I am in CA.
Never owned a RV before. Absolutely know nothing about RV's.
Been looking at used Class B and C.
Even looking at a cabover camper for my Toyota PU.
Then I see where Giant RV in CA has BRAND NEW
2012 Fleetwood Searcher 23B
for $48,000.
They have 4 in stock.
They are Ford 350 chassis with V8. 24 foot long.
Has all the stuff... generator, etc.
What are the pros and cons of buying the cheapest new Class C I can find vs buying something used in the same price range?
I also went to the factory and looked at Lazy Daze class C. The 24 foot starts at $80,000. This NEW Class C is $30,000 less.
I can buy a lot of gas and add a lot of accessories at Camping World for $30,000.
I really have the HOTS to get into RVing.
Would this be a good move for me, for my first ever RV?
It's supposed to be $62,538.00 MSRP new...according to Giant's website. I found them for $49,900.00 on up in a National Search of RVTrader. But it would seem like you should snap it up! Quick!
You'll be getting a brand new Class C for a "used" price! With a full 1 year warranty on the RV part and Fords 5 year warranty on the engine...which has 255 HP and 350 lbs torque!
It is a very basic Class C...but it has all the stuff you'll need. They only built 2 models...the 23B and the 25K. The one your looking at is 24'4"...a nice size that will be easy to drive and easy to back uo into a tight camping space. It has the Ford 5.4 V-8 and a 40 gallon fuel tank.
The ONLY option is a 19" LCD TV...try to see if the dealer can throw one in for free as part of the Deal! Good luck!
Here!
* This post was
edited 04/28/12 06:47pm by fordsooperdooty *
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
I would worry more about the size and things such as the sleeping arrangements. My wife and I started with a 19 ft. hard size popup. We didn't like not being able to sleep side by side. We next moved to a 23 ft. motorhome Class C and we never came to grips with completely making up the table to be a bed and using the couch to become a bed; again no sleeping together and a chore to always tidy up the "room." We then went to a 27 ft. 5th wheel. I simply never learned to drive it well and I'm not certain the F150 we had to pull it was really sized to the task. Sold it and got a Class B+ Lexington. Island bed in the back and at 27 ft. it satisfies most of our needs. My favorite, however, was the 5th wheel. More home for the dollar. I would simply learn how to park it. Driving was not a problem. Good luck with your choice. It has been a fun adventure for us. Incidentally, the timeframe from our 1st experience until now has been 5 years. Whoa, it does go by fast.
With that much of a discount and it fits your needs I would jump on it.With the left over cash you can buy a lot of goodies,which you will need if this your first time,LOTS and LOTS of goodies
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 VORTEC Recycled El Monte RV Rental
The most important thing is the floor plan. If the floor plan suits you then consider other things. One thing that allows entry level RVs to cost less is the lack of little things like wall switches for ceiling lights, a back-up camera, electric steps and such. Many of these are not too difficult to add later at low cost if you are a DIY type of person. Since this is your first RV you may not know if the floor plan suits you. Our first RV had a corner bed and my wife had a hard time making the bed, changing sheets, etc. Our current RV is an entry level MH, which we bought new, and it suits us just fine.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory
It looks like a good entry-level unit to me. You can always sell it in a year or two and move up if you decide you need more space or a different floor plan. It will still be late-model and by getting such a good deal you might get most of your money back out of it. Being new to RVing you probably won't even miss frills like electric steps until you see others with them.
Saint Augustine wrote: We didn't like not being able to sleep side by side.
This is a good example of how people's priorities are different. When DH outfitted our Sprinter-based DIY Class B, we wanted to still be able to use it as a van and carry a sheet of plywood, so we opted for bunk beds. We figured after 19 years, the marriage would survive an occasional few nights three feet apart. At home, we sleep side-by-side every night, though not next to each other anyway because the Pomeranians claim the center of the bed.
And when we shopped for the Class C we have now, we were so used to space being tight that we really didn't care if we had a slide-out or not. Now that we have one, we're amazed by the space it provides.
The OP didn't mention a spouse. If there isn't one, or even with one, this might be a perfect forever 2nd home.
Buy one that is 4 years old for 35K, with very low miles with all the above this one does not have. This one is what you would expect a rental fleet rig to have. Not much of a deal in my opinion
* This post was
edited 04/28/12 09:08pm by winnietrey *
Just be sure that if you buy new, you'll keep it for a LONG time. If you think you will want to get anything more later, you are going to take a MASSIVE hit in the first few years on depreciation.
I'm with Winnietrey, to get the same type of "entry" (I hate using that word) RV that is 4 years @ 35k miles. You'll save a fortune.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
One way to look at it. At least this has been my experience, It costs about $50 a month to keep a MH on the road. Tires, shocks, oil, roof caulking etc. Some years more than others. But on average 500 to 600 a year.
I bought a 2001 in 2005, with 5 thousand miles, for 33k, according to Nada it is now worth about 19k. So 14K loss over 7 years about 2k per year
Had I bought new in 2005, The model listed at 81k, Say, you could have got it for 65k. That model is now worth according to Nada 35K, so a 30k loss in 7 years, or over 4k per year.
So in my opinion it seems to me, the 500 or so in maintance and repair per year is pretty much a fixed cost, reguardless of the rig. But the deperication is what gets you.
A fellow should be pretty darn sure of what he wants if he buys brand new, Becuase you are going to get creamed if you deciede to trade it in after a few years.
thanks everyone. You all gave me some good ideas and points.
I want to stay with a short Class C.
I understand about the depreciation.
If anyone sees a good buy on one a few years old, please email me.
http://www.giantrv.com/DealerFiles/DealerList.asp?CategoryID=29
shows the price and link to unit, if anyone else is interested.
I looked at a similar unit last week and liked the floor plan.
The corner bed is OK with us. Me in corner bed and wife overhead.
The salesman said 2 types of roofs. Fiberglass and Rubber. Is this true?
Are either one OK?
Regarding the engine.. the V8 seems OK to me. I am not much of a speed demon and putting along is OK with me in the slow lane.
I was also hoping for a little better gas mileage vs the V10.
Was hoping for 10 mpg. Is this realistic?
Do you think it comes with a spare? Chassis mount underneath I guess?
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