Well,  I don't think you are naive any more.

> Seems that unless
>you're wealthy ya can't buy a late model syncro!
>
>Bob

Your experience sounds quite familiar, and there is no way around it unless
you got $11k laying around to make up the difference between the asking
price and the bank's loan limit.  As far as the insurance goes, I would be
scared to death driving a vehicle that the insurance company would nowhere
near cover.  There was at one time a very long post from someone explaining
his fights with the insurance and salvage industry when his Wesy Syncro was
totalled.  He managed to recover a reasonable value, after a long and
difficult fight.  I suppose if you document all of your expenses, you will
have a better chance in an insurance fight -- but nothing is guaranteed.
Even my 2wd Carat is worth a whole lot more than the insurance company
thinks it is!

Oh yeah, you will also need to save money in case the engine, transmission,
or VC goes belly-up.  :-(

Michael Townsend,
who would love a Westy Syncro TDI -- but wouldn't we all.