Yes. We're close to buying our first after a year of research. From an economic perspective the fuel cost is a small portion of the total cost of ownership. From an ecological perspective, the "carbon footprint" of using a Class A motorhome to travel and vacation compares well with flying across the country or around the globe and staying in a hotel or rental house. And we're buying new because we want to order it equipped as we like, not take someone else's choices in options. Plus we hopefully get the manufacturer standing behind their product when (not if) things go wrong.
Nascarcruzin wrote: Camping World is advertising 40% off their retail price. Now might be a good time to buy.
Rebecca
This is a good point. There is no question buying a new MH now, we save thousands from a year or two ago. That savings will more than compensate for the additional fuel costs. At the end of the day, we are ahead of the game. We looked at the '07 models of ours a year ago and could not buy it for close to what we got the new '08 with more options for. For us, it seems like a no brainer.
Yes, although my present RV is only one year old I will consider a new RV in a couple of years if the fuel price does not really get out of hand. I will probably buy new unless I find a one or two year old RV that I really like although I have never found a used RV that I would consider during my past five purchases.
I don't and never will full time but I really like the life style.
Mike H
2007 Allegro Bay 34XB FRED
2002 Dodge Dakota 4 wheel drive Toad 4.7 v8
Four Winns fishing boat
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.
* This post was
edited 05/09/08 10:55pm by ttymeg *
I agree if one has been looking for a new one the next 12-24 months would be a good time to buy. First the defunct builders coaches have to be sold and most likely at steep discounts. That will pull down the selling prices of all coaches in that same class and there is the current inventory of factories still in business building motor homes. After that happens unless fuel is over $5 a gallon you will see prices creep up I expect unless many to for a new one early because of the steep discounts and it leads to a delay in demands for new units.
Interest rates and the stock markets are weak so people with money have be willing to pull capital out of the markets and trade for a new unit. This may especially be the case with those who are full timing or expect to be active RV'ing for several years to come that would beyond how far the current rig could go well.
Yes, we are considering it as I write--or maybe a C just because I'm a little scared of the big monsters. Read and re-read afrank's comments. I keep saying the same things and nobody seems to agree. Fuel is a small part of the equation. If you can truly afford the MH and can afford the depreciation and upkeep expenses then you can afford the fuel.
However I'm sure there are many people out there buying MH's like people were buying house that have no business buying one because it stretches them way too then on their finances. So they may need to scale back. If $2000-$3000 more for fuel makes the difference in being able to afford it, then it probably is best to sell and downsize into what you can afford.
2008 Keystone Springdale 252
2004 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 L V8
Prodigy brake control and Equal-i-zer
Retired and traveling all we can!
Actually we just bought a used 1996 Class A on 3/31/08. Although I would not have bought a new unit. New units from all manufacturers have got a reputation of needing some or significant amounts of warranty work during the first two years of ownership. The used market has a huge inventory due largely to fuel prices and future fuel cost predictions.
Used model purchases also mean that the lion share of depreciation is already accounted for in the price.
As for fuel prices, I'm not worried. Market forces will guide fuel alternates into production. The net result will be a significant drop in traditional fuel prices in the long run.....and as everyone knows the issue isn't the amount of crude in the ground but rather refining capacity in the country.
As for our purchase, the dealer was asking $29,995.00. Fear, panic and greed brought them down to my offer of $11,750.00 We may not travel long distances in 2008 and 2009, but I own it without payments, with reasonable registration and insurance fees, and it gives us temporary visiting quarters for any friends or family which might want to come out to see us.
Many "experts" see this point in time as a watershed situation. Why? Is the mode of transportation changing from horse and buggy to trains, planes, and hovercraft?
Ofcourse not!
Enjoy every moment of life, and don't get caught up in the short term panic. Buy the mini Rvs if it fits all your needs but don't get trapped in a small RV because it will save for a few dollars at the pump in the short run. Besides the best fuel economy tricks are easy to implement.
Keep the tires at the right pressure, keep the chassis well maintained, and keep the speeds under 65 mph. Rving is about slowing down and enjoying the trip.
Just do it.
TV 02' Chevy Silverado 3500 8.1 liter 4X4, Rancho 9000, Airlift Airbags 2 Honda EU3000,plus paralleling kit (6000 Watts peak!)
Old Rig (03' Lance 1161) Boy I missed it!
New Rig (05' Cedar Creek 37RDQS)
Second new Rig 1996 Damon Intruder 325B
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