New vs used? how much do you lose on depreciation?

[Ozeek]

Hi folks--my husband and I are looking to purchase our first motorhome--we are looking at Class C--probably a Forester (either Forester or Sunseeker). My primary question is how much do you lose with depreciation the minute you drive a new one off the lot? Is it similar to a new car vs used car or more?

[funfinder5]

Its more than with cars. A lot more. We bought our 2011 3170DS in 2011, (8 months used) with only 6,000 miles for $55,000. Buy used if you are unsure about this lifestyle there are some good deals to be had from those that this didn't work out for.

[Night Stone]

Depreciation on a new rv/trailer would be automatic 25% once you signed the papers without driving off the lot. Used rv/trailers don't have much for depreciation unless you have overpaid for it.

[conceptumator]

We bought our first RV (Class A gasser) for about half the new price when it was 4 years old and had 14,000 miles on it. Kept it for five plus years, figured out what we liked and didn't like, then bought a new diesel pusher with everything we wanted. If we had bought new for our first one, we wouldn't gave been able to trade up nearly so easy. Used may not be exactly what you want but it's the best way to figure out what you need versus want in an RV.


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2015 Legacy SR340 360RB with 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Toad
Gigi, Poppy and Sadie the Jack Russell (all 14 lbs of her)

[waiter21]

Look at a lot of them, Learn as much as you can about them and particularly the systems. Try not to become emotionally involved with the potential purchase, if you do, odds are you'll pay to much.

The more you know, the more money you'll save and the better your purchase will fit your needs.

[edcronin01]

We bought a new current model Sunseeker at 35% off MSRP so figure your depreciation on actual price you paid not MSRP. Also when you insure it look for a policy that has full replacement with a new unit if it is totaled. Good luck

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by waiter21

Look at a lot of them, Learn as much as you can about them and particularly the systems. Try not to become emotionally involved with the potential purchase, if you do, odds are you'll pay to much.

The more you know, the more money you'll save and the better your purchase will fit your needs.

And ask a lot of questions. I bought a class C a couple of years ago but did not really like it. I blew a tire and totaled it but lucked out. No one got hurt and had full coverage on it. Actually got more than I paid for it!

Then switched over to a fifth wheel and like it much better!

Jim

[Admiral_Roo2]

Bought a 2014 TT brand new (something I would never do with a car) didn't get much of a discount off of MSRP because it was bought in late '13 plus stuck around $3k-$4k negative equity on top of that from the previous TT that we traded. If it has depreciated 25% on top of my equity deficit then I may can forget about cleanly trading up later and just start making plans to be buried in it!

[MilCop4523]

we purchased our TT in Sept 2011 for just about 16,000$ US and the Canadian Dollar was 1.05$
The same trailer was 34,000 taxes included in Canada

We sold it privately this July for $21,800. one Dealer offered us $14,500 on a trade in on a 2014 new leftover unit which was listed for 47,000... the same unit but in a 2015 was $27,000 US


One of the rare times we came out ahead.

purchased a used Bunkhouse which sold for almost 55, here for a lot less

once they hit a certain age they seem to level off and hold their own.

[trdutch]

I bought a used C (10 years old,priced right) to see if it was for us.
Did some home work on the internet and found a depreciation schedule.
Wow 30% in first year!!!
We waited for the model year to change and not only got the "leftover" discounted but got my money back on the used unit cause at 11 years old the depreciation of that unit is somewhat stabilized
I put enough money down so we will never be upside down on the resale value
I periodically check what units like mine are selling for and have seen positive numbers
Please don't pay sticker unless money is no object.When they say it's a $92000 unit what you need to be paying is $69-$74.
In other words that first year depreciation is typically a shared pain by you and the dealer.At least it should be if you are dealing with a reputable operation

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by trdutch

I Did some home work on the internet and found a depreciation schedule.
Wow 30% in first year!!!

can you post the internet page where you found this?
we have dealers here that with 2014 leftovers have them marked down 5 thoushand on the 56 MSRP trying to get rid of them.

Thanks

[trdutch]

www.rversonline.org/ArtNewUsedRV.html

[MMattox]

There is a HUGE mark up on new rigs......there is also the other side of this which is a 2 year old rig has had all the bugs worked out and misc items corrected under warranty which can be a big headache.......

[trdutch]

^^^^^^^^^*
That's a fact!
Now if I could find my clone that buys new and sells to me used I would be in clover
Every "New" Newly purchased vehicle I own
(Right now 4) with the exception of my Wife's Jeep has been a huge problem for the first year
Now,knock wood,with all the growing pains worked out and my attention to detail I would be privileged to buy a used vehicle from Me, HaHa!

[MainelyUS]

Buying used has its advantages.
We bought a 9th month old 2015 TT for a very reasonable price. The original owners were moving out of the snow belt and moving to a condo in the south. What we gained was a fully equipped TT from WD hitch, kitchen appliances, numerous elec/pluming mods, tools, all elec & plumbing supplies, a test ride w/ our TV, to warranty work completed...well you get the picture. The only thing we needed was fuel in the TV. Would I buy new again??? Not if I found a TT and seller like we had with this experience.
Ozeek....Good luck with your decision

Happy Trails

[F and E Damp]

Even if you buy used, you still face depreciation. We bought a 2002 Georgetown 325 from its original owners in 2010. It has 11,800 miles on the odometer and 50 hours on the generator. We paid $37,000, about $3500 less than blue book. Four years and 6000 miles later, we sold it and the best we could get after having it on the market for 8 months was $21,000.

Four years, $2600 in repair costs and depreciation of $16000 made for an expensive ownership.

[trdutch]

Unfortunately this ain't real estate.
You buy it and use it up.
We went back and forth on an RV or a cabin in the mountains/condo by the beach
The price we pay for freedom to move about the country.
The article I posted just points out how to minimize the amount of money you are ultimately going to spend to own this freedom