Date:         Tue, 10 Feb 2004 15:08:37 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: What's a Tristar Doka Worth?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

David,

One of the $25K Tristars I mentioned WAS Canadian -- purchased new by the 
owner via a US dealer. It was fully optioned and even came with extra aluminum 
Tristar gates. I have seen this Tristar several times.

Although it was very well-optioned. I cannot agree that Canadian Tristars 
have EVERY OPTION. This is the second Canadian Tristar I am aware of which has 
14" alloys. I have seen European versions with 15" alloys and canopies. It also 
did not come with the roll cage that you see on some European Tristars and 
Jadgwagens. Those are significant options missing on the Canadian Tristars. I 
don't want to Rainer on your parade (apologies to Dr. W - couldn't resist), but 
you are not entirely correct.

I believe Jeff was looking for present rather than "future" value. You can 
scan the European market and find that prices are low there even more so in the 
US. That is not saying they will remain there. Almost anything will go up in 
value given enough time under condition it is preserved in the same condition. 
This is even more true with vehicles. They depreciate to a point then climb 
back up in price as fewer are left. It's a supply and demand thing. The 
bottomline is demand for Tristars is down. Prices are down. Today's price is $25K and 
lower for a Tristar which was imported and titled legally and now on US soil. 
I believe that is what Jeff was looking for. He is more than welcome to rebut 
should that not be the case.

I have other reports on Tristars selling for under $10K landed and titled in 
the US. But then they do not qualify under the "very good condition" category.

Just my 2¢,
BenT