Most of the base values come from the sale values reported to the local motor vehicle departments when vehicles change hands. So when someone buys a van and reports and pays sales tax on a fraction of what they paid that is now a reference. Also, in the real world vehicles really do depreciate. They wear out and become obsolete. All the money pumped into them really amounts to just repairs. Even most upgrades really just restore function. 

Dennis 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 3:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: sales values

Why do resale value reporters like Kelly Blue Book give such *%&#$@&! values for our campers?  Certainly, the values reported there are way out of line with the prices that folks claim to get or pay for campers.  thoughts?
--
David McNeely