Why not to buy used.

[Terryallan]

I know there are MANY on her who say. NEVER buy new, always buy used RVs. Myself. I always buy new, and here is an example why.

This week we were camping beside a man who had just bought a used 2015 TT. Over the course of the trip. He found out the toilet had been frozen, and had to be repaired. Then the water heater would not work, and the fresh tank was missing the plug. the list goes on.
Best thing about his trip is that he lived close by. So he didn't have to stay in a unusable TT. As soon as he fixed one thing. He found another. Didn't get to stay even one night at the CG.

That boys and girls. Is why I always suggest you buy new.

[rhagfo]

Terryallan wrote:
After reading this, and see how horrible, and stupid it is to buy new. I have to ask. Why do so many of you have to go thru life taking other peoples hand me downs, or fixing other people's trouble. Do you buy new cars??? New trucks?? Do you buy your clothes at the used clothes store? they depreciate as well you know.

I will tell you this. The smell of a new car the first time you set in it... PRICELESS, The smell of a new RV ... PRICELESS. Knowing that no one has ever slept in your bed... PRICELESS. Knowing that if any thing does happen. YOU did it, and NOT the previous owner. And in truth. And I know that many of you have chosen bad dealers. So far I haven't. But apparently many of you have. But the truth is. Knowing that everything will work when you get to the CG, Knowing that it won't leak. is ALSO priceless. and knowing that IF something does go wrong. Like loose threads, or cushions that won't stay put. Your dealer will fix it no questions ask.

The RV industry is not the same as the automobile industry!!!
Plenty of stories of new units with leaks and appliances that don’t work correctly. Then there is the warranty issues, like only selling dealer and long waits.
We bought used, used some small issues to reduce price even more, most were low cost repairs.
We maintain and repair as needed, had some leakage during a heavy wind and rain, carefully resealed areas that showed issues, just spent seven months on the Oregon Coast with no leaks, including the last three about 50’ from the beach no leaks.

[Bumpyroad]

NCWriter wrote:


The sad thing is when people finance a shiny new RV, have a vision of the family using it a lot, end up not using it much because they are still working and the kids have other priorities, spend money to store-insure-maintain, and end up selling it, stuck with a loan balance to pay off.
.

that is true, new or used, financed or paid in cash. a RV is not a good investment.
bumpy

[NCWriter]

We bought our first retirement RV motorhome in the depths of the Great Recession. Would we have used $100,000+ of our retirement savings for a toy during uncertain times? Get saddled with payments for a depreciating asset while our retirement accounts went south? Heck, no.

We paid half the price in cash for the 4 year old used version. Boy, did we have a fabulous five years seeing the US and Canada for several months a year. Got back 80% of what we paid for it later, too.

I don’t think the new version of that RV would have added anything to our enjoyment. But anybody who thinks the pleasure of a new one is worth it should definitely buy new. It’s all about getting out there, using the RV, and having a great time with no money worries. Plenty of people can do that, whether buying new or used.

The sad thing is when people finance a shiny new RV, have a vision of the family using it a lot, end up not using it much because they are still working and the kids have other priorities, spend money to store-insure-maintain, and end up selling it, stuck with a loan balance to pay off.

When we bought a slightly larger RV (needed more space inside for a big dog), we bought used again and love it. Dealer has been great. Fixed all the little things and some pricey ones before turning it over to us. Still making long road trips every year.

[Terryallan]

After reading this, and see how horrible, and stupid it is to buy new. I have to ask. Why do so many of you have to go thru life taking other peoples hand me downs, or fixing other people's trouble. Do you buy new cars??? New trucks?? Do you buy your clothes at the used clothes store? they depreciate as well you know.

I will tell you this. The smell of a new car the first time you set in it... PRICELESS, The smell of a new RV ... PRICELESS. Knowing that no one has ever slept in your bed... PRICELESS. Knowing that if any thing does happen. YOU did it, and NOT the previous owner. And in truth. And I know that many of you have chosen bad dealers. So far I haven't. But apparently many of you have. But the truth is. Knowing that everything will work when you get to the CG, Knowing that it won't leak. is ALSO priceless. and knowing that IF something does go wrong. Like loose threads, or cushions that won't stay put. Your dealer will fix it no questions ask.

[Terryallan]

DallasSteve wrote:
As a former CPA I must comment that depreciation is a cost of owning an RV even if you choose to ignore it to make yourself feel better. If you spend $100,000 on a motorhome and you keep it 50 years until you die you still lost the use of that $100,000 for other purposes. If you don't care about that extra $100,000, that's fine, but depreciation is still a real cost to anyone wanting to get into RVs.

