ttymeg wrote: Yes, I just did after over a year of looking at them. We got an OUTSTANDING deal on a new class A, 2007 still on a dealer's lot. Now that the 2009's are rolling in, and the economy and gas prices are causing supply to outpace demand there are deals deals deals! If you look at the cost of gas people freak out about 10 cents...if you drive 10,000 miles in a car per year and get 20 miles to the gallon *being conservative here, that's 500 gallons a year times 10 cents is $50 folks...so let's say it goes up 50 cents, that's $250...so eat out at Olive Garden 5 fewer times a year? If gas is that big a concern, then probably doesn't make sense to look at a new "anything".
The way you get ahead in life is contrarian thinking. When Joe Public thinks SELL, you buy because things are on big-time sale. When Joe Public thinks, buy buy buy, you SELL at huge gains from what you bought at when Joe Public was freaked out and selling at huge discounts (like right now). I bought my MH for way WAY under wholesale NADA. Avg Retail...a joke, tens of thousands less than that. The dealer was happy, I didn't screw them or have any kind of inside deal relationship-wise or anything, they needed to move the unit and handed me the keys below what they paid. I think I could eaisly sell it for what I bought it for in about 3-4 years. I bought new, with the new smell, new everything, new factory warranty and components warranty...for less than most folks are trying to sell similar models 3-8 years old with all their inherent problems.
Yes, absolutely buy things now, new. Now is the time.
Well, tell us what you bought and what you paid for that two year old lot queen? I hope you changed all of the fluids since it has probably been sitting on the lot since mid 2006.
Silver, it's a 2007 model year Mirada 350DS. While the dealer would prefer I don't blab the price all over the place, if you really truly want an idea when I say "outstanding deal way under wholesale NADA", do a search on 3-5 year old comparable entry level similar quality gasser class A's for sale by private parties that have two slides and when you get a feel for that price range, take about 15-20K off that and you'll likely be guessing close to my buy price.
Thanks for the tip on fluids, but in my PDI we went through all the fluids and they changed them and I stayed overnight in the unit at the dealers property, at their invitation, as they have hookups for new customers just for such purpose(a nice touch I thought and contrary to so many who seem to get rush job PDI's) to go through and check every detail out that I wanted. They were a class act in my opinion and treated me like I was paying full sticker on a $350K coach. So, I think the delivery was as close to if it had just hit the lot as possible as opposed to a "lot queen" as you suggested.
ttymeg,, This sounds like a dealer that I might like to do business with. Do you think the dealer would mind if you told us thier name. I am also looking for a sweet deal.... thanks
Maybe I was a little harsh in my previous post, the Joe Public statement is what got under my skin a little. I did a little research as you suggested and if you paid around 45-50K for that Mirada 350DS then you did indeed get an outstanding deal, on the other hand if you paid more than 60K you got a "Joe Public" deal, and if you paid more than 75K, well then you know that old saying that if you can't spot the sucker in the room then you are the sucker
BTW, the reason that you would change the oil on a new unit after sitting on the lot for a year or two is that the fluids break down over time wheather your driving or not.
Lee & Ren
Bryce: 8
Dillon: 7
Bailey: 4
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
BTW, the reason that you would change the oil on a new unit after sitting on the lot for a year or two is that the fluids break down over time wheather your driving or not.
Not really true.
The correct reason is because the engine has been run off and on for that year, and the oil change interval is usually milage or time, but time is based on using the vehicle and not getting to the mileage.
If you had a fully filled engine that just sat unrun for a year or even two, the worst issue you might face is the condensation that might be in the oil. But once the engine is up to heat that condensation would be gone. Nothing else in the oil breaks down just based on time, if it did don't you think oil would have an expiration date?
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
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2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
Ha, Silver, I agree with you on the "sucker" in the room. No way I paid $75K although there are plenty of USED units for sale at that price which is exactly my point. Now is the time to buy new, as you can get a NEW unit for a used price because of the lack of demand out there.
Sticker on this unit was $107K fully equipped with auto levelers, dvd player, flat screen tv, back up camera, etc., RV Direct price new, which people herald all the time as some ultimate buy price, was around $75K base equipped. Used units with low miles and no warranties are out there for around $65-70K.
Thus if you can get a new one for 10-15K below the used prices and 20%-30% below the RV Direct new price which would be tens of thousands below sticker, then my point is not necessarily to discuss the cost of my unit, but rather to illustrate the point of this thread...this is exactly the time to buy a new unit. The depreciation curve that everyone worries about regarding a new unit will be much less impact, if even at all! In fact, with warranty and the ability to care for the unit, know it's flaws, proactively maintain it, your total cost of ownership right now might very well be much better (cheaper both short and long term) on a new unit than if you buy the unknowns of a used. My point isn't even with my unit, but rather buy new as a concept in general based on the thread question...as I think these deals are out there on new models of every genre.
