Would you buy new or used RV?

[scbelleatheart]

Back story
So we are taking the plunge and buying another motor home. My eyes are glazed over looking at them. We owned one years ago and took it to Fort Wilderness a few times. After that we had a place on Lake Erie and got rid of it a few years ago.
Kids are all grown so we think it is time to get a new (to us) motor home.
Our problem comes this way. Would you buy new 2014 for around $90,000 with everything you want or 2012 for $70,000 minus a few things we wanted ? What is your break point on your purchase?
We have definitely decided on a model we like but every one we look at has a few things we really do not like.
How do you decide what is a deal breaker and/or what you could live without if the price is right?
We would love to visit Disney again but it has to be at the Fort!
TIA!

 

[North of Mouse]

Back story
So we are taking the plunge and buying another motor home. My eyes are glazed over looking at them. We owned one years ago and took it to Fort Wilderness a few times. After that we had a place on Lake Erie and got rid of it a few years ago.
Kids are all grown so we think it is time to get a new (to us) motor home.
Our problem comes this way. Would you buy new 2014 for around $90,000 with everything you want or 2012 for $70,000 minus a few things we wanted ? What is your break point on your purchase?
We have definitely decided on a model we like but every one we look at has a few things we really do not like.
How do you decide what is a deal breaker and/or what you could live without if the price is right?
We would love to visit Disney again but it has to be at the Fort!
TIA!

I know the feeling of looking at so many MH's and plans that your eyes 'do' begin to glaze over - LOL

We bought two used - one was new (technically two new). If you are looking at the same MH - two model years different - $20,000 difference doesn't seem like enough off in MHO. There could be mitigating differences that I wouldn't know about. If you do buy used, I would not buy more than 2-3 years old if you plan to keep it awhile.

This last one we bought was actually used - but new (if that makes sense?) We just happened on one that was never ever used because of a personal situation (sickness) and they brought it back to the dealer after only a few months of owning it. Of course it then had to be sold as 'used' even though nothing had been used - paper wrapping on stove, in shower, bed, fridge, etc. We then purchased it at a large discount.

Every situation is different and we looked at some only a couple years old that had been 'beat' up - amazing how some people do not take care of their property! Also, some smelled awful

There was a couple of small things that weren't exactly what we would have chosen (solid surface counter tops are dark, but cabinets and rest of decor is light so countered that enough). But, the price was right so went with it and we absolutely love it!

We, too, are 'empty nesters' and are having a ball! We love our 'younguns' and camped with them all their time at home, but we are as happy camping now as ever.

The best of luck to you - only 'you' can really 'see' and know what the right model year and price should be.

 

[mikron]

We have owned 4 class A coaches and all used. The savings on the first 3 payed for the $70.00 4th 2011 35 foot 3 slide coach. Had no more problems with any of the 4 coaches then people who bought new.

Go to site iRV2 there are over 100,000 members and you can post and get info on anything you need to know. You need to know RVs when buying used and if not buy new with extended warrenty is best.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd buy the new one. It has everything you want, much cheaper than buying the cheaper one and trading later. It'll cost you $$$$$. Plus you get a full warranty.

 

[jmrothermel]

It depends on how much that $20k means to you for all the things you want. Personally I have to buy used - I like all the bells and whistles, without the price point lol. My newest coach is 5 years old, but sat for health issues and only had 9,000 miles on it. I got it for a great price and it has everything I want

 

[John VN]

When you say 2014 at $90,000.00, is that after the 15% to 20% off MSRP?

If you don't mind, what are the models you are considering?

McFlurry John

 

[scbelleatheart]

When you say 2014 at $90,000.00, is that after the 15% to 20% off MSRP?

If you don't mind, what are the models you are considering?

McFlurry John

Yes, that is off MSRP. Our other Rv's were huge. Class A, 38' to 40 foot long but we had 4 kids. I just love the Concord Coachman 301SS. 31' long, single slide, lots of storage and the outdoor entertainment center. It is considered a Class B+. I drove the big ones years but now I want shorter because we will probably get a matching trailer for the car and motorcycle.

 

[scbelleatheart]

,.QUOTE=jmrothermel;50034818]It depends on how much that $20k means to you for all the things you want. Personally I have to buy used - I like all the bells and whistles, without the price point lol. My newest coach is 5 years old, but sat for health issues and only had 9,000 miles on it. I got it for a great price and it has everything I want [/QUOTE]

I'm hoping to find that great deal! Heading to GA Tuesday to look at some then if no luck, out to TX. I am a "used" buyer but there are some things that are deal breakers. I can get a paint job on the RV and paint job on the trailer but DH says big storage and no outdoor entertainment center are deal breakers.
My budget is $90,000.

