Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 17:31:42 +0000
Reply-To: Robert Rountree <syncro87@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Rountree <syncro87@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: VW means 'Vacation Wagon' :-) equity
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Original message (chopped and channeled)
>>Subject: Re: VW means 'Vacation Wagon' :-) equity
>>I still maintain that vehicles are expenses.They depreciate, thereby
eating up any so-called investment equity.<<
a regular everyday driven high mileage car/van/camper... you bet...
I sometimes work with a film director who has his own large private
garage... with a bunch of super classic cars and a full time restorative
mechanic... I remember one time he was really excited about buying a car for
$80k (a Pierce Arrow I think) and a few years later, after another $60k in
work he sold it for $450k.. I think his accountant had the buyer deposit a
large part of the money into his Cayman account. ... him and his account
(and the tax folks) do refer to his collection as "investment equity"
He laughs and calls me a "sucker" whenever he sees me checking on stocks...
>>Money put into stocks and bonds is a whole 'nother issue.<<
Solid companies like Charter health, Enron and Worldcom might be a good
bet..eh? < ;^)
Now an airplane.... I remember seeing a completely restored Piper Cub for
$12k at Oshkosh in 1981... saw one just like it yesterday for $65k.... but
if I had invested that $12k in 1981 (when interest rates were up to 18%).. I
could have made some good money... with no annual inspection fees, no hanger
fees, no insurance premiums, no avionics upgrades, no recovering with fabric
and paint cost... and NO FUN getting to fly.... My friend Zell (the
director) is afraid to take half his cars out of the shop (if they are even
insured to drive). I think he had one out showing off, for the Toronto Film
Festival this past week.... My Syncro is to enjoy... it's not a show toy,
it's just a plain olde family camper (stored in the winter with low
mileage)... I think toys are fine for some boys and girls, if they can
afford them...One man's ceiling is another girls' floor... one man's garbage
is another's treasure.... But as an investment.... a lower mileage Syncro
Westy in good shape is worth more than a regular 80's big 3 econoline type
van.... and all generalities are generally all over the place, but sometimes
correct.... But a low mileage, good Syncro Westy for $6k.... I'll buy one at
the drop of a hat.... I guess I just don't know any better.... I must be
just a dumb old silver fox.
RR
