"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.

[jplante4]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

Rancher Will wrote:
Measured in Dollars, I have never suffered any depreciation on the older RV when I sold it to the dealer when replacing it with a new one. Naturally, if I had traded within a year or two I am sure that there would have been some depreciation.

I have this ominous feeling that I should not ask but...........
You're gonna have to explain that one to me.

The only way I see that happening is:
IF you are in an area where the supply of used RVs is tight AND IF the dealer is giving you your "discount" off of the MSRP of your new unit in the form of a higher trade-in price of your old one.

In the first instance, your depreciation really has been less.
In the second, it's just slight of hand.

Yeah, my BS alarm went off on this one too.

[Vulcan_Rider]

Rancher Will wrote:
Measured in Dollars, I have never suffered any depreciation on the older RV when I sold it to the dealer when replacing it with a new one. Naturally, if I had traded within a year or two I am sure that there would have been some depreciation.

I have this ominous feeling that I should not ask but...........
You're gonna have to explain that one to me.

The only way I see that happening is:
IF you are in an area where the supply of used RVs is tight AND IF the dealer is giving you your "discount" off of the MSRP of your new unit in the form of a higher trade-in price of your old one.

In the first instance, your depreciation really has been less.
In the second, it's just slight of hand.

[Carlos___Ranae]

There is a very special feeing of owing new. I understand all arguements for purchasing used. money not being and issue, I will rather buy new.

[NYCgrrl]

toedtoes wrote:

It depends on the person, their circumstances, etc. For me, I did exactly that and it has been great for me. I'm still far less in money-wise than if I had bought new or almost new. My clipper is in far better shape than most of the 10-20 year old rigs. And I don't have payments for 5+ years. It all works for me. I plan to keep my clipper forever...so depreciation doesn't matter to me..

See. What makes sense to one person doesn't to another. What works for one situation doesn't for another. There is no best way.

toedtoes wrote:


Bingo!

I will buy new because it meets my needs and I can get it customized at the factory. I refuse to look down, up or around anyone who buys used.
I will however continue to laugh at people who overthink "laundry room ethics":W

[TheBreu]

We bought our first camper used in April. We had set out on what we wanted, bunk house with slide and sub 5k. Found a very clean one a few hours away. The trailer had very few road miles on it, probably less than 5,000. It still had original tires on it from 2000 as he camped a few times a year 6 mile from his house. We bought it knowing we would re-do the flooring/interior (we like doing those types of thing) since the era we were buying in had hideous colors across the board. I'm extremely happy with the purchase knowing we owe nothing and it was probably at the bottom of the spectrum for depreciation. Will I buy new someday, who knows? All I know is, is that I love it and can't use it enough. It's already paid for itself for the amount of times we've use it this year. I HATE putting it away after a trip and will really be sad the day I have to winterize 😞

[Rancher_Will]

Nearly everyone has an opinion on this subject. I do too.

Since 1960 I have purchased five RVs, all new. I have never had any problem during the warranty period that was not taken care of by the dealer at no cost to me. In fact I have never had any really serious problem at all with any of the five.

Although I have never purchased a used RV, I have sometimes talked with others who have "purchased other's problems" buying a use one.

Concerning the comments about depreciation: Since the 1970's we have used each of our RVs for a number of years before trading up to the newer model. Due to the fact that I always keep our RV in excellent condition, and due to the massive government policy inflation we have experienced over the past 40 years, I have always been able to receive close to, or even over, the original price that I paid when I trade in the used one. Measured in Dollars, I have never suffered any depreciation on the older RV when I sold it to the dealer when replacing it with a new one. Naturally, if I had traded within a year or two I am sure that there would have been some depreciation.

[toedtoes]

free radical wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
The best way to buy is to buy something 35 years or older and spend some money bringing it back to full operational mode. Every other way of buying is wrong.

LOL
Are you serious?
If I have the money why should I waste time fixing some old heap?
I only live once and time is more precious then money to me,besides I plan to keep whatever I have forever..so depreciation doesn't matter to me..

I'm serious in that I was being sarcastic as to what is the "best way". It depends on the person, their circumstances, etc. For me, I did exactly that and it has been great for me. I'm still far less in money-wise than if I had bought new or almost new. My clipper is in far better shape than most of the 10-20 year old rigs. And I don't have payments for 5+ years. It all works for me. I plan to keep my clipper forever...so depreciation doesn't matter to me..

See. What makes sense to one person doesn't to another. What works for one situation doesn't for another. There is no best way.

[free_radical]

philh wrote:
If you have a spare 9k (2k for repairs 🙂 ) then buy new.

Personally, I can clean and repair a lot for 11k

Depends on what you buy..

I bought a new 08 Silverado and so far had to fix only one airbag sensor,one handle and bunch of light bulbs,,cost about 500$ all..

Not counting tires and gas as that's normal wear items ..

[free_radical]

toedtoes wrote:
The best way to buy is to buy something 35 years or older and spend some money bringing it back to full operational mode. Every other way of buying is wrong.

LOL
Are you serious?
If I have the money why should I waste time fixing some old heap?
I only live once and time is more precious then money to me,besides I plan to keep whatever I have forever..so depreciation doesn't matter to me..

[philh]

If you have a spare 9k (2k for repairs 🙂 ) then buy new.

Personally, I can clean and repair a lot for 11k

[tomman58]

RBPerry wrote:
We are planning on purchasing our first RV, I really appreciated the thoughts posted here. I are leaning towards the Jayco 27dsrl. New it is 30k but I can get a 2015 used in like new condition for 19k from another dealer. With taxes and license that is over 11k difference.
The one thing that bothers me is the Jayco has a two year warranty, but it is not transferable, that doesn't make sense to me.
I do understand the preferring new, but I can do a lot of maintenance and repairs for eleven thousand dollars.
we haven't made a decision yet, still learning and doing our research.

Jayco is always our choice. If the dealer is cool they will still keep warranty in deal as they know their product and the limited amount of problems. I've had Jayco's way out of warranty but still fix the problem for free or reduced cost. Great trailer but then again I have a really good dealer also.

[FunnyCamper]

we buy new only.
it is what we want--period. we have our reasons as others buy what they want for their reasons.

Buy how you want to buy 🙂
that way it can never be wrong!! no matter what others might say!

[RBPerry]

We are planning on purchasing our first RV, I really appreciated the thoughts posted here. We are leaning towards the Jayco 27dsrl. New it is 30k but I can get a 2015 used in like new condition for 19k from another dealer. With taxes and license that is over 11k difference.
The one thing that bothers me is the Jayco has a two year warranty, but it is not transferable, that doesn't make sense to me.
I do understand the preferring new, but I can do a lot of maintenance and repairs for eleven thousand dollars.
we haven't made a decision yet, still learning and doing our research.

[WinMinnie02]

I bought mine new 13 years ago, Class C Winnebago. Still runs great and I do annual maintenance including changing oil, caulking, and use it. Used cost less because it it used, simple as that. Do not be too worry about depreciation unless you want to sell it, remember, its value is what you are willing to sell it for. Depreciation factor is a great way for the used market to entice buyers.

[toedtoes]

NYCgrrl wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
The best way to buy is to buy something 35 years or older and spend some money bringing it back to full operational mode. Every other way of buying is wrong.

Thank you for putting the whole thing in perspective.

:B

My pleasure! I figured this thread needed some perspective.