looking to buy entry level Motorhome

OhhWell wrote:

Kidoo wrote:


What I mean is that I saw a new, never used, 2013 26P Vista this winter. The asking price was 59,000. This RV cannot be 30,000 after 5 years, this is just impossible.

Why is that impossible? Also, that price includes a bit of the 1st year's depreciation already.

I have been schearching for over 6 month, I visited many Dealers in Carolines, Georgie, Texas and Florida, small and big, looked over the internet, and I never saw a 5 years old class A selling for $30,000.

The Vista I saw do have some depreciation, around $6,000 less then their best price, but in this deal, I do not loose the depriciation, the dealer loose it. Butt even half of 66 would be 330000. If I find a 2009 MH at that price in excellent shape, I buy it right now.

John S. wrote:
Well, the issue is we mostly do not wear out our high line coaches. They are good for hundreds of thousands of miles. Sure you can by new and I probably will next time but I have purchased two new and three used and they all are about the same but the depreciation hit is much higher on the new. I am ok with that and will be ok with that and a new coach for my next one is very likely. The fact is though, that slightly used new high line coaches or even more than slightly are still running well. There are loads of early 90s Foretravels still on the road and no big issues.

I'm with John on this one.

Sure, I've been chugging the Foreforum coolaid with both hands, but the quality of these well-built coaches are undeniable:B

My next coach will be a Foretravel U320:W

Z Yah wrote:
The Thor ACE or Fleetwood Storm,both are 28 foot in size and seem very nice.
We want something short to travel in ,and prefer a class A.
Hoping for some help and useful information .
We have always camped in Fifth Wheel Trailers .

My entry level MH was the Dynasty in my signature, it cost less than my brother's new Class C.

First off you must understand that if you are not handy then even cheap MH's are expensive. Second, if you like new then there is no substitute.

That said, the point about new technology and doo dads is really a red herring. I replaced the nor cold bomb with a Samsung 197 installed, for less than the cost of a cooling unit. The 13 YO convection oven quit, I simply ordered a new one and installed it. Want HD LED? Samsung 32" $400 and a Travler dish $1550. Chassis concerns? My 2000 has ABS, Air leveling, and Aqua Hot features not available at entry level. Need brake parts? They are carried at NAPA and so on. With out the pickup that pulls your 5th wheel you may need a Towed vehicle. Is a 5k rating enough? How about 10k or15k even over 30k for a Toterhome.

I could repaint the entire exterior and redo the entire interior little more than the down payment on New entry level.

What you should do is rent a few times. Try a class C, A class A or a Luxury Class A. See what you like. The number of choices make it confusing.

PS Enjoy the journey it really is the destination.

Been away from the forum for a few days. OP was looking at a short coach (28 ft or so). Then the questions of new or used / entry level or quality.

We like a shorter coach with the room of a larger coach. We want the features and materials of a quality coach.

We chose a Monaco Safari Trek. This is a quality coach with solid hardwood cabinets and all the features of high-end motorhomes. We don't have a bedroom - bed comes down from the ceiling of the living room at night. As a result we have the living space of a 38 ft. coach in a 29 ft. package and a large bathroom.

Last Trek was made in 2008. Check out Trek Tracks. If you can live with the bed, you will love a Trek. We enjoy state parks and USFS campgrounds. There is nothing like a Trek - and the new stuff doesn't have the quality.

Kidoo wrote:


What I mean is that I saw a new, never used, 2013 26P Vista this winter. The asking price was 59,000. This RV cannot be 30,000 after 5 years, this is just impossible.

Why is that impossible? Also, that price includes a bit of the 1st year's depreciation already.

427435 wrote:

Kidoo wrote:

Now, how much you loose on a new RV 5 years from now. How much is an entry level 2008 worth today? How much did you loose? If I take the new Vista 2013 I saw at 59000, I am pretty sure it would be worth at least 35000 to 45000.

Just my tought.

I doubt it. Would you pay $35-45,000 for a 5 year old MH if you could buy the same one brand new for $59,000.

I paid about 50% of my MH's new price when I bought it 5 years old.

What I mean is that I saw a new, never used, 2013 26P Vista this winter. The asking price was 59,000. This RV cannot be 30,000 after 5 years, this is just impossible. I never saw a small 2009 (5 years old) class A below 50,000, unless it is a real junk, I saw some junk MH, 2 to 3 years old, all beat up below 50,000. If you compare to the MSRP on a 2014 for this RV, it is around 87000, you should pay only around 20 to 25% below MSRP.

It is possible to find a good price on a year old / NEW RV if you have the right timing and take your time shopping.

I just talk to a Dealer that was asking 89,000 for a Sunstar 2014 and he told me he is not allowed to show the price on the internet. Well, I see a lot of lower price on the internet for new small Winnebago, like below 70,000.

dnnsmrgn wrote:
Buy used if this is your first. My 5th Class A , 2005 was 138k new, paid 39k last month , means it lost almost 10k per year depreciation. Another reason to buy used first is that as time goes on and you use it you will discover you want/need different functionality. So, you again will be looking for another one in a few years. If you bought new you will take a big hit on depreciation an possibly be upside down . Just my opinion for what its worth.

Was this a trade in for a new one, DP or gaz?

Buy used if this is your first. My 5th Class A , 2005 was 138k new, paid 39k last month , means it lost almost 10k per year depreciation. Another reason to buy used first is that as time goes on and you use it you will discover you want/need different functionality. So, you again will be looking for another one in a few years. If you bought new you will take a big hit on depreciation an possibly be upside down . Just my opinion for what its worth.

Kidoo wrote:

Now, how much you loose on a new RV 5 years from now. How much is an entry level 2008 worth today? How much did you loose? If I take the new Vista 2013 I saw at 59000, I am pretty sure it would be worth at least 35000 to 45000.

Just my tought.

I doubt it. Would you pay $35-45,000 for a 5 year old MH if you could buy the same one brand new for $59,000.

I paid about 50% of my MH's new price when I bought it 5 years old.

I think its pretty simple: some people are new folks and have the funds to go in that direction, and then there will always be those that go used because of funding or they'll spend years looking for the perfect "give away" used rig, all the while they got older too! When I bought my rig I was looking used up to 7-8 years. Landed up buy a one year old model (to the day first sold as new) at what I thought was a good deal, maybe not great, but comfortable with the decision DW and I made. That's what is important and sometimes elusive, Being Comfortable with what ever you do decide and buy. OP, good luck with what you decide!