Trailer Life Directory Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: Price on used RV


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time_to_go_now

La Mirada, CA

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Joined: 03/10/2004

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Posted: 11/20/09 12:48am

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DanSc wrote:

I posted the prices on our rig when we purchased it back in 2007 here on this thread:thread

The quick summary (2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J bunkhouse model w/every option):
Dealer sticker (MSRP): $113,248 as equipped
Discount -$27,996 (24.7%) - what we negotiated off the MSRP
Taxes: $7,502 (Thank you Washington State, may I have another!)
License/registration/etc: $185.00
For a total of $92,939.18 out the door.

We put 10k miles on the unit between January - July of 2007 and then shipped it over to Europe, we then flew over and full-timed it for 12 months with our kids and had one heck of an adventure!

During our trip the economy went into the cr*pper here in the states (July 2007 - Aug 2008) so we decided to come home a bit early (we'd planned on 18-24 months, not just 12!) so we sold the RV (that now had 42k miles on it!) in Scotland for $70,000 USD August 2008.

Ignoring taxes (again, thank you Washington State, may I have another?) we took a total hit of $15,437 in depreciation/use in just 18 months of ownership - well worth the cost in our eyes to have a new reliable rig for our extravagant trip!

The current NADA price on the rig? $58,358 (low) or $70,307 (high)

The real funny part? Go check RV trader or eBay or any other place - there are folks still trying to sell the *same exact rig* USED for more than we paid for it new back in 2007… those are the ones who didn’t figure out the real market value and way overpaid for their rig and are now trying to recoup some of that money… do you think anyone is going to give it to them? ?

Long story short, you get what you pay for, you MUST figure out what the real value of your rig is otherwise you are going to wind up underwater and hating life.

Now that we’ve been back home for a year and off the road we are considering purchasing another RV

That is exactly the point...if you come in with a large down payment and negotiate a good price, you can usually get out of your rig and break even. However, if you paid too much or did not put any money down, then you will have to use the money you should have put down on the rig to get out of the rig. You can pay up front (a down payment) or you can pay later (to get out of the deal), but rarely can you ignore both. One way or the other, you will usually have to pay at some point.

These sellers that did not negotiate a good deal and put little to no money down that now hope to sell for pay off are crazy. They are stuck and nobody is going to bail them out.

Jim and Deanna

Tiffin Allegro 35QBA
2007 Carson Trailer 22' Titan TH
Trailer Toad
Me, Wife, Boy/12, Boy/9, Girl/7
1985 Toyota 4Runner
FIVE quads, THREE kids, TWO motorcycles, ONE wife, ONE dog, ONE cat!

Boomer719

Southern California

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Joined: 05/20/2008

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Posted: 11/20/09 11:00am

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Hedgehog wrote:

I've been having problems shopping for used DP's. I'm looking to stay between 2005 anf 2007 DP's either by Tiffin, Newmar or Winnebago. Most dealer stock around my area is all consignments. They are holding out for top dollar on these consignments because they are not costing them anything. Then, they don't want to give me even wholesale trade in value for my truck and fifthwheel. I am looking in the $80,000 to $140,000 price range before trades and I've been chumped off by nearly every dealer. They say they can't get enough inventory. I'm am getting to the point of giving up on class A shopping and sticking with my fifthwheel even though my wife and I really want a motorhome. I just can't see giving away our mint condition truck and fifthwheel towards average and beyond retail price on motorhomes.

Here is the dilemma.

Most shoppers are interested in purchasing clean, low mileage units that have a usable floor plan and pleasing colors. Where do these units come from? If they came from conscientious owners that took care of them while in their possession, you can be assured that these individuals did not settle for "low book" or less when selling or trading as exampled by the statement above. My trade is mint, therefore I won't give it away. Some dealers will pay up to get a nice trade, but they also can't be expected to sell their mint coach, that they may have paid a little more to get, for a lower than average retail.

The market has changed and the number or quality units is shrinking. The manufacturers that have failed and or severely reduced production have slowed down the used coach market by not producing new units for people to upgrade into, therefore everyone starting looking for the late model used coach instead. Now there is a deficit of these units and the nicer ones will bring more than book because they are absolutely harder to come by as people are unwilling to "give them away".

You can still buy coaches now for much less than a few years ago, but the days of the huge discounts and inflated trade values are going the way of the dinosaurs. Most of the dealers and manufacturers that exist in today's market have made it by being smart and making the right decisions based on what is good for their business and continued success.....not desperation to have a few extra dollars in the checkbook like everyone is hoping.

tommy wilson

southern ca, usa

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Posted: 11/20/09 04:31pm

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below low nada looks like the quick sale price.

tommy wilson
1996 kountrystar dp
spartan mountainmaster chassis

melvonnar

clearwater florida

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Posted: 11/20/09 05:05pm

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If your a picky buyer; be prepaired to pay a premumn price.

Boomer719

Southern California

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Posted: 11/20/09 07:04pm

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tommy wilson wrote:

below low nada looks like the quick sale price.

Here is an excerpt from NADA's website regarding their pricing:

"Value Explanations

Prices shown are retail consumer values and to be considered as selling prices. Trade-in values are to be determined by local dealers and are generally lower than values shown.

Suggested List — The value listed reflects the approximate price of the unit when it is brand new. The prices listed are furnished by the manufacturer and are assumed to be correct. The list price does not include freight charges.

Low Retail Value — A low retail unit may have extensive wear and tear. Body parts may have dents and blemishes. The buyer can expect to invest in cosmetic and/or mechanical work. This vehicle should be in safe running order. Low retail vehicles usually are not found on dealer lots. Low retail is not a trade-in value.

Average Retail Value — An average retail vehicle should be clean and without glaring defects. Tires and glass should be in good condition. The paint should match and have a good finish. The interior should have wear in relation to the age of the vehicle. Carpet and seat upholstery should be clean, and all power options should work. The mileage should be within the acceptable range for the model year.

An Average Retail vehicle on a dealer lot may include a limited warranty or guarantee, and possibly a current safety and/or emission inspection (where applicable)."

Please note the difference between the condition of a low retail coach and an average retail coach. Why would anyone expect to buy an exceptional coach at a low retail book figure? Sure there are instances where it happens and there is no harm in looking for this type of deal, but to expect it to be the norm instead of the rare exception doesn't make any sense.

It also states that the average retail is what units are actually selling for, not the asking price, but the average of what these coaches are bringing on the open market. Some will be higher and some lower, hence average, but the asking prices are sure to be higher than the average retail on a nice coach.

Finally, most options on later model coaches are included in the base price and should not be added in again. Each model has a disclaimer that shows what is included in the base price and only those items that are not listed can be added.

Trade values are typically lower than either of these values....as stated.

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