RV Show/SuperShow Recommendations

[CaDreamin]

We go to the Pomona show, it’s good. I buy used so I don’t know any prices.

Roadtrek/Hymer were there last time as was Pleasureway. They had a lot of models there.

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

Originally Posted by CaDreamin

We go to the Pomona show, it’s good. I buy used so I don’t know any prices.

Roadtrek/Hymer were there last time as was Pleasureway. They had a lot of models there.

With the number of folks here on the forum who purchased brand new....kinda thought I was in the minority of one or two.....

Do you consider used for the same reason I did...to save money on the initial purchase price and steep deprecation?

Even though I have put a lot of money into the used rig....I'm still no where's near the brand new price ... plus sales tax etc....

In fact, the sales tax on a brand new RS Adventurous is close to $15,000 in California....and I have about $17,000 in repairs, upgrades, and maintenance on my Sprinter... It's all VERY expensive...but with all the customized things I did.... backup and front camera system.... sensors for backing up with alarm, solar panels system .... integrated navigation system and hands free phone integrated...... new shocks anti-sway, trac bar, batteries, tires, a lot of stuff..... some for safety.....and only 26,000 miles at purchase...... now 43,000..it's a pretty sweet setup.

I saw some used vehicles at Pomona last year....as well as the new ones... those used vehicles are also pretty high priced........

Good luck...

[BBQ]

.

If you go to the show and are seriously thinking of buying,
be prepared to make a deal.
Because the manufacturers are there, and they can offer better incentives (maybe free options) than what a dealer normally can do.

[CaDreamin]

>>Do you consider used for the same reason I did...to save money on the initial purchase price and steep deprecation?

Yes, that’s probably the biggest factor. I paid a little over 30K for a 2004 C190P with 65000 miles. New, that model is more like 130K.

I don’t need a mortgage-sized loan going into retirement.

>>Even though I have put a lot of money into the used rig....I'm still no where's near the brand new price ... plus sales tax etc....

There are a lot of things that you have to do to a used rig. Even if you do all your homework and get the rig checked out, there will be things that will come up. You just factor that in. New tires, shocks, suspension, brakes — it does add up. But does it add up to 100K plus interest? Not even close.

People are so nervous, they like the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that everything will get fixed under warranty. Me, I guess I just don’t care. I know how to fix things. There are volumes of horror stories on this and every other board about warranty trouble.


>>In fact, the sales tax on a brand new RS Adventurous is close to $15,000 in California....and I have about $17,000 in repairs, upgrades, and maintenance on my Sprinter... It's all VERY expensive...but with all the customized things I did.... backup and front camera system.... sensors for backing up with alarm, solar panels system .... integrated navigation system and hands free phone integrated...... new shocks anti-sway, trac bar, batteries, tires, a lot of stuff..... some for safety.....and only 26,000 miles at purchase...... now 43,000..it's a pretty sweet setup.

Im doing the same thing with mine. Adding all the bells and whistles that I want. Solar, new heater, airbags — really dialing it in the way I want it. You are ahead of me on the electronic toys though, I need to get onto that. I want the parking alarms and some better cameras.

I have an advantage, I do all of the coach work myself. The chassis work I hire out but I have good people for that. It would cost me quite a bit more if I hired it all out.

>>I saw some used vehicles at Pomona last year....as well as the new ones... those used vehicles are also pretty high priced........

I buy from private parties. I don’t think buying used from dealers is a good idea unless you can find one you can trust — and that’s hard to do.

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

Originally Posted by CaDreamin

>>Do you consider used for the same reason I did...to save money on the initial purchase price and steep deprecation?

Yes, that’s probably the biggest factor. I paid a little over 30K for a 2004 C190P with 65000 miles. New, that model is more like 130K.

I don’t need a mortgage-sized loan going into retirement.

>>Even though I have put a lot of money into the used rig....I'm still no where's near the brand new price ... plus sales tax etc....

There are a lot of things that you have to do to a used rig. Even if you do all your homework and get the rig checked out, there will be things that will come up. You just factor that in. New tires, shocks, suspension, brakes — it does add up. But does it add up to 100K plus interest? Not even close.

People are so nervous, they like the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that everything will get fixed under warranty. Me, I guess I just don’t care. I know how to fix things. There are volumes of horror stories on this and every other board about warranty trouble.


>>In fact, the sales tax on a brand new RS Adventurous is close to $15,000 in California....and I have about $17,000 in repairs, upgrades, and maintenance on my Sprinter... It's all VERY expensive...but with all the customized things I did.... backup and front camera system.... sensors for backing up with alarm, solar panels system .... integrated navigation system and hands free phone integrated...... new shocks anti-sway, trac bar, batteries, tires, a lot of stuff..... some for safety.....and only 26,000 miles at purchase...... now 43,000..it's a pretty sweet setup.

Im doing the same thing with mine. Adding all the bells and whistles that I want. Solar, new heater, airbags — really dialing it in the way I want it. You are ahead of me on the electronic toys though, I need to get onto that. I want the parking alarms and some better cameras.

I have an advantage, I do all of the coach work myself. The chassis work I hire out but I have good people for that. It would cost me quite a bit more if I hired it all out.

>>I saw some used vehicles at Pomona last year....as well as the new ones... those used vehicles are also pretty high priced........

I buy from private parties. I don’t think buying used from dealers is a good idea unless you can find one you can trust — and that’s hard to do.

Here's the link to the actual purchase....it only had 26,000 miles.......
But, the tires were 6 years old and I decided to replace them for safety.... took the vehicle out on an 11,000 miles trip across the USA.......

Batteries became a necessity plus many other things..... some upgrades, some repairs, and of course maintenance....it's a pretty nice vehicle though.... I think.....

https://www.conejowholesaleauto.com/...beffb59e9eb708

[Knit]

I bought my new RS in June 2013. It’s build date was in December 2012. Paid $96k coming out of the recession. I had other choices around $100k at the time. Nobody was paying list prices at time time. Sales tax was less than $9k. Also got free 200W solar package from Roadtrek promotion at the time.

Looked at buying used, but couldn’t find a 3500 Sprinter based one at the time. 2500 Sprinters had too little carrying and towing capacity for my use. There weren’t really a lot of new options at California dealers at the time except for Airstream and Winnebago Sprinters. Liked the Roadtrek best at the time.

Outside of scheduled maintenance, the biggest expenses so far were new Michelin tires and two new Amstron Ap-GC2 batteries at about $200 each. I’m pretty sure I contributed to the early demise of the original batteries by discharging too much with morning electric coffee maker among the mistakes. Added battery monitor and switched to propane for the coffee.

Never found a need for suspension changes. Did replace the macerator as well. Kept and rebuilt original one for next replacement. Haven’t had any emission issues to date. Also had to replace the starter battery.

At about 42k miles now. It’s been my best toy ever to date. I have my eye on a 4x4 Sprinter at some point, but my RS has a lot of life left and I might just keep it for a long time.

[tooTallforB?]

Just to salivate on nice things we can't have. I ran into this video (in Italian) of the Dusseldorf mega RV show. Lots of interesting ideas and floor plans and new Bs (some on the newest MB Sprinter)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O81W0XQNWM

[CaDreamin]

That’s a real beauty. Sounds like you got a great deal.

[Monica998]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.
If you go to the show and are seriously thinking of buying,
be prepared to make a deal.
Because the manufacturers are there, and they can offer better incentives (maybe free options) than what a dealer normally can do.

It sounds like a good idea! Actually at this time, the manufacturers can give you a big discount.