Questions about the 2003 International. Would you buy again/fair price.

Debbie · 10-18-2002, 12:06 PM

I am interested in finding out if the people who have bought the International AS would buy one again and why or why not?

Also, is there a standard price for what these trailers actually sell for versus the list price? We would like to pay a fair but not inflated price on this trailer.

Our nearest dealer is Windish RV in Colorado, has anyone dealt with them and if so, what was your experience?
Thanks,
Debbie

Pahaska · 10-18-2002, 12:59 PM

The answer is yes.

With all the small problems I have had, I really love the trailer. I am somewhat disappointed in some sloppy small details of design and construction, but the big items are well done and I think it will last for many years.

I haven't had any show stopper problems and have never had to take it back to the dealer for any reason.

It tows wonderfully and is just the right size for my use. I have never failed to get admiring comments wherever I go with the trailer.

Debbie · 10-18-2002, 09:33 PM

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts
on the AS trailer, it helps to know the problems
you mention are minor. After reading some of
the threads about it I was starting to wonder
if anyone was happy with their purchase.

My husband and I really like the design and the
layout, it seems like it would be very comfortable.
Debbie

Pahaska · 10-18-2002, 10:31 PM

I notice on the A/S International website that there is an option for a couch in lieu of the dinette. If I were buying today, I would take that option since I have no need for the dinette as a bed.

I would take also just a cooktop instead of the oven since we carry a small microwave. Not having the oven adds about 30 pounds of useful load. I have never even used 2 burners at a time so far and I'm sure I don't need 3 burners. The extra storage space would be nice.

I would also probably opt for the vinyl flooring which is an unannounced option. Saves quite a bit of weight, I think I read 38# somewhere. I would use carpet runners as appropriate. I have the runners anyway to protect the beige carpet in my unit.

Debbie · 10-20-2002, 05:27 PM

Great suggestions regarding what you would change
about the AS.

Do you find that you don't eat at the dinette?
We were thinking that would be a nice place
to sit in the evening. I will have to check out
the Airstream website to see the alternative
floorplan with the sofa instead.

Thanks again for taking the time to post a
reply!
Debbie

Pahaska · 10-20-2002, 06:19 PM

I had a couch in my last trailer and I miss it. Dinettes aren't the most comfortable places to sit for long periods. The TV is on top of the refrigerator and that means sitting kinda sidesaddle. I will say that the AS dinette is the most comfortable and well padded of any dinette I have used o far. It's not bad, I just think a couch would be better.

A/S doesn't show the couch option on the web site yet. It is just listed in the options.

I design and build furniture as a hobby, so I could easily make a drop-leaf table that would serve very well and be out of the way when not used.

I'm seriously considering modifying my current trailer to a couch. I measured and found that I can use most of the dinette structure and all of the cushions.

Debbie · 10-22-2002, 08:59 AM

My husband and I went back to the dealer yesterday
to look at the AS again and we are definitely going to
buy one! We both feel very comfortable in it and we
think for the two of us along with our Corgis, it should
be a good fit.

I really like the generous amount of counter space in
the trailer, it is very nice. If we were to order one we
would want a vinyl floor or I would even prefer
a wood laminate floor.

The one thing that I find odd is the medicine cabinet
in the bathroom is fastened with velcro, it was really
hard to pull open and I wondered if the entire unit
would pop out in my hand.

My husband suggested buying a futon to turn the
dinette into a sofa when we want to lounge around.
It looks like that might work for us since my husband
likes the dinette. He said if we end up not liking it,
he would replace it with a sofa.

The salesman we are working with has been very
nice, there is no pressure at all to buy immediately.
He did say that we would get a better deal if we
bought from their existing inventory.
Debbie

Pahaska · 10-22-2002, 09:59 AM

Mine came with a dime-sized dot of velcro that couldn't keep the door shut when travelling. I replaced it with a mechanical latch ... see the thread on 2003 International AS. I applied a big piece of velco "fuzz" for padding. I prefer the mechanical latch and it took only minutes to install. I have attached a picture of mine.

I was in a new CCD last week, and they now use a big strip of industrial-strength velcro. The cabinet was hard to open, just as you mention. If I were to buy a new one today, I would rip out the velcro hooks and put on a mechanical latch just as I have on mine.

hex · 10-22-2002, 10:59 AM

John and Debbie altho I am not shopping for a new Airstream,
(vintager for me). I am enjoying yall's back & forth. John is a real asset on this forum in my HUMBLE o.

