New RV prices

When we bought ours new in '05, it had a MSRP of around 45-48K. New ones running 85-95K. IMO, what's been done to warrant such a huge (double) increase?? Shoot, truck prices only went up 20 grand in same timeframe, but not double! Even w/ the trucks, don't think they are worth it, but we the buying public keep doing it. On a side note, few years ago a day cab semi would run 50-75K. Nowdays they are over 100K. UGH!!

I use to think buying new was crazy but that was before I actually did it. Before shopping around and negotiating a new unit I would just see the MSRP and laugh, not realizing how much off you could get. Once you take the 30-40% off it's really not too bad. Of course, used has its benefits also. I can't say I'm totally set one way or another. It just depends on what I want/need and how much $$ and time I have to go get it.

If you have the time to shop you can find some amazing deals on left over models from the year before brand new with full warranty at a huge discounted price. Or like others have said shop for a unit about 3-5 years old. A friend bought a high end 5th from an older couple that used it 2-3 times garage kept not even two years old before he became ill. They sold it to him at a very good price.

Buy a Good used 5th Wheel, that someone who took care of it. Who are upgrading to a bigger or newer unit. That is what i am planning on. A lot less money going out up front on a good older 5er.
Scott

TXiceman wrote:
You think $90K is steep, look at Mobile/Elite Suites, New Horizon, Space Craft and such.

You will be much better off to look at a gently used 3 to 5 year old higher end RV. Let someone else take the big depreciation hit on the new rig.

Ken

This is exactly what we did with ours. General Coach was a high end Canadian manufacturer that built these 4 season units. Ours was $104k new and we paid about 1/3 of that.

ford truck guy wrote:
When I was purchasing my last fiver ( KZ Montego Bay ) I had done a ton of research on that model...
Went to a RV show to see one and to my surprise , the MSRP for the exact same model, minus 1 option was thousands higher...
Not the selling price , the MSRP.. this way they could show a HIGHER SHOW SPECIAL , to get those who don't do their homework . . .

See? Told ya it wasn't hard.

Lyle

When I was purchasing my last fiver ( KZ Montego Bay ) I had done a ton of research on that model...
Went to a RV show to see one and to my surprise , the MSRP for the exact same model, minus 1 option was thousands higher...
Not the selling price , the MSRP.. this way they could show a HIGHER SHOW SPECIAL , to get those who don't do their homework . . .

We agree - "cost per night" when you factor in the cost of a new coach can easily be over $200 per night for someone who camps 60-90 days per year. The $200 covers expected depreciation, camping fees, gas, insurance, maintenance, license, storage and misc costs. Anyone buying new should crunch the numbers before they jump in with both feet first.

We bought used and the cost comes in way below the cost of new. We'd like to buy new as we approach retirement but are a little gun shy. Our preferred Class C brand runs 100K with tax PLUS the cost of tow package, added features etc. Add in a new toad and you are pushing $150K.

Not sure which direction we will go in.

(The cost of camping in general is so high that we may have to cut things back and spend more time at home. Our home is paid for, holds it's value, and costs about $25 per day to own. (Real Estate Taxes, utilities, association Dues, Insurance, phone bill with internet, water and sewer including delivered bottled water, security monitoring, and maintenance.)

Todd

ford truck guy wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
If you do some searching you will likely find dealers advertising those $90k rigs for anywhere from the full $90k down to the $60k range, often followed by a "Make offer" statement. Don't get hung up on MSRPs. Typical of other price ranges also.

100% agree - - -
My $134,000.00 MSRP was discounted to $80,000.00.. The MSRP is a made up/inflated number to make you feel better about your discount , however high or low it may be ,. . .
AS LONG as your happy with the purchase price at the end of the day , that's all that matters . .
And as my dad use to say " there is an arse for every seat"

That's pretty easy to prove, too. Find identically outfitted RVs at 2 different dealers, and you'll often find =thousands= of dollars' difference in price. The only major mfr that I can think of that at least gives you a starting price is Jayco, where they've got a "build and price" right on their web site. It at least keeps the more doubtful dealers more honest, though if they try and tack on a $5k "delivery charge", then you know they're trying to blow sunshine where it's not supposed to go, which is where a goodly number of dealers seem to pull their "MSRPs" from.

Lyle

If folks didn't pony up for new rigs then there wouldn't be a great market for used ones. In my experience modern rv's have a short lifespan so I prefer to buy new...fix the glitches under warranty then enjoy it for 4-6 years and sell it off. I rarely need new tires, no LP tanks to recertify, no leaking roof (knocks on wood) and I love that new rv (formaldahyde) smell. This is all somewhat tongue in cheek but If buyers can afford new they have every right to go that route. I used to wonder who could pay 40k for a truck....and then I paid 59k for mine...holy cr@p!