Unwanted Options Worth the Price

[mre]

I am looking at buying a new DP in about a year. On the lots, most come pretty well optioned out. This is on an MSRP of $300K fully optioned DP. However, many options we don’t want and can reduce the price of the DP by 25K-30K. In looking at and exit plan, the dealer says that the heavily optioned ones will bring a higher percentage rate of return when selling than a less sparsely optioned one after accounting for the options. I’m not sure I totally agree with that in that my experience in the past has shown me that some of these options sort of become invisible and part of the RV and really don’t add much (if any) to the price when compared to a less optioned unit. The only thing I can think of is that it may sell quicker. If a buyer of a used DP sees a clean well maintained one, they already know that they don’t expect to get exactly what they want than if they were buying new.
Any thoughts, disagreements, agreements or other logic.

Thanks
Ed

[LJowdy]

In my experience, the dealer is pulling your chain. The higher the option count, the higher the price and the higher the commission. When it's time to sell or trade, the options don't make too much of a difference and definitely not 23 or 30k extra you'll pay at the time of purchase. (maybe 1k??)

Don't forget, the dealer is basically a salesman. All they care about is selling the coach and will give you a BS line a mile long. Go there and tell them what you want, not what they want to sell you.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

I am looking at buying a new DP in about a year. On the lots, most come pretty well optioned out. This is on an MSRP of $300K fully optioned DP. However, many options we don’t want and can reduce the price of the DP by 25K-30K. In looking at and exit plan, the dealer says that the heavily optioned ones will bring a higher percentage rate of return when selling than a less sparsely optioned one after accounting for the options. I’m not sure I totally agree with that in that my experience in the past has shown me that some of these options sort of become invisible and part of the RV and really don’t add much (if any) to the price when compared to a less optioned unit. The only thing I can think of is that it may sell quicker. If a buyer of a used DP sees a clean well maintained one, they already know that they don’t expect to get exactly what they want than if they were buying new.
Any thoughts, disagreements, agreements or other logic.

Thanks
Ed

we've only owned three motor homes since 1986 keeping the first two for 15-yrs each and we hope to keep our latest for at least that long. we purchased each based on what we wanted (or could live with) but without regards to re-sale value. focus on what you want and what you can afford. good luck.

[NLOVNIT]

The salesman is out to sell you what they have on their lot & will tell you what they think will make you buy what they have.

From trading past RV's, options don't factor into what you're going to get when you trade. They may make a difference in a private sale, assuming the buyer values those options.

Get what you want at the price you want & you'll be happy.

Lori-

[TonyDi]

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

The salesman is out to sell you what they have on their lot & will tell you what they think will make you buy what they have.

From trading past RV's, options don't factor into what you're going to get when you trade. They may make a difference in a private sale, assuming the buyer values those options.

Get what you want at the price you want & you'll be happy.

Lori-

All it may do is slow the sell time down to a private buyer. A dealer could care less on a trade in.

[vsheetz]

Salesman lie.
Options have bigger margins, so a coach with lots of options can have a larger discount (but not a lot, as the options are typically a small percentage of the sticker price).
Options add little money when reselling to private party.
Options add virtually nothing when trading to a dealer.
And, salesmen lie...

[mre]

So far, your response reflect my thinking and understanding. However, let me add one other thing. After posting, maybe I should have been a little clearer on options. Some are:
All electric with induction cook top – this means a standard gas cook top
Hydronic Heat
Outside entertainment center w/TV
Keyless entry system
Power Mechanical locks for slide out rooms (this pulls the slide outs tight against the wall when closed.
Power central locking for outside compartments
Window awnings
All totaled about 22K.

[NLOVNIT]

Options are a matter of taste. For example, for me I wouldn't care for any of those options except, maybe, the Hyrdronic heat & having not ever had a coach w/that option, I'd then be fine with none of those options - maybe because I don't know what I'm missing.

If you find them valuable, then buy the RV as is. If not, repeat the last sentence of my prior post.

Lori-

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

So far, your response reflect my thinking and understanding. However, let me add one other thing. After posting, maybe I should have been a little clearer on options. Some are:
All electric with induction cook top – this means a standard gas cook top
Hydronic Heat
Outside entertainment center w/TV
Keyless entry system
Power Mechanical locks for slide out rooms (this pulls the slide outs tight against the wall when closed.
Power central locking for outside compartments
Window awnings
All totaled about 22K.

I might not buy the all electric option because we occasionally stay in campgrounds with limited facilities. I would not choose window awnings either although I have never had them.

The options look expensive at first. You are going to lose so much money when you drive it off the lot that it will be the cheapest part of the rv experience. The used market is brutal so you cannot base your buy decision base on an unlikely resale amount. You should have the common options to keep you competitive in the used market. Buy what you can afford to piss away and enjoy the bells and whistles.

Or start used and save a ton of money.

[CWJK55]

In buying used I will look for something that has nice options, but I don't expect to pay much more for them.
The well optioned used RV like the well optioned car is going to move off the lot faster so it's better for the dealer.

[nothermark]

Some of those options are a distinct turn off for many folks. The electric cook top is an example for folks who think they will occasionally boon dock. There was a thread lately about outside entertainment centers, few folks use them unless they to tailgate parties. Remote control in general and wireless remote in particular are both security holes and expensive to repair potential failures as well as additional battery drain.

My point is that much of that list would be a "no sale" for as many or more potential second buyers. Many are also things that have a high potential for failure over time with a problem getting replacement parts 5 years down the road.

[bluepill]

Yup, whats already been said. You won't get extra money when you resell, but the unit may sell faster.

But, if you bought for less you may be willing to sell for less which makes the unit more attractive to a buyer.

[Stripe34]

I don't think your dealer worded the options 100% correctly below. Maybe it's supposed to be a "features" list - depending on exactly what they meant by the below, some of these seem to be standard DS features.

Induction means *no* gas cooktop, and all electric means NO PROPANE system at all.

I think the "power mechanical slide locks" are standard.

Bin/basement locks are part of overall keyless entry system, not usually listed as separate option

Did you download a build sheet to see the MSRP list prices for these options? That'd give you an idea on other available options also

Lastly, you should be able to get 25-30% off of MSRP as your cash out the door price.

HTH

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

So far, your response reflect my thinking and understanding. However, let me add one other thing. After posting, maybe I should have been a little clearer on options. Some are:
All electric with induction cook top – this means a standard gas cook top
Hydronic Heat
Outside entertainment center w/TV
Keyless entry system
Power Mechanical locks for slide out rooms (this pulls the slide outs tight against the wall when closed.
Power central locking for outside compartments
Window awnings
All totaled about 22K.

[TonyMac]

More things to break. If I look to buy your rv after x number of years, and y doesn't work, I think "Mmmm, he didn't take care of that. I wonder what else he didn't take care of?" Personally, I'd like the hydronic heat if that meant heated floor tiles; I love my window awnings and can't be without them; central locking compartments might be nice but they won't stop a thief who wants to get in and would be rather expensive to repair; I'd rarely see myself using an outside entertainment center and see their use as obtrusive and somewhat tacky; I way prefer gas to electric cooktops for professional reasons; etc. But, the REAL question is "Is all this stuff worth it for you?" And who cares what I think, watch your tv outside if you want, you've obviously earned it!