I just took my new unit in to the shop for a few minor issues (broken drawer, auto jacks needed computer reset, caulk behind bathroom sink peeling a little, step out light not working, fender support needed to be redone in one place, short or lose connection in the back up camera wiring, that type of stuff) and it was all covered under warranty. Used unit, this would have cost me in either several hours time spent (when I could be camping) or in $$ to the shop. Thus the point in cost of ownership is what I was trying to illustrate.
I'm sorry if the "joe public" phrase seemed offensive, I didn't mean it that way. When I talk to my analyst about stocks he uses that as a generic term regarding the "buying consumer" all the time so I never thought it offensive.
07 Coachmen Mirada bunk floor plan 34ft new in 2008, Ford V10
22ft Deck Boat,
Me, Dear Wife, 3 Boys (11,8,6) & Baby Girl (1)
I agree with you analysis on buying new vs new in certain instances and I went through the same dilemma a few years back. I searched and searched for a 'like new' used unit for a deep discount, however when it came down to it I was able to by a brand new unit for less than what most people were trying to sell the exact same 2-3 year old unit for.
Good, great and even outstanding deals are out there and you have to educate yourself before pulling the trigger. It sounds like you have made a great deal and the important thing is you are spending time with your family. Depreciation doesn't really matter when the kids sit back and remember all of the fun things they did with their dad and mom over the summer when all of their friends just sat and played video games.
I agree with you analysis on buying new vs new in certain instances and I went through the same dilemma a few years back. I searched and searched for a 'like new' used unit for a deep discount, however when it came down to it I was able to by a brand new unit for less than what most people were trying to sell the exact same 2-3 year old unit for.
Good, great and even outstanding deals are out there and you have to educate yourself before pulling the trigger. It sounds like you have made a great deal and the important thing is you are spending time with your family. Depreciation doesn't really matter when the kids sit back and remember all of the fun things they did with their dad and mom over the summer when all of their friends just sat and played video games.
Best regards!
BIN-GO Silver, I couldn't agree with you more about in the end the cost of an RV is priceless with kids. See my profile for my thoughts on this very thing (I see kids as lunar orbiters!). I would have bought an RV if it cost me four times as much, new or used, as long as it would meet our (6 person plus friends) needs. :-)
Alot would depend on the life style I have chosen. I think I would look at a good used unit before a new one as their are probably alot of good deals out there right now.
I can't get my mind around how the cost of fuel has any effect on travel plans in a diesel RV, unless you are renting the RV. If you bought a diesel RV, you spent and will continue to spend a lot of money during ownership and now to say that you cannot afford to travel with it just does not make any sense unless your financial situation has changed dramatically and if that is the case then the diesel should be traded for something you can afford to utilize.
On a yearly average 5000 miles you will spend an extra $1600 (give or take) at the prices in the previous post. If $1600 is going to put you on the sidelines this ain't the hobby for you. Sorry for being so harsh......I know I'll here about it later.
Have you priced service items? Tires? Brakes? TOAD brakes? Campground Fees? A cracked windshield? House Batteries? That darn water leak? The trips to the dealer? This hobby is not for the faint hearted or for the shallow pocketed.
My last trip on spring break we had a GFI circuit go completely out which also disabled most of our inside receptacles. That would have been a trip killer for most but I trouble shot it myself and a quick trip to home depot we were back in business. I'm getting a little off topic here but what I am trying to say is that fuel is such a minor expense in the diesel RV hobby and it is what gets most of the focus.
No, I'll keep mine. We already did a 2000 mile trip in Feb-Mar timeframe. We will do a few more 'short' ones this summer. My rig is 'smaller' class A, paid for and is totally rebuilt inside. We are quite happy with it and I would rather maintain it than try to do that on a 'new' one. I did see a Fiesta with the same layout as mine, same approximate length. It looked better than mine on the outside as it was a 2005, but it DID-NOT look as good as mine on the inside !! I have a gasser and really don't think I can wear it out.
Silver_Knight wrote: I can't get my mind around how the cost of fuel has any effect on travel plans in a diesel RV
I think it depends upon your lifestyle - I'd agree that at 5000 miles a year then cost of fuel is neglibable and if that's how you use your RV then it's a buyers market.
However, we did 18,720 miles last year - well it was 387 days actually, and so fuel costs do impact us. We are heading up to the Pacific NW now that Vegas has got into the high 90's and that's going to be between 3-4000 miles - it does have an impact with $4.50 a gallon diesel.
We probably won't so as many miles this year because of the costs although if we can economize in other areas we may do more because this is one heck of a country to go see
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