Sure I could. Couple of problems with that though. I'm not in the market for a van. I don't attempt to obtain items that are not for sale. I don't haggle. I don't "do all the work" when I'm in the market for gear. And, I certainly don't pay "market value" for used cars. Ever. Period.
If it's not a bargain, then it's just more used junk for sale. World is chock-full of it. If a value isn't given, then the owner is fishing for a value. Testing the waters really. Nothing wrong with that.
I have no skin in the game here. Tell yourself anything you like. This is an auction posting plain and simple. Just not using dollars. We are glad you are having fun with it zimm. Thread wouldn't be the same without ya.
Here's an idea. How about we all chime in about what we think it is worth? It's not like we are pooping in someone's "For Sale" thread. It isn't a "For Sale" thread. Mods have stated that this thread resides firmly within a gray area. Know what? I'm starting to get on board with it. Sounds like fun. When forum policy has been created for trade threads I promise to adhere to it religiously. For now though....
If the van were for sale I'd pay up to $10K presuming that it received a favorable review from the mechanic of my choice. Unless someone offers a different opinion, then it's worth $10K. I'm really doing you a favor. It took 100+ posts to find out what this rig is worth. Now, in my opinion, it's really worth 15K. But I wouldn't ever consider purchasing it for what it's worth. Maybe others would?
However, I don't have $10K to spare, so I'd better return to cowering beneath my mommas' teat now. Or umbilical cord. Or (insert 5th grade level insult of your choice here).
Oh, and I'm sure that there are a handful of people on the forum (and probably the world in general) that would appreciate an audience if you happened to "get shafted" too zimm. I always enjoy the reaction that a classy fellow like yourself tends to exhibit when he is uncomfortable or imagines that he has been slighted (See Fireside Chat for more info).
Tell me zimm, when you are "negotiating with Algerian border crossing guards"...do you speak to them as you have been speaking to others in this thread? Inquiring minds want to know. Do you regularly refer to their mommas during these negotiations?
Purely my imagination here, but I feel that the following might be in context: "To cross I need to pay a $200 administrative fee?! Why don't you ask your momma for $200 Captain? I'll bet she keeps it nice and warm next to her panty shield! This is dumber than Nixons' night watch! Can I interest you in an authentic oriental rug instead?"