THE URGE TO BUY an RV struck me again during this past week. It is interesting and amazing to listen to me develop the many reasons why I need a newer motorhome. One part of my "buy now" mind battles the frugal other part and we shall see which one wins.
Since beginning my single, fulltime RVing lifestyle in March, 2007 I have owned and operated 4 different motorhomes. From the beginning I knew that fulltiming was what I wanted to do, but time and financial constraints limited my initial purchase to a 1984 Travelcraft Class C unit. After 2 months that was replaced on an interim basis with a 1996 40' Mountaineer Class A, loaned to me by our Happy Trails RV Rental business being operated by my ex-wife. That rig was returned to the business and my next purchase was a 1989 26' Born Free President. The Born Free took me safely to and from Alaska via the Alaska Hiway, south to Washington and east to Illinois. There a 37', 1990 Gulfstream Friendship attracted my attention and that diesel pusher has been my home since October, '07.
Almost without warning a bit of dissatisfaction with Friendship has reared its ugly head. Perhaps it started when a friend began looking at motorhomes for sale on Craigslist, RV Trader and eBay. On the internet one can find hundreds of motorhomes, trailers and 5th wheels for sale daily. All types of RVs from 1970's to brand new 2010 models are listed. Many are in excellent condition and because of the state of the US economy are offered at exceptionally low prices. My eyes and mind began to find minor faults with my current motorhomes that I had easily overlooked in the past.
During the past weeks my eyes and thoughts have strayed toward Craigslist-Phoenix and Tucson where there are some great opportunities to buy RVs. Honestly, some of these opportunities are there due to the fact that other people have given in to THE URGE TO BUY AN RV. Unfortunately, in too many situations that URGE has led to a purchase that was more than the buyer's budget could handle during these times. Several sellers have told me that they simply cannot make the loan payments and cannot afford to drive the RV or take a vacation due to their changed financial situation. One person indicated that they now owe more than $90,000.00 on their 2007 motorhome and the bank is willing to sell it for $65,000.00
The lesson is, as in all purchases, to buy within your budget and do not buy more RV than you can afford. That is a tough lesson for many people who have been living in a financial fantasy world during the recent boom period and now must face reality.
While shopping RVs it has been my pleasure to make contact with Phoenix area dealers who demonstrate a desire to offer good to excellent quality RVs and service to their potential customers. Meeting and talking with sales reps at Arizona RV Center and Beaudry RV has made it a bit more difficult for me to battle THE URGE.
The RV industry is beginning to rebound from the current recession and the backlog of RVs has been gradually reduced by sales to those who can now afford to purchase new and used RVs. Note that there are still "new" 2008 and 2009 RVs on dealer lots that are being offered at reduced prices. IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY now is still a good time to buy an RV.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THERE NEVER IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY AN RV.
As a frugal buyer I am battling the URGE TO BUY (partly because I now own 2 motorhomes) and just last night I saved $86,000.00 by not buying a beautiful Gulfstream Sun Voyager on eBay.
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