 

[scbelleatheart]

I know the feeling of looking at so many MH's and plans that your eyes 'do' begin to glaze over - LOL

We bought two used - one was new (technically two new). If you are looking at the same MH - two model years different - $20,000 difference doesn't seem like enough off in MHO. There could be mitigating differences that I wouldn't know about. If you do buy used, I would not buy more than 2-3 years old if you plan to keep it awhile.

This last one we bought was actually used - but new (if that makes sense?) We just happened on one that was never ever used because of a personal situation (sickness) and they brought it back to the dealer after only a few months of owning it. Of course it then had to be sold as 'used' even though nothing had been used - paper wrapping on stove, in shower, bed, fridge, etc. We then purchased it at a large discount.

Every situation is different and we looked at some only a couple years old that had been 'beat' up - amazing how some people do not take care of their property! Also, some smelled awful

There was a couple of small things that weren't exactly what we would have chosen (solid surface counter tops are dark, but cabinets and rest of decor is light so countered that enough). But, the price was right so went with it and we absolutely love it!

We, too, are 'empty nesters' and are having a ball! We love our 'younguns' and camped with them all their time at home, but we are as happy camping now as ever.

The best of luck to you - only 'you' can really 'see' and know what the right model year and price should be.

I appreciate that! We have looked a few and could not believe the wear and tear with so few miles on a RV. We'll find the perfect one, I am sure. I just want to do it in the next 2 months. We spend 165-180 nights in hotels for work so DH suggested buying an RV again. It would offset hotel costs and we could actually have healthy food while on the job site.
Wish me luck! I will post a picture when we get the RV!

 

[John VN]

Yes, that is off MSRP. Our other Rv's were huge. Class A, 38' to 40 foot long but we had 4 kids. I just love the Concord Coachman 301SS. 31' long, single slide, lots of storage and the outdoor entertainment center. It is considered a Class B+. I drove the big ones years but now I want shorter because we will probably get a matching trailer for the car and motorcycle.

Nice looking unit.

No kids here but DW wanted to go up in size so we went for a bath and a half 36'. Worked great for my Ironman race in Panama City Beach a week ago and is a treasure during Marathon Weekend at WDW in January.

 

[scbelleatheart]

I'd buy the new one. It has everything you want, much cheaper than buying the cheaper one and trading later. It'll cost you $$$$$. Plus you get a full warranty.

Thank you! That's what DH wants! I am the cheapskate!

 

[scbelleatheart]

Nice looking unit.

No kids here but DW wanted to go up in size so we went for a bath and a half 36'. Worked great for my Ironman race in Panama City Beach a week ago and is a treasure during Marathon Weekend at WDW in January.

You go guy! My sons do Tough Mudders so DO IT and Good Luck!

 

[North of Mouse]

I appreciate that! We have looked a few and could not believe the wear and tear with so few miles on a RV. We'll find the perfect one, I am sure. I just want to do it in the next 2 months. We spend 165-180 nights in hotels for work so DH suggested buying an RV again. It would offset hotel costs and we could actually have healthy food while on the job site.
Wish me luck! I will post a picture when we get the RV!

Wishing you

 

[Old Snipe]

Whatever you decide, if you're planning on towing a trailer with a car and a motorcycle, pay close attention to the RV's weight (GVWR), its carrying capacity (CCC), its combined total weight rating (GCWR) of the RV, trailer, car and motorcycle weight and the hitch tow rating (is it a 5000 lb hitch, or a 10000 lb hitch?).

That information should be posted inside a cabinet somewhere or the dealer must be able to provide it.

Good luck in your hunt!

 

[scbelleatheart]

Whatever you decide, if you're planning on towing a trailer with a car and a motorcycle, pay close attention to the RV's weight (GVWR), its carrying capacity (CCC), its combined total weight rating (GCWR) of the RV, trailer, car and motorcycle weight and the hitch tow rating (is it a 5000 lb hitch, or a 10000 lb hitch?).

That information should be posted inside a cabinet somewhere or the dealer must be able to provide it.

Good luck in your hunt!

Thanks Old Snipe. We are long haulers. This is short compared to what we usually haul. So easy so no problems. Under 48 foot and we are good for me to drive. Long haul with a trailer, I run escort with the car.

