In most free markets everyone knows or can know what the buyers actually
paid. We have a warped market situation with Westys since only the
asking price is available in the majority of sales. Since the
information available is biased toward the highest prices, there is
upward pressure.

What is really happening with Westys is that car dealers are buying up a
lot of the lower priced ones and reselling for a big markup after fixing
a few things. What they are doing is illegal but I know of several guys
doing this on the sly in California. The State rules for selling used
cars here are fairly stringent once you get past a few per year and you
may NOT do it from a residence.

Mark

Jack R. wrote:

> Jeff,
>
> As an educated economist... all I can say is "Price is driven by Supply and
> Demand".  As the supply of 20+ year old Vanagons continue to diminish, and
> the demand is kept high from all those want-a-be owners (and prior owners
> who are replacing due to various reasons), you will continue to see a rise
> in price.  As we have all come to love these machines... it is hard to be
> without them.  I can't imagine not having my Vanagon, which I have owned
> since 1987.  It was really hard while it was down for the engine
> replacement.  Now that I have it back, I realize how much I have missed.
> And, in fact my excitement was contagious, as our best friends purchased a
> 91 Vanagon Westy, with 51k miles on it, for a price much greater than listed
> below... and they couldn't be happier!
>
> So, my advise to everyone, look at your Vanagon as an investment in an
> appreciating asset!  Take great care of it, and keep the excitement up!  Who
> knows, in 10 years, we may be adding a "0" to the numbers listed below!
>
> Jack
>