Agreed, and all very good examples.

Again none of mine are Westys and have been in various degrees of trouble
when purchased - however I was completely comfortable paying what I did for
them (I actually inherited the 85'). The 86' is a parts van now but I got my
$400 out of it just being able to camp 3 or 4 times last year. The 90' is a
work in progress but when you consider I I apid $100 cash and traded an no
longer needed (or wanted) diamond ring - I think it worked out great.

So whenyou comapre my experiences with the entire thing I may have
exceptionally low $$ expectations - which is why I asked.

Another problem I think it causes is it can make it hard for those who are
looking to get into a van to find even a basic "project" at a reasonable
price.

On 4/2/07, John Bange <jbange@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Do you think that "wishful thinking" price has an effect on prices
> > overall.
> > I mean is there a "false" price value mindest created because people see
>
> > these inflated ads?
> >
> > Just a thought. I personally think the value all depends on the vehicle
> > and
> > the person buying it. I have never paid more than $500 for any of mine
> and
> > have had serious offers up to $2000 right off the street for my 85' GL.
>
>
> Well yeah, that's a given, of course.  "Market value" is just a convenient
> fiction  we use to give  us a starting point. In the end, there is only
> what
> the  buyer is willing to give and the seller is willing to accept. Still,
> we
> can usually come up with a rough price range. For example, a brown 1985
> westy weekender with shredded corduroy, rust spots, and the original
> engine
> is probably not worth $9k
> < http://tinyurl.com/2rewds>
> ...and a good condition Syncro Westy is definitely worth more than $6k----
> even without an engine.
>
> Plain old demand has pushed the Syncro Westy models up into the
> stratosphere, but I think the main effect of the "wishful thinking" prices
>
> on 2WD Westy and "plain" models is that it has simply kept a lot of people
> from being able to sell their Vanagons. There are a couple obvious
> $1500-$2000 vans I've seen listed locally at laughably high prices for
> months on end. I suspect a lot of people don't realize that their relative
> rarity is countered by their limited fan base. An '84 7-passenger with
> dull
> paint and dings just isn't worth $5000...
>
> --
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
>

--
Thanks,

Jeff
90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful, It's naked inside - IT'S ALIVE!)
86' (We call this one Parts)
85' GL (Sidelined and feeling neglected)