Help with pricing used 2013 Columbus 320RS

[janegowest]

Hi all! I am looking at one of these by a private seller on CL. They are asking 37,000. Pics show it being stored under cover. They are the second owners already, so I was somewhat cautious, but he said that first owner sold it to buy a motor home. He (second owner) is selling due to illness.

All that is listed on the ad:

fireplace, solid surface counter tops, cherry cabinets, movable island in kitchen, smart TV, cabinets galore, ceiling fan, king size bed in bedroom, closet with built in shelves and clothes hamper, central vacuum, and washer/dryer hookup, lots of underbelly storage. Never smoked in, Electric leveling system.

It's more than I was hoping to spend, so am a little hesitant to go look....and wondering if I would insult the seller especially in his condition by offering a good bit less. Wondering how much less would be fair. First time buyer, so not sure how much less to bid when purchasing used or new.

[janegowest]

mudmaker wrote:
https://cheyennecampingcenter.com/rvs/palomino-columbus-model-320rs
This is a2015 with leveling and King mattress.
Just for comparison.

Very nice! And nice price, but originally, my budget was $25,000, so am stretching it at this price.

[mudmaker]

https://cheyennecampingcenter.com/rvs/palomino-columbus-model-320rs
This is a2015 with leveling and King mattress.
Just for comparison.

[goukcats]

We have a 2015 Columbus 320 & love it. If you can buy a 2016 C-320 with auto level, 2nd AC & Trump king mattress for 45K; buy it. That's a darn good price. If you consider the 1 yr warranty, plus you can purchase a 2nd yr for $150 & if financing is involved the rate will also be better. We have a few additional options & most buyers paid any where from $48K to $53K for our version. No RV is perfect but the vast majority of Columbus owners are happy.

[garyp4951]

Dayle1 wrote:
NADA guide shows the 2013 320RS around $40k low retail and $49k average retail. But that is based on buying new at MSRP, which almost no one does. The 320RS is at the top of my list and a new 2015 or 2016 can be purchased for around $45k depending on options. I think that a reasonable price for a 2013 would be in the range of $34k, so maybe start with an offer of $32k.

I agree 32k to 34k is right for one in good condition, and thats what I have my 2013 listed at.

[janegowest]

Well...it's not so easy dealing with a man who is selling due to having cancer. I feel so sorry for him. He had to give up his dream of traveling because he got sick. Only had the 5er for less than 2 years and diagnosed a year ago!

[avvidclif1]

All he can say is "NO" and run you off. After a few weeks and no nibbles he might call back. Leave him a card when you leave if you really want it. They are nice and the bathroom tub is HUGE.

[janegowest]

laknox wrote:

janegowest wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:
NADA guide shows the 2013 320RS around $40k low retail and $49k average retail. But that is based on buying new at MSRP, which almost no one does. The 320RS is at the top of my list and a new 2015 or 2016 can be purchased for around $45k depending on options. I think that a reasonable price for a 2013 would be in the range of $34k, so maybe start with an offer of $32k.

Thanks! That is very helpful! I was thinking that I would pay 33K for it, but did not want to insult the seller.

Offer $30k, then, if he turns you down, offer to split the difference at $33.5k. I'd certainly want to see the build sheet on it, with all options listed. Often, these can be found on the inside of a cabinet door.

Lyle

Thanks! I hope that will not be insulting!

[janegowest]

wborst wrote:
The 2013 model of this 5'er had the shwintec slide mechanism on the bedroom slide. They have been known to have problems. In 2014 they stopped using this system. Just thought you might want to know.

Wow!! I did some research on this issue and it sounds like a nightmare!!! How common is this? When I researched the 320RS, most people say that they love theirs! You would think that they would have complained about the slide issue, but most of the problems that I have read about had to do with fit and finish.

If there was an issue with this particular unit, do you think that it would have surfaced long before now? We will definitely have him work the slide in and and out to check. If there is a problem with it, does it always happen or is it intermittent?

[laknox]

janegowest wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:
NADA guide shows the 2013 320RS around $40k low retail and $49k average retail. But that is based on buying new at MSRP, which almost no one does. The 320RS is at the top of my list and a new 2015 or 2016 can be purchased for around $45k depending on options. I think that a reasonable price for a 2013 would be in the range of $34k, so maybe start with an offer of $32k.

Thanks! That is very helpful! I was thinking that I would pay 33K for it, but did not want to insult the seller.

Offer $30k, then, if he turns you down, offer to split the difference at $33.5k. I'd certainly want to see the build sheet on it, with all options listed. Often, these can be found on the inside of a cabinet door.

Lyle

[janegowest]

ford truck guy wrote:
Here is a 2016 for not that much more - - 2016 Columbus 320

With it having 2 owners already , I would have to wonder why ??

For me , If given the choice of $37,000.00 for a 2013 - or $45,000.00 for a 2016 , I would either spend the 8K more for new and warranty , or not buy either..

I had added the explanation in the OP. First owner sold to buy a motor home. Second one has cancer.

[janegowest]

wborst wrote:
The 2013 model of this 5'er had the shwintec slide mechanism on the bedroom slide. They have been known to have problems. In 2014 they stopped using this system. Just thought you might want to know.

Thanks for the tip! Did all of them have problems? How much would it cost to replace it if it went bad?

[janegowest]

Dayle1 wrote:
NADA guide shows the 2013 320RS around $40k low retail and $49k average retail. But that is based on buying new at MSRP, which almost no one does. The 320RS is at the top of my list and a new 2015 or 2016 can be purchased for around $45k depending on options. I think that a reasonable price for a 2013 would be in the range of $34k, so maybe start with an offer of $32k.

Thanks! That is very helpful! I was thinking that I would pay 33K for it, but did not want to insult the seller.

[janegowest]

I just got a quote from an online wholesaler for a 2016 with the same upgrades and they said, $45,210.

[janegowest]

Thanks, everyone! Your comments have been very helpful!!