Community Forums

CampDaven · 01-30-2017, 01:23 PM

I buy the rig, and one day I wonder what it might be worth, so I go to pplmotorhomes.com and look for the "sold for" prices.
Bingo!

wnytaxman · 01-30-2017, 01:27 PM

Trying to come up with a sound method to calculate the decline in market value for an RV is pretty much a complete exercise in futility. As has been mentioned earlier, there are so many factors involved that there is no way one can accurately predict what their purchase made in early 2017 will be worth in 2018 or 2020.

Let me give you what I feel is almost the perfect example. If you read through the Entegra section you will find that at a specific point in time one dealer bought up a bunch of end of the model year coaches and low balled them on the market. This caused the used coach market to drop because why buy used when you can buy new for less. Now add in the change in ownership of the brand. What about the increase in interest rates? Oh look, fuel prices may be going up? The stock market is up, but wait, today it's down. Had enough variables yet?

Buying an RV is not unlike gambling in Vegas. If you can't afford to take the hit then you probably shouldn't be playing the game. In this case the game is the decline in market value.

Dutch Star Don · 01-30-2017, 04:54 PM

"jlazar".....When I'm looking for an RV value, I do a search for the coach I want, all over the country, and then compare prices. After you find 4-5 coaches, you should have a ballpark idea what the coach you're looking for is worth.

Once you get a base price determined, you can apply a value up or down on for condition. I have some free advice you can use or disregard. When the economy crashed, many people got out of RVing and sold their coaches cheap or let them be repossessed. Since then, many think that everyone who has a coach for sale is desperate and will let it go for nothing. This is just not the case. RVing is BOOMING again, just try and get a reservation at a popular campground, so values are up.

Lastly, don't spend 2-3 years looking for an RV, that you could have been enjoying for those 2-3 years.

computerguy · 01-30-2017, 06:06 PM

Interesting how some will criticize others for looking at the cost of things - ie the depreciation of an rv.
Just because a person looks at the cost of something over time (depreciation) does not mean they cannot afford it.
I spend a lot of money on all assortment of things. I am also very frugal with that same money. It has to be a good value to me for me to part with said money.
I worked all my life, saved every step of the way, and for that reason I am retiring at 52. No silver spoon in my mouth, no inheritance. Just good old fashioned hard work and saving along the way. Oh, not having kids nor a DW (not my choice) has a lot to do with that also I spose

jlazar · 01-30-2017, 07:55 PM

I am the OP. As Mark said in post #27:
I think by the OP's post #10 he's trying to determine if a private seller's asking price is reasonable.

I am not trying to calculate depreciation for any other reason. I know it is a continually depreciating asset. We are going into full-time for the experience. Like they say, you can't take it with you.

I think Dutch Star Don in post #31 has given the best approach to get what I am looking for. His approach will take into account a lot of the variable other folks mentioned:

When I'm looking for an RV value, I do a search for the coach I want, all over the country, and then compare prices. After you find 4-5 coaches, you should have a ballpark idea what the coach you're looking for is worth.

Once you get a base price determined, you can apply a value up or down on for condition.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and input. Hope to see you on the road in the next couple of months. John

Stuart W · 01-31-2017, 07:34 AM

To many variables: location/region, time of year, interest rates (new vs used), amount of available inventory , amount of inventory at dealers vs private party, amount of repossessions on the market, amount of dealer new inventory of similar unit and most importantly manufacture, powertrain and model.
In addition has anyone ever wondered why the MSRP is almost always 25 to 30% more then the average transaction price? This was a way for the RV industry to have a tool to pry people out of their trade-ins that have depreciated significantly, it gives them room to over allow for trades and reduce the discount on the new unit to make the deal. As said if your buying a RV as an investment you are going to be disappointed.