Just thinking aloud really. Are van prices falling what with the cost of living, energy prices and fuel costs has the bottom fallen out of the market.
Are van prices falling
- Thread starter thejinx
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Coda
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Not sure about vans/buses, but I said a couple years ago once we get into 70's style inflation prices of used vehicles generally would drop like a brick. Along with houses and some other types of assets.
I was going to sell mine at the height of the staycation during Covid but her indoors wouldn’t let me. I would have bought another at a later date. I’m now thinking if the prices really drop I may buy another and start a fleet.
Used car prices are very much on the rise right now but I’m not necessarily sure that carries across to old campers.
I’d suggest the buying market is shrinking. There are plenty of people about who remain cash rich but 15 years ago people would happily chuck a van on their mortgage and I can’t see that happening these days.
They probably took a bit of boost due to covid and the international travel restrictions but that could well ease off now.
I’d suggest the buying market is shrinking. There are plenty of people about who remain cash rich but 15 years ago people would happily chuck a van on their mortgage and I can’t see that happening these days.
They probably took a bit of boost due to covid and the international travel restrictions but that could well ease off now.
heyskull
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Maybe prices are dropping, but they always do before the camping and show season starts again.
Also if you bought one of these vehicles to make a quick profit you will be disappointed.
I bought my bus for me to relive some of my childhood, to enjoy tinkering with and spending even more money on. At no point do I think or hope I will make a profit as there will always something to spend more money on.
Many years ago (1990s) I had some friends who had a 69 bay window and stupidly over the years they had kept every receipt that they had spent on it. If I remember in over 15 years of ownership they had spent £38,000 on it (not including the original purchase price) and when it failed the MOT on rear torsion beam rot they flung ain the towel and sold it. Even in its state someone paid 4 times what they paid for it originally and put it back on the road.
They were more annoyed that in that time they could of saved the money and bought a new motorhome!
But they wouldn't have had the memories they had and probably now regret ever selling it.
SC
Also if you bought one of these vehicles to make a quick profit you will be disappointed.
I bought my bus for me to relive some of my childhood, to enjoy tinkering with and spending even more money on. At no point do I think or hope I will make a profit as there will always something to spend more money on.
Many years ago (1990s) I had some friends who had a 69 bay window and stupidly over the years they had kept every receipt that they had spent on it. If I remember in over 15 years of ownership they had spent £38,000 on it (not including the original purchase price) and when it failed the MOT on rear torsion beam rot they flung ain the towel and sold it. Even in its state someone paid 4 times what they paid for it originally and put it back on the road.
They were more annoyed that in that time they could of saved the money and bought a new motorhome!
But they wouldn't have had the memories they had and probably now regret ever selling it.
SC
Graham L
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Prices in general have fallen over the last few years, the peak of prices was around 2017/2018 and then theres been a gradual drop off, COVID pushed prices up as people wanted a camper to go away in but that novelty now seems to have worn off and at the later half of 2022 people were trying to sell buses for more than they paid for them in lockdown and it didn't work so the market is currently flooded with lots of unsold buses, don't get me wrong good example are still selling proven by Bob Burrows who runs Restohaus and sells buses on a commission basis.
Anyone who thinks building and restoring a camper especially a bay window is going to get back what they put into it and make money is deluded, we've always tell potential customers not to expect to make money when they come to sell, dont treat it as an investment just enjoy it.
Anyone who thinks building and restoring a camper especially a bay window is going to get back what they put into it and make money is deluded, we've always tell potential customers not to expect to make money when they come to sell, dont treat it as an investment just enjoy it.
I think it's like most classic vehicles, which is what we have, if you bought 20 years ago and have managed to not spend loads you're quids in, but you rarely get back the restoration cost when you sell. I had a late bay in 1993, paid £1200, great condition for 14 year old vehicle, but even that had been restored by the PO and many I looked at were rotten and/or badly repaired. I often wonder what would have happened if I'd kept it and how much I would have spent on it. With my current van I'm not botherd how much it's worth coz I'm not going to sell it, whilst keeping on top of any issues that pop up from time to time of course. But yeah prices have definitely dropped, looking about you can get something decent for £12K and that's the asking price.
There are so many projects for sale also at quite reasonable prices that were hard to find not so long ago.
Owners have now realised that new parts required to restore a van are so much more since Brexit and this increase absorbes any profit so either abandon or are non starters
Owners have now realised that new parts required to restore a van are so much more since Brexit and this increase absorbes any profit so either abandon or are non starters
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@garytype2 Can you get the image in your post, copy and paste it in your post or something like that?
I would hate to think what I’ve spent over the years I know I wouldn’t get back what I put in. as I say I’m not selling although I did have a wobble during Covid. I see busses on sites and not just EBay that are priced high and are not selling. Cheaper fixer uppers seem to be doing ok though. Although we all know that can be a false economy
Coda
Well-known member
I respectfully disagree. The global economy crash that is happening right now is worse than what was brought about by the sub-prime mortgages scam of 2008, and it is going to get worse.
Also, don't forget to factor inflation. Example, if your van is worth 15k now, and after 2 years of inflation at 10-15%, you sell and get back 15k.... you've lost about 4-5k of real money.
When Beetles are going for a grand again give me a shout.
I'm not sure about the overall value of VW campervans although inflation today is nothing compared to the seventies.
This time of year is a bit early to sell though because it's still winter, so if I was selling I would wait until April/May so that the buyer knows they can use their new campervan straightaway. If it's a project to restore that may be a slightly different dynamic.
This time of year is a bit early to sell though because it's still winter, so if I was selling I would wait until April/May so that the buyer knows they can use their new campervan straightaway. If it's a project to restore that may be a slightly different dynamic.
Did prices collapse? I bought mine in 2006 and as I recall prices after I had it 2 or 3 years had more than doubled. We had the first early bay line up at Volksworld around then and people were literally selling their buses from the line up for crazy prices.
leon
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No they didn’t it was a mental time for prices. Possibly because people’s confidence in banks was low so folk were looking at alternative ways to invest their hard earns.
Adding to the ‘have prices fallen debate’ we’ve seen this post every year for the past fifteen years. Everybody claims they have, and then come spring/summer normal service resumes. Be interesting to see what happens this summer though, definitely a better gauge for the debate.
Leon is right in his assement that we need to wait till spring to see what's happening to the market.
Ad GaryType2 mentioned parts prices have gone up and quality has gone down as suppliers scramble for cheaper alternatives plus mechanics and panel beaters prices have risen so the risk is that whilst it may be cheap to get a average bus, the cost of bringing it up to your standard will be significantly higher which may keep prices higher as good examples may not be so easy to find as people who can afford to will hold onto them.
Ad GaryType2 mentioned parts prices have gone up and quality has gone down as suppliers scramble for cheaper alternatives plus mechanics and panel beaters prices have risen so the risk is that whilst it may be cheap to get a average bus, the cost of bringing it up to your standard will be significantly higher which may keep prices higher as good examples may not be so easy to find as people who can afford to will hold onto them.
