Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 10:38:12 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: The Walrus Speaks
In-Reply-To: <A6E92C53-AE02-48D1-A7BC-BFAA0C199E58@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Eric, thank you for such a thoughtful post. That means a lot.
This van is as of this year 32 years old, yet running and performing in
ways unthinkable for other makes of vehicles. There is really no other
vehicle out there like it, and meets my needs like it does. That is
exactly why the Vanagon became my go-to machine. This is my 5th one,
beginning with an '85 model I bought in Alaska in 1990 . After using it up
there for a number of years as my only vehicle, I was hooked on its
versatility - touring vehicle, camper, freight hauler, the list goes on.
Early on, I once hauled 15 one hundred pound bags of pottery clay 150
miles through the Chugach mountains in the '85. Didn't go fast, but got it
done. The van never protested once. Years later I made the 4500 mile drive
from Anchorage to Birmingham, AL in that van. Never a lick of trouble with
it. That little 1.9L WBX engine was hell for stout. Six months after
arriving here I spotted an '88 GL on a roadside carlot and made the trade.
Thus the journey upward with the vans began. Interestly, over time, I
found the 1.9L to be more reliable than the 2.1L engine. But the latter
being bigger plus ready availability of parts made it more desirable at the
time. The rise of the Subaru conversions changed everything and
that's where I AM NOW.
Given the age, my van is not pristine and I confess to it being an ongoing
project. But then again aren't all of our vans that way - tires or rims or
brakes or exhaust or wheel bearings or something all the time.
On Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 9:34 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> If you decide to sell I wish you the best luck with the sale and
> your future mobility choices.
>
> My 84 was sold to me by a lovely couple one of them was in his
> early 80’s. After 30 years they needed a different kind of vehicle.
>
> I have that van in much better shape than it was and plan to keep
> maintaining it and using it as long as I can.
>
> But, I also have a plan for where it goes if I suddenly am unable to care
> for it.
>
> So, I think for such a treasure it is good to think about. Is it your
> goal to prioritize getting as. Much money back, or to finding it a
> caretaker that will use it in a way you appreciate.
>
> Of course no guarantees once it is gone.
>
> Before I purchased the 84 I asked the folks that question. They needed to
> get a certain return on it. I had suggested selling it to a person that
> had the skills to maintain it but not the finances to purchase such an
> expensive van.
>
> In the end they wanted to get some value back. I purchased it after
> seeing the Samba add. The van was not given away but the value requested
> was something I could afford for such a nice van.
>
> This is a long commentary but I’m trying to say with regard to your
> vanagon legacy for van and parts there is still a community you can support
> if it is time to move on.
>
> Get the price you need, but keep an eye out for a good match for your
> beautiful van.
>
> The other thing I’ve seen is people purchase a van at a high price point
> thinking it will be care free. In a short time it is no longer rust freee
> and mechanically strong. Then the decline happens fast.
>
> Man, I’m silly about these vans.
>
> Warmest wishes to you John with this decision. I wish you the best in
> keeping or moving on.
> And, no matter what, I hope you stay on list to share your knowledge and
> companionship.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
> > On Jul 21, 2023, at 9:40 AM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Ken, thanks for the info. That gives me a starting point. No rust, by the
> > way. Until me, this has always been an Alabama van since it was driven
> off
> > the showroom floor by the original owner.
> >
> > On Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 8:24 AM kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
> > kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> >> John, I sold a very rusty Carat with a Bostig conversion a few years ago
> >> for $15k. Just FYI.
> >>
> >> Ken
> >>
> >> On Fri, Jul 21, 2023, 12:58 AM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> The time has come, the walrus said, to speak of many things,
> >>> Of sailing ships, and sealing wax, and cabbages and kings,
> >>> And Vanagons!
> >>>
> >>> I never thought I would be thinking this, but I am strongly
> >>> considering selling my relatively new to me SUBIEGON. So many negative
> >>> things have happened with and to me in the last three years that it has
> >>> brought me to this point. Because of injuries, aging (I'm 84), and
> >>> changes in living quarters, I can no longer work on my vans which I
> have
> >>> always done in the past. I'm even finding it somewhat difficult to even
> >>> get
> >>> in and out of it.
> >>>
> >>> Would like some general value opinions please. Of course real value is
> >>> always in the eye of the beholder. What do you think as ballpark.
> >>>
> >>> The very basics :
> >>>
> >>> Body - 1991 Carat, jump seats,
> >>>
> >>> Engine - Subaru EJ 2.5 L, new complete full engine overhaul, with all
> >>> new accessories. ZERO miles except for 2500 miles during a very careful
> >>> break-in.
> >>>
> >>> Small car installation.with extras
> >>>
> >>> Automatic Transmission
> >>>
> >>
>
>
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