Community Forums

Family Man · 11-29-2011, 11:07 PM

Is the consensus still 20-30% below low retail?

Saw a custom 2001 40' that had triple bunks where the closet in bath was normally located and double dinettes in the living area which would have worked out very well for our family with five young children. Unfortunately, it sold before we could get our questions answered from the dealership.

The good news is we found this forum and the ACA and are getting educated fast.

Have seen that some are suggesting that actual value is is 20-30% below low retail.

We're thinking we could renovate any "standard" 2001 40' to a similar configuration and have begun looking. The low retail for the 2001 40' (350) is $50,590. Are these things really going for $40,472? Looks like dealerships are listing them at about $69,000.

Upside for us is this would be first coach (no trade) and we are in a position to offer cash.

Thoughts?

takepride · 11-30-2011, 01:29 PM

Are you looking at this one?

http://www.rvdeals.net/1275/default.htm

They've had it for a while. The season is not good for sales. Offer low.

If it is in perfect condition, I'd say it's worthwhile. If not, offer lower and use the savings to make improvements. Get a good inspection of the chassis and the house. A warranty paid by the seller would help the decision.

1ciderdog · 11-30-2011, 02:09 PM

Several years ago a friend who owned a used auto dealership told me NADA & Kelly are for the banks use. The banks don't know what really sells and what won't. If it were me and I found one that I thought I'd want I'd make an offer of 25% under the listed price after taking a look at NADA to get a feel for the bank value. The seller can say no or make counter offer.
Safe Travels
Bob

Family Man · 11-30-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takepride

Are you looking at this one?

That is one of the ones we've seen. Really, any of them with that floor plan would be a player for what we have in mind.

If that one comes into play, any recommendations on a service shop in Sacramento to get it checked out at?

takepride · 11-30-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Man

any recommendations on a service shop in Sacramento to get it checked out at?

Check with Engineer Mike on that. He knows as much or more about Alpines as anyone and knows good mechanics in that area. He also works on Alpines for various members here.

PM him.

Good luck and WELCOME in advance.

washbob · 11-30-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Man

That is one of the ones we've seen. Really, any of them with that floor plan would be a player for what we have in mind.

If that one comes into play, any recommendations on a service shop in Sacramento to get it checked out at?

Family Man - I have used Sacramento Truck Center in the past and I was very happy with their service. They have a dedicated area for Motorhome service, so you are not in the truck service area. A pretty comfortable lounge, parts shop and technicians who will answer your questions.

Algoma · 11-30-2011, 05:12 PM

Like anything else in life a product is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Use the NADA guide as a base and make a low offer. If the dealer/owner is serious they will negotiate. A uniquely modified vehicle as the one you saw may go for more than book if the demand is there. Modifying a vehicle can be very expensive unless you can do it yourself.

mythplaced · 12-03-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Man

Is the consensus still 20-30% below low retail?

.......The low retail for the 2001 40' (350) is $50,590. Are these things really going for $40,472? Looks like dealerships are listing them at about $69,000.

Upside for us is this would be first coach (no trade) and we are in a position to offer cash.

Thoughts?

Yes 35-40% below NADA low retail is a good price...

Here is a similar Alpine sale in the last couple weeks on ebay $27K for a 1998
**VERY NICE ALPINE COACH** 1998 LIKE NEW** **VERY NICE ALPINE COACH** 1998 LIKE NEW** | eBay
Its a buyers market out there, and with diesel going over $4 a gallon, it will just get cheaper to buy a DP

Here are some other examples under $40K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...#ht_500wt_1183

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...#ht_500wt_1183

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-NEWMAR-DUTCHSTAR-DSPD-3865-SLIDEOUT-DIESEL-PUSHER-38-foot-300HP-CAT-TURBO-/140640361019?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item20bed19a3b#ht _500wt_1183

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/No-Re...item1e6881955c

docj · 12-03-2011, 10:09 AM

When we were looking we found the PPL list of "recently sold" RVs to be helpful. Even though we obviously couldn't judge the relative condition of the units, we were able to compare the actual selling price with the listed NADA prices (assuming the sales were relatively recent). Used Class A Motor Homes Sold - PPL Motor Homes

IMHO a lot of people don't realize that accessories and options are not to be added to the NADA price unless the item was truly an extra cost option. For coaches as old as you (or we) were considering virtually no optional equipment will cause a significant increase in listed price.

