NADA Pricing

I have found NADA to be wildly inaccurate on RVs.

I shoot for 20% below NADA low retail. But as a bunch will tell you NADA is not the bible. It is basically based on mathematically calculating depreciation based on age. If you like it and its worth the money, you will probably be happy. You will find people that tell you that you paid too much even if it was free. I'm not an expert, just enjoy.

I know what you're saying about prices being all over the place. I found that out when I was looking for Winnie three years ago. I found the individual seller asking prices to be lower in the East. I gathered my information, thought through the owners asking price and then made him an offer that embarrassed me. He didn't accept. I stayed with my offer. One week later he emailed me that if I was still interested he would sell to me at my price. In three days I was in Arizona and ended up driving the unit back to Texas.

Note: if you are not embarrassed by the offer you make, you are offereing too much money. That is my two cents. Best of luck.

NADA is one tool. During my search, I used nada, the ppl site, ebay, and various other dealership websites to estimate value. I found that the higher quality coaches which were in demand were going for high to above high nada. Lower end coaches were going for below low nada. I looked for 2 years and seriously looked for the last year. I went to all of the local shows, looked at lots of pp sales, and went to local dealerships multiple times since their used inventory is fluid. I ended up pulling the trigger on a used monaco from a dealership that I had visited 3 times. During the previous visits I thought they had junk. I bought my coach before Christmas. They later told me sales were slow, and I would never have received the same deal in the spring. Based on my research, while I am skeptical of salesmen, I think they are correct. Best wishes on your search.

NADA I have found is often somewhat more than I'd be willing to pay. I generally look at it and say at least 10% less.

I have no faith in NADA prices, as I question where they get their information. When dealing with a private owner, I would base my offer on the specific unit, condition, equipment, maintenance, etc. and what you are willing to pay. Do you research on what similar units are listed for and go from there.

Thanks for the helpful input. It appears that it just takes a great deal of research from all available sources. In real estate you can get realistic comps, but being this is my first adventure in buying a Motor Home, I am learning there is no hard numbers. I will most likely be asking more questions as this process goes forward Thanks

I found an older Southwind that I loved and I mean loved, the owner came down on the price to a level 6K over Low Retail on NADA. By the time my DW agreed to go look at it with me, it was sold. There have others that started between average and low NADA that I would have been willing pay more than the asking price for and some that I wouldn't give a second look to at lower than LOW NADA. You just have to find the one you want and decide what it is worth to you.

I find NADA as a generalization and look at averages then price from there. Never buy without a second, preferrably pros opinion. Could save big bucks.