Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:08:49 +0000
Reply-To: Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Dealers?
In-Reply-To: <484584.57923.qm@web33811.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Something is wrong if you can't find an 86-91 Westy in 3 months. Must be
the price range you are in. A nice one is going to cost 9-15K. And 86 will
be the cheapest, but you should buy the first really nice one that is priced
right regardless of year, unless you just have to have a grey interior(87+).
The dealers you mention are going to get more for their vans. They are
there to make money and contrary to their marketing hype they are used car
dealers. The best bet is to find a FSBO who has spent a lot on his van who
won't expect to get it all back. There are lots of those out there.
Looking for a "good deal" is just a way to buy the van on a payment plan,
with a large down and monthly repair installments.
Autotrader.com is a good place to look. You will probably have to travel to
get the best deal on a nice van. You can have it checked out ahead of time
with an independent local shop or hit someone local up on the list to look
at one you are interested in. But you better be serious. Buying local is
better but only if you live in a non-rust area and you can wait to find a
good one. I looked for a year and a half to find my first Westy locally at
a price I liked. Then I had to put an engine in it a year later anyway.
When I sold it, I had people calling from all over the US because they could
tell I had done everything to it and had it priced to sell, 1990 Full Westy,
sold for $11,500, no issues, new engine ($5K with extras).
Hope that gives you something to compare by.
Good luck,
Dave in Denver
'91 Syncru 2.5
>From: Daniel Groups <danielsgroups2005@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: Daniel Groups <danielsgroups2005@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Dealers?
>Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:52:49 -0700
>
>I've been looking to no avail for a decent used Westy from 1986-1991. I
>would prefer one in great shape and learn about them as I go vs buying one
>that either needs immediate work or is more of a project model. I also
>really want one that is clean. I am willing to pay more than I orginally
>anticipated.
>
> I've watched the ads (Craigs List, Samba, GoWesty, and some others). So
>far nothing much has come up.....it's been a few months. Looked at some
>after long drives to find them not in nearly the shape I was hoping often
>with things not working that was not disclosed on the phone ahead of time.
>
> So the question I have is what is the reputation of the commercial
>stores?
>
> GoWesty (Ca)
> PoptopHeaven (South Ca)
> JDB Import Specialists (Colorado)
>
> Poptop and JDB have some interesting looking ones in their inventory but
>it means a flight to see them and I really want to know if it's worth it
>before I go.
>
> And am I missing any big ones or good ones near Northern California?
>
> Thanks
> Daniel
>
>
>---------------------------------
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