1yr Depreciation Class B vs. Self-built ProMaster

[AntiGroundhogDay]

Hello Everyone,

Looking for your crystal ball to try and guess the depreciation of something like this:


https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2001-Roadtrek-190-VERSATILE-122883966

https://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Trades-OK-Inc.-2972666/listing/2002-Pleasure-Way-Lexor-TD-122893367

Figure early to mid 2000s...


vs. a self-built campervan like this (relatively new, but used RAM Promaster 2500 high top):




I'm thinking the Class B would depreciate less in a year (If my GF and I got on the road and ended up not liking it and returned to sticks and bricks) than the self-built campervan, but I also see value in a newly built, and well built, Promaster conversion the used market

Thoughts on what would depreciate less in a year?

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hello Everyone,

Looking for your crystal ball to try and guess the depreciation of something like this:

Well....my crystal ball is on the 'fritz'...

I'm not sure anyone will be able to make anything more than a guess....just too many variables. I would say do what is right for your situation and accept the depreciation in whatever form it takes.

 

[akrvbob]

Let me offer you another choice: at the beginning of this year I bought a 2015 GMC Savanah with 12,000 miles for $19,000. I had a high top installed for $3000 more. So for $22,000 I have the perfect van with 12,000 miles on it.

My guess is it's worth at least now what I paid for it and will lose virtually no value for the next few years.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Not all vehicles depreciate.  Some become highly desirable collectibles and actually go up in value.

I would guess that a WELL MAINTAINED Class B - of which they really didn't make all that many of - would be far more likely to fall into that category than a home conversion of a truck they made a ton of.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Pay no attention to the old guy behind the curtain up there...all he has to do is sign the van's fender with "Bob Wells - CheapRVLiving" and that thing will DOUBLE in value...

 

[AntiGroundhogDay]

Let me offer you another choice: at the beginning of this year I bought a 2015 GMC Savanah with 12,000 miles for $19,000. I had a high top installed for $3000 more. So for $22,000 I have the perfect van with 12,000 miles on it.

My guess is it's worth at least now what I paid for it and will lose virtually no value for the next few years.

Bob,

Do you have pictures or is that under wraps until a reveal video?

Also, seems like vans in the Northeast w/ 12k on them don't go for $19,000.  Is that more prevalent in the SE?  I'd love a Southern van with no rust.

 

[akrvbob]

It had been used as a rental and I think there are lots of them around. I bought mine in the SW and there were tons of them available for $20-$21000. Blue Book on it was $21,000 so I would think there would be a bunch of them everywhere for about that price--I did get a very good deal on it--they were not going to negotiate on the price. Many rental places put more miles on them, but not a whole lot more.

I have a long series of videos detailing the van and my conversion on my Youtube channel. I haven't posted the videos of the hightop install yet.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

I have found Florida inventory and price quite equal to the SW on Chevy/GMC cargo vans. This was around when Bob W. purchased/converted. Timing is crucial and finding the research outlet targeting the deals.

If it was just for a year, I personally would go with a very low mileage class b. But that's just me. For more than a year, my focus would be elsewhere. Class B is riding a high wave at the moment.

 

[AntiGroundhogDay]

I have found Florida inventory and price quite equal to the SW on Chevy/GMC cargo vans. This was around when Bob W. purchased/converted. Timing is crucial and finding the research outlet targeting the deals.

If it was just for a year, I personally would go with a very low mileage class b. But that's just me. For more than a year, my focus would be elsewhere. Class B is riding a high wave at the moment.

The idea is to try the nomadic lifestyle for a year and reevaluate.  Hopefully we love it, but I'm a realist about the lifestyle and there may be things my GF does not enjoy even with the positives....and of course renting an RV is insanely expensive for a few weeks.  Argh.

 

[AntiGroundhogDay]

Let me offer you another choice: at the beginning of this year I bought a 2015 GMC Savanah with 12,000 miles for $19,000. I had a high top installed for $3000 more. So for $22,000 I have the perfect van with 12,000 miles on it.

My guess is it's worth at least now what I paid for it and will lose virtually no value for the next few years.

Ya know Bob, this one isn't that far off your deal, and w/out negotiation: [font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://tinyurl.com/y926jd5p[/font][/SIZE]

[font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's the 4th entry down on my spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...5vG_z_5jQuD6o4/edit?usp=sharing[/font][/SIZE]

 

[Minivanmotoman]

That's a loaded question with many variables.
And add in an uncertainty aspect, well...

You may think renting a rig is expensive, so is changing your mind and taking a huge loss on a rig.
So take baby steps, start cheap, tent and travel or rent a rig and see how the honey likes it.
Positive? Take the next step up, seek out a rig.
Though still uncertain for long term, why go through the trouble of building a rig? Now you could build a van quick and fast, upgrade as you go if you like it, keeping the investment minimal. A van should have minimal depreciation if you stay in the sweet spot 3-5 yrs old and find a good deal. You can get a feel for the depreciation rates on them through KBB or NADA guide.

Easiest would be to look through all of the online ads / Craigs to find an off season deal Dec/Jan on an rv. And if the gods bless you, make the right choice at the right price, decide it's not for the two of you, could sell for a profit at the start of season or break even. Deals can be found if patient. Which works best for you?

 

[Gideon33w]

The idea is to try the nomadic lifestyle for a year and reevaluate.  Hopefully we love it, but I'm a realist about the lifestyle and there may be things my GF does not enjoy even with the positives....and of course renting an RV is insanely expensive for a few weeks.  Argh.

Everyone is different but if that is the case I would invest A LOT less. 
There is substantially less to lose if it doesn't work out.
Plus, much easier to sell something cheaper than something newer.

 

[mayble]

The idea is to try the nomadic lifestyle for a year and reevaluate.  Hopefully we love it, but I'm a realist about the lifestyle and there may be things my GF does not enjoy even with the positives....and of course renting an RV is insanely expensive for a few weeks.  Argh.

You might consider buying an older Class C for a couple thousand - same price as a rental and you'll get most of your money back if you sell it in a year.  Or buy an older van for a few hundred.  It doesn't have to be shiny to get a feel for the space, and you don't have to travel far to get a feel for the lifestyle.
If you love it, spend more on a newer rig.  If you don't, sell it and move on.

 

[mpruet]

If you purchase an older class-C or class-B, then you risk a lot of maintenance costs.  Not only can there be costs on the basic chassis and engine, but there can be sizable costs on the items within the chassis such as fridge, stove, water pump, etc.  Also there is the risk with older rigs of leakage which could have caused hidden mold.  I'd be very careful about purchasing an older RV unless the majority of the appliances had already been replaced.  A fridge over 10 years old is going to need to be replaced soon.  And truth be told - parts on an older RV are going to be harder to find.

Also it is important to understand that the more stuff that you have in an RV to make life more 'normal', the more stuff that can break and have to be maintained.

If there was some doubt as to what you wanted for camping purposes and/or if you were not certain that you wanted to be in the nomadic lifestyle, then I would consider a van with a non-destructive conversion or a kit such as from wayfarer vans.  If there is a possibility of reselling the van, then I would avoid things such as adding a roof fan or drilling holes in the side or floor.  If you do a bunch of DIY conversion for living, then you are limiting your resell market.  If after a period of more primitive living in a van you decide that you like it and want to live a nomad life in it, then you can commit to the van and start making more destructive changes.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

^^^ words of wisdom there. Due to your uncertainty, limit your risk and expenses. It is going to cost you to determine if it's for you. Initial capital cost for something newer which is what you were asking in your post. Or lower cost but older rig and possible likely repair costs.