Average or Common Markdown % off MSRP on Used Motorhomes

Buying/selling an RV is just like any other major purchase. Supply and demand over time sets the price. Buyer/seller motivation is also key. No professional salesperson in their right mind would cut the price of anything when the phone is ringing off the hook (showing interest) at the advertised price. (usually the price goes up when this happens) If any product sits around for too long, then the price starts dropping until it sells. It's really that simple.

Chum lee

I check the RV for sale sites for like models and see what they are selling for. Used RV's are will only be worth what the buying public will pay for them. Some Mfgr's units are worth more than others. You can't tell what a dealer paid for the RV. I bought my present Dutch Star from a private party when it was 2 yrs old and would buy the same way again.

hostage wrote:

zekethomas253 wrote:
Be careful what you buy these days. Diesels 2008 or older are much less complicated. The newer ones are all DEF after the EPA went after diesel. Most end up in the shop twice a year.
I am leaving a 2009 Mercedes diesel getting 18MPG (24' LTV) 123,000 miles and going to gas in a 2015. Cannot buy a new diesel after DEF. Check with the mechanics who work on them, they will tell you DEF is a disaster for class 8 trucks to Sprinters.

I am going to miss my 18 mpg to be lucky to get 8, but gas is the way for me now after trying to find places to work on diesels and getting the work done reasonably.

actually its around 2006 early 2007 I have a nov 2007(called a 2008)
and its full electronic controlled air pollution controls with the DPF muffler system that regens etc etc . I had to take it in once for a forced regen that cost $50 cash no big deal have had it for 7 years and only the one DPF system problem. had a turbo actuator problem but that's not DPF related

I have an early 06 engine and the last of the slobber tubes for over the road. No DPF, DEF or much of anything else. It is an ACERT engine with a HUEI pump and guess the jury is still out on that. Runs great with plenty of power, but then it's only at 42K miles, so.........

zekethomas253 wrote:
Be careful what you buy these days. Diesels 2008 or older are much less complicated. The newer ones are all DEF after the EPA went after diesel. Most end up in the shop twice a year.
I am leaving a 2009 Mercedes diesel getting 18MPG (24' LTV) 123,000 miles and going to gas in a 2015. Cannot buy a new diesel after DEF. Check with the mechanics who work on them, they will tell you DEF is a disaster for class 8 trucks to Sprinters.

I am going to miss my 18 mpg to be lucky to get 8, but gas is the way for me now after trying to find places to work on diesels and getting the work done reasonably.

actually its around late 2006 early 2007 I have a nov 2007(called a 2008)
and its full electronic controlled air pollution controls with the DPF muffler system that regens etc etc . I had to take it in once for a forced regen that cost $50 cash no big deal have had it for 7 years and only the one DPF system problem. had a turbo actuator problem but that's not DPF related

Be careful what you buy these days. Diesels 2008 or older are much less complicated. The newer ones are all DEF after the EPA went after diesel. Most end up in the shop twice a year.
I am leaving a 2009 Mercedes diesel getting 18MPG (24' LTV) 123,000 miles and going to gas in a 2015. Cannot buy a new diesel after DEF. Check with the mechanics who work on them, they will tell you DEF is a disaster for class 8 trucks to Sprinters.

I am going to miss my 18 mpg to be lucky to get 8, but gas is the way for me now after trying to find places to work on diesels and getting the work done reasonably.

CVD wrote:
Looking at tread title (average markdown on used coach); I’ll throw out an approach I’ve been thinking about. Not 100% sure it’s reasonable, but I’d like to hear what others think.

Assumptions
1) You know original MSRP, which includes options
2) Original purchase was for 75% of that MSRP (25% discount)
3) Coach depreciated 40% in first 5 years, 60 % in 10 years.

To calculate a fair value, simply subtract 25% from MSRP to reflect the likely original purchase price, then subtract 40% from that value for a 5 yr old coach (60% for a 10 yr old coach)

Sample calculation: 5 yr old coach ($100k optioned MSRP)

100k – 25k = 75k, 75k * (1 - 40%) = 45k value

Same coach, 10 yrs old:
100k – 25k = 75k, 75k * (1- 60%) = 30k value

Disclaimer 1:I believe a more accurate yearly depreciation scale would be year 1: 15%, year 2 – 5: 10%, year 5 – 10: 5%, year 11 – 20: 2.5%. But for ball park discussion, I’ll propose 40% depreciation after 5 years, 60% after 10 years.

Disclaimer 2: This is a ball park, “sanity check” technique. It ignores trade in value vs. resale value (let’s assume this is a “private party value” calculator). It also ignores that some brands and types hold value better than others, geographic differences, etc.

I like it. I have used a similar formula in helping others buy a used coach.

"CVD".....I don't think your equation will work for a few reasons. Too many variables in RV's from a loaded coach to a stripped down model. In my situation, the sales of my coach, brand and model, boomed after I bought it. I've had very little loss in depreciation. On the flip side, base model coaches and those perceived to be problematic can drop like a rock compared to others.

I've ALWAYS found the best way to determine price is to find similar coaches and average them out. You can usually get pretty close to what they're worth by looking at many coahces, including similar designs and years, even in different brands. As an example, 2005 Class A gassers in the 32' range will be pretty similar, since they all have the same chassis.

DieselDriver wrote:
I am in the market to purchase a nice USED 2008 or newer class A motorhome and would like to find out where the best used dealers are and how much if any % of mark down from the advertised prices? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

NADA isn't a bible, but it can give one a good idea after researching asking prices, so if you can purchase a nice one for about 10 - 15% under low retail, you've probably done a little better, than alright.

Looking at tread title (average markdown on used coach); I’ll throw out an approach I’ve been thinking about. Not 100% sure it’s reasonable, but I’d like to hear what others think.

Assumptions
1) You know original MSRP, which includes options
2) Original purchase was for 75% of that MSRP (25% discount)
3) Coach depreciated 40% in first 5 years, 60 % in 10 years.

To calculate a fair value, simply subtract 25% from MSRP to reflect the likely original purchase price, then subtract 40% from that value for a 5 yr old coach (60% for a 10 yr old coach)

Sample calculation: 5 yr old coach ($100k optioned MSRP)

100k – 25k = 75k, 75k * (1 - 40%) = 45k value

Same coach, 10 yrs old:
100k – 25k = 75k, 75k * (1- 60%) = 30k value

Disclaimer 1:I believe a more accurate yearly depreciation scale would be year 1: 15%, year 2 – 5: 10%, year 5 – 10: 5%, year 11 – 20: 2.5%. But for ball park discussion, I’ll propose 40% depreciation after 5 years, 60% after 10 years.

Disclaimer 2: This is a ball park, “sanity check” technique. It ignores trade in value vs. resale value (let’s assume this is a “private party value” calculator). It also ignores that some brands and types hold value better than others, geographic differences, etc.

If you like no-hassle browsing, PPL has three lots in Texas. The coaches are unlocked during the day, and you are free to browse to your heart's content.

I don't know if it would be worth the trip for you though.

We were able to negotiate a little over $2 on our purchase.