Seeking pre-purchase info and opinions

[priley1960]

I would like to purchase my first RV. My attention seems to gravitate toward Class A's. I have been surfing Craigs List for months; my budget limits me to RV's in the mid to late 1990's. There is a generally a huge jump in price from 2000 and newer units even though the mileage, hours and aesthetics are comparable. I am looking for unbiased opinions as to why this is.

[gruelens]

MH depreciation is not the same amount each year of its lifespan. Initially the coach devalues more per year. Overtime, the loss in value becomes less each year. A mid 90's unit has had the bulk of depreciation already occur. In addition, newer MHs have higher starting price point (generally).

[89sandman]

I would say they get to an age where the demand for them is less. I was just in the market awhile ago and just wasn't interested in buying anything older than a 2000.

[JohnQ]

One of my postings on the Yahoo Safari Motorhomes website:

Hi, I am also late to this posting. Please search my earliest postings here regarding "Value", i.e., asking prices vs what they should be asking. Most sellers are NOT aware that the Prices listed in both NADA & KBB for motorhomes are NOT based upon actual sale prices but a simple straight line depreciation from Brand New Sticker prices. If you want to see exactly what Safaris have actually sold for, how long they were for sale, any drops in asking prices, and initial asking price, go to PPL RV in Texas, the largest consignment Motorhome dealer. Next most important consideration in motorhome pricing is to know what were "Standard Equipment vs Optional Equipment." Our Safaris came with loads of Standard Equipment and very few Optional Equipment. Folks who use NADA/KBB, do not understand the difference and go checking things like A/C's, TV, Retractable entry steps, etc. By checking the various equipment boxes, NADA/KBB adds a value to the value when those are really included in the Base Factory Sticker Price as standard equipment. We bought a 1997 M-4040 in 2009 for $37,500 and past on an identical one that was asking thru NADA/KBB ignorance $55,000. Ours was in far better and documented maintenance shape.

I would also recommend that you join either website & download probably one of the best Used Motorhome Buyers Checklist - about 12 pages long. When we were shopping, we used that checklist to reject about a dozen coaches.

[JohnQ]

I forgot that I had uploaded that checklist to IRV2. Go to the"More & Files" and download & USE the Buyer's Guide.

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm in the process of selling my coach and have found NADA to be next to useless in establishing any sort of "value". The only thing that really matters is what someone is willing to pay so the challenge is bringing buyer and seller together.

You don't mention whether you're looking at gas or diesel. I believe that diesels will generally hold their value better than gassers so this could explain some of the discrepancies you've come across.

Best of luck.

Rick

[jeryan59]

Originally Posted by priley1960

I would like to purchase my first RV. My attention seems to gravitate toward Class A's. I have been surfing Craigs List for months; my budget limits me to RV's in the mid to late 1990's. There is a generally a huge jump in price from 2000 and newer units even though the mileage, hours and aesthetics are comparable. I am looking for unbiased opinions as to why this is.

Another factor may be that the mid to late 1990's only have 1 or no slides, most everything after 2000 would have a minimum of 2 slides or more.

I believe there is little demand today for no slides or 1, although there are some people that isn't a factor. Today, most mfg have a minimum of 3 or 4 slides, but there are some people who are not interested in this many slides.