itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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Bubbleguy wrote:I think it really is better to buy new with all the discounts and the fact I will get a warranty and all the changes and new technology that go into every model year.
I don't know what you consider technology but IMHO 6-8 years ago to now there hasn't been much change. The drive train has most of the technology, as long as you are looking at the V10 and 8.1 models they will be essentially the same. The Allison went from a 5 to 6 speeds but it is a software change, same trans. The actual house is assembled from common parts by common methods, not a lot of real high tech involved unless you go very high end.
I think the ones you are looking at the prices are real close to pay off figures. People decided the rv wasn't for them and want out of loans. At 6-8 years most will have loans with a substantial balance. A lot of people negotiate a loan for a payment figure, they don't look at the total cost or balance at various times of the loan.
New is an option, but sooo many posts here say it takes a year to get these right. Not my idea of fun for such an expensive vehicle. Neither is the depreciation for the first few years. If you are new to rvs don't get into the same situation as the owners of the mhs for sale, trying to sell for the loan payoff because it is not really what you want to do.
Rather than age start looking at mhs in the price range you are willing to spend. You might be surprised what you can find.
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Two Jayhawks
lenexa ks
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Joined: 03/17/2003
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You need to keep looking. I have a friend that just bought a six year old V10 gasser 36' (believe it's a Winnebago) for $25,000.
2002 Safari Zanzibar
CAT C12 455/1550
Allison 4000
Saturn Vue w/ReadyBrake
FMCA# 390819
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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turninghawk wrote:Bubbleguy wrote:I have been looking for a good used gas motorhome and from the thousands of units I have looked at online and some in person a 6-8 year old unit is about 50% of new. This is buying from a private individual. Go to a dealer and it is a higher percentage.
I think it really is better to buy new with all the discounts and the fact I will get a warranty and all the changes and new technology that go into every model year.
You get a much better deal buying diesel but for now I will stick to gas.
Any comments on this.
Sometimes NEW is the way to go. Your choice of brand, floorplan, features, colors, AND a warranty. I've never bought a used motorhome in my life, and don't plan to. I like to "break the wrapper" of a new one. Sure, I'll suffer the depreciation when I decide to sell it, but a savvy buyer doesn't necessarily have to take a big hit. It cost me less than $5300 in depreciation to drive a new Winnebago Journey over 19,000 miles. It's difficult to accomplish that with a car, let alone a motorhome! Plus, my biggest pet peeve about buying used: All that dated brocade upholstery now smells like Aunt Esther's incontinent cat, and the one that's 'never been smoked in' sure does come with a funny smell as well. If you feel like it, BUY NEW. Life is short -- enjoy!......... 
This is where we fit in too. Our first was used to get started, our second was used because we thought we were doing the right thing. The headache and expense of that one lead us to new. We're now on our 3rd new one with ZERO regrets. Would we ever buy used? Probably, but for now new works for us.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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turninghawk
Gatlinburg, TN
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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I guess I'm the oddball here in that the Winnebago Journey that I bought new in 2003 was NEVER back in the shop for any kind of adjustment or repair. The only time it saw the inside of any shop was for routine oil changes, and only two of those! Maybe I got the exception to the rule, but then again, the two motorhomes I've owned since then (2 different manufacturers) share the same record. Am I just lucky or what??
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time_to_go_now
La Mirada, CA
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Joined: 03/10/2004
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turninghawk wrote:I guess I'm the oddball here in that the Winnebago Journey that I bought new in 2003 was NEVER back in the shop for any kind of adjustment or repair. The only time it saw the inside of any shop was for routine oil changes, and only two of those! Maybe I got the exception to the rule, but then again, the two motorhomes I've owned since then (2 different manufacturers) share the same record. Am I just lucky or what??
I think your just lucky. My new Tiffin has had a bad ciruit breaker for the electric jacks, a bad auto changover switch, and a bad slide out motor. Tiffen sent replacement parts immediately and I switched them out myself. No big deal...
I think that most new units have bugs that need to be worked out. Most used units have the bugs already worked out, but stuff will start breaking sooner than on a new unit.
I couldn't find any great deals on any clean used rigs. I looked for months. What I found was that most people were upside down and wanted to get pay off which was much more than fair market value. So, we bought new.
Good Luck.
Jim and Deanna
Tiffin Allegro 35QBA
2007 Carson Trailer 22' Titan TH
Trailer Toad
Me, Wife, Boy/10, Boy/7, Girl/5
Faith/Springer
1985 Toyota 4Runner
five quads, three kids, two motorcycles, one wife, one dog, one cat!
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Phillerup
Fishing, USA <*(((><
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Joined: 10/15/2002
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I believe you might find a difference between what the "asking" price is and what it will sell for.
The thing for you to do is find what you like and make a serious offer to purchase. You might be very surprised at what the owner will take. We bought the Newmar Dutch Star coach we have used and got very good deal. We looked for months before we bought it. We bought it for A LOT less than the "asking" price was. Don't pay too much attention to the asking price. Find what you want and make an offer you think is good and if they don't take it - walk away and go find another one. On motorhomes, there is not much relevance between ask and take.
2003 Newmar DSDP 4005 dual slide king bed Spartan 350 Cummins 2004 Jeep Liberty 4X4 tow, SeaEagle boat in basement
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fishboat1
southern ca
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Joined: 12/06/2001
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Now is the time to buy NEW. I have bought several new motorhomes over the years and never regretted my decisions. You get what you order with the latest technology, floor plans have really improved the past couple of years, and although the new MH might have some manufacture defects, my Tiffin did, the warrenty will cover repairs. New chassis will have at least a three year warrenty and sometimes longer.
I never wanted to take a chance with someones problems. I don't buy the statement that most used models have the bugs worked out. I have known too many used buyers that will agree with me as they spent a lot of money and had head aches regarding repairs.
Mike H
2007 Allegro Bay 34XB FRED
2002 Dodge Dakota 4 wheel drive Toad 4.7 v8
Four Winns fishing boat
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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fishboat1 wrote:Now is the time to buy NEW. I have bought several new motorhomes over the years and never regretted my decisions. You get what you order with the latest technology, floor plans have really improved the past couple of years, and although the new MH might have some manufacture defects, my Tiffin did, the warrenty will cover repairs. New chassis will have at least a three year warrenty and sometimes longer.
I never wanted to take a chance with someones problems. I don't buy the statement that most used models have the bugs worked out. I have known too many used buyers that will agree with me as they spent a lot of money and had head aches regarding repairs.
Mike there is a difference between new bugs and age related MH service and repairs. Today on does need to buy new from a company that is not going to close before one gets the bugs worked out.
Buying new has a ton of good points especially it puts nice used MH's on the market. If no one bought used few could afford to trade for the next new one. 
What concerns me is with the sales of new ones down this will force up the price of for used MH's. Like in one post someone got a nice 6 year old MH for $25K. That leaves a lot of room for fuel purchase over buying new. I bet in 2-3 years the same MH will still bring $25K.
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Below is the thread topic, please confine comment to addressing the thread topic as posted.
Thanks
JohnnyT Moderator
Bubbleguy wrote:I have been looking for a good used gas motorhome and from the thousands of units I have looked at online and some in person a 6-8 year old unit is about 50% of new. This is buying from a private individual. Go to a dealer and it is a higher percentage.
I think it really is better to buy new with all the discounts and the fact I will get a warranty and all the changes and new technology that go into every model year.
You get a much better deal buying diesel but for now I will stick to gas.
Any comments on this.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I think the prices for gas rigs are high just now because the cost of diesel is high,, Used to be D cost less to fill up
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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