Buying an RV
You may have chosen the type of rig that best suits your needs after researching the various recreational vehicles available on the market, such as; travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, etc. However, there is still one crucial question that needs to be answered before you make your final decision: should I purchase an all-new or used RV?
The consequences are significant and may even influence how much you appreciate your “new-to-you” mobile home, and the leisure experiences it provides.
Of course, there isn’t a particularly straightforward response to this significant question of buying either a new or used RV.
Also, similar to buying a car, you’re likely to come across a wide range of viewpoints, and arguments on both sides, but the choice ultimately comes down to how you respond to the following questions:
How Significant is Your RV’s Value to You?
Purchasing an RV is similar to purchasing a car in many ways. For instance, the value of a brand-new car you purchase depreciates by up to 25% as soon as you start driving it off the lot, and another 10% by the close of the first year.
Also, a new RV has the same advantages. A used RV, however, has typically already seen its biggest decline in value. Therefore, its worth should remain fairly constant unless its condition drastically changes; for example, it is engaged in a mishap or becomes unable to be driven. But why then is this even relevant?
Well, for starters, your protection would not cover the full cost of the RV if you were in a mishap and it was tallied, even on the day you bought it.
Only the de-predicated value would be given to you. It also means that even if your RV is still in excellent shape, and has extraordinarily low mileage, you won’t be able to recoup much of what you spent on it if you plan to sell it quickly after buying it.
This probably wouldn’t be the scenario if you bought a used RV. Because a used RV’s book value influences the price you pay in part. If it was totaled, your insurance provider would reimburse you for that sum, minimizing your loss.
Additionally, unless you treated the car poorly or put a lot of miles on it, you could still try, and sell it for a price that was nearly equal to what you paid initially.
Of course, the off-the-lot drops in devaluation may not be such a big deal if you are positive, and plan to own this RV for the foreseeable future or, at the very least, for a good number of years.
How Much Do You Want to Invest?
Actually, the most crucial question is the question of budget.
You are on a budget, after all, unless you probably won the lottery. The simple fact is that a new RV will cost you significantly more than a used Motorhome. You won’t have the ability to negotiate a price that is even remotely close to what you would pay for an equivalent used RV, even if you are skilled at doing so.
One reason is that compared to brand-new ones, used recreational vehicles typically need more maintenance, and all these renovations are less likely to be protected by warranties. Another thing to think about is the potential cost of remodeling a used RV to suit your preferences and requirements.
Nevertheless, most RV holders would still choose to purchase a used vehicle over a brand-new one in the end. Some used recreational vehicle typically has lower insurance, tax, and licensing costs. However, if cost is not your top priority, you might prefer the freedom to pick and choose features for a brand-new RV.
Are You Prepared to Compare Prices?
Individual satisfaction differs, some people prefer not to leave the RV lot once they have found one they like, and want to purchase it. Nothing will prevent them from getting what they want because they know precisely what they want once they see it.
Before making a choice, some people prefer to take a stroll through RV parks, look through classified ads, and trawl through websites for weeks.
However, if you want to purchase a used RV, you must be prepared to shop around, especially if you intend to deal with a private seller.
When you buy a used RV, you don’t just compare the features, and prices of models from the same year. Instead, you’re contrasting the prices of recreational vehicles whose model years may differ by 3 to 5 years. For instance, buying the 1996 model might be more affordable than buying the more expensive but superior 1999 RV. In addition, you’ll compare things like mileage, and also, wear and tear.
Before making a final decision on a used RV, you ought to have the vehicle extensively inspected by a mechanic. This will allow you to get an idea of what major repairs, if any, may be in store for you in the future.
Do You Need the Newest Amenities and Technology to be Satisfied with Your RV?
The following query is probably more crucial than you might imagine. Take a car, for instance; Features that weren’t as common on cars a few years ago, like automatic windows, rear window defoggers, CD changers, and passenger side airbags, are now standard on new cars.
Some people can live without a CD player in their car, but for others, having one can make the difference between buying the car, and progressing on to the next one.
The same is truly the case for an RV, but to a substantial degree, because you will be more likely to be in your RV than your vehicle.
Additionally, there are many more additional features on an RV than just a leather interior or a sunroof. Some recreational vehicles (RVs) are so stuffed with extra features that they resemble luxury hotels more than they do actual mobile homes.
However, as you can probably guess, the newest RV models will always have the newest features. Therefore, purchasing a brand-new item is your best option if having a top-of-the-line, completely modern recreational device is what you want.
Conclusion
The choice ultimately rests with you. Purchasing a used RV makes sense if you want to save funds, or don’t require the newest gadgets, and also want a more reliable value for your RV.
However, if money or depreciation isn’t a major concern, and you want all the features, you might want to consider a new RV.
The best course of action, though, might be to remain open to both possibilities. If you do your homework, and comparison shop, you’ll eventually find the ideal RV for your family.
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