On Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 7:52 AM, Steve Williams <sbw@sbw.org> wrote:

> At 09:13 PM 11/24/2009, Roger Whittaker wrote:
>
>> it amazes me when someone wants to sell a vanagon everyone is shocked at
>> the
>> price ... yet when someone smashes a vehicle ... damn the insurance
>> co and their paltry offer of 4K$ dont they know i have at least 25K$
>> into this rig !!!!
>>
>
> I agree.  I paid $2,000 for my '84 Westy and then put close to $20K
> into it since, to make it reliable, useful, and comfortable.  And I
> haven't even done any cosmetic work yet!
>
> Now, I would never consider paying that much to purchase a vehicle,
> because:
>
>  - The seller will always have different priorities from mine.
>
>  - There's no way to verify the quality of the work the seller
> claims has been done.
>
> I think there are two kinds of happy Westy owners: Those like me, who
> can take the time to learn and plan the work needed, and maybe do it
> themselves.  And those who need a restored and upgraded Westy
> delivered to their door.
>
> Each will spend a similar amount of money.  I would argue that owners
> like me are less likely to be disappointed, because we get exactly
> what we want, not what somebody else thought would sell.
>
   I think you are wrong about 'spending a similar amount of money' to buy a
professionally restored Vanagon as opposed to doing the work  for your own
restoration.

  A company like Go Westie charges a big big hourly rate for all their
workmen to spend time on the van.  Big, like in the $80--$120/hr range, per
man hour.  Hence these $60k restored synro westies like Hanks bought from
them.  Or buying a van and taking it in for a professional refreshment job
and getting it back with a $20-30k bill for the restoration..
   If I spent $60k on restoring a syncro for my own use, it'd certainly be a
lot more than a 'stock as new restoration'...Because I don't have to pay
myself or any big overhead..no taxes, no payroll, just my parts and
materials costs..

  But some van-fans have plenty of money  to spend having others do that
kind of work and to many, even $100k is 'chump change' to them...so
companies like Go Westie have a customer base and continue to stay in
business..
  Don Hanson

>
> There is an exception to that rule, however: There are a few people
> and companies around that will consult with the buyer, deliver
> exactly the desired van, and take a fair profit.  Who are those
> sellers?  I can't say, because I didn't go that route.  GoWesty
> claims to be such a seller.  No doubt there are
> others.  (Sportsmobile does Sprinters.)
>