I would agree with many of the above statements. Our first RV experience was thru renting a class C motor home. That experience really gave us a starting point for what we wanted and didn't want in a unit. From there I set out looking for a vehicle. The one lasting impression I have is how much the price swings were. I had a very difficult time trying to figure out what the true market value was vs NADA value. I found the ppl rv site to be the best gauge of where the market was. We lucked out after pretty much giving up we found the exact unit we wanted about 300 miles from home. On top of that we paid what I figured the true market price.
I would also add that this forum is extremely valuable to rookies like myself.