My opinions;
Take comfort in knowing that OPINIONS on price DO matter to the appraisal AND insurance companies. I am merely talking about the differentiation between an opinion of value. It is understood that owners can ask whatever they want, and a buyer can pay what they feel is fair, but individual opinions about sale prices, i.e. what you are willing to pay, impacts everyone to some degree.
Insurance companies and valuation companies search the internet for prices, and unless there is an agreed value, the value of your vehicle is based on their findings. Not suggesting that the methodology is incorrect.
In other words; The collective owners are THE ONLY source of pricing truth on these cars, not the other way around. So again; Take comfort in knowing that YOUR OPINION DOES matter to the appraisal AND insurance companies because it creates a perception of market value. “We” are our own worst enemy and a big part of the valuation gap. (No, I would not sell my car for the third party assessment value.)