Opinions on Stealth Conversion Van Valuation

[Steven84]

Hello, It's nice to meet you all here. I've been reading all kinds of threads but didn't really find anything that determines self made conversion vans and their valuating them to determine market value when looking to resell.

I am new here and I did read the rules. I didn't see anything about not being able to ask about what your thoughts were or if what I am asking is aligned with the marketplace. So please forgive me if I am stepping into a grey area.

Basically I have a 2007 Chevy Express 2500 Extended (the long version) that I converted into a stealth camper van.

I'd like to know what is a fair market price that I can get for this.

KBB says value for cargo only is $9,500 for a good condition with 116k miles.

I have viper alarm, remote start along with Kenwood double din 5.5" screen, JL Audio, JL Subwoofer, JL Amp and more.

Security has over $600 from hardware and labor. Audio Video same, about $800 up.

The van has 3 solar panels on top, a solar regulator.

Kitchen has granite top. Bar sink. Faucet that's connected to a 12v pump. Two 10 gallon tanks + 5 gallon black tank.

Custom made mattresses.

I do have a 6 gallon LP gas tank mounted underneath the vehicle. Debating to take it off or leave it as I paid $400 for it.












I was thinking to start off by asking $12k and maybe accept as low as $10k depending is they didn't want a few things.

Any and all thoughts is appreciated.

Any suggestions where to list this? RVtrader wants $20, is it worth it?

Thanks in advance everyone!

[Steven84]

kcmoedoe wrote:
The moral is stuff you do to modify a vehicle often hurts, not helps it's resale value.

Nice analogy. It's why I never really ever understood why people do the whole trade-in with their vehicles. They lose $1000's. It doesn't take much effort to post a CL or in Autotrader.

A BMW motorcycle dealer offered me $7k (trade in/sell value) for my 2008 R1200GS dual sport. Sold it for $9800 to private party. Not for nothing but $2,800 isn't chump change.

[kcmoedoe]

Your situation reminds me of a story a dealer friend of mine often tells. A guy comes in to trade a pickup truck all tricked out with lift kits, monster tires and the like. The dealer says he will take it and get it appraised. A few minutes he returns and asks the guy how much he spent on the modifications. They guy says $10,000 and the dealer says "I've got great news then, the shop says it's only going to cost $5,000 to take it all off. The moral is stuff you do to modify a vehicle often hurts, not helps it's resale value.

[Steven84]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I know the 100k mileage marker is a scary mileage point.

Although there's 80k to 120k mileage before any true worries need to arise.

My dad had a 2004 Express 3500 and has gone up to 280k miles before selling it for $3500 (just last year).

I posted my van on RVtrader and AutoTrader last night.

I will try the other major cities for Craigslist as well (thanks for that).

I might try eBay as it'd seem a good place to generate leads.

I suppose my target buyer would be a person in their 20's ~ 30's who want to live out of this and save on rent for their bigger picture. Someone who'd appreciate the security system, remote start and the awesome stereo that I put in. Not to mention a comfy bed, cabinets to store stuff and a kitchen area!

I know my post may have ventured off and seems like an ad, aside from apologizing in advance for stepping into a possible grey area (above, my first post)...I am genuinely just trying to find opinions on valuation and where to go about.

THIS MAY also help other DIY van builders that are looking to sell their rigs, an idea of what theirs is actually worth and where to go.

Thanks again for everything, everyone.

You're helping me come one step closer to my project. To have enough money to go to china, design a product, source parts, sit with engineers and proto-type it.

Once I have proto-type, I can find investors 10x easier! Then we all become millionaires 😛

[stan909]

Maybe cheaprvliving blog might be better able to answer your question.I think you got good advice here but cheaprvliving represents your target buyers in spirit.I made the mistake of asking a similar question regarding my Sportsmobileish van on the forums and was basically told that because it is a Dodge it was only worth the value of the poptop.I have been a member on the Sportsmobile forums for a couple of years and although they actually have a members classifieds,I was significantly scarred by the responses by the Ford guys that I did not post there.I have put it on Craigslist and get some bites from time to time.The right buyer will come along eventually.Good luck.

[rockhillmanor]

Sorry, simply asking what the forum thinks you should sell this for does not negate the fact that you just 'posted an ad' for your RV on the forum. 😞

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/register/sup/1.cfm

[2112]

I can't comment on the valuation but I'm thinking of who would be your potential buyer. Surfer Dude, traveling minister, a college student?

The beauty of Craigslist is you can target specific area's. Make sure you post it along the west coast and Salt Lake City.

[coolmom42]

For someone who wants just a van, it's not worth any more than just a van, and probably less because all that stuff is in the way.

For someone who wants a stealth conversion, nicely done, all your stuff is probably worth $1000-$2000.

Make some better pictures, a bunch of them, and put it on Ebay motors in the class B RV section. You want overall pics so people can see the layout, as well as detailed pics of each feature. Give a lot of detailed info and have pics for each item mentioned. Follow Ebay recommendations on selling/payment. That will get you the widest audience and a safe transaction.

[mkguitar]

Hi Steve I saw your C/L ad the other day and looked at the pics with interest- it looks as though you have a good start on the conversion-- but there are some features which i would not want.

Clear exit out the back is one of those...some of the electronics have no value to me...

But the work does look to be of quality.

As this is a custom build- it is hard to compare for valuation.

Easier for a production build- the buyer knows what they are getting and the quality of the components, lay-out and build.

for comparo I have a 2006 Pleasure Way Lexor TD ( specs and features easily found online) 86000 miles. Paid $30K recently.

at the same time there was a blue chev van similar in concept to yours ( maybe nicer in the layout for my wants) I think it was a 2004...he had it on C/L for months his price bounced around between 7500 and 11500...( don;t know if he sold it or not...he was in the West Valley)


Best you can do for your self is to allow time for the right buyer to see your work.
You have the advantages of size, MPG etc which may appeal strongly to some buyers- not all want to be able to stand up or want to drag around all the weight of a bubbletop conversion

I think that C/L is a great way to market your van. Yes I did look at RV trader, but most of what I saw there was dealer stuff.
C/L makes easy to filter out the chaff and find what the buyer is looking for



mike

[Escargot]

Nice job on the mods!!

[Steven84]

>> Your pictures are way too large to view

Yes, I noticed. Was just fixed as you posted it, hehe.

[wincrasher65]

I'm afraid that your custom conversion is not going to have any additional value than a used Express van. At least not to someone who has to get a loan for it.

That is because a bank is going to look at the NADA value for a van like this, and that will be the limit on what they'll loan on it, less their down payment guidelines.

If you can find a cash buyer, then you may be able to get a bit more. But they are also going to look at NADA value to figure out what it's worth too.

I think your transaction price is going to be $9-10k. I'd post it on Craigslist, as it's free and searchable. Good luck!

[bsinmich]

Your pictures are way too large to view but I would say the extras you add don't add anything close to their value. The 116,000 miles is still the big dark spot to people looking. I know current gas motors are good for 200K easy today but many people are still afraid of the 100K mark.