Value is of course what the market is willing to pay at any given time. I’ve no interest in selling any time soon. Had it for 17 years and spent loads - Probably around what I ‘think’ the current market value is and a little more as I’ve spent some in the last couple of years, but I’ve had the use of it all that time, and it IS an asset that, like any other, may rise or fall in value. Anything that can be sold is an asset whether appreciating or not. And there must be few other vehicles where overall cost of long term ownership are anything like close to current market value over time. That’s not the point though and relatively immaterial to me. Let’s say for argument’s sake I’m £5k down on overall expenditure - that’s not a bad cost of ownership for 17 years for a vehicle! But the benefit of enjoyment I’ve had in that time can’t be measured. Were I looking to buy one I’d get the best my budget could buy as I don’t have the skills or time to restore one myself, and any money spent on repairs in my mind is a loss that only time and market demand may repay if lucky, but generally won’t. On that basis I’d buy one where someone else has paid that mostly unrecoverable loss and try to minimise any short term repair cost liability. In insurance value terms though, the cost to replace would in theory probably be what the - untested - market value is, but would or should it cover my time and the sentimental value I clearly attach to mine having spent so much time in it, under it, round the back of it and forming so many fond memories of it? To me that’s what’s hard to put a figure on and impossible to replace. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
what's the most expensive bay for sale at the moment then? this one maybe https://www.vwdownunder.com/1978-westfalia-conversion looks nice, but pricey. i guess if you look at in the context of a new-ish T6 then its not too bad given this is looks to be best of everything no expense spared type of resto
Even at 50 grand I suspect that one will get somewhere near because of the times we are living in just now.
That does look nice. Only done 700 miles since the resto 7 years ago! That was a waste of money for whoever paid for the resto
Sleeps Four adults eh? I’m pretty sure the weight limit on my Westy pop top bed is about 80kg or thereabouts according to the handbook.... asides which there’s not a huge amount of space up there. Two adults, two kids and a baby I’d say (I don’t have the hammock over the front seats but it ain’t big!). They had an awning option for good reason. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I remember seeing that bus in a magazine - did look like they threw a whole heap of money at it -- from memory VWDU did the work, and are now selling it so i'm guessing the owners have asked them to sell for them - so likely the 50k price represents what they have invested in the bus to get it to that point
Not for long, the pop top canvas would be bulging with limbs and lumps to bursting point like a pillowcase full of kittens. My nephew managed to kick a hole in the netting when he was about 8. P.S. Did you mean a Hammam? I once went to Bain de Marrakech, you leave your dignity at the door along with your Crocs... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
At the end of the day it’s still a ponderover I expect the new owner will want there appreciation and in a few years would expect to get upwards of 60k But to me that would lose you more than an average priced nice van , Just because people or a restorer throws £££££ at it doesn’t necessarily mean it will continue to increase in value , they just want to get the Money they spent back , But we all know that can’t be done in the long run
Worry for me would be £50K and it looks mint. Even 3 years later, with a bit of use and camping and weather, it’s unlikely to be mint then, very good maybe but not mint. I’d say 18 to 25K for just a very good van. Potential for heavy loss there in a few years
I sold mine for £24,600 about 4 years ago now I think it was. it was pretty mint. The buyers sold on shortly after to someone who is a TLB'er now, bu tI have no idea what its like now or what they paid.
If I had 50k to spend on a holiday/weekend away van then I sure as hell wouldn’t buy a bay. for starters for 50k I’d like to be able to stand up in it, shower in it, cook properly in it and be able to travel all over Europe without fear of breaking down or needing a mortgage to pay for the fuel, and I’d probably want sky tv. In my mind a bay is a hobbyists vehicle these days. If you buy a 50k finished van then that’s not gonna be much of a hobby. I bet most on here get as much fun tinkering without their van as they do actually using it for away days.
You buy for ££50k, use a bit sell for £50k You buy for £5k, spend £20k while not using it, sell for £15k Who's the mug?
Ha ha that’s so true There is company selling US imports, custom painted and interior chosen by buyer, with 0 miles on a 1600cc engine for £30k. If I ever finish mine, with no more mega-dramas, i’ll consider what i’ve splashed out to be money well spent. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