Actually that makes no sense. ANYTHING you buy ties that money up so you can't use it for anything else. Sad that you have to put money before anything. And a question. Who did you buy your RV for? You? or the next guy. I bought mine for me.

[Lexx]

DallasSteve wrote:
As a former CPA I must comment that depreciation is a cost of owning an RV even if you choose to ignore it to make yourself feel better. If you spend $100,000 on a motorhome and you keep it 50 years until you die you still lost the use of that $100,000 for other purposes. If you don't care about that extra $100,000, that's fine, but depreciation is still a real cost to anyone wanting to get into RVs.

Have you ever considered the opportunity cost of not living your life to the fullest? You only live once and you can't take it with you.

[valhalla360]

Aridon wrote:
That said, there is a huge difference in what an RV looks like new today vs even a few years ago. Floor plans, larger slides, straight roof lines all contribute to a massive increase in how things feel on the interior.

So while there may not be a financial reason to buy a new unit, many people do because that is what they want.

Don't like to yourself though, your new unit will likely need just as much work as the older one.

I agree with your last statement but really haven't seen much difference comparing units over the last 10yrs.

Really not even that much difference with the 20yr old unit we sold last year.

[valhalla360]

gemsworld wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That is due to lack of fully inspecting PRIOR to purchasing....NEW or USED

True. However, if new the repairs get done for free under warranty. Used, you're on your own.

Good friends bought a $80k 5er last year. They had it in for warranty work easily 3months of the summer.

How much is not having it available for use worth to you?

We bought for $15k (just slightly smaller). There were a couple minor items I was aware of because we went over the unit (A couple light fixtures has loose connections), plugged it in and tried everything. Of course, since we don't have to worry about when will the warranty run out, we fixed them when we got around to it.

[westend]

sneakygroundbuzzard wrote:
the wife and i just bought our first TT
we bought new
we did that for a few reasons
because we wanted a new one and not a used one was the biggest factor

yes we know it depreciated as soon as we took delivery of it

we didnt want a used one. didnt like the idea of sleeping on a bed that some else has done who knows what in it.
also didnt want to worry about who knows if the seller was telling the truth about how everything was in it.

i know warranty work may take some time to get done,but we arent full timing with it,and our use will have periods of weeks and even months in between.so if it has to sit at the dealer for a few weeks at a time when something needs fixing,no big deal to us.

we also always buy new vehicles.
not because we have lots of money(which we dont).but because we like the new technology that vehicles have.just like the newer TT's vs the older ones.

we also keep our vehicles for many years at a time(our car which was bought new is now 9 years old).we plan on keeping this TT until we retire(about 15 years from now).then we may buy something that will fit our life style at that time.

when we did our walk through i checked everything. opened every window,blind,curtain,door.operated every light,fan,furnace,a/c,radio,t.v.,microwave,stove,oven.i even got up on the roof and checked every seam,seal etc. i mean i checked every thing.
any thing i didnt like i told the salesman about,and they made it right.
i also made sure they knew i was an auto tech for 25 years before i started driving semi. so they knew not to try and BS me about anything.

we bought what we liked,after all its our money and we will do what we like with it.

its up to each individual to spend their money as they see fit.

No arguments from me although that's not the way I approached ownership. Different strokes...
Tip: Since you can turn a wrench, pop those hubs off and check the bearings and brakes. Some Mfg's have a difficult time making sure the running gear is lubricated and adjusted correctly. That might save you some grief on the road.

[DallasSteve]

As a former CPA I must comment that depreciation is a cost of owning an RV even if you choose to ignore it to make yourself feel better. If you spend $100,000 on a motorhome and you keep it 50 years until you die you still lost the use of that $100,000 for other purposes. If you don't care about that extra $100,000, that's fine, but depreciation is still a real cost to anyone wanting to get into RVs.

[2oldman]

sneakygroundbuzzard wrote:
we bought what we liked,after all its our money and we will do what we like with it.

x2, absolutely. You worked for it, now it's going to work for you. Heck, if nobody bought new there'd be no economy!

