Community Forums

wmiii · 06-05-2011, 10:42 AM

I am getting closer to getting a used TT.
I've narrowed it down to 4 units I've found that would suit our needs. All weigh 4200-4600 lbs with Gross weight of 6000-6200 lbs. All have queen beds and one slide. All are between 2004 and 2005. The asking prices run from $12000 up to $16,900. All of these have NADA values of a low of $6,290 to $10,350.
I'm looking at a cash sale, so I expect to get any of them for between low and average NADA.
Am I wrong?
All are being sold by dealers. Either trade-ins or consignment.

Wm

Conquest102 · 06-05-2011, 11:06 AM

The saying goes money talks and BS walk would hold true in your case. You have the power CASH no hassle for the dealer you will just have to find the one that is willing to negociate the price. I would never pay over blue book let them know you know what its worth. You might end up on the higher side but as long as you don't go over you still come out OK.

TXiceman · 06-05-2011, 02:59 PM

In this market, you should try for low retail, with NO adds for options. I would start by offering 10% under low retail for a clean unit.

Ken

She and I · 06-05-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmiii

I am getting closer to getting a used TT.
I've narrowed it down to 4 units I've found that would suit our needs. All weigh 4200-4600 lbs with Gross weight of 6000-6200 lbs. All have queen beds and one slide. All are between 2004 and 2005. The asking prices run from $12000 up to $16,900. All of these have NADA values of a low of $6,290 to $10,350.
I'm looking at a cash sale, so I expect to get any of them for between low and average NADA.
Am I wrong?
All are being sold by dealers. Either trade-ins or consignment.

Wm

Wmiii, And make your Cash offer,Out the door... meaning tax ,title,dealer prep, and any other add on they use. let them figure the deal out....
Richard

wmiii · 06-05-2011, 04:24 PM

Thanks,
It will be interesting to see how it goes.
I've found 2004 Fleetwood Prowler 250RKS. They are asking $16,000 and I've found the NADA values to be $8490 Average and $7280 Low retail.
Somewhat surprised the spread between Asking and Average retail????
Maybe it's REEEAAL Clean!
Wm

wingnut60 · 06-05-2011, 08:29 PM

That seems way high to me...
Hard to use the NADA book to figure anything--dealers use other info most of the time.
Joe

wingnut60 · 06-05-2011, 08:32 PM

Check these out...

Fleetwood Travel Trailer Rvs

Randy the sly old fox · 06-06-2011, 01:13 AM

The dealer really wants you to finance - they make some bucks back under the table from the lending institution - play along until the deal is on paper - then spring the cash on them. I think that NADA looks at a standard depreciation schedule and not look at the real value of the unit. Especially units that are near the end of the schedule where they are looking at scrap value. RVs used to last 20 or more years with just a little care - in 1983 I bought a 1965 Kit TT that was in good shape, I traded it in 86 and the dealer resold it to someone who lived just a few blocks from me - they had it another 4 years - I just saw a similar TT in my neighborhood this last week. On that TT I broke even on trade. My next TT listed at 11,000 (1986), I traded it back to the same dealer who sold it to me in 1998 and got 3500 in trade on a new TT that listed at 13,000. When I got my Fox in 2005 I was a little wiser about the deal as I was at a different dealer that acted more like a car dealer. I looked at NADA and had a good idea of what my trade was worth and where I needed to be with terms and payments. We found the AF we were looking for listed at 22,500. Between discounts and trade-in we ended up at 17,000 out the door. I told the back office guy what I wanted in terms and payments and he went to work - it was a Sunday and he could not really do much until Monday - he called me late Monday PM with a couple of deals - one had the right term but high pmts, the other had right pmts but longer terms. I went to my Credit Union and got a loan with lower payments and better terms than I asked the dealer to find. I called them back and told them to forget their financing and consider the transaction to be cash - boy was the finance guy pissed - they had low balled the deal with the idea of getting some points for securing the loan.

Now back to your question - use thelow NADA as a starting point for your negotiations and hopefully you will strike a deal that meets in the middle. - point out all the negatives you can find - tires, rusty frame, previous leaks etc.and then be prepared to walk away. They will probably try to tell you how much they "paid" for the TT - this has little to do with it's actual value and often represents both a discount on the new RV and the trade in value of the old TT. You might also scan Craigs list or your local classifieds to see if there is any basis for the dealers pricing.

Good Luck

bjsheldon · 06-06-2011, 03:25 AM

I have found the NADA prices, at least for motorhomes, are way high. Use the low retail with no options less 20% as a starting point. I suggest you find out from your bank the loan value and/or the wholesale price before you start negotiating. In todays market, the buyer is in the drivers seat. As said before, don't be afraid to get up and walk away. Chances are they will call you back in a day or two with a better offer.

wmiii · 06-06-2011, 05:41 AM

Thank you all for your help and guidance.
I will check with my bank and get their numbers as well.
It is good that we are not set on just one and can move on.
Just trying to get a feel for what is what when it comes to pricing.

Thanks,
Wm

wmiii · 06-07-2011, 05:33 AM

Well, Now the salesman told me that there are water leak issues.
I don't know what that means at this point. How big of a deal that is. If it can be fixed with a price adjustment or just need to run away?

Wm

HD4Mark · 06-07-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmiii

Well, Now the salesman told me that there are water leak issues.
I don't know what that means at this point. How big of a deal that is. If it can be fixed with a price adjustment or just need to run away?

Wm

That would scare me. What leaks and why can't they fix it?

Another way to get a feel for what the rig you are interested in is going for is to Google the exact year and model. I put in "2004 Fleetwood Prowler 250RKS" and got lots of hits for sale. Most were $12,900 but one at $9000 and one at $15,900. No telling the real condition but that is what they are being listed at. No one would pay the asking price of course unless it was really special. It is hard to walk away if you are in love with one but that gives the dealer the idea you aren't a push over.

wmiii · 06-07-2011, 11:22 AM

This TT is at Lazy Days in Tampa FL.
The salesman told me that once they identify this kind of problem, they just wholsale them.

Wm

edj · 06-07-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmiii

Well, Now the salesman told me that there are water leak issues.
I don't know what that means at this point. How big of a deal that is. If it can be fixed with a price adjustment or just need to run away?

Wm

RUN AWAY..... Water leaks can basically turn the trailer into scrap with you losing your investment. There is just no way of telling how much rot is in the walls without ripping it apart to see.