Date:         Wed, 9 May 2001 12:05:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Andrew Fox <afox@usgs.gov>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Fox <afox@usgs.gov>
Subject:      Re: What's a reasonable price for a 89 Westy?
Comments: To: Isaac Taylor <irtaylor@fas.harvard.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I'd offer 1-2 K.  Remeber when you see these westy's advertised on the list
they are from VW enthusiasts for VW enthusiasts.  This car is 12 years old.
Most people see a 12 year old car as a car that's on its way out!  Take a
look in the local want-ads and see how much 12 year old cars that sold for
18 K new are selling for today.  Most are in the 1-2 K range if they are in
good running condition.  Many are in junkyards.  I paid 2K for my 86 Westy
that had a rebuilt trans and heads but numerous other little problems and i
got ripped off.  I should have paid 1K.  Bottom line is if you're looking
for a deal on a Westy don't assume that the seller is VW enthusiast too!
To prove my point just ask the average Joe on the street what he thinks an
89 Van that needs work is worth?  It's sad but true but if you want a
really good deal on a Westy you'll never get if from someone who advertises
it on this list.

my 2 cents,
Andrew Fox
86 Westy
Cape Cod, MA



                    Isaac Taylor
                    <irtaylor@fas.har        To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
                    vard.edu>                cc:
                    Sent by: Vanagon         Subject:     What's a reasonable price for
                    Mailing List             a 89 Westy?
                    <vanagon@gerry.va
                    nagon.com>


                    05/09/01 02:14 AM
                    Please respond to
                    Isaac Taylor





Uh-oh!!! Summer's here and a new strain of Westy Fever is raging here in
Boston!!

I stumbled across an interesting bus hiding in a back garden about a block
from
my house here in Cambridge, and instinct prompted me to ask the owner if it
was
for sale.  "It might be," the owner answered; I introduced myself and we
spent
about a half hour looking over the van, and talking about its life.  The
owners
are probably in their late 60's, and bought the van in Germany new in 89
and
shipped it back after a vaca in Sweden.  He's going to call me back in a
few
days if and when he and the wife decide it's time to sell -- I guess the
van
has been sitting more and more now that they're not camping much anymore.
So
the question is: what's a reasonable offer for me to make?  I'm thinking
$5k to
start -- would that be a fair deal for a mechanically sound, but rather
delapidated 89 Westy?

This van wears its original white paint, and a real dirty top.  There's no
structural rust but a lot of cosmetic bubbles, stains, and drips
(especially
around the sills and hook-ups).  There's some minor damage to the front
bumper
and a couple of dents up front.  Needs mirrors... and probably new wheels
(currently 14's) and rubber.  Owner says new tranny 30k ago.  No major
rebuild... so it's probably due, yes?  A/C and front blower a little funky,
but
working.  Exhaust good.  My gut says $2-3,000 in body work and paint and
the
thing"ll look fantastic... but what can I expect to spend on mechanicals
getting bus that's not had much use for the last few years back into
daily-driver condition?

All comments, anecdotal evidence, and general advice appreciated!
Best, Isaac Taylor