But just for my own curiosity I wish some would address Debbie's question about the selling price mechanics of new Airstreams.
I doubt there is a posted sticker price as on a new automobile. (Is there?) But does anyone have a feel for the discount possibilities, and even expectations of the seller?

If not then perhaps the discounts seen at model change. Surely some of us have priced in the spring and bought in the late fall. What kind of reductions ? How about new models that were over a year old?

Sometimes I get the impression that money is a subject not to be brought up around here. Like it is uncouth to save a buck or something.
So many proverbs and cliches spring to mind, such as pennies earned...' and certain ones 'and their money... soon parted'

and so many more. but I wont bore yall with that.

BTW: John what is that striped portion of the brass latch, and is there another brass piece as a latchkeeper plate? Where'd you get latch and is there a brand or part number avail? thanks

Pahaska · 10-22-2002, 01:39 PM

I'm going to duck the money question because I just don't know. I paid close to book for my AS since it is a 2003 and a very popular new model. I did get a good trade on my old TrailManor and I was satisfied with the deal.

The catch is called a "rooster catch". Home Depot and most real good hardware stores should have them. They come with a latch plate, but I didn't use the plate for this application. The catch just hooks over the mirror glass and I applied a small piece of transparent plastic as padding. The plastic wasn't there yet when the photo was taken.

I don't know the brand or part number. I have bought several rooster catches over the years at different places.

The striped "thing" under the catch is a piece of a pen blank. I turn wood pens for a hobby. When I was looking for a suitable piece of hardwood to mount the catch on, I ran across a scrap piece of pen blank that was exactly the right size. I just rounded the corners a bit and mounted the catch through the block with 2 long screws.

The reason that it is striped is that it is a piece of "Dymondwood". They veneer hardwood, dye the pieces, and then assemble the layers under pressure with an epoxy. Dymondwood comes in all sorts of neat colors. In the AS bathroom, the block is not visible unless the medicine cabinbet is opened.

gwsullivan · 10-22-2002, 06:05 PM

Debbie, you can request an Airstream price list from the factory and use it to compare the dealer price.

Debbie · 10-22-2002, 06:06 PM

John, that is a great solution to the medicine
cabinet problem! I thought having that piece
of velcro instead of a real latch was a little odd.
Your solution looks great and it is something
my husband can do when we get the trailer.

I too was starting to wonder if I shouldn't have
brought up the subject of retail pricing versus
actual price paid. I thought that trailers were
like cars, you could offer a certain percentage over
actual dealer cost and make a deal. My husband
is very frugal and does his homework, he won't
pay more than he thinks is fair for both the dealer
and for us. It is good to know this is a popular
model so we might have to be willing to give a little
in order to make a deal.

I'm glad this thread is interesting for others, we have
never owned a trailer so I was afraid my questions
might seem ridiculous to most Airstream owners.
Thanks again,
Debbie

Debbie · 10-22-2002, 06:15 PM

I will pass along the info to my husband about requesting
a price list from the factory, he will certainly appreciate
going into the dealership well informed.

This is a great forum, it is nice to be able to ask
people about the trailer before we buy it, I think
by sharing information everyone wins.
Debbie

rcaldwel · 10-23-2002, 12:18 PM

When we went shopping for our 2001 Bambi, I started on the internet visiting all the dealers sites available. I then started serious negotiations with three. Price was somewhat flexible. The Bambi we finally got was listed at almost $29000 due to some extras at that time. We narrowed down the dealers to two where each had a Bambi. The best price we got from one, which was special a internet quote was $ 27500. They incidently are not far from Jackson Center and like to boost about their pricing and inventory. They held at that price and would not bargain for other things such as Zep Dee chairs, electric jack - things I was use to dealing with car dealers about throwing in. The other dealer was in a different situation. He had one Bambi in stock and it had been there almost a year. His main customer base was for the larger A/S 25' and above. He only took the Bambi as it was new model and I got the indication that the factory had put a little pressure on him to take it. Anyway, to make a long story short, we got the trailer at a little less than $23000.
I don't know if this is normal or not. Based on our shopping experience, I think we got a fairly good deal. Bottom line I think is to exhaust all leads and don't be hesitant in giving them a price. Also, we did travel over 700 miles to pick it up, but it was an easy trip and we got to try it out on the way home.

Bob Caldwell