One advantage of buying used is that most of the bugs have been worked out by the original owner. My "new" coach has been in the shop more than on the road (for stupid little adjustments and two window replacements under factory warranty).
Bruce Brown wrote: The only trouble with buying used and fixing it the way you want it is no matter how much you spend it's still only worth market value. A $50,000 MH with $15,000 worth of personal upgrades is still only worth $50,000. I'd much rather buy a $65,000 MH and enjoy the niceness of new/newer.
My thoughts exactly. You start throwing money into 20 year old motorhomes, and the motorhome is still old (and looks old) and isn't worth anymore than before you started.
I would look into a newer used unit that you can live in without having to completely remodel it.
2006 Winnebago Voyage 35A, W-22
Brake Buddy, Aventa II tow bar, Protect-A-Tow
2005 Hyundai Elantra toad
Alot of your decision should rest on how much time you have to devote to "fixingUp", how handy you are and how big your toolbox is. We bought used, from friends, three years old. I have changed, modified and upgraded all kinds of things.
However, I am retired, an electrical engineer, the coach sits on a pad next to the house, live in SE Florida where it is warm year round and I have a garage full of tools. Also, a neighbor across the street who is a woodworker by avocation and can fix almost anything. (Me too, if I have the ambition!)
For example, electronics, flat screen TVs etc. can be replaced reasonably easy. Batteries can be upgraded, curtains replaced even furniture can be replaced.
You are trading your time, energy and such for money. And by the way, by purchasing an older coach and fixing it up to your tastes, you will learn a lot more about it than you would buying new!
You can do a search on what mods and upgrades folks have done on here.
Good luck!
2001 National Tradewinds LTC, 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited toad, M & G air brake, Blue Ox base plate and tow bar.
One "Bald-Headed Old Guy" (me),
One "Jewish-American Princess" (DW)
Two Birman Cats, "Mocha" & "Coco"
I suspect the majority of people who advise to buy new, would have to pay some one to fix a used one up. If you have the ability to do it yourself, and there are a lot that do, buy used. If you have to pay someone to do it, buy new. As someone said, you will learn more about your coach that way, probably more than you actually cared to. There are a lot of outstanding used units available out there for excellent prices. The funny thing is, you might find a used unit, that is just what you want and all it requires is cleaning. Then think of all the money you saved. Just don't be in a hurry. Have fun.
topflite51 wrote: I suspect the majority of people who advise to buy new, would have to pay some one to fix a used one up. If you have the ability to do it yourself, and there are a lot that do, buy used.
I can do the upgrades myself, and have done it both ways - and MUCH prefer "newer". I'd rather spend my time enjoying, not fixing. Then again, I still work full time, if I was retired it might be different. I still enjoy "projects", I just don't enjoy "repair projects". Big difference.
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
The OP's question is a good, and it's one that many of us asked ourselves before our 1st purchase.
Hence all the answers are good because the variables are relentless.
So for feedback that can go deeper I have to agree most with those asking questions like: How do you plan to use it? How long? What's older? What's newer?.
The more insight the more the answers will be more consensus like.
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
2007 Foretravel Nimbus
Cummins ISM 500HP
Allison MH4000w/Retarder
If you are the type of person who relishes in the gratification of fixing things and doing your own remodeling, buy a high end used coach (prevost, bluebird, newell). If you are one that needs to go to a dealer for every little thing and/or hire all your repairs and remodeling done, buy a new unit in your price range.
Your posts have helped remove some of the "trees" that have been blocking my thinking. I can also see that my OP was not near specific enough.
Our budget is 150k (we don't want to borrow),and for this amount I think I can buy a 1-3 year old mid-priced 40'DP in excellent shape if I shop enough. Or I could buy a 3-5 year old coach in excellent condition that we can fix up the way we want and have money left over.
By fix-up I mean things like new flooring. adding a computer desk, SAT dish,
Sliding tray in the basement, new flat screen TVs etc, etc, etc.
I am a tinkerer not a "tech" by any means so I would have to hire things done.
Because we will be using it for months at a time, we would like 3-4 slides.
Again, thanks for your posts as they are very helpful.
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There are a lot of outstanding used units available out there for excellent prices. The funny thing is, you might find a used unit, that is just what you want and all it requires is cleaning.
