Let me guess – you just returned from a camping trip in your buddy’s brand new RV, and you just can’t deny it anymore: once you’ve experienced the luxuries of a motorhome, there’s no going back to a tent and sleeping bag.
If roughing it isn’t your style and you’re looking to add a little adventure to your life, purchasing an RV is the perfect compromise – but those price tags can be awfully intimidating. You want something that’ll last, and some of the amenities are too cool to pass up. On the other hand, to afford it, you might have to sell your home and live out of your RV full-time, and you’re just not willing to do that (yet). Fortunately for you, there are plenty of options available – but the first step is deciding whether you should shop new or used.
Buying brand new
Obviously, there are plenty of perks that come with splurging on the most recent model – and we’re not just talking about that new RV smell. A brand new motorhome means that no one has travelled in it before, so all of the appliances and features will typically be in tip-top shape.
You probably won’t be making repairs anytime soon, but if a freak accident does occur and you find yourself in the service department, you’re in luck – those damages will probably be covered under a manufacturer warranty, saving you a lot of hassle and money. The odometer also won’t have any miles on it when you drive off of the lot, and to really sweeten the deal, you’ll have access to all of the latest and coolest features (bragging rights: secured).
Of course, that price tag is probably still lurking in the back of your mind. You know you’ll already be dropping a pretty penny on your rig, but you might also be concerned about its value inevitably depreciating once you venture off of the lot. If the newer model is too flashy to resist, we don’t blame you – just make sure you’ll be getting your money’s worth. If your motorhome will probably wind up spending most of the year in storage, a new RV might not be the wisest choice for you.
Buying pre-owned
The biggest benefit to shopping pre-owned is, of course, all of the money that you’ll be saving. And guess what? Buying a used RV doesn’t mean that you’ll have to sacrifice all of those fancy features. If you shop for a model that’s only a few years older, you’ll still get a lot of the same amenities at a much more feasible price.
Another added bonus is that a pre-owned vehicle has been travelled in before, so it’ll feel much homier than a newer model. The previous owners have probably put a lot of TLC into their rig, and they may have even made custom upgrades like extra lighting and storage (and trust us – you’ll need all of the storage you can get).
You might be thinking that you’ll miss out on all of the benefits that come with a newer model, but most of them are luxuries that you can easily live without. Of course, the older the RV, the more likely you are to encounter damages and accidents that will require repairs; in other words, you may wind up sinking a lot of money into your RV when you goal was to save it.
If you choose to buy directly from the previous owners, be careful – there may be some hidden damage that they didn’t disclose. Fortunately, a lot of the inconveniences that can come with purchasing a used RV can be avoided by purchasing through a dealership.
Now that you’ve decided on new or pre-owned, it’s time to start shopping! Regardless of your choice, Patterson RV in Wichita Falls, Texas has a great inventory of both. We offer specials and clearance prices that will take the pain out of shopping, making it possible for you to drive off in the RV of your dreams!