 

[KristinU]

For us, we bought two new trailers: our Aliner - ordered to our specs, and our Visa - because it was a new line and we really wanted the style/size/layout of it. Our Winnie we bought used. Wen going for a class C the difference between new and used for us and our budget was the difference between going new and really entry level and going used with something of higher quality. We're really happy with our purchase!

The positives in going used is that the first owner probably went through the growing pains of all of the warranty stuff that maybe got missed on the production line or had the occasional lemon of an appliance replaced. They also took the depreciation. Our Aliner we did great in the resell because it is a niche market (we literally paid about $500 net for 3 years worth of use in it!) but the Visa we traded and didn't do as great as the A for sure - so we took the depreciation hit for the next family and certainly did a lot of tinkering and upgrades and a couple of repairs/replacements in that first year. Another positive is that if you're in to doing mods and upgrades that you're not afraid to touch it for the first year for that warranty period.

The negatives in going used is that it doesn't have that new RV smell (which I think is typically the off-gassing of the materials, so not good for you anyway, but there IS something about it ) And the lack of warranty. The warranty thing, though, is that most of them are a year long...and many of us camp for less than 12 months a year because of weather. So you really don't have a lot of time to flush out the issues that would be covered. And if you buy used from a dealer you're paying more but you usually get a 60 or 90 day warranty period.

 

[scbelleatheart]

So excited! Leaving tomorrow for the big hunt! Made a list of all the RV places we are going to visit. I just hope we can find one. If this tells you anything, DH said to make sure I have my checkbook!
Once I make up my mind it is a done deal. Hopefully new but if it has all that I want, I will buy used.

 

[hoosll]

We bought a 34 foot Winnie new .... we wanted a certain floor plan - dinette across from the sofa! It was surprisingly hard to find that layout so when we found one with a kitchen that matched ours at home, we jumped. If the kitchen-dining-sofa layout doesn't work it can't be changed. Our one regret is that all the new ones have reduced the amount of carpet, we could replace the carpet with "tile" in the future.

If outdoor entertainment is a deal breaker then don't go for the used model. We thought we would spend only a little time outside the RV and we were right, we haven't even unpacked our gas grill in 3 years. You know what you love about the camping/RVing life so it is always best to get exactly what you want.

Basement storage in the smaller RV's is always an issue. Our 2009 has the air conditioning under the coach (back on the roof in newer models) and this has affected our basement storage. Plenty of interior storage (be realistic on fridge size, I'd trade half my fridge for a larger pantry). With a trailer you will have less issues with basement storage if you configure your trailer efficiently. We are adding a small storage platform off the rear to help with bikes and occasional boxes to relocate to our son in TX. We have yet to tow a dinghy, just rent a car if we are staying in an area for multiple nights.

We bought the RV so we could travel with our dogs who have both now passed over the rainbow bridge. We have done a couple of trips by car now leaving the RV in storage and it's possible that we may decide to sell the RV in the near future.

 

[Nixie]

I would buy whichever RV has the bells and whistles and layout you want. We personally buy used because we get more "bang for our buck". Just make sure you actually look at the quality of the materials and how well built the units are. For example, we just looked at two travel trailers; one was a 2012 and one a 2006. The 2012 had all the "bells and whistles" (or so I thought) and was newer, so I was all set to get that one. Then I started really looking at the 2006. It had a 10gl water heater instead of a 6gal one in the 2012. It had a heated, enclosed underbelly. It has a heavier duty frame and axles. It had true full hardwood cabinets and not just hardwood doors with luan sides like the 2012. It also had one piece counter tops instead of the pressed wood stuff in the 2012. Needless to say, we got the 2006 and are happy.

 

[scbelleatheart]

After looking at what seemed like 100 Class B+ motorhomes we have made a decision. Now to find one. We went to around 9 RV dealers to look at all the possibilities. We considered a triple slide but the lack of under storage was a main factor.
Now we need to find a Coachman 301 Single slide, Ford, with the outdoor entertainment center, 2014. The price runs about $84,000 (not MSRP). There are 3 coming in to a dealer in Florida in the next few weeks. Game plan is to drive to Atlanta, fly into Orlando, buy one and drive it back to Atlanta then drive back home after we set it up. Back up is the same, only doing the purchase in Texas.
We did purchase a campground membership near where DH will be working all next year and we got a "free" 32" Vizio TV. We were going to do that anyway so the TV was just a bonus. Merry Christmas to someone in my family!
Wish me luck! I told DH if we bought in Orlando we had to stay a few days at the Fort!