However, notwithstanding that fact, NADA does publish a disclaimer that units with very low mileage and in very good condition may sell for far more than the listed price. It really boils down to how you value the MH. In today's world you're unlikely to ever be able to get much of your purchase price back if you sold it, so decide which one is right for you and buy it. That's what we did. Good luck.

Renipladlo · 12-03-2011, 02:44 PM

Ok FWIW & MTC: First if i was looking for a used MH, I would also check out Monacos, Holiday Ramblers, and used Foretravels. We have looked at several coaches in those brands where they were 50% off the list price.

1. Check the value on NADA or Kelly to get an idea of what the banks think it's worth.
2. Check with your insurance agent on what the replacememt value is for that motorhome, they will know down to the penny.
3. Take at least 30-50% off the Kelly & NADA price before you figure out what it's worth, and then if that number is higher than the asking price take 30% off that price.

FWIW #2 - we went to a RV Show last summer, there was a 2005 Monaco Signature MH 42' with 33K miles in top shape. That unit listed for 750K new, it booked out at close to 500K, the show price was 250K, and serious offers would have gotten them down to 220-230 range. Now it's a buyers market, and you won't pay too much if you do the necessary research.

FWIW #3 - New Tiffin Allergo Bus is listing for 450K and change depending on options, if new is what you want, you could offer 300K cash, and my guess is you would be close to what the end number would be.

FWIW #4 - We old folks have worked hard all our life, saved our money, and now we are the only group of people who has any money. So remember the adage, cash talks, and BS walks. Keep this in mind when trying to buy a MH.

No I would not buy another alpine if I had a choice. And mine has nothing wrong with it, and I really don't have any complaints, it's just the knowing it's going to cause me something soon. Just fixed the Drain Master system yesterday. Love that cummins engine/allison tranny, wow what a great team.

Family Man · 12-03-2011, 11:47 PM

Custom coach that was "sold" is now available again. Apparently financing fell through. Go figure.

I've offered cash, 10% below low retail for either. Neither dealership seems too excited. Actually a little surprising based on the research I've done so far. I thought I was being generous.

I'm guessing that somewhere between my cash and my patience, someone will eventually decide they want to sell a coach...

OldForester · 12-04-2011, 09:30 PM

But, if it were me, and I needed to buy another coach, I would buy another Alpine. I've had about every issue listed on this forum with our 2006 36', and we've found a fix for it, except for high idle, and we've improved the coach. And I've looked at other floor plans and other coaches, and we like ours better than any of them.

So I think any Alpine in good shape at the kind of prices mentioned on this forum is a good price. I don't think anything drives, handles, rides, has the tank capacity, boondocks, or has the floor plan equivalent of an Alpine.

And I just spent 6 weeks of off an on elk hunting (28 days total overnight) in the coach before getting my elk again this year, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Just my 2c worth, but once you get the bugs out of these machines they're hard to let go.

takepride · 12-08-2011, 10:32 PM

I agree with OF, I would buy the same Alpine, same floorplan and possibly another 2003. I love the non-problem of non-Vanscos. About the only thing I might change is having Aqua-Hot. Mostly because the standard heaters are a bit noisy.

I have been thoroughly shopping coaches for the last nine years. I leave every RV show happier than ever with my Alpine Coach.

OldForester · 12-08-2011, 10:46 PM

Takepride,

Boy are we on the same page! The only thing I would do on another coach is try to get Aquahot/Hydro hot. I get enough cold weather camping that the heatpumps can't handle it, switch to furnace, and it's a bit noisy but it works.

Everytime we look at other coaches and their floor plans, and their tank capacity, and their frame, we are happier than every with our Alpine Coach.