"Don't Buy New"

[Jayla]

I notice a lot of you say not to buy a brand new rv unit. I'm "assuming" this is because it takes a while to shake all the right-out-of-the-factory bugs out of it and locate all the problems associated with the newness. Today, however, I went on my first real shopping expedition for a fifth-wheeler and most of the warranties on brand new units are only for the first year. Wouldn't that be the wise time to buy - when stuff is still under warranty and you don't have to pay out of pocket for repairs? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Veebyes]

Much prefer an almost new, hopefully lightly used unit. Less than a couple years is best. Biggest depreciation hit. Bugs worked out of it. Maybe a few nice extras added since new, like battery bank upograde, suspension upgrade, pinbox upgrade, things that really count.

Biggest turn off for an almost new is one that has had a dog or smoker in it. They can be big bargaining chips.

[Vulcan_Rider]

Terryallan wrote:
New is cheaper.

Is that new math ?? (Sorry)

Each situation is different but a LOT of people have no concept of what really is cheaper over the long haul and get sucked into the fallacy that a lower monthly payment is automatically "cheaper".......which it usually isn't.

You provided a good example story that could apply to a lot of buyers.

The other side of that coin is:
If you can buy a really good used RV for $40K cash (or near cash), that will be MUCH cheaper over the long term than buying the same unit new for $100K financed.

While I don't get upset with the "I always pay cash for everything" crowd, stating that in a discussion like this doesn't really accomplish anything useful. I'm pretty sure that EVERYBODY wishes they could do that.

[paulcardoza]

Buying new pros and cons........

Pros -
Full Warranty
Nobody else's dirt in the RV
Latest and greatest feature/options
You can custom order with the features YOU want.
No worries about previous maintenance and upkeep.

Cons -
Depreciation hit, the minute you take it off the lot.
Shakedown & build quality issues (warranty repairs) will LIKELY cause to to lose the unit for some period of time during the first season with it.
Sales and/or Property(excise) taxes based on new value.

[free_radical]

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Look at the trailers on a day that is raining! My buddy did this once, and found that about 1 in 6 had leaks! Many where locked up, I guess because the dealership already knew about the leaks? However this was back in the 80's and now most manufactures have a rain test, where each unit is put through a paint booth looking structure, with water sprinklers all around it, collecting and re-spraying the water on the top, sides and under the RV looking for leaks.

Yes they will work out all the water leaks when the unit is 1-4 years old, but on older units, look for water leaks and stains on the ceilings, indicating the current owner did not seal up the sidewall seams very well. . . .

Some owners go over the entire RV with Eternabond, a tape that is waterproof, and very stick, so they will not have to deal with seam leaks again.

Good luck finding something!

Fred.

One of the reasons I'd only buy units made of Fiberglas,even if it leaked it's easy to repair..

[tomman58]

I have always bought "new", don't care for used as it doesn't allow for my wants and needs.
I worked hard and saved to retire happy. I don't know how many more TT's I'll have but I really don't care, there are other things of much higher posts that need worrying about.
As long as you are happy who really needs to care?

[Terryallan]

jplante4 wrote:

This always gets a little heated,

I agree because the "I only buy new" types have this air of superiority. I'll admit it; after a life of working hard at a middle class job, I cannot afford to spend $300k for a new motor home, and don't appreciate being reminded of it every 3 months or so.

I'm glad you well-to-do folks can afford a new Tiffin every 2 years. Stop stuffing it up my ***.

Actually I think it is the "It's stupid to buy new" crowd that gets worked up. I don't care if you don't want a new RV. But don't tell me how dumb I am for buying one. Like you lose so much value, and you will never get your money back. I don't care.

My self. I can't afford used. I need a loan. And no I'm not upside down. But IF you really check. IF you are going to finance. It is so much cheaper to buy new. One the terms run a lot longer. But you don't have to wait that long tom pay it off. And 2. the interest rate is so much lower on a new one. I can get a lot more new TT than I can a used TT. Truth is. there isn't that much price difference between a new used TT, and a brand new TT. But there is a huge difference in the payments. New is cheaper.

[NewTTcamper]

Bought a new Lance Camper in 1996. Still have it. We just bought a new travel trailer. I don't care about depreciation. I'm retired, and plan to keep this RV as long as I can stay on the road. I might add that my hubby is a cancer survivor. That definitely changes a person's perspective. If you plan to keep your RV then buy new. If your going to turn around and buy five, four or whatever down the road, maybe then buy used. We are lucky to have only owned two. I suggest looking at Outdoors RV. Absolutely great quality.

[jplante4]

dbl post

[jplante4]

This always gets a little heated,

I agree because the "I only buy new" types have this air of superiority. I'll admit it; after a life of working hard at a middle class job, I cannot afford to spend $300k for a new motor home, and don't appreciate being reminded of it every 3 months or so.

I'm glad you well-to-do folks can afford a new Tiffin every 2 years. Stop stuffing it up my ***.

[DSDP_Don]

This always gets a little heated, but you should buy what you're comfortable with. When we were first starting out, we bought a couple of used slide in Lance campers and then one new one the way we wanted it. We kept it 8 years and lost very little from what we paid new.

Our next coach was a Class C that was new and we kept 14 years. After the kids quit camping with us, we wanted to buy something more comfortable for two people, but new we would want a DP in another 5 years for retirement. We bought a used Class A for that interim period.

Our last two coaches we bought new because that's what we wanted and could afford.

I look at it this way, if you like new, can afford new, buy it, but don't criticize those who buy use. Those who buy used have their reasons and they also shouldn't tell others how to buy.

[Mike_I]

Terryallan wrote:
I buy new. I like new stuff. I like the way new smells, I like that I am the only one to have slept in my bed. I like that we are the only ones to use the NEW bathroom. I like that IF any thing happens to it. that is mine too.

Buying used. you never know HOW it was treated, and abused.

Exactly and what difference does it make what others prefer

[AprilWhine]

I bought the bus in my signature very well used. I prefer new but hubby and I couldn't afford a professionally converted bus new.

[RavenNS]

My extended warranty is transferable

[bikendan]

Jayla wrote:
Today, however, I went on my first real shopping expedition for a fifth-wheeler and most of the warranties on brand new units are only for the first year. Wouldn't that be the wise time to buy - when stuff is still under warranty and you don't have to pay out of pocket for repairs? Thanks for your thoughts.

if you look at those new warranties fine print, they are only valid for original owner and not transferable.
so, if you bought it used while it still was under the warranty, you still wouldn't be able to use it.

only a couple of RV manufacturers still have a transferable warranty.
Jayco used to but dropped it about 8 years ago.

[tibbitts]

On the one hand, most RVs do depreciate rapidly; on the other hand, there's a reason for that. So I don't think it's guaranteed that you're getting a free lunch with a "slightly used" RV, unless - just as with cars/trucks - you find an exceptional unit for an exceptional price. And there's some combination of luck and skill involved in doing that.