Airstream>>

Still of my original opinion that making lists of likes and dislikes and then sitting down together and sorting it out is the best way. There is a part of me that would love a moderately sized/priced Class C. DH has no interest and definitely no interest in spending that much money. If he came home and found one sitting in the driveway...... I do remember together deciding that my current vehicle needed to be replaced. We had a price range agreed upon. We had looked at several and found a couple of models we both liked, but no movement on decision. While he was at a week long business meeting, I had some spare time and went shopping. Found the right car at the right price range and bought it. Didn't bother to mention it until he called that evening. At the time I thought it was a good idea. NOT HAPPY!, to say the least. Ultimately, he did love the car and could live with the pricing and payment arrangements, but was really PO'd that I just made such a large decision on my own. Will not do that again. No, he's not a cheapskate or an ogre, but he rightly felt that we should have gone together, gotten all the info and then signed the papers. I hate to admit that he was right, but he was right. Don't just go off and buy it!

The shortcoming with your approach is that as a compromise nobody gets what they want. At least when one gets what they want it works for that person. I have never felt that compromise works for any long term success between two or more people with competing or different interests.

To the OP, go get the Airstream. If you find your wife absolutely hates it (virtually impossible I would suppose after all it is an Airstream, the RV that makes travel dreams come true) then get her what she wants and you just suck it up as you at least made her happy. It is worth a try.

Right where we were when I left.....I know almost next to nothing about Airstreams other than they cost a bundle, relatively, are very nice looking and have a great reputation. I DO know that if I didn't want an Airstream and DH did, and just went and bought it and brought it home, it would not be a good evening. This is a major purchase and to add another "issue" to the mix is not going to be helpful.

Still of my original opinion that making lists of likes and dislikes and then sitting down together and sorting it out is the best way. There is a part of me that would love a moderately sized/priced Class C. DH has no interest and definitely no interest in spending that much money. If he came home and found one sitting in the driveway...... I do remember together deciding that my current vehicle needed to be replaced. We had a price range agreed upon. We had looked at several and found a couple of models we both liked, but no movement on decision. While he was at a week long business meeting, I had some spare time and went shopping. Found the right car at the right price range and bought it. Didn't bother to mention it until he called that evening. At the time I thought it was a good idea. NOT HAPPY!, to say the least. Ultimately, he did love the car and could live with the pricing and payment arrangements, but was really PO'd that I just made such a large decision on my own. Will not do that again. No, he's not a cheapskate or an ogre, but he rightly felt that we should have gone together, gotten all the info and then signed the papers. I hate to admit that he was right, but he was right. Don't just go off and buy it!

Filiform corrosion on Airstreams
Delam on fiberglass trailers
Wood rot on corrugated aluminum sided trailers

Pick your poison.

Thanks again for all the good info. Although I have purchased new RVs in the past, I don't think I would ever buy a new Airstream. It seems there is very little or no difference between a new one and a 5 year old model.

What concerns me about Airstreams is the problem with filiform corrosion.

Thanks for your post and insight. Very helpful.

When you say the asking price of 3 to 5 year old units is roughly two thirds of "new", would that be the MSRP price or the discounted (20%) price? And what discount can a buyer expect to negotiate from a private partys asking price?

I don't think purchasing an Airstream is different than purchasing any other RV. Maybe the amount of money involved is more than most trailers and lots less than a Prevost motorhome. Everything is relative. The most expensive Airstream has an MSRP of around $140,000. It is no bigger inside than other models that cost around $80,000. It is all in the amenities. So if the purchaser sells the $140,000 Airstream and asks $70,000; it can appear that the price is way out of line compared to a new one with lesser amenities. There are several models that include Safari, Classic, International and all have a different MSRP even though they may all be the same size, for example 30 feet long.

NADA is just a number and if it is a starting point for discussion with s seller then that might work. My preference for purchasing three cabover truck campers and one 30 foot trailer is to get on-line and see what they are selling for. This is even more important for used coaches as the price can be anywhere depending on condition, year, model, and even location. That way it is easy to begin to get an understanding for what something is going to cost or what you have is worth.

To answer your question the rule of thumb that I have found is that a standard box coach is worth about half the MSRP in about five years. A $30,000 trailer will be worth around $15,000 in five years. If the purchaser was able to negotiate that trailer for $22,000 the depreciation 'hit' is much less. Airstreams tend to hold their value better. Perhaps the best resource is to get on-line and check into their prices. There are Airstream dealers almost everywhere and on their websites are the new and pre-owned units and the price is often provided. I would start there.

As I indicated earlier on this thread I don't think Airstream is for the first time buyer (at least not new) as the first RV travel trailer is the 'learning curve' trailer. After that most folks have a much better idea of towing issues and what they want in their next trailer. If you watch any videos of Airstream owners rallys there are not a lot young folks present. Maybe they buy Airstreams and don't attend rallys. I don't know. Actually I think I do know and it has to do with the amount of money tied up in the unit; not a lack of desire for one.

A nice pre-owned Airstream about five years old will cost about what a new Northwood Arctic Fox costs. For some the new factor is more important. For others the Airstream factor is what is important. Sometimes it is an emotional decision based on what we want not necessarily what we need. Or what it costs.

Airforums has a lot of good information and a classified section for pre-owned units. Good luck.

Rent the Airstream for a week. Then decide together.

Thanks for your post and insight. Very helpful.

When you say the asking price of 3 to 5 year old units is roughly two thirds of "new", would that be the MSRP price or the discounted (20%) price? And what discount can a buyer expect to negotiate from a private party's asking price?

Some private sellers are deluding themselves by thinking they are going to get close to MSRP for their used units. Some of them are asking more than what a new one would cost based on the discounts I mentioned above.

I quit posting when after all the pages of friendly comments and interesting discussion a couple folks decided to get sarcastic or decided to call Airstream 'trailer trash'. They are entitled to their opinions, of course, it just put a damper on the fun thread. But since you brought it back with some real world data, here is my take on the MSRP discounts and used values.

Selling used depends on how old it is and the condition. As prices of new keep going up it also helps the resale value. Keep one ten or fifteen years and it is possible the resale value could be near what it was purchased for new then depending on condition which is quite a bit less than what the new prices are today. Some dealers like George Sutton post MSRP of new and their discounted price. Start from the discounted price and get serious about the discount. Another ten percent will give the buyer around a twenty percent discount from MSRP. Anybody trying to sell a used one for what a new one costs is over the top.

Most used seem to hold on to a value (not necessarily NADA values) but asking price value of around two thirds of new three to five years old. At around the ten year mark they seem to be about fifty percent of new. A dealer will tell you almost anything to get you to think the price should be high. And how they are just barely making anything on the unit. Old game, they still play it. Then trade it in at a dealer and you realize what you have is just not worth much. It must work. Some apparently fall for the gimmic. Or some just want that new one so bad that they will take any beating on the one they are trading in.

Since no one here was willing to say or didn't know what kind of percentage discount from the MSRP a buyer can expect, I did a bit of research.

Some dealers do advertise discounts on the net raging from 8% to 12%. I saw one advertised with a 19% discount. I almost busted my gut laughing when one dealer told me he's willing to discount the price about 10% and only make 1% profit. Another dealer offered 16% discount when contacted by email. I think it is fair to say that a buyer can expect to negotiate a 20% discount, maybe even more under the right circumstances.

Some private sellers are deluding themselves by thinking they are going to get close to MSRP for their used units. Some of them are asking more than what a new one would cost based on the discounts I mentioned above.

They're worth what people will pay. The guy's hoping that one of those suckers born everyday will come by and buy it.