How many here own their class 'a' vs. bank owned?

[Tha_Rooster]

All I have to say if you have 300k or more laying around for a toy and someone didn't die you definitely did something right.

[RV LYONS]

RV is paid for (purchased in Aug.'07) Houses are paid,our 2 vechiles '04 Explorer and ,98 GMC LB Extra cab K100. I still work,we take long weekend trips and of course the football games and tailgating.

[deaton]

I think a lot depends on when you come into this hobby (or a boat, airplane, whatever). Since the DW and I waited until we were late 50's to buy our first RV, we were able to pay cash and we did that again with the next coach. But that said, I sometimes wish we had started a few years earlier when we would have had to finance the purchase.

I basically agree that toys should be paid with cash in hand, but there may be times for exceptions - life is short.

[Gary - K7GLD]

All our stuff is paid for - we bought the latest RV item, the '88 Winnie, primarily as a tow vehicle for the fishing boat, got it decently cheap, and after a few generally lo-buck replacements/repairs, still don't have much $$$ into it - about the same as we might with a 10 year old used automobile.

At this point in the history of the USA, and the accelerating downward trend in it's economy and standard of living, I'd sure hate to even THINK about financing one of the $200+K rigs some here drive - the cost of a rig in that class pretty much demands it be used regularly to get decent return on the investment - but the rapidly rising and generally unstable fuel costs can seriously impact that requirement.

For us, the far lower price we paid for something we value for what it is, and what we paid for it, totally overshadows any desire for something newer, larger or glitzier, and LOTS more expen$ive - ours can sit for months at a time, with no feelings of guilt or remorse...

[96 Wideglide]

Paid cash for the coach last year. 10yr old National Dolphin !

[mr300ce]

With the economy bad. and people getting rid of toys, good time to buy. I paid 1/2 book value for mine.

[Automobilist]

CASH...
We only owe on our home, and have paid half of the loan off in the past few years. Only $400k to go!
I'm proud to report that due to working hard, spending reasonably and coming up with a couple pretty good ideas, we own all our cars, sportfishing boat, diesel pusher coach, and motorcycles. NO LOANS!

2010 Mercedes Benz E550 Coupe
2005 Cadillac SRX
2006 Chevy 2500HD LT 4X4
2002 Winnebago Journey DL (just bought on eBay for under $50k)
1979 Cadillac Seville
1971 Triumph GT6 race car
1952 MG TD

Shamrock 246 sportfishing boat

Harley Davidson Deuce
Kawasaki KDX220
Kawasaki KLX250
KTM 450EXC
Honda CRF150
Suzuki RM125

1976 Ibach 7' concert grand piano...

Bragging? Sure, but who cares... We worked for it all.

[GaryKD]

I think about this a little differently, I am a convenience borrower. I owe on the coach and house. I could have paid cash but try to put my $s where they make more than the loan costs. So far so good.

[mikron]

Only in America, 25 years 3 houses, 6 cars and 4 class A coaches no payments.

[puddinhead]

Take that payment you've been making and keep making it (you're used to it as it was part of your budget). Only this time to yourself.

You'll keep accruing money to use for the next purchase. You can put it into a savings account (although 1% interest isn't much) or buy stock using a direct purchase plan. These are setup directly with a company (that has the stock) and a set amount is deducted from your checking account every month. No one talks about them because no one makes any money from them (i.e. brokerage houses). Stick with something boring and stable (like IBM, Monsanto (food), WalMart, McDonalds, Chevron-Texaco, Exxon-Mobil, etc) and you should outperform inflation. You'll have to decide for yourself what you feel comfortable with...

The key is to keep saving so when it's time to buy another MH, you have the funds and it won't impact your monthly budget.

[tncruiser]

im to old for payments
brianj

[Nick-B]

Originally Posted by fkloster

a) Complete service and front wheel bearing re-builds = $1,700
b) Liquer Cabinet restock = $300
c) Heated Storage for 2 months = $350
d) Full Coverage insurance for 2 months = $75
e) Top off of 150 gallon diesel tank = $120 (have $525 worth of diesel in there!)
f) Top off of propane tank = $46
g) Wine cellar restock = $150

before spring break now all we need are some good steaks and some dog food!

HA! Luv items b and g
If diesel get too expensive you can camp and party in your driveway!

I own my MH but it is far from new. Last year a few extra sheckles fell into my hands so I only bought as much RV as I had the money for.

[4Knights]

Only bills are the house and kids college 1starting this year and 1 starting in 5 years! Saving for a new coach by the time my youngest starts college then rent the stick house and full-time it.

[Big Bear Local]

MH and a cabin in Big Bear still paying for. All else paid for. The economy gets any worse there won't be anyone to send payments to.