Marc, with that I totally agree.  I just don't have to spend $150k to get there.  In fact, NOT having spent a bunch of excess money may enhance the joy I gain.  Perhaps with me, it is the camping experience, especially with family, that matters, not the "quality" or amount of money spent, to get me to the camp site.  I expect that is the case with you.  If I can improve the camping experience with reasonable outlay of money, I do that.  The campsite is more likely to be in the outback than otherwise, as my recent trip to Big Bend demonstrates.

mcneely
.
---- Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I think Abel makes the single most salient point about the money that we
> "invest" in our vans; while we don't like spending it, we derive joy and
> other benefits from every $ spent. If we didn't enjoy it, we wouldn't spend
> the money on it. What motivates other people to spend $$$$$$$ on something
> is irrelevant; they believe they get something for their money spent and
> that's all that matters. That Syncro is incredible, no doubt. It's not my
> cup of tea, but there's no denying that somebody put some serious love, as
> well as money, into that van.
>
> I've been working on, in some sense, restoring my van. I'm doing some
> similar things to what was done on that Syncro, but I'm having a hard time
> seeing it all cost $150K, and I hope it doesn't. Still, even if it does, we
> will thoroughly enjoy the time we spend camping with it. And when I hear my
> daughters raving enthusiastically to their friends about the camping
> adventures we've had with it, it's totally worth it to me. If I ever sell
> my van, the Return On Investment will be significantly higher than any
> other vehicle I have ever owned, no matter what I get for it relative to
> how much I spent to get it there. The value added to my spiritual happiness
> is significant.
>
> Marc
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 27, 2014 at 11:08 AM, Abel Longoria <houstonphotog@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > I hope it sells and I hope the buyer loves it...
> >
> > I know that with every upgrade I make or improvement I tweak to my van that
> > the chances of me getting some of that money invested back is slim...
> > but... i do it anyways for the love of ding it an the love of having a
> > Westy.
> >
> > If the market continues to rise on these things then i'll be sure to get
> > more than what i paid for it so i am content with that.. making back what i
> > invested in it is a completely different thing.
> >
> > ps. for instance, I spent $1,000 on a mechanic to fix my AC that didn't get
> > fixed back in September and another $1,300 this week to a mechanic that
> > actually does know what hes doing and he got it fixed completely. I won't
> > be getting that money in return when I sell but I know I'll be riding
> > comfortably in the Texas heat this summer! yay!
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 27, 2014 at 9:21 AM, Zeitgeist <gruengeist@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Applying logic to either the build or sale of this van is pure folly.
> > > Build or buy it if it suits your whims and bulging bank account.  I don't
> > > see any reason to wish for the dude *not* to get his money out of the
> > sale,
> > > but that's just how I roll.
> > >
> > > btw:  I found the same textured material used to recover that dash down
> > at
> > > the local Jo-ann fabric store.  I'm pretty sure they had the dash vacuum
> > > formed, which ain't cheap.  I particularly like the double DIN install,
> > > incorporated into the dash pad.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, Mar 27, 2014 at 7:05 AM, Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@comcast.net
> > > >wrote:
> > >
> > > > To each his own, remember my comments here about a month ago about my
> > > > former father in law who only bought 4 door Ford sedans in white.
> > > BORING!!
> > > > I see nothing wrong with customizing/personalizing a Vanagon or Westy.
> > > > Getting your money back is a different story. This is a "Westy of The
> > > > Stars" i.e. Tom Hanks. The seller will need an all cash buyer as no one
> > > is
> > > > going loan that much on this vehicle.
> > > >
> > > > Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >I'm a bit confused.  Why do so many people hope he gets the money?
> >  From
> > > > my perspective, putting a ton of money into a vehicle to "upgrade" it
> > is
> > > > just foolish.  Expecting someone else to pay for it is wishful
> > thinking.
> > > >  Let such folks suffer the consequences of their mistakes, and for
> > sure,
> > > > I'm not going to encourage them.  Proper maintenance and restoration of
> > > > components needed is another matter.  Of course, at some point, all our
> > > > campers are going to be either show vehicles or crushed, as we can only
> > > > take them so far as serviceable vehicles.  Too bad.  mcneely
> > > > >
> > > > >---- "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> > > > >> I also hopes he gets the money, however, I don't understand people
> > who
> > > > >> customize a van the way they think it should be done, and then try
> > to
> > > > sell
> > > > >> it for a ton of money.  Just because they sunk a ton of cash into
> > > > something
> > > > >> doesn't make it valuable or even a "dream" anything.  I think as
> > time
> > > > goes
> > > > >> on, the unmolested Vanagons and Westies are going to be the ones
> > that
> > > > are
> > > > >> the most desirable and these other hybrids, are going to be the
> > second
> > > > >> class citizen that people wish they hadn't "pimped out".
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Just my opinion.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Ken Wilford
> > > > >> John 3:16
> > > > >> www.vanagain.com
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 4:47 PM, Roland <syncronicity1@gmail.com>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >>
> > > > >> > The Ultimate Dream Syncro ground up restoration   Price: $125,000
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Not mine.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1617562
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Well, I just had to write since this is the highest asking price I
> > > > have
> > > > >> > ever seen.  I am sure it is very, very nice, and so I can't say it
> > > is
> > > > >> > overpriced.  It is just the highest I've ever seen.  Some things
> > are
> > > > very
> > > > >> > attractive, such as custom interior panels, and long list of
> > > > upgrades.  But
> > > > >> > oddly the spare wheel doesn't match the other 4 mounted wheels.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Not to discount the incomparable culture, character and love for
> > > > Vangaons,
> > > > >> > but in this price range I would definitely be comparing to a brand
> > > new
> > > > >> > Sportsmobile.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Maybe if I add two TVs to my Syncro it will be worth $99,999.99?
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Roland
> > > > >> >
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> --
> > > > >> Thanks,
> > > > >> Ken Wilford
> > > > >> John 3:16
> > > > >> www.vanagain.com
> > > > >
> > > > >--
> > > > >David McNeely
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Casey
> > >
> >

--
David McNeely