Community Forums

Goin Coastal · 02-20-2013, 06:05 PM

I am new to this forum and just starting to look at various RVs for sale, new and used, just to learn about the various rigs available.

Somewhere along the line I have run across a private party ad for a nice 2012 Class A, gas. Sellers say they used it only once and then decided that they would prefer a diesel rig.

Maybe it is because I am new to all this, or overthink things, but it would seem that people who paid $140k or more for a rig would have determined before that purchase that they would prefer diesel instead.

Is this kind of one-trip-and-then-switch-to-another-rig approach something more common than I'd expect?

Somehow it just seems odd to me.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. I am here to learn at the feet of the experts.

**NLOVNIT** · 02-20-2013, 06:10 PM

Yes the do. An expensive mistake, but they do it all the time.

Lori-

Clayobx · 02-20-2013, 06:13 PM

Certainly doubt this decision easily made. I would ask about warranty status, maintenance records, millage, and of course an independent inspection. Things happen stranger than this? I would be cautious for sure!

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 06:13 PM

Welcome to our wonderful world of Rving. That kind of one and done is quite expensive and very rarely used. People who don't do their research sometimes make mistakes. Some are willing to bite the bullet and move on to something else at a hefty cost. It happens from diesel to gas , class A to C and visa versa etc.
Cliff

Skip426 · 02-20-2013, 06:26 PM

All you need to do is drive by a car dealer and look for a " new " Chev on the Ford lot. Same princpal only more $$$.
But you need to look closely , because the real reason for the sale may be hidden; poor quality build; major time in for repairs; as mentioned above , look into all the paperwork. If the unit spent more time at the dealer than on the road , then...

... RUN!

DGBPokes · 02-20-2013, 06:30 PM

A well healed friend of my step dad, had purchase a nice low mileage class A used it a few times, then took a long trip with friends with a second rig. The second rig would out run and out pull his rig in the mountains. First week home he sold it, and bought another one solely based on the fact his buddy could out run him

ralphie · 02-20-2013, 06:32 PM

I don't doubt it happens. I was at Lazy Days a few weeks ago negotiating on a 2013 (yes, a 2013) that had been purchased and the owners decided they didn't like it that much. However, I've never known of a single story like this I could otherwise verify.

StevieG · 02-20-2013, 06:38 PM

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it...

Last fall (2012), I purchased an older 34 gas Damon for a very good price, because I wanted to check out "land yachting"... After just two trips, I had the bug so bad, I was DP shopping! By December, I had traded my Damon for a "new to me" 39 DP... I got a great trade in, and am loving the new ride and hanging out on IRV2!

papaw.1 · 02-20-2013, 06:38 PM

As you will find out on this forum anything is possible.I know everyone of us has made expensive mistakes but,like the others have posted check the paperwork very,very close.I hope you have Many Safe and Happy Miles and Smiles

Scarab0088 · 02-20-2013, 06:39 PM

I would be inclined to agree with the OP, that this would be an odd thing...and also agree with Clay, that a very complete check of this rig and it's records before purchase would be smart.

There will be used 1 year old RVs on sale everywhere for many reasons - demo's, show circuit rigs, and the occasional "lemon" among some of the reasons.

Also, some people do pay retail for RV's...but from 20% to as much as 30% off MSRP is not unknown for new RV purchases...so depreciation after 1 model years could be as much as 40%-45% off mfgt new MSRP.

Would someone dump a nearly new rig for a different type? - Sure.
Is it common? - I bet not.

If it's the right RV for you, a good deal could be had - Best of Luck!

Ed S · 02-20-2013, 06:41 PM

Before I bought our first MH which was a diesel, I rented gas class a's. Never rented a diesel guess they were not available. The gassers were nice but not what we wanted for many reasons but one has to look at ones budget. Either way the life style is great!!!
As infor I had a diesel class a before my current rig

doublechevy · 02-20-2013, 06:51 PM

Bought my first RV as an entry level class A Never owned driven one prior to purchase within 11 mos traded up to a diesel motor coach. within the first year with the new coach had so many problems with it (Broke down and towed three times ) cargo doors denting at latch locations repaired three times under warranty but would reappear on the next trip. traded up to a better class of coach again diesel very satisfied now would never go back to gas Did it cost me a lot of money it sure did but was worth it

okgc · 02-20-2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin Coastal

I am new to this forum and just starting to look at various RVs for sale, new and used, just to learn about the various rigs available.

Somewhere along the line I have run across a private party ad for a nice 2012 Class A, gas. Sellers say they used it only once and then decided that they would prefer a diesel rig.

Maybe it is because I am new to all this, or overthink things, but it would seem that people who paid $140k or more for a rig would have determined before that purchase that they would prefer diesel instead.

Is this kind of one-trip-and-then-switch-to-another-rig approach something more common than I'd expect?

Somehow it just seems odd to me.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. I am here to learn at the feet of the experts.

Those are the people than have not discovered IRV2

DeWat · 02-20-2013, 07:01 PM

I'm one, but one season, not one trip. When we bought our first MH, a '12 Thor Hurricane 32A, we bought it knowing that it would probably not be a keeper. We knew ahead that it was an "Entry Level"... whatever that is, motorhome, and the purpose was to ensure that the RV lifestyle was for us. I have driven class As and over-the-road buses for others for years, but never owned for myself while knowing about the costs associated with diesel. Our goal was to keep the Hurricane for somewhere around 5 years, then trade up if the lifestyle was for us. If not, our purchase was under 100k, so not what we considered a hard hit compared to the beautiful DPs out there. We also knew ahead about having to "shake it down" and the depreciation hit that we would be taking, but took that risk rather than buying used and possibly still having to throw money at it and having an even lower trade value. Well after the very first season, we fell in love with our current Winnebago Vista 35B (after almost closing on the 35F first my choice, the DW picked the 35B). While the Vista line is also considered entry level (there goes that term again), we plan on it being our keeper for quite a while. We still cherish the memories of our Hurricane, and would not be upset if we were still in it. It's just that our dealer made us one of those offers that we couldn't refuse on the trade and the new purchase. We both agree that we don't travel enough to justify the cost of a DP, so if we do decide to go that route, it's going to be years down the road when the DW can finally retire. Our Hurricane was traded in excellent condition and with only 1965 miles... keeping in mind that somewhere around 900 of those miles came from the delivery.