Is buying a new motorhome crazy?

[TheJazzMan]

We just sold our Shannon 43' sailboat and have decided to travel by land for a few years. I've spent the past month researching motorhomes and have looked at a few locally. I have narrowed my choices down to an Essex or maybe a MA. I fell in love with an '08 Essex 4508 at a local dealer, but could not pull the trigger on the deal. After doing the math on an '08 and an '09, it doesn't take a genius to realize a leftover model is a poor choice. I found that I can get a 28% - 30% discount on an '09 and the deal doesn't get any better for the leftover '08. The dealer's profit margin must be 30% and to make the '08 a good deal, he would need to drop it another 10% to account for depreciation sitting on the lot. No surprise that no dealer has been agreeable to losing 10% on a deal. If I overlook the '08's on dealer lots (and there are a lot of them), then my choices are to buy an '09 (off lot or order) or buy used. I gather from several signatures that many of you bought new, going against what most people keep telling me. My wife would prefer a new MH, so I don't have to sell the idea to her. I've been looking for used, but can't find what I want. How did you decide?

Maybe I'll start aother thread about the Essex vs MA choice...

Thanks! This is a great forum. I just discovered it today after a month on other general RV forums.

[TheJazzMan]

We just sold our Shannon 43' sailboat and have decided to travel by land for a few years. I've spent the past month researching motorhomes and have looked at a few locally. I have narrowed my choices down to an Essex or maybe a MA. I fell in love with an '08 Essex 4508 at a local dealer, but could not pull the trigger on the deal. After doing the math on an '08 and an '09, it doesn't take a genius to realize a leftover model is a poor choice. I found that I can get a 28% - 30% discount on an '09 and the deal doesn't get any better for the leftover '08. The dealer's profit margin must be 30% and to make the '08 a good deal, he would need to drop it another 10% to account for depreciation sitting on the lot. No surprise that no dealer has been agreeable to losing 10% on a deal. If I overlook the '08's on dealer lots (and there are a lot of them), then my choices are to buy an '09 (off lot or order) or buy used. I gather from several signatures that many of you bought new, going against what most people keep telling me. My wife would prefer a new MH, so I don't have to sell the idea to her. I've been looking for used, but can't find what I want. How did you decide?

Maybe I'll start aother thread about the Essex vs MA choice...

Thanks! This is a great forum. I just discovered it today after a month on other general RV forums.

[Route 66]

Randy, welcome to iRV2.

It would be best to keep your topic in one thread.

I ordered my rig new so that I could have it built exactly as I wanted it.

Buying a motorhome is not crazy. If you can afford it and want it, then go for it.

As far as Essex vs Mountain Aire, that's a matter of personal preference. Both are excellent.

[hondo122]

You will get many responses on each side. I would list the pros and cons of each and see what is the most important to "YOU". Pro for the new is that it's exactly what you want , no compromises on finishes, options. Cons, depreciation, first year blues when working out the bugs. If your wife wants new thats a big thing, cause if momma aint happy nobodies happy.

[TheJazzMan]

OK, maybe crazy was not the appropriate term. I guess what I was hoping to get was information such as:

- A new one has a better warranty
- The '09's have a new feature X that the older ones don't
- If you keep it X years, a new one will cost about the same as used

And just to kepp it all in the same thread, has anyone compared an Essex to a MA to see what the extra $60k buys? I have not seen a MA in person - only in the brochure - and it looks like a great MH.

Thanks!

[afrank1971]

First, yes it's crazy to buy a motorhome, that's what makes this forum so entertaining, we're all certified nuts! But all kidding aside, used will certainly save you a lot of money, but you will have to settle for what you get. I have always personally chosen to order and buy exactly what I want. Of course, as can be seen in my signature, this has probably worked to my disadvantage as I have changed RV's WAY too often. But on a used RV, there will always be something that you're settling for. Generally, on a new one, you can get what you want and have it built just for you. As to Essex vs. MA, they're both currently out of my league, so I'll leave that to you. Good luck, and welcome to the forum!
Alan

[Spikester]

First, welcome to the forum, you will find a lot of info on the Essex and MA line on this forums, both are excellent coaches. To answer your question, NO, IMO a pretty smart investment and a nice tax advantage.

I have always felt that when you are spending as much $$ as you do for an expensive Motorhome, you should get exactly what you want and not have to make any concessions. Therefore I am an advocate for buying/ordering new.

One thing about an year old model that is on the lot is that even though all the warranties do not start until date of purchase its value has depreciated just sitting on the lot. Also all the stuff, (mechanical, electrical, and electronic) that is installed is 1 year old and been sitting out in the local weather, being visited by one only knows. An RV is like a boat, the worst thing you can do is just let it sit and not take care of it.

Buying used is the usual crap-shoot, unless you have all the documents for service and repairs you will never be sure of what you have, some are okay with that some are not, it a personal choice. More people buy new than used!

In today's financial climate Newmar is a good solid company that will probably out survive most of the other manufactures, not publicly owned, has very little debt, if any, and a company with a great business plan.

Shop well, chose well and buy smart because it is a large investment.

Spike

[GaryKD]

Hi Randy,
Welcome to iRV2. I've always purchased new, so you know what my view is on new vs. used. With regard to the specific coach, it is the floorplan and gizmos that come with the coach that will make or break your love/hate relationship with the coach. Forget the rest.

It does not surprise me that a dealer is not willing to take less for an 08 sitting on the lot. Right now, dealer floor plan financing is horrible. An example is a dealer has X millions of floor plan. When he sells a coach the bank holding his floorplan reduces his plan! The dealer can not order another coach. This is the environment we are in.

Because you are considering an Essex, consider the following plan:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Work directly with Newmar to spec out the floorplan and options. Based on the production schedule you may be working on a 2010 model.
<LI>An item that should be in your requirements is to personally take delivery of the coach at the factory. (factory PDI).
<LI>Bid the speced coach to as many dealers as you like, via the internet.
<LI>Work the dealers against each other and you will get the best price.[/list]I suggest this because:
1. the coach will never hit the dealers's lot.
2. The coach will never hit the dealers floorplan.
3. The dealer has no carrying costs.
4. The two year warranty will, most likely, be needed when you are not near your home base. Many owners return to the factory once or twice a year for warranty work.
5. The winning dealer will make a minimum profit for doing a minimum amount of work.

30% off a valid Newmar MSRP is a starting point for you to begin negotiations. I've been with folks that have gotten considerably more off the Newmar MSRP.

With:
1. you purchasing an Essex
2. Newmar in the deal from the beginning
3. the dealers being worked via the Internet
4. Newmar knowing the dealer who looks like the winner. Ask Newmar to ensure the dealer has included all incentives (these are not public knowledge).

Whatever price you pay will be the best price available.

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.

[TheJazzMan]

Thanks, Gary. I like this approach. My only question is about working directly with someone at Newmar to spec out the MH. Any idea who I would contact at Newmar? Do you know someone who has taken this approach working with Newmar first?

I have seen the option sheet for several units in the past few days and I have seen custom paint, custom tile and other changes that aren't official options, so I agree that working with someone from Newmar would indeed be helpful.

[Route 66]

Contact Newmar sales.

I worked with a factory rep, and went to the factory to finalize my options and specials.

The reps can tell you about various specials that have been done in the past.

Don't be afraid to ask for anything. Newmar may do it.

[Route 66]

Please see THIS THREAD for more discussion.