How good are the NADA values

[Lpotla]

What has been your experience on how accurate the NADA values for retail and wholesale? I have a friend who sold his RV well below the wholesale NADA value to a dealership on a trade-in and he was told that such a reduced price was typical. He inferred that maybe if you sell it out right to a private party the NADA values might be OK .... But not selling it to a dealership. Has anyone else experienced this?

[stan909]

Here in SoCal the NADA runs low compared to real world pricing.

[peaches_cream]

Here is the reply I received to the message Sent to NADA concerning the "Free" info compared to the "Purchased" info.




To Whom It May Concern:



Thank you for contacting NADAguides.



NADAguides offers a number of different products that are updated at varying frequencies. You’ll find that some of the automotive products found on nada.com are updated more frequently than others.



With respect to the RV products, more often than not, you will find that the Average Retail value will be the same across the print and electronic products (keeping in mind, that we have the ability to make real-time updates to the electronic products that we might otherwise not have the ability to update in print).



Additionally, the free consumer website will offer Low and Average Retail prices to assist the consumer with their RV buying or selling decisions. The subscription trade products (whether print or electronic) will offer the dealer a Used Wholesale/Trade-In and Average Retail price.



You also mention the sample size of data. Our Analysts are constantly analyzing used sales, auction results, and other pertinent market data. We also have a large Advisory Board of dealers that are surveyed three times each year (additional surveys may be sent if necessary).



Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me.





Desirée Beck

Market/Data Analyst



NADAguides

3186 "K" Airway Avenue | Costa Mesa, CA 92626

direct: (714) 210-6342| (800) 966-6232

e: dbeck@nadaguides.com

[michelb]

peaches&cream wrote:
NADA prices are worth exactly what you paid for them.

Ha ha! +1

As others have mentioned, I believe that NADA values for RVs are based of a yearly depreciation off the original MSRP not actual market data. The problem is that IMO, they are not consistently wrong; some are too high, some are too low so they are hard to really use with any level of confidence.

I find that as an easy gauge, look for past sales on eBay. Obviously eBay is an auction so people are often buying sight unseen so I'd expect eBay prices to be lower than buying locally privately or from a dealer where you can test it and get it check thoroughly but I think they aren't too far off real world values (probably about 10-20% below).

[peaches_cream]

NADA prices are worth exactly what you paid for them.

[JohnQ]

When we first started shopping for a Safari (no slides) I joined the Yahoo Safari website and got some very valuable insight to NADA/KBB and motorhome "Values." Here's essentially got; Most sellers are NOT aware that the Prices listed in both NADA & KBB for motorhomes are NOT based upon actual sale prices but a simple straight line depreciation
from Brand New Sticker prices. If you want to see exactly what Safaris have actually sold for, how long they were for sale, any drops in asking prices, and initial asking price, go to PPL RV in Texas, the largest consignment Motorhome dealer. Next most important consideration in motorhome pricing is to know what were "Standard Equipment vs Optional Equipment." Our Safaris came with loads of Standard Equipment and very few Optional Equipment. Folks who use NADA/KBB, do not understand the difference and go checking things like A/C's, TV, Retractable entry steps, etc. By checking the various equipment boxes, NADA/KBB adds a value to the value when those are really included in the Base Factory Sticker Price as standard equipment. We bought a 1997 M-4040 in 2009 for $37,500 and past on an identical one that was asking thru NADA/KBB ignorance $55,000. Ours
was in far better and documented maintenance shape.

[Snomas]

Like said above, condition can make the sales vary greatly (except for the 1958 Ford Edsel)of any vehicle MH or auto!!! From my experience dealers will always be far below the Nada Guides lowest price!!

[Snomas]

Just like they said, Nada values are only a guide. The real value is what someone will pay for you Motorhome. It's the same as for autos. Condition of any Motorhome or vehicle usually dictates what someone will pay (except for the Ford Edsel)!!

[msmith1199]

Like already said, your RV is worth what somebody is willing to pay. There are just so many variables when dealing with used RV's. I'm sure if you've looked at used RV's you've probably seen that you can find a 10 year old unit that looks practically brand new. Right next to it can be a 10 year old unit that looks like it's been through the ringer. Some people take care of their RV and some don't.

[kalynzoo]

An RV is not a car. NADA values represent average prices based on attainable figures. A motorhome, trailer, boat, are worth what the buyer is willing to pay for a RV in a given condition. If it is fantastic with low mileage stored in a garage NADA values mean nothing. If you are going to trade it in, the dealer must account for detail and prep costs, salaries, and profit. NADA values become a guideline for negotiations based on what is being purchased in exchange. I've always traded in my RV's. Sure I've given up posible profit, but I also didn't have to deal with resale.
JMHO

[Fishinghat]

NADA "retail" & "wholesale" values are just estimates, but typically they are about 20 to 30% too high. The on line version has only the two figures, but the printed book has a third set of figures that reflect "trade-in" value, which may be closer to the actual market value.

NADA's estimates on RV's are not based on actual sales of similar units, but from generic sales cross referenced to original MSRP, which are also typically excessive. New RV's are typically discounted significantly, sometimes 30% or more. NADA's estimates for cars are computed completely differently.

But, bottom line this is the only good reference available to use as a starting point. It can give you an idea of where you're at and what to look for. If you're looking for something more accurate, try PPL's web site. They post the prices their consignment units sold for. While this doesn't tell adjust for condition or options, it is probably more reliable as a value guide. Good luck.