Are Used Motor Homes Worth Your Time?Used motor homes are a big item on the market today. Magazines, Internet sites, and American front lawns all announce the fact that a lot of motor homes are up for sale. If you are a potential motor home buyer, having so many used motor homes for sale is a positive development, for which there are many causes. It is true that the economy can be a major factor in used vehicle sales, and this is particularly true of motor homes and RVs. When money is tight, people will often divest less critical items. Vacation homes, time shares, boats, snowmobiles, and, of course, motor homes are often put up for sale to try and make ends meet. This is especially true when the item is still encumbered with high interest debt. There are, however, other considerations. After all, while the economy may not be as robust as many would like, it is by no means tanked. Major purchases are happening every day in a wide variety of markets and economic segments. Just because many motor homes are for sale is not a warning sign of monetary collapse. So what are some of the other reasons for so many used motor homes up for sale? The most common is the most obvious. The family bought it, but didn't use it enough to make the purchase worthwhile. It sounded like a great idea at the time, and maybe they did use it a lot the first year or so. But now, it sits in the driveway, depreciating and locking up capital that could be used for other family needs and wants. Another reason used motor homes turn up on the market is that the owners are trading up or down for another vehicle. Perhaps their family is growing or their appetite for travel is expanding, and they need a motor home with more room or amenities. Or maybe the family is grown, and the empty nesters have found themselves with more motor home than they can use. Or perhaps the open road has lost some of its allure over the years. Tastes change, hobbies are replaced and old toys must be sold to make room for the new. If you are looking into used motor homes with an eye for a purchase, you should know a few things up front. If this is your first motor home purchase, be careful about buying directly from the owner. You may know a lot about a lot of thing, but motor homes and RVs are a very specialized area of knowledge, and it is easy to make the wrong decision if you haven't done your homework. For a first time purchase, consider a dealer that specializes in used motor homes. This kind of firm has the experience and knowledge that you may lack which can keep you from a costly mistake. As with any purchase, selecting the right used motor home requires a lot of thought. Check out the brands and models before you start looking. Determine the seating and sleeping requirements, gas mileage, fuel types, and ease of handling. Here again, the dealer will have a variety of models to compare and try out. Unlike many car models, motor homes are built to last for years and, if properly maintained, can have a useful life far beyond most automobiles and light trucks. So, if you check out your seller, and inspect the vehicle carefully for signs of abuse, you should be able to pick up a good deal on a used motor home that will last you for some time to come. |