Lot of cars make great investments. Will a Vanagon  be one of them? Who
knows. I have never thought of the van as an investment either, but I am
beginning to change my mind as the price that it is worth is inching over
the money I have invested in it and will undoubtedly continue though who
knows at what pace. How many cars can even claim that?

Anyway, if I wanted to make money, I would invest in some other car,
probably not buy another Vanagon. But it's just nice that it's appreciating.

Jim

On Saturday, April 16, 2016, Alistair Bel <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> I don't doubt that some people put that much money into their vans. And
> especially if paying retail prices.
>
> What I do find surprising is expecting to get that investment back, to
> break even at the most.
>
> There is a good amount of irrationality involved with some of the van
> improvements I see. Not that the mods done are irrational, but rather that
> you really need that mod now.
>
> I thought the van market peaked 10 years ago, but obviously I was wrong.
> But I still feel the market is a bit of a bubble.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the work that some people do to their
> vans. But realistically that money should be classified as recreation and
> amusement expenses, not as an investment.
>
> But with Vanagons I have a particular point of view that might not be
> shared by most. It's a hobby for me and I really can't put a dollar figure
> on the hours I've spent doing things to the vans I've owned. Whether it's
> regular maintenance, repairs, or modifications, I put a lot into the vans
> I've owned but I have never once thought of it as an investment.
>
> I just want to have the van run well, and have fun.
>
> Alistair
>
>
> > On Apr 16, 2016, at 2:58 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >
> > He says he's $100k into it. I believe him, but he's going to take a big
> loss.
> >
> > Stuart
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Neil N [mailto:musomuso@gmail.com <javascript:;>]
> > Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2016 11:59 AM
> > To: Stuart MacMillan
> > Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <javascript:;>
> > Subject: Re: Interesting Syncro TDI on The Samba
> >
> > That rig likely has a niche appeal or market. However....
> > It's had a more than seats done to it!    ;)
> >
> > Not saying his ask price is in line, especially since I know little
> about Syncros but the list of work done is something to consider.
> >
> > Wouldn't just the transmission work alone be pricey to get done?
> >
> >
> >> On 4/15/16, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >> Land Rover seats front and rear, and you get to make all you own
> >> cabinets for only $79,900:
> >> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1917400
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Stuart
> >
> >
> > --
> > Neil n
> >
> > Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
> >
> > 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
> >
> > 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
> >
> > Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
>