HELP!

I guess I am hopelessly nieve. I've been looking for a replacement for
our recently tree attacked westy and am running into very unexpected
problems! My wife and I decided to get a later model vanagon westy and
possibly a syncro. Well after a net search they are indeed out there and
I'm finding 88 to 91 westy syncros in very good condition for proces
between $16,000 and 20,000. High prices but then there ain't anything
else like them and we aren't ever likely to see westies imported again
sooooo the prices are high and the owners are getting them at least it
appears that way.

Well, I've found a nice 89 westy syncro out west with low milage for say
a little over $16,000. Now take that to the bank and they just stare at
you. Book value to them is about $7,000 and I've been to two different
places they will loan around $5,000 but no more. Seems that unless
you're wealthy ya can't buy a late model syncro!

Now go to the insurance company......same thing. Value around $7,000
won't insure it for a penny more. How can a person spend that much money
and insure it at less than half of the real market and replacement
value? Am I missing something?

Bob