Used Diesel Pusher Dealer Pricing

Mr. Eric,

It all depends on condition and maintenance records if the price is good or not. It might be priced just right or $20K too much.

If the coach has a strong cigarette/cigar smoke smell (or any bad smell), it would be NO-GO for me at any price.

But if all things are normal, good maintenance records, etc., etc., you can go in with $80K just to see what they say. If you also look around to see what others are asking for a very similar unit, that will give you a base to judge that unit.

Maybe check with your bank to get a loan value.

Good luck,
MM.

Go to PPL Motor Homes and they show what coaches have sold for, plus you can look at different floor plans to see what you like.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.php
Bill

Yes, PPL show there sale price, you can gauge it from there.

ep,
You have not provided sufficient information for me to offer an opinion that you can use. As noted earlier, actual condition and true maintenance records play a big factor. BUT...is it a low miles that has been a live-in full time rig or reasonable miles for normal travel. As noted - 'smells' are a problem and cannot usually be eliminated. In your price bracket, you can find low miles entry level units - but are they better than an older, well cared-for high end unit?? You simply cannot compare a Fleetwood to a Foretravel or Newell on an equal basis. Online I saw a fine 2001 Foretravel at less than 80K at a dealer in Texas - and if I had the $$, I would buy it in a heartbeat!!

You really need to get down to the things that are important to you - floor plan, etc. In reality, a well-cared for diesel will most likely be running strong after most of us are gone.

Do your research, find a coach you like and make an offer - you can always go up, but not lower!!

And if you would like to have an extensive checklist, I have a couple that may be of use in your search.

Not sure what the advantage of buying a used DP from a dealer is. If they offer any kind of warranty (unlikely) it would be limited. And they usually don't do anything to a used rig they take in trade until someone buys it. Then they only do what the buyer finds wrong or broken. Just go to Craigs List. Find a prospect and look it up in RVT and RVTrader to get an idea of prices that are too high.

jplante4 wrote:
Not sure what the advantage of buying a used DP from a dealer is. If they offer any kind of warranty (unlikely) it would be limited. And they usually don't do anything to a used rig they take in trade until someone buys it. Then they only do what the buyer finds wrong or broken. Just go to Craigs List. Find a prospect and look it up in RVT and RVTrader to get an idea of prices that are too high.

Exactly, and then you will have the money saved to put towards repairs/maintenance. Buying from a dealer does nothing to guarantee a better unit. I would have an inspection done by a neutral party just like buying a regular house whether or not it is from a dealer or private party.

Compare what the dealer is asking for it to the same models on Craig's list or RV Trader. There are several programs to search all of Craig's List for the whole US and Canada. Also, do a Google search - just type in the MH you want and add "for sale" at the end of it.

Don't expect any special service from the dealer, they're going to want to hide defect too. And don't be afraid to travel someplace to get a good deal. There was a recent forum post of lots of members who had traveled hundreds and thousands of miles to buy their MH. For my last two bought off of CL I traveled over 2,000 miles for both of them.

Bill

Buy from a dealer and pay sales tax and have no warranty or anybody who has actual knowledge of the RV's history. Plus you will pay more. Buy from a private party, no sales tax, in most states, owner should have all maintenance records and you can judge the previous owners attention to detail. Saving the sales tax, which on $90,000.00 in AZ is $7650.00, is reason enough for me to avoid dealers. The maintenance records would be an amazing plus.
RichH

The markup is whatever the traffic will bear. There is a Kelly Blue Book on motorhomes and NADA has a pricing guide as well.

Whatever you do, donot let the dealer(s) know how much you are willing to spend or have to spend.
It's their job to get all they can out of a unit and it is your job to get it as reasonably priced as possible. Good Luck.

As noted - 'smells' are a problem and cannot usually be eliminated.

A little off topic but this just is not true.lots of chemicals and electronic devices used these days to rectify such conditions