Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:18:16 -0400
Reply-To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Value of my van? Was Poptop conversion
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxM7ujt0ojikGU0AUU1R_4RD5CjFT20LDqRZgMCakk-7CA@mail.gmail.com>
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We thought we’d be camping/traveling more in retirement but Covid on top of this recent house remodel has cut into that. In addition, we moved to the woods a decade ago and “retail” camping on the East Coast doesn’t seem worth leaving home for. We’d hoped to spend some time out west in the land of BLM and open country. Still mostly healthy, perhaps we’ll go before we get out of our seventies whether we keep the Westy or not.
Stephen
Mobile
> On Jul 26, 2024, at 4:45 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Eric, I will turn 80 in February. My 77 yo wife, who has put up with me
> for 58 years now (including the year when she was my fiance), has serious
> health problems. Up until last year we camped with the van multiple times
> every summer, no sweat. Suddenly it just got harder, and there we are.
> Our favorite camping has always been real camping, at undeveloped BLM and
> USFS locations, or at the same agencies' waterless developed sites without
> room for RVs. When in NPs, we tend to opt for back country sites if they
> exist. Our point is to be out in nature without a lot of civilization or
> other people around us. If we have to have an RV campground, we mostly
> aren't interested. It's getting harder.
>
>> On Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 8:03 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi David,
>>
>> Yes, someone will want it.
>>
>> we have conversations with our friends about where our vans will go after
>> us. It would be nice to find younger folks that want to enjoy and
>> caretaker them. Many of us are in our 50’s and 60’s but other friends
>> still traveling and camping in them are in their mid 70’s so I’m hoping for
>> many more years. Some day though I’ll need to try to find that person to
>> take over.
>>
>> Getting some value back is helpful. But, when the time comes, I hope to
>> find someone with a joy in using the van, and mechanical ability to either
>> maintain or upgrade the vans.
>>
>> My second van has brought me great joy and allowed me to do more things.
>> I am grateful that the previous owners valued getting the van to a good
>> care taker rather then getting the most cash out of the sale.
>>
>> The worst thing is when an uncaring person purchases a van then runs them
>> into the ground.
>>
>> I hope you get to enjoy your van right up until you pass it on to the next
>> person.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>> On Jul 26, 2024, at 10:42 AM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Eric, we all get old, and Bonnie and I haven't been able to use the camper
>> nearly as much as we'd like in the last two years. Yes, the camper is
>> mostly stock, but the refrigerator has been removed. We haven't made any
>> active plans toward selling, but will probably do so in the next year or
>> so. Our daughter's family doesn't want it, though they camp a lot. And
>> how can I blame them, given the maintenance requirements. But someone will
>> want it.
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 4:14 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi David,
>>>
>>> I changed the subject to match your question and separate from
>>> Jon’s thread.
>>>
>>> Are you actually selling your camper or just looking for the value right
>>> now?
>>>
>>> Best of luck. I always liked the sound of your camper. It sounds like
>>> you kept it mostly or all stock, and well cared for, but also used it and
>>> enjoyed it. Sounds like a great way to enjoy the van.
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Eric Caron
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Jul 21, 2024, at 9:10 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> These vans being "so desirable," can anyone give me a reasonable
>>> estimate
>>>> of market value for a 1991 Vanagon GL Campmobile, 2.1 L engine, body
>>> "fair"
>>>> as defined by Edmunds.com? Color tan if that matters. Original tent
>>> still
>>>> in great condition. Refrigerator removed, replaced by GoWesty shelving.
>>>> Service has been kept up since my ownership starting in 2008, nearly new
>>>> tires.
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Jul 21, 2024 at 5:57 PM Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> There were people selling Safari-type roofs within the last few years.
>>> Not
>>>>> pop tops but permanently raised roofs. That might be an option too.
>>> These
>>>>> vans are so desirable now I’m sure there would be interest in any
>>> camper
>>>>> conversion.
>>>>> Jeff
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 21, 2024, at 6:30 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, it appears I am still dealing with my Vanagon Carat with Subaru
>>>>>> ENGINE, i thought the van was dead, gone, after the tree fell on it.
>>>>> Turns
>>>>>> out it is a very good candidate for pop top conversion into a camper
>>>>> maybe.
>>>>>> Anyone done this before? How hard are those tops to come by and
>>>>>> install? And at what cost, - both for the top and the labor.. May
>>> need a
>>>>>> top shipped in. Just plain vanagons are scarce as hen's teeth around
>>>>> here.
>>>>>> Would it be worth the effort? Would value go up enough to justify it?
>>>>> Just
>>>>>> thinkING. I sure would like to resurrect this van, even if I don't
>>> keep
>>>>> it.
>>>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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