Community Forums

nightmission · 02-03-2018, 01:29 AM

Greeting,
My wife and I are looking at purchasing our first MH and a tour of new models at a local RV show had us both looking closer at Tiffin after comparisons with other manufacturers on the floor. I've been digging into sale sites of RV's, Craigslist, and E Bay to see what the ask prices are and compare to others and various information I've read concerning average depreciation of motorhomes.
I know Tiffin is well regarded, based on testimonials on this and other forums and the product seems to our (inexperienced) eye to be a cut above, but the ask prices seem so far out of line, unless the original buyers paid close to MSRP. The depreciation for even 3 to 5 year old MH seems to be minimal. Either ask prices for motorhomes in general or Tiffin in particular are way over the expected sell price or motorhomes don't depreciate at the rate I'm being lead to believe.
In buying autos in the past, I would never expect to ask 40% or more under ask price, yet that appears to be the norm, or recreational vehicles hold there value a lot better than I've been lead to believe. Anyone with recent experience purchasing willing to share, I would be grateful.

momdoc · 02-03-2018, 03:57 AM

I can't comment on used but we are in the process of buying a new Tiffin and shopped around quite a bit. All of the "big boys" like Lazydays, General, la Mesa, North Trail and others at best would come down 20% off MSRP on the Tiffin coaches and closer to 30-35% on other brands. We ended up at about 29% at a smaller but Tiffin "specialist" places. So I would guess that Tiffin holds it's prices better.

bmwrider1946 · 02-03-2018, 05:16 AM

If you don't mind traveling a bit to pick up a new Tiffin there are a few dealers that price the Tiffin product very competitively. Davis Motorhome Mart in Memphis, Sherman RV in Sherman MS and Marlin Ingram RV Center in Montgomery all appear to price their products much more aggressively than the larger high margin dealerships. Original offer from Davis for me, including trade, on an Allegro 33AA was over 42K less that original offer from Lazydays. These dealerships all seem to have a good reputation.

momdoc · 02-03-2018, 06:33 AM

We actually ordered ours from Sherman and the price was about 27K less than the best offer we got from the best of the "big boys". Well worth the 700 mile drive we are facing to pick it up in April.

mricet1005 · 02-03-2018, 08:25 AM

I agree that used asking prices seem inflated for all RVs. I suspect from private sellers they may have originally overpaid and/or are underwater on their loan and trying to recoup that. I bought my 2013 Phaeton used in 2014 and feel I got a decent deal then (much less than dealer asking price). Now 4 years later asking price for my model and year is higher than I paid 4 years ago. No way to tell what they actually sell for. RV sales are hot now so maybe they are able to find buyers. I wish I had good idea of actual selling prices because I’m considering selling mine to downsize and get new unit. I think all you can do is determine what you think is a fair value to you and make an offer, even if considerably below asking. You could use Nada without entering any options and then offer between low retail and average retail assuming unit in good shape. Maybe they accept or negotiate close to that number. Otherwise it seems you might as well buy new from one of the dealers that are known to discount around 30% off MSRP. I don’t think this is a Tiffin specific issue.

luvlabs · 02-03-2018, 08:46 AM

Used prices can be tricky but I think you can can get close to what you might consider to be an acceptable price if you do some math. First off, use the MSRP for the year you find less 25% (that should be close to the selling price), then for each additional year, take 7-10% off for year one, and 4-6% for each additional year.

Many of the higher prices you see can be a combination of greed and/or upside down in their loan.

Buying new is easier - Tiffin publishes a pricing sheet for each coach that has the MSRP and the price of options offered. Total up what you want and go shopping. 25-29% off the MSRP is considered a good deal. Tax, registration, etc. come on top of the negotiated price, so your actual cash outlay will be higher.

rcrevolution · 02-03-2018, 08:52 AM

We looked at a 2006 Excursion that was nice with low miles. Dealer had it on consignment for $159,900. I just gave him a look like, seriously? He said the owner was trying to get payoff. Thats what happens when you finance a depreciating asset for 30 years.

