Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 11:44:29 -0500
Reply-To: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: Total restoration cost!
""" Good mechanics are not good businessmen"""
True, sadly!
""" I frequently inspect parts but I don't change things until future
failure is evident"""
You can not inspect a master cylinder, or any hydro cylinder/slave/master,
they just fail most of the without any warning. ALT an starter also fail
quickly, some parts will give some sign, i agree.
"""Cars are usually not good investments. Especially if the goal is to use
them. Restorations usually are for the pride of ownership. Most restored
vehicles are used as show vehicles. We call them trailer queens as that is
how they often go to shows.""""
I'm addicted to travelling, i just refused 22,500 for this van, all 4 others
were sold before they were completely restored, the last one, the 85, i had
10K$ on it before i began the restoration. I agree that most car are not a
good investment! I sold my 79 18,900$, not fully restored.
"""As for spending that type of cash on a vehicle for a trip, just don't
make economic sense."""
I think it does, if my goal was money, i would have kept my other job. If my
goal was money, i wouldn't loose my time here. I would have employees and
watch them work wile i do the tinking, i have chosen to work alone because
when i have enough money, i close the shop and go..... i have no kids, no
house, nothing (???) so i have that pivilege, leaving when ever i want.
"""I love the Syncro and Westys for their usefulness."""
I hate Syncro! when i see one comming in the shop, i know it's good money!
FOR ME, and I said FOR ME, i don't see the point in Syncro, i have no need
for those heavy, unreliable and underpowered 4X4, if i want off road fun, i
take my Honda CR250, or a JEEP.
I know, people love them, good for them, 10% of syncro owner that i know
don't use them as Syncro, but are very proud to have one????
"""I will still take it on trips. Maybe not to Mexico""""
Me yes, and in a year or 2, Autralia or Europe will be my next big adventure
in a Westy.
For the sake of good discussion :-)
Cheers, Ben
ps.: my shop computer as a worned keybord, so A, D may be missing sometime :-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One thing I don't see mentioned is the cost of the money! If you have $30K
in cash to put into your vehicle, think of what that could be in 5 years. At
a modest 8% you would have over $44k in 5 years. Almost 65K in 10. The 30K
in cash could be a future retirement home. Heck, you could invest the 30k,
use the $200 month earnings to pay off a cheap car and still have the $30k
at the end. Well, not quite with taxes and stuff.
In general, car addicted people are not good money people. Good mechanics
are not good businessmen. Cars are usually not good investments. Especially
if the goal is to use them. Restorations usually are for the pride of
ownership. Most restored vehicles are used as show vehicles. We call them
trailer queens as that is how they often go to shows.
As for spending that type of cash on a vehicle for a trip, just don't make
economic sense. For lots of trips and a future, maybe. Get into an accident
or have it stolen, guess what, most of that money is gone. It is hard to get
stated value insurance for vehicles in normal use. For one or two people,
the Westy is great. With a family, with that much cash, I would look for an
RV. In the US, interest on an RV is even tax deductible. As for some of the
big money I see spent on Syncro Westies and stuff, makes less sense. Invest
big money on Syncro Westy to so you can go off road and trash it!
I love the Syncro and Westys for their usefulness. Mine are no longer show
pieces but I dislike abusing them. I do maintenance to keep the overall cost
per mile low. I have 247K on Fun Bus, original engine and head gaskets and I
will still take it on trips. Maybe not to Mexico but I did drive it to
Florida last Thanksgiving. I frequently inspect parts but I don't change
things until future failure is evident. In industry, they call it predictive
maintenance.
Just rambling! Dennis
| 
