Depreciation

Good website, Gene! That info reinforces my belief of "buy 3 years old, sell 8 years old".

(Do as I say, not as I do, lol.)

The main reason for my question about depreciation was this. I am thinking of buying an "upgraded" Class C or Super C. My current C is a 2004, but has only 17000 miles on it, and has most of the bells and whistles I want. The biggest things on my want list would be automatic levelers, "man-sized" shower, and possibly bedroom slide with more storage for clothes. However, if I simply buy a newer Class C I would be taking a huge hit on depreciation. My 10 year old rig will hold more of its value now than a much newer one. I have to decide if the upgrades I want are worth it, or just keep and enjoy the one I have. As I suspected, and you folks mostly confirmed, the vast majority of the lost value occurs in the first 3-4 years. Thanks for the help.

mda wrote:
Another factor in determining cost, value or selling price is the market where the unit is for sell. Since your unit is ten years old, it has taken the biggest hit in depreciation since new. The value now will be determined on condition and how well the unit has been maintained, not the age of the unit.

Agreed. When I was researching the value of the RV I ended up purchasing, the pricing guides were of no use whatsoever.

I wanted a used 22 footer Class C with a fixed bed in the back but I found none in my price range in Southern California, Las Vegas and even Arizona. (The 22/23 footers available and in my price range all required one to convert the dining table to a bed - something I didn't want to do every night.) The one I ended up buying was valued at $11,000 according to NADA but I paid $17,000 for it. Given the condition it was in (like new), the low miles (24,000) and the fact there there was nothing available like it within hundreds of miles, it could have easily sold for several thousand more.

You are correct. I thought they had RVs when I was checking tow vehicles. Must have been a different site. Sorry about that. They are great when negotiatibg on a use car.

G and D wrote:
Try Edmonds.com the blue book shows asking price value, Edmonds shows actual sales price values

I think Edmunds only does used cars and trucks, nor RV's. Do you have a link to something I might have missed?

Another factor in determining cost, value or selling price is the market where the unit is for sell. Since your unit is ten years old, it has taken the biggest hit in depreciation since new. The value now will be determined on condition and how well the unit has been maintained, not the age of the unit.

Gene in NE wrote:

dennislanier wrote:
Is there any reliable information on the internet that would show the depreciation rates for USED Motorhomes? I have done a preliminary search but can't find any useful information so far. I am hoping someone on here can direct me to a website or spreadsheet that might help me...

Not sure how much faith you can put into this website, but it does attempt to answer your question - RV new or used?.

Very interesting article. Thanks for the link.

dennislanier wrote:
Is there any reliable information on the internet that would show the depreciation rates for USED Motorhomes? I have done a preliminary search but can't find any useful information so far. I am hoping someone on here can direct me to a website or spreadsheet that might help me...

Not sure how much faith you can put into this website, but it does attempt to answer your question - RV new or used?.

Try Edmonds.com the blue book shows asking price value, Edmonds shows actual sales price values

rcase 13,
I think you quoted the wrong responder. Francesca Knowles provided a link to RV sales, etc. Nowhere does it state a 35% loss after purchase. Dalmation lovers used the 35% figure in his post above. I don't know where there number came from, but I have no facts to confirm or dispute it. However, I would not think you would lose 65% total value on a new unit. Note that I was asking for depreciation on OLDER USED RV'S, not brand new ones. Anyway, sounds like you got a good deal on yours.