Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:47:53 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Is there a market for my VanaJetta Westy?
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well, since you know all the pluses and minuses,
what would YOU pay for it ?
anything like this is a long shot usually..........
there may be a lot of value, or a lot invested, but people might be leery of
anything cobbled up, very non-stock, etc.
what do you hope to get out of it ?
they need to believe that it is fundamentally very, very reliable.
Any buyer's biggest fear is getting something that will bite them after a
while, like a major expense like transmission or engine,
or.........this is a biggie..........THE biggie............they'll have
problems with it, and no one will be able to fix it,
or be able to fix it for a reasonable cost.
If you handle that concern truthfully, and it's really true, then you might
find a buyer at a good price.
If I was advising a potential buyer, I'd suggest they call a few VW or
foreign car shops and say 'I have this vanagon with a 95 ABA 2.0 liter
engine ( or whatever it is ) in it, and I'm having some problems with it
running right, Will you work on it?" .......
and just see what you get.
Obviously.........many shops would be concerned about getting into a weird
thing.
It's going to take.............'just the right person' to buy it, and
appreciate it.
I'd say, just get your number in your head ( if you really DO want to sell
it ) ........like say $ 3,500 or whatever your number is, and put it on the
free lists, like craigslist and thesamba. and see what happens.
Does yours get good mileage ?
Don Hansen drives a 1.8 inline four vanagon........and he claims around 23
most of the time,and a high of 27 mpg once. If true, that sort of thing
could be a good selling point. I don't believe he's had many issues either.
I did an 88 Jetta Digifant 1.8 into a vangon once...........that system at
least has potential to be extremely reliable and consistent in a vanagon.
If it's like that ............like a 'toyota-like vanagon' ...........it's
easier to sell.
but after all this work !.........don't you want to enjoy it for a few years
? .......or do you not like it actually ?
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 2:19 PM
Subject: Is there a market for my VanaJetta Westy?
> Hi all.
>
> Before doing my engine conversion, I knew the VW 15* install might
> appeal to less future buyers.
>
> Strange possibly hard to answer question, but.....
>
> Hypothetically speaking, for fair market value, are there buyers for
> an '81 Westy with a Jetta 15* conversion?
>
> Engine details:
>
> Jetta ABA OBD1 ('93 or '94) ~100K KM engine with KEP kit at 15*. Stock
> Motronic engine management. Dodge Caravan (V6) air box/filter. Custom
> exhaust, but new O2 sensor/cat/Walker "Vanagon" muffler/tailpipe and
> new diesel Vanagon style hand-made exhaust mount brackets and hangers.
> No smoke. No coolant leaks. No oil drips. No strange sounds. Runs at a
> constant acceptable temp. Haven't checked compression, but engine
> pulls great. Has a new clutch/flywheel/pilot bearing, some engine
> seals, both belts/tensioners, WP, thermostat, some hoses, crankcase
> breather pipe/PVC valve, plugs/wires/rotor/cap, distributor (and CMP),
> ECT sensor. Except for the rad fan, and refurbished 3 coats of POR-15
> long steel pipes (in great shape btw) the cooling system, including
> the heater core, is new. The wiring harness is fine, all joins
> soldered/shrinkwrapped/tapped and covered with corrugated sleeve.
> There are spare parts including a new part to prevent oil frothing.
> (can't recall name right now).
>
> Known engine issue: VSS (variable speed sensor) DTC code. Likely NOT
> an issue. i.e. idles fine, no stalling, doesn't seem to be any rev
> limits.
>
> The new exhaust design *should* prevent future cracking at primary pipes.
>
> It has a modified engine lid.
>
> Vehicle drives ok and has lots of "new" or newer low KM parts.
>
> Just curious,
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
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