Value of 2001 Dip in 2008

[Garranch]

We are having conversation with the State of Colorado about the taxable value of our 2001 Diplomat. The challenge is, what the value of our coach was in 2008. We have been looking on the web trying to find documaintation on this and only found 2 posts from this site to help us. Kelly BB and others (which we haven't been able to find an 2008 book) probably has a value that will not accurately reflect the value at that time. By 2008 most motorhome values in the real world had plumeted by at least 45%. and we're pretty sure the BB book won't reflect that. How can we gather info to defend our case?

We're sayin our 2001 38' PBD with 55K miles (then) is worth $63K
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

[38 Special]

Does not answer your question, but I sold my 2002 Diplomat in 11/2010 for $53,000.

I suggest going to a large local dealer and have them give you an average local value for the time period. They will probably give it to you on comany letterhead. The dealer used sales dept. may also have back copies of KBB or NADA on file.

[Barlow46]

Check the history with your insurance company at that time. They should have a low end value for that year in case it was totaled. Also check with PPL motorhomes website. They have a page which shows past sales. Not sure how far back but they sell a lot of units on consignment and the price should be close if you can find your unit.

[Diplomat Don]

Garranch....I'm guessing the State is trying to charge you past taxes. Give them your numbers and if they don't agree, ask them to provide documentation on what they're coming up with. If they can provide a hard number from a Kelly BB from 2008, use their numbers as the base, discount condition and value during the market crash. The best they could argue would be Kelly BB wholesale (poor condition).

[Garranch]

Responders thanks for all your great ideas. We will pursue all of them. Battling with the state on old issues always sucks.

Thanks again

[WindsorDave]

Garranch,

Don't know if this helps but we paid $48,000 for our 2001 Diplomat 38A purchased early July, 2009. That did not include tax, title and license fees. It was purchased from a private party who had it registered in the state of Washington where we registered it as well.

When I went to what Washington calls the Department Of Licensing (think DMV) to transfer title and register the vehicle the system directed the clerk to give me a hard copy questionnaire to fill out and sign. It was clear that the state was requiring some kind of justification for a lower than "market" value being claimed as a basis (sale price) for the sales tax.

I don't know what the threshold was/is for a sale price that falls below whatever the state of Washington considers "market" value. But there is a minimum level for a given vehicle upon which the sales (or whatever your state calls it) tax will be calculated.

In individual-to-individual sales there's nothing to prevent the parties from understating the sale price for the purpose of paying less tax.

FWIW

[SpursMVP]

We purchased our '01 HR Endeavor in June '09 from PPL. Price was $58k and when we checked the NADA book at the time the average value was around $60k.

You might also want to call your bank as they will always look at the current value (perhaps have '08 values) to assess their risk in providing a loan.