I have had the full spectrum of campers over the years so not new to RVs. Now semi retired, I want to make basically 4 trips in the future. NE,NW,SW and thru the heart of America. I keep looking at late model RVs and then see new for high $50,000s. I know you get what you pay for and that logic and have read the topics on buying a few years old so the bugs are worked out. But I also look at new, wararnties, hopefully limited bugs, etc and think ??? I am a scamperer, not a camper. So has anybody done a cost analysis on buying inexpensive new, using it for 4 years and selling versus buying 3-5 years old and then selling in 4 years. I know it all costs money but there are advanatages to both. My son says buy new, you do not want to break down in nowheresville. I see new at $60,000 and a few years old at $45,000 for example and think, buy new and save the hassle of potential breakdowns. Plus the cost per year is not much different? Thoughts

Hi,I would look for a unit no older than five years old. I'd put the difference in the purchase price into a repair fund. If you find a quality used unit a ten year life span (making the unit 15 years old) is quite possible.Don't buy a unit that has indications of water damage.

Follow up. I just saw on Craigslist, a 2008 low end unit that could be bought for $30,000 with 25,000 miles. While that looks like $30,000 off new or $5-6K per year what about the near future costs? New tires, brakes, age of appliances, etc. These will all add cost in the near future. Buying new and selling before these repairs arise, saves the hassle of doing them.

I haven't ever done the breakdown, but your are going to lose 20% to 30% off what you paid for a new unit the minute you pull out of the lot. Look at a unit that has sat for a year or so (which is still new) and buy that. I was interested in a 2012 ACE that was new, had like 5000 miles on it and the dealer was hot to sell it. Price was about 1/2 of new. Didn't buy it because I didn't want a payment.

hoosiermark wrote:So has anybody done a cost analysis on buying inexpensive new, using it for 4 years and selling versus buying 3-5 years old and then selling in 4 years. I am always doing that cost analysis, just not on paper.:)I do feel that used RVs are too high priced considering how quickly they become shabby. But there still has to be a sweet spot that gives you the best ownership experience at the lowest cost per year.I think if you crunch numbers, the used RV will come out ahead. Especially with the 3-5 years old and selling it after 4 years. Things really start to deteriorate at about 8 years old IMO. Prior to that you can get away with murder as an owner, if that's your style.As far as warranty security and hassles, that's a non-dollar decision you have to make. I would not expect much in the way of problems on a 3 year old rig. The neglect of the first owner has not taken much of a toll yet, if any at all.There are warranties you can purchase, but I have no experience with them.

I seem to remember seeing a graph showing that depreciation starts to level out after four or five years. Given the list of new rig deficiencies most people encounter, I would say that buying a few years old would probably be the most cost-effective and ensure that the warranty items have been taken care of.

Used versus new | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2013
Yep Bordercollie. :) And I agree with you.

If you are looking for a cheap way to travel, you might want to look at a Caribbean cruise, cheap if you live near a cruise port.

Our first motor home was the exception to the rule, but I can't quite call it a motor home. It got 20 mpg and our trips were truly cheap. Not so with our "real" motor home today. Purchase price, insurance, gas and all, it ain't cheap. Even the license plate is expensive due to the weight of the rig. Still no regrets.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
I think you have a good handle on how old and what to look for, etc. Motorhoming is not a cheap passtime/hobby/luxury and requires a considerable initial investment and recurring costs.

I have a talent for stating the obvious I'm told.
hoosiermark
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
Thanks to all who have taken time to respond. I am hoping to do 4+/- major trips in the next few years and then anticipate selling the unit. If it turns out we want to do more or spend more time truly camping I will cross that bridge then. I was looking for thoughts on the most cost effective and hassle free way to travel by RV for these trips. I understand you need to compare apples to apples with units. I also understand that under all the units are basically trucks (machines) I laugh when I think of the trips we took in the 1980s in our Class C and A. We just loaded up and went. I never thought about things breaking down, not working etc. Thank goodness we had no problems. Now I want to reduce the potential for problems when I acquire the next unit. I know there will be problems but preplanning can eliminate a lot of them. Again thanks to all of you for your thoughts. Have a great day. Oh yea I am thinking from all the comments that I should look in the 2-4 year old range all things considered.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2013
Repsponding to comments, I think made to my last reply.

Clarifying....

For long term ownership say 15 years for example, I would rather pay $50,000 for a lightly used, well cared for, 5 year old, high quality motor home, than $50,000 on a brand new entry level motor home. 15 years later, there is a much better chance the 15 year old entry level motor home will suffer water intrusion over the 20 year old quality motor home. Then there are the other benefits of a quality rig like doors, windows, cabinetry, other workmanship etc. The 20 year old quality rig will be in much better shape than the 15 year old entry level rig.

That was my point....rather my opinion.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
I agree with bsinmich ...
bsinmich
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
When you compare new to a 3 year old unit are you comparing equals? There is a big difference in price from a Ford Focus to a Lincoln. You could buy 2 Focus for the price of 1 Lincoln. Buying a 3 year old Lincoln it is still more than a new Focus. A top quality MH of any type will offer a few more comforts than an entry level model. Taking mine as an example I have dual pane windows, ducted AC that is so quiet you have to check if it is running, well insulated walls & ceilings, better quality furnishings, full body paint. Prior to this I had a Pace Arrow that lacked most of those features and that isn't really entry level either. Do a lot oflooking at all the options. You get a variety of op9inions here and most people like their current choice.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2013
For a long term ownership, I would much rather buy a lightly used quality built used unit that is 5 years old, over a cheaply made brand new unit for the same money. But if you plan to sell the rig in a couple years, a 2 year old unit should be eaisier to sell.

That was our plan 6 years ago, but I just could not find what we wanted "used" so we ordered a new one of the same kind.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
My dad always said buying used is buying other people's junk. There is some truth to it. But with RVs I'm liking my theory of buy 3 years old and sell 8 years old. Usually the 3 year old RV is in good shape.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Another issue about used campers/motorhomes is that you don't know how they were treated or cared for. You don't know if it sat for a long time or if it was driven and never given an oil change or other required maintenance done. There is so much of the unit that you can not see that could be an underlying issue.

If you have cash to buy outright and stick $10k in a repair fund as DaHose mentioned, then it might be worth the gamble. But if you are like most of us are and need to finance, then you probably wouldn't have that large of a repair fund. But if you are gonna spend $25k on a unit and end up having to use that $10k in repairs, then it might be worth to get the $50k unit that is covered under a warranty after the time and headaches of the used unit sitting in a repair shop or you being stranded.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
We bought a new 2004 rig in late 2003. In our case, the fridge and roof AC and awning fabric had to be replaced at about 9 years old. Tires need to be replaced for safety every 4-6 years regardless. Fresh water pumps, water heaters and furnaces are also limited life items that may fail in ten years or so. These things costed us about $3000+ in parts and labor, not huge issues, but should be taken into account when deciding how old a used rig to buy or whether to buy new.