oldtimer and all is free in germany
we drive with H-plates
i have red plates and i can drive till 10 cars with 1 plates
in germany free but also for meeting or check drives
i also look in us because i search an syncro westi
because in germany all busses have problems with rust
in germany when snows there are many salt on the streets
that is not good for the cars
wee think in the nex years the good vanagon was very rar in germany and europe
and the price becomes an explosion |
It sounds as though Germany is much the same as the UK, safety, equipment and emissions checks are generally age related. In Northern Europe and Britain the roads are salted up to half the year, so vehicles in good structural condition become rare very quickly at about 25yrs of age. In Scotland I never see a beetle now, rarely a bus, and Vanagons are going the same way, with a predictable change in prices...
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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper
Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:43 am Post subject: |
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So the real question is not whether you will sell your Vanagon in Europe for less than a Splittie or Bay but rather whether you would sell a Vanagon (Westaflia in my case) for more money than here in the States after taking into account the $2,500-$3,000 to get it there. This is a complicated question where factors like year, model and condition can make it or break it.
In my case, 1991 Westy with all the bells and whistles, the only thing not done is engine conversion, stock rebuilt engine) I know I could get a pretty decent penny comes spring based on what the market has done in the last years. I'm not sure I would get that kind of money in Europe.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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