[sneakygroundbuz]

the wife and i just bought our first TT
we bought new
we did that for a few reasons
because we wanted a new one and not a used one was the biggest factor

yes we know it depreciated as soon as we took delivery of it

we didnt want a used one. didnt like the idea of sleeping on a bed that some else has done who knows what in it.
also didnt want to worry about who knows if the seller was telling the truth about how everything was in it.

i know warranty work may take some time to get done,but we arent full timing with it,and our use will have periods of weeks and even months in between.so if it has to sit at the dealer for a few weeks at a time when something needs fixing,no big deal to us.

we also always buy new vehicles.
not because we have lots of money(which we dont).but because we like the new technology that vehicles have.just like the newer TT's vs the older ones.

we also keep our vehicles for many years at a time(our car which was bought new is now 9 years old).we plan on keeping this TT until we retire(about 15 years from now).then we may buy something that will fit our life style at that time.

when we did our walk through i checked everything. opened every window,blind,curtain,door.operated every light,fan,furnace,a/c,radio,t.v.,microwave,stove,oven.i even got up on the roof and checked every seam,seal etc. i mean i checked every thing.
any thing i didnt like i told the salesman about,and they made it right.
i also made sure they knew i was an auto tech for 25 years before i started driving semi. so they knew not to try and BS me about anything.

we bought what we liked,after all its our money and we will do what we like with it.

its up to each individual to spend their money as they see fit.

[Gdetrailer]

MDKMDK wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Lantley wrote:

Aridon wrote:
There is no legitimate financial reason to buy new. You are wasting money on something that will depreciate almost the second you drive it off the lot.

That said, there is a huge difference in what an RV looks like new today vs even a few years ago. Floor plans, larger slides, straight roof lines all contribute to a massive increase in how things feel on the interior.

So while there may not be a financial reason to buy a new unit, many people do because that is what they want.

Don't like to yourself though, your new unit will likely need just as much work as the older one.

What makes it not legitimate. I'm not interested/concerned with resale value because I'm not buying it to sell it. Depreciation does not come into play until you sell. If you keep your rig long enough depreciation is not a factor.
Buying new is about buying exactly what you want without compromise.
You get the unit you want not the unit someone else chose. You also get full use of the unit vs. whatever remains after the original buyer is done with it.
I agree repairs are no guarantee either way although with new you are protected from major repairs.
Buying new is for those that are less concerned with saving and more concerned with getting the exact rig they want,in the exact condition they want, with the full life span of the RV available.

absolutely!

Times two and a half. 🙂

Actually, even if you do not intend to sell, depreciation DOES "affect" you.

Good intentions sometimes ends up biting you in the rear.

More often than not, newbees end up with buyers remorse when they discover the new RV they bought doesn't fit their life style, not their cup of tea or the worst one is the ones that decide to trade up to a bigger one (supersize mentality) and roll the dice.. This more often than not results in rolling an existing loan into a new loan costing them a lot of money. Nothing like paying for multiple trailers and in the end have a depreciating asset that has no value..

Emergencies happen, life happens and sometimes you have no choice but to sell..

Used and new have their places, buy used when you don't have much budget to work with, gives you a low cost chance to enter RVing without mortgaging your house.. A great way to try before committing to a new loan on a depreciating asset.

Buy new as long as you can afford to lose money..

Don't dis used because you are a new snob, some folks just don't have the luxury of boat loads of money to burn that you might have.

RVing is not just for the rich, it CAN be for anyone who can afford used but not new.

This isn't an exclusive snobby rich club.. Caddyshack anyone?

[free_radical]

MDKMDK wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Lantley wrote:

Aridon wrote:
There is no legitimate financial reason to buy new. You are wasting money on something that will depreciate almost the second you drive it off the lot.

That said, there is a huge difference in what an RV looks like new today vs even a few years ago. Floor plans, larger slides, straight roof lines all contribute to a massive increase in how things feel on the interior.

So while there may not be a financial reason to buy a new unit, many people do because that is what they want.

Don't like to yourself though, your new unit will likely need just as much work as the older one.

What makes it not legitimate. I'm not interested/concerned with resale value because I'm not buying it to sell it. Depreciation does not come into play until you sell. If you keep your rig long enough depreciation is not a factor.
Buying new is about buying exactly what you want without compromise.
You get the unit you want not the unit someone else chose. You also get full use of the unit vs. whatever remains after the original buyer is done with it.
I agree repairs are no guarantee either way although with new you are protected from major repairs.
Buying new is for those that are less concerned with saving and more concerned with getting the exact rig they want,in the exact condition they want, with the full life span of the RV available.

absolutely!

Times two and a half. 🙂

X3
I only live once and want to enjoy living,not fixing things,,done plenty of that in my younger days,,mind you vehicles were much cheaper in those days..
IF I couldnt afford it I wouldnt buy it..that simple

[ScottG]

I started out with used stuff so bad it had to be nearly rebuilt from the ground up. Then I bought a little better each time.
Now I'm old, better off and I can buy new.
Why not? I dont care about depreciation or any of the other incidental costs. It's worth it to me.
And repairing stuff up just isn't fun anymore.