Buying new vs. Pre-owned (3 years old)

We have seen dealers charging pretty close to a new price on used RVs. Maybe it's our local market that dictates it. I'm not sure. We've always bought new cars. The last used car I owned was 20 years ago. The TT we bought a few years ago was new. The pop up we bought a month ago was used. I got a good deal on it. We were not too thrilled about it being used. There were a few issues with it and we don't like the idea of used fabrics (mattresses, seating, curtains and etc.). We did trade them both in on a new class c yesterday. If I was super technical and had the time to work on one, then we would be more apt. But we like having the peace of mind that things work like they are supposed to and when they don't, someone is going to fix it. Most used rvs we have gone in have had funky smells too.

With the exception of a Lance truck camper a long time ago, every RV has been used and have never had a major problem with any of them (two C's, two A's). We switched because we outgrew or found that we could get more for less in a different unit. Main thing is to bite the bullet and go for it and start enjoying it. They all depreciate one way or another.

For years we bought nothing but used. We would find a good used coach that someone else had taken the major depreciation hit on and then purchase it at the best price we could negotiate. Since we knew we were not going to keep the coaches for a long time we never worried too much about the floor plan in fact we even purchased a bunk model once long after the kids were gone. With the used coaches we would clean them up fix any major problems and use the heck out of them then sell them usually only loosing the repair and upkeep money. The last three coaches have been new and although we have the floor plan and engine we want the depreciation has killed us. Looking back I think we should have stuck with used.

New versus 3 years old? It depends on how the deals compare.

As for us, we bought "New" because we could not find what we wanted used....and we did get a great deal on a made-to-order. My wife and I enjoyed picking colors and options which you can't put a price on. Coach and chassis warranties were never exercised. They just gave us peace of mind for a while. If we bought off the showroom floor, it would not have been the same great experience.

We do keep our rigs multiple decades which is why made-to-order means more to us than the average RV owner.

We looked and looked, wife wanted new due to warranty, could not find floor plan she liked. Some were suitable but! We found one a 4 season/feathers (thor) that was 4 years old, low milage had what I considered important a comfortable drivers compartment, wife liked floor plan but not the materials (leather/white vinyle). She was worried about no warranty. Even on new only 1 brand said they stood behind the warranty, all others are by individual manufacturer, IE micro covered by GE got to go to them, AC by coleman had to deal with them etc. Jayco said they were 1 stop warranty and would take care of it (only 1 to do so). Generally warranties are 1 year on coach, 3/36000 of power train, 1-2 years on appliances so new to me is no real reason to go new IMO. I contacted good sam, they offered a 7/70000 full coverage for $5000 bumper to bumper. However the 3 coaches we liked Jayco their top line, the aspire from winnie and the used 4 feather/season 1st 2 up around $90 K, last down to $55K payment for 20 years on all, wife said no, I said no we decided to keep out TT and just detail it out for its age. So If you find a nice used you like call good sam, if you want long term (longer than new w/o the extended warranty contract). New you can buy extended but watch what they cover just read the magazines and the complaints on the coverages that is trailer and MH. Lots luck, and just my NSIO.

This is just my humble opinion. BUT. I don't think there is a 3 year old class C on the market I would pay $59k for when I can buy new for about the same price. However, I won't be paying asking price. I suspect if you are paying asking price you will take as much of a hit on your used unit.

I don't think that you'll get any consensus on that issue here really. Think about cars. There are people that have the following opinions: Buy a used car and run it into the ground, buy a used car and sell it every 4 - 6 years, always buy new and pay cash, always buy new and lease, always buy new and finance every dollar of it that you can.

My point is that people have different priorities. As it relates to a new RV, if you are in a position where the financial aspect of the deal is not your main driver, then taking depreciation won't be that much of a concern to you.

Two main reasons to buy new - you are buying from a manufacturer that lets you customize an order specifically to you: options, colors, configurations, etc. Or, you simply can't find something that you like on the used market.

If you are going to keep it for 8 to 10 years then you should get new. That way the DW has the floor plan she wants without any problems. New has warranty and used usually has the bugs worked out. Personally I would go 1 to 3 years old and saved the $$$ for having fun.

The only justification I can think of is not being able to find the floor plan you want in a used unit.

New - get exact model, options (larger a/c, upgraded tires/rims, etc), colors, also you get a warranty.



Used - save $$$$ (maybe), difficult to get exact mode, options, colors and no warranty. Maybe get someone else's "lemon". Tires, battery, appliances, awning could have considerable wear and aging (esp tires & battery).

We've gone both ways. Buys used first then when you know exactly what you want for longer terms, IMO go new. On used rv's we purchased, had to make repairs almost each trip out, including awning, roof, tires, plumbing lines, and carpet was well worn.