The homebrewed swaps sell also.  A local fellow named Robert had a burgundy Carat that he did himself (2.2 w/auto) and it was on CL for about two days before being nabbed by someone a hundred miles away.  He had let me drive the van when I first heard about it and I was impressed with the performance during that brief exposure and would have gladly paid the asking price (about $6000, as I recall) if I'd been in the market at that time.  I also looked under the hood and there was a modest tangle of wires, so I can appreciate a buyer's apprehension about such things. 
Stephen 

     On Thursday, April 2, 2015 11:24 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
   

 I agree, but there are a few aficionados like me out there waiting for a professional conversion to hit the market.  I've seen two Small Car Subaru conversions recently that have about $40k invested in them, (I bought some of their discarded stock items), and I'm waiting for the owners to eventually sell them. I'd pay at least $20k if I had the money.  :-)

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Schwaia
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2015 10:04 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Carat value

It adds to the seller's perceived value.  In reality, they are much more difficult to sell.  

This is not conjecture.  I am in this business...

Cheers, 

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Chris Szpejankowski
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2015 9:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Carat value

Based on perusing Samba ads a well-done subie conversion actually adds to the value or at least desirability over an original untouched WBX with high miles. I can't quantify that, though. 

Wyslane z iPhone'a

Dnia 1 kwi 2015 o godz. 16:34 John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> napisal(a):

> So, NADA says a stock primo 1991 Carat is worth $15000, an average one
> $8300 and one not so good $4300! So where in the ballpark might one be 
> valued at that is average with a SUBARU CONVERSION hooked to an autotranny?
> 
> John