Community Forums

Miles · 01-21-2006, 05:46 PM

Would the majority of new MH owners especially DP recommend used or new? Also has anyone done any study on the life span of a DP. I know there are exceptions but I mean on average?

Miles · 01-21-2006, 05:46 PM

Would the majority of new MH owners especially DP recommend used or new? Also has anyone done any study on the life span of a DP. I know there are exceptions but I mean on average?

Mac and Chris · 01-21-2006, 06:58 PM

As I see it, it's basically a financial question.

1. If money isn't a concern having a new motor home is a lot of fun.

2. Buying one that's 1 or 2 years old can save tens of thousands of dollars, and usually the first owner solved most of the warranty issues.

Mac

ajbjrvers · 01-22-2006, 01:30 AM

To; MILES;

I own an o2 newmar dp, 400 hp. cummins.

Diesels cost $90,000.00 to $100,00.00 more for the chassis although some manufacturers are coming out with lower price models.

I would not buy a dp if your thoughts are to trade in a few years, unless you can afford it.

Diesels were developed to last a long time and to be able to carry and tow o lot of weight.

The ride is much better and best of all, you only hear about 10% of the engine noise, in my case the engine is about 35 feet behind me.

Yes, the maintainance costs are higher, but the interval between oil and filter changes is longer, mine 18,000 or 1 year.

If you can afford the cost difference between gas and dp,I think, new or used you get a longer life and more economical camping experience.

Of course this is my opinion, having owned 3 gas and the current dp.

Hope this info is helpful.

Thanks========== AJBJRVERS

skp_member · 02-01-2006, 04:06 AM

Miles,

I would and never could buy a new DP new.

I just bought a 10 year old DP, with only 45K miles. To me it is new.

I will never be able to wear it out. Sure, it has a couple of items that need attention, but for what I paid I can do a lot of fixing up.

Plus it gives me a project.

Jim

Cruzer · 02-01-2006, 04:53 AM

A DP chassis should last a very long time, so buying a used motorhome isn't like it's going to fall apart. Realize though that there's much more to a motorhome than it's chassis. If you buy somethingthat's 10 years old, you will have 10 year old appliances in it. While the chassis undoubtedly has plenty of life left in it, some of the appliances may be at the end of their life. Now that's not necesarily bad, but you do need to condider the potential replacement and maintenance costs when you determine the savings of an older unit.

Buying a 2-3 year old dP still gives you good life in the overall coach and will save you some money because the original owner has taken the initial (biggest) deperciation hit. Some coaches do retain a very high resale value though, so these savings may or may not be there. When you consider that you can pick up a new coach at an average 25% off MSRP some of these used coaches aren't all that much less in price. Again, it can go either way so there is no hard and fast rule but you do need to consider this when making your decision.

The other benefits of new over used is that you can do your research and special order your coach exactly the way you want it. You pick the color, the interior, which options, etc. With a used coach you have to take whatever the dealer's have available.

Personally, I think if you plan on buying new and upgrading every couple of years it'll cost you dearly. However, if you buy new and keep it a long time, that depreciation isn't as noticeable over time and you get to enjoy the coach that you picked that best suits your needs. So,it all depends upon how much you can afford, how long you plan on keeping it, and which particular coach you are interested in.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-01-2006, 05:56 AM

I strongly recommend buying used, perhaps even when money is no object. Many new Rvs have lots of niggling problems and sometimes major ones to, whereas a used one generally has the kinks worked out.

But for most people, buying used makes sense because you spend far fewer dollars to gain experience in what is important to you in an RV floorplan, amenities, etc. Especially in a motorhome. Once you have some years of experience with a couple varieties of rig under your belt, then you might consider buying that new "dream rig".

Trying to get it right first time, especially if you are moving into full or most-time use, is almost sure to fail and you will be stuck with a badly depreciated, very expensive rig that turns out to be not quite what you really wanted. I've seen it too many times, even with those who bought new Wanderlodges, Signatures and such.

Tom N · 02-01-2006, 06:14 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> whereas a used one generally has the kinks worked out. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

But, not always, and there would be no factory warranty to cover the kinks that weren't worked out.

My buddy traded his 2005 Horizon on a 2006 Allegro Bus because of unsolved problems with the Horizon.

Tom
Crystal River, FL

rebelsbeach · 02-01-2006, 03:55 PM

Lots of good points....

We bought new to get exactly what we wanted and plan to keep it a good while....

(Unless of course I end up near Red Bay and catch a glimpse of that 45 footer...

)

Catdave · 02-01-2006, 04:59 PM

It's all personal choice- I like having a coach no one else has ever owned, and knowing that any problems that arise will be covered by a warranty.
My last rig was 10 months old when I traded it in and had 26 items on a punchlist needing repair. We were on the way to an extended repair stop in Red Bay when we diverted to LazyDays in Tampa and unloaded it.
Obviously, buying used doesn't always guarantee a problem free rig...

Miles · 02-01-2006, 05:47 PM

Well you have all gave me much to consider. With many more opportunities to get out his year it will lets us do a lot more research on models floor plans etc. We will be keeping in eye out for a good buy on a used DP.

BigRedLancer · 02-01-2006, 06:08 PM

Also keep in mind that there are lots of MHs that basically sit in the driveway and therefore have very low mileage on them. Depreciation on a new MH seems to be a lot bigger than autos so you should be able to get a good deal on a clean, used coach.

My only concern with a used MH is not the chassis but the actual coach body and contents. As the salesman told us when we test drove our current MH, "it is like driving a rolling earthquake." The coach is going through a lot of torque and severe vibration.

That's my $0.02