Again I am not missing anything you simply are changing the math. The question being presented is after 10 years I am done with
DVC which is the correct way to go?
You saying you are now going to continue to use the contract for another 5/10/20/30 years changes the math.
You are essentially saying your math is:
A (upfront cost) + B (annual fees for 10 years) + Undefined (some additional time) - C (money recovered upon selling DVC contract) < or > D (rental for 10 years) + Undefined (some additional time)
The issue is you need a defined timeframe to actually do the math or it errors out.
The original poster was stating they viewed the contract as worth $0 after 10 years. That is a incorrect statement (which I keep saying) because if you truly believed that then you would rent if you were only going to hold the DVC contract for 10 years then sell.
If you are planning on holding for 20 years then you do the math off 20 years then the equation above changes and likely comes out in favor of buying.
In the end the poster simply was stating incorrect information as the only way DVC goes to $0 for a contract is if WDW goes under which I see only occurring if Florida no longer exists.
In the end being worth nothing is not even subjective its just a wrong assessment of DVC contracts and what they will sell for after 10 years.