nightmission · 02-03-2018, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the insight and experiences in buying and selling your Tiffins. I've used a couple suggested locales to research both quality, pricing and commentary of ownership of various RV's and find the pricing issue most vexing. With autos you have a wealth of resources to help nail down a price range that helps avoid either over paying or chasing something you can't/choose not to afford. Its a bit more of the Wild West in RV land. Good to have resources like forums to cross talk with others in the know.
I've been looking at the Allergo RED 33A, even though I have yet to see one in person, it appears to have the elements that my wife and I consider right for two to travel, at a price (I think) we can afford. The Tiffin company website is a very slick product (kudos to their webmaster) and a decent resource for looking at their product. I found, with a bit of effort the online version of the company/community magazine "Roughing it Smoothly" and after a deep reach back, found an article on the 33A in the winter issue 2013. Part of the info after the written opinion, included the MSRP for that model in that year. I was surprised how much Tiffin has increased their MSRP of that particular model since 2013. I guess Tiffin is riding the wave of interest in their products because there is no way inflation justifies the price deferential I saw on 2013 compared to posted MSRP in 2018.

BTW, anyone owning a Allergo RED 33 or the Breeze 31/32 wishing to share their thoughts on their ride, positive or negative; an inquiring mind wants to know.

mricet1005 · 02-03-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightmission

Thanks for the insight and experiences in buying and selling your Tiffins. I've used a couple suggested locales to research both quality, pricing and commentary of ownership of various RV's and find the pricing issue most vexing. With autos you have a wealth of resources to help nail down a price range that helps avoid either over paying or chasing something you can't/choose not to afford. Its a bit more of the Wild West in RV land. Good to have resources like forums to cross talk with others in the know.

I've been looking at the Allergo RED 33A, even though I have yet to see one in person, it appears to have the elements that my wife and I consider right for two to travel, at a price (I think) we can afford. The Tiffin company website is a very slick product (kudos to their webmaster) and a decent resource for looking at their product. I found, with a bit of effort the online version of the company/community magazine "Roughing it Smoothly" and after a deep reach back, found an article on the 33A in the winter issue 2013. Part of the info after the written opinion, included the MSRP for that model in that year. I was surprised how much Tiffin has increased their MSRP of that particular model since 2013. I guess Tiffin is riding the wave of interest in their products because there is no way inflation justifies the price deferential I saw on 2013 compared to posted MSRP in 2018.

BTW, anyone owning a Allergo RED 33 or the Breeze 31/32 wishing to share their thoughts on their ride, positive or negative; an inquiring mind wants to know.

I’ve been looking at Red 33AA for possible downsize. Like you have not seen one in person. There are some YouTube video walkthroughs. I would go for Red over Breeze. Heard of more issues with both the old and new Breeze. I think chassis of Red has been beefed up and updated transmission since 2013 accounts for part of price increase. Amenities closer to Phaeton now too. If I go with Red it will be a new one. Will wait for 2019 models before deciding. May just keep Phaeton 40QBH.

**Lt Dan** · 02-03-2018, 03:15 PM

Part of the price increase with the new models is the engine/transmission. In '15 when we bought our RED, the 340hp Cummins with the 2500 Allison transmission was standard. The 360hp with the 3000 transmission was a $7,000 option that has now been incorporated into standard equipment. The 360 has higher torque and 10,000lbs towing capacity, where the 340 only has 5,000lbs towing.

Kiawah · 02-03-2018, 05:57 PM

33aa is a great coach, we've got about 26k miles and numerous long multi month trips. Find one to look closely. Good luck.

bmwrider1946 · 02-04-2018, 05:02 AM

We pick up our new 33AA next week. I have been in at least 3 of them since winter is RV show time in Florida. I find the floor plan nearly perfect for our needs. At just over 35 feet it has a washer and dryer, king size bed and second hide-a-bed in the couch but still has very adequate room in the living area. A salesmen we spoke to at one of the shows estimated that half of the people buying the 33AA were downsizing from a larger coach. Our good friends have just downsized from a 42 foot Fleetwood to a 34 foot Newmar. Similar coach with basically the same options except for the king bed.

momdoc · 02-04-2018, 05:17 AM

We very seriously at the 33RED as the floor plan was perfect for the two of us and saw them in person. However we ended up ordering the 37PA which is basically the same floor plan with a bit more room and bigger engine. You won't go wrong with the 33.

bmwrider1946 · 02-04-2018, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momdoc

We very seriously at the 33RED as the floor plan was perfect for the two of us and saw them in person. However we ended up ordering the 37PA which is basically the same floor plan with a bit more room and bigger engine. You won't go wrong with the 33.

Both coaches looked great to me. The shorter 33AA will fit into more national parks based on what I read. According to the brochure, assuming I am reading it correctly, the engines on the 2018 33AA and 37PA are the same. Am I missing something?