| No matter what the season, a used motorhome may | | | | so during the first ten or twenty thousand miles. The |
| in fact be one of the best buys you can make, if | | | | warranty will usually cover these problems, they do |
| you do your homework, be patient, and be prepared | | | | get repaired, and the chances are great that the |
| to jump on the best deal that you find. | | | | motorhome will chug along for another 60 thousand |
| It's true that motorhomes can be hideously | | | | trouble free miles or so are pretty good. That is the |
| expensive when new, that is why I recommend that | | | | "sweet spot" during which buying a used motorhome |
| you consider taking the time and effort to find a | | | | could be right in the middle of a great life |
| used motorhome in great shape, at a great price. I've | | | | expectancy, meaning that you probably will have |
| written down three of my favorite reasons to buy | | | | minimal repair expenses during this time frame. |
| used to help you be a smart shopper. | | | | So, the sweet spot for a good used motorhome |
| Depreciation | | | | could be between 20,000 miles and 80,000 miles. |
| Like new cars, a new motorhome will lose a huge | | | | Could a well taken care of motorhome go beyond |
| chunk of its value as you drive it off the lot. How | | | | 80,000 and not have reliability problems? Most |
| much value can it lose? If a new motorhome is | | | | definitely, although the chances something big will go |
| anything like a new car, it could lose up to one-third | | | | wrong increase as the miles roll by. |
| of its value within the first year of ownership! So, if | | | | Convenience |
| you paid $60,000 for a new class C motorhome, at | | | | I will admit it right here - I like to buy vehicles from |
| the end of 12 months it could be worth as little as | | | | private parties. That's right, I deplore the |
| $40,000! Of course, there are a lot of things that can | | | | high-pressure sales tactics of some of those |
| factor into this depreciation such as the type and | | | | motorhome dealers. Plus, I have usually had a good |
| brand of motorhome, its condition, the mileage and | | | | experience buying from a private seller. I think that |
| so on. | | | | they are mostly more honest and open about |
| But the fact remains that depreciation is a huge | | | | problems and issues with the motorhome. And, |
| expense, and you can put depreciation one your side | | | | they're usually much easier to deal with and seldom |
| by buying a year or two old motorhome and putting | | | | do they hit you with high pressure sales. |
| that loss on your side of the balance sheet! | | | | On the downside, private sellers don't offer financing |
| Relaibility | | | | (you must bring cash). |
| There are a lot of things that can go wrong in a new | | | | That is the only negative I can think of for buying a |
| motorhome, and the chances are good that, if | | | | used motorhome from a private party. |
| anything will break or wear out prematurely, it will do | | | | |