Order from factory vs buy off lot?

[cpd520]

Looking for feed back from those who have purchased new.

Considering a new Winnebago class A. Obviously want the best price possible.

Should we buy off of the lot (if we find what we want) or order one built.

First thought is that there is probably some expense tied to putting a motorhome on the lot. That expense would have to be passed on. Also, it is harder to compare MH's on different dealer lots as there are always different options.

If we spec one out, it would be easier to get multiple quotes on the exact same product. More competition should be a benefit. Dealers might take a smaller profit on a sure thing???

What experience have forum members had?

[Kayteg1]

In today's market where buyer has all the powers everything is possible.
My friend was on the market for Dodge minivan and I was helping him with inspections.
3-4 years old minivans were listed for 14-15k. He brought 3 years old for $12k, but that turned out to be totaled in Hawaii and the title was washed in California.
He called around and got quotes $17,000 for a new one. At the time Dodge had several selling incentives and he wanted base model, that usually sell last.
So now he is happy new minivan owner.

[xctraveler]

"Best Price Possible" may very well lead to "worst service possible" if you will depend on the seller for after sale support.

We do not depend on the selling dealer for service so this was not an issue for us when shopping. Would not be happy to go back to the dealer I bought from, but that is not important to us as we are always on the move and not likely to take the coach back to Niagara Falls anytime soon.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

cpd520 wrote:
Looking for feed back from those who have purchased new.

Considering a new Winnebago class A. Obviously want the best price possible.

Should we buy off of the lot (if we find what we want) or order one built.

First thought is that there is probably some expense tied to putting a motorhome on the lot. That expense would have to be passed on. Also, it is harder to compare MH's on different dealer lots as there are always different options.

If we spec one out, it would be easier to get multiple quotes on the exact same product. More competition should be a benefit. Dealers might take a smaller profit on a sure thing???

What experience have forum members had?

The best price possible isn't to order one. The best prices on new units are on their show demonstrators - if you want brand new. I buy near-new, used units at massive discounts off what the new buyer paid.

[Bill_Satellite]

Neither! Buy a 1 year old used coach and you will be miles and $$$$$ ahead. The coach is out there (or similar) just waiting for you.

[cpd520]

Thanks everyone for the input. Not sure I am any closer to a decision, but at least I have more info now.

[Kayteg1]

Crespro wrote:
Ordering new with a pickup in Elkhart was a good decision. DW was able to choose all of the decor and options.

I appreciated the ability to have it built in January-February. A friend who was a factory supervisor advised to always buy vehicles made in the winter when all the best workers are present.

That brings additional aspect.
I think/hope custom orders will always have more attention on assembly line.
Barth coaches are build by Amish and they have excellent quality reviews becouse of honest craftsmanship.
Years ago we custom order SUV. We wanted cloths when everybody was buying leather. Mercedes hold us waiting for a year before car arrived.
But when all other owners of new digital technology (back in 1998) had tons of problems with their vehicles, our served the family with about $350 spend in 13 years on replaced parts.

[Bruce_Brown]

We've ordered all 3 of our new ones and have done well. The old "a bird in the hand" thing. The last one we ordered was 30% off plus Newmar had a Comfort Drive rebate going at the time plus there was another deal going if we agreed to take the pre-emission engine we could upgrade from the ISC to the ISL (normally $6,800) for no additional charge. It worked well for us.

On top of that there was a little mix-up on the figuring and our dealer was very honest about what happened. Not only were we at 30% off, we were also $5,000 above NADA on our trade.

Those are all things you wouldn't normally get when buying off the lot.

[Crespro]

Ordering new with a pickup in Elkhart was a good decision. DW was able to choose all of the decor and options.

I appreciated the ability to have it built in January-February. A friend who was a factory supervisor advised to always buy vehicles made in the winter when all the best workers are present.

[Lantley]

You can get a decent price both ways.
However if you want the rig equipped exactly the way you want. With the interior, colors, options and features you want and don't want plan to order it otherwise you will have to settle/accept what the dealer has on their lot.
Ordering requires more homework and research to know what features are available and to have a better idea what the price should be.

[xctraveler]

Have bought at a show, ordered from factory and finally off the lot. Not a whole lot of difference. With the order from factory I had done the research and got the price where I wanted it (and where the dealership was not unhappy). With the Tiffin we have now, I knew from the Tiffin inventory that the coach with what we wanted was on a particular dealer's lot. Went there and negotiated til I was blue in the face. Got the coach, but maybe paid a bit more than I ought to have, but that was 3 years ago and we love the coach, even love the washer/dryer that DW didn't think she wanted. To have ordered the coach would have taken at least 12 weeks and we did not plan to be hanging around anyplace for 12 weeks much less coming back into the Northeast into the Fall.

The coach we bought at the show was the best bargain and the worst coach. got more than 30% off MSRP by taking DW's hand and heading out the door. Told them they could drive it down the road to the next show for all I cared. (As I remember the MSRP was $80k the show price was $70k and I paid $50K) Could be wrong about MSRP I know what I paid. It was a 33' no slides no levelers breadbox and it got us into the RV lifestyle - Damon Daybreak.

[Golden_HVAC]

One thing to consider is what will the RV be worth in 10 years. If say you decide to sell it in the summer of 2025, then the one on the lot might be a 2014 or 2015, and be 10 or 11 years old, and be worth less than one that is 2016, and only 9 years old.

Look at the bluebook trade in vehicles and you will see that one model year makes about 5% difference in value once you try to trade it in or sell it privately. . .

I ordered mine. The lot did not have one without the dinette, and I wanted the drivers side couch and passenger side they installed 3 captains chairs. the normal front passenger seat, then two more just like it behind that, with about 5' before the entrance door. I removed one of the chairs, and installed a 30" wide tabletop that folds up under the window. So I use the passenger chair and the rearmost chair on either side of my dinette table. Both are really comfortable, and have seat belts if I wanted to use the table while driving. .

Many times a dealer will want to sell a current model for less than MSRP to get it off the lot and make room for this year's models. Also they realize that your motorhome will be worth a lot less if it is a year older, and know that they have to discount these older units by Christmas if they still have any around. . .

IF you happen to find a dealership with really old 'new' stock, keep walking. They are not willing to sell their units at 25% off MSRP to get them sold, and will end up with some really old units that will not sell.. .. Sometimes the dealership needs to take a loss to get rid of the units before the year ends. . .

Fred.

[Ray___June]

We looked for two years and couldn't find the unit we wanted, so we ordered it from Winnebago.

Call Lichtsinn Motors, that's where we bought from. It's only two miles from the Winnebago factory, and they gave us the lowest quote we'd gotten the first time.

[smacdiesel]

I bought mine ordered from the factory, aside from the delivery driver, I was the one of the first inside of it. I too would probably buy used next though, but I'm happy with my rig.

[Big_Katuna]

I investigated custom ordering a Tiffin and the discount was not nearly as deep as buying off the lot. But if you are picky and want everything just as you want, custom order may be the way to go.
We have a dinette instead of a table and chairs and I still dont like it.