Congrats on getting clearer about your decision process and target Airstream.. You will continue to find help and encouragement here on the Forum!
Couldn't resist adding that (in my experience..) 99% of dealers will not actually quote you their final walkaway price, as they want YOU to make an offer they can either accept or reject or counter.. Yeah, it sometimes works for internet deals, but more often than not you should be prepared to offer them your final cash purchase price, subject to verification of repaired items, etc etc and see how they react.. When I teach car-buying, I put forward proposition that if you haven't gotten up, walked out to car to drive away at least once, you're not done yet.. Sales manager will generally follow you to car if you're anywhere close and not ridiculous low price, and they believe you are going to buy that vehicle or one like it soon...
John McG
__________________ Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
OK I see the guide value but how do you find out what a 19' 2000 Bambi is really worth? I bought mine in 2001 and am not using it but I would like a fair price to sell it... so how do I determine what is a fair price? I love this little trailer and hate to part with it.
Lynette
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - towing a - 1966 Overlander International Twin Bed
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII Diamond Anniversary 4.6L (275hp), 4R70W - 1990 Ford E 150 5.8L, E4OD, 3.55 ____________________________________
Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
While NADA guides or Kelley BlueBook or other guides might give you a range of prices based on dealer input (Dealers are the ones who set or send prices to these guides), they are for dealer benefit and financing, not consumers and private sellers...
That said, potential buyers might also go there and be put off if your prices are way out of line...
I'd look at big 3 for electronic ads (Here, Vintage Airstreams at www.airstream.net, and rvtraderonline.com ) and see if there are any similar trailers in your area, or even if not similar, how they are priced relative to NADA or kbb guides... Whether selling by placing ads or E-Bay, set price slightly above mid-point to test market first and give yourself room to make concessions, unless you are in big hurry.. I'd also have someone else do thorough inspection, with objective eyes, so you aren't biased in thinking yours is too wonderful...
Finally, if you're selling, the wider market you can reach, then better chance of selling for a higher price. A local newspaper ad will reach a few potantial buyers, while a listing here and one or two other web sites might reach 80% of those looking for a used Bambi...
John McG
__________________ Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
i am a total loss appraiser for a major ins company.
when it comes to value, you have to go with the market.
like many before me have already said, watch the market.
watch rvtrader and all the rest.
compare what you want to buy with other ones on the market. and go from there. also keep in mind, people will typically go higher on the asking price so that it can be negotiated down.
so one listed at 8k at a dealership, may be able to be purchased for 6k??!!!
never know.
but the only way to truley find a value, whether it is new or old, car truck or trailer, is compare the market!
.... but the only way to truley find a value, whether it is new or old, car truck or trailer, is compare the market!
A used unit is usally unique. There is never one exactly like it.
And what a willing buyer and seller negoiate would be true value.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - towing a - 1966 Overlander International Twin Bed
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII Diamond Anniversary 4.6L (275hp), 4R70W - 1990 Ford E 150 5.8L, E4OD, 3.55 ____________________________________
Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
We are looking for a used, older Airstream to gut down to the ribs and renovate. I was hoping to get some feed back on a trailer we saw by the road and took picutes of. Pictures located here: http://www.gotendurance.com/airstream.htm
What possible things were prominent problems or issues for that year etc.
My camera ran out of batteries and I will take more pictures but I would also like to know maybe what specific things I should be looking for. Like how to determine the condition of the axle, frame, belly pan, skin, windows etc..
This unit is a 64 Overlander 26' long.
The skin appears to be totally free from almost any dents
The windows appear to be well sealed
The belly pan appears to be totally blemish free
The skin is oxidized and covered with a mist of moss, leaves & pine needles.
well...you did not list a price...I can tell you that according to the guide being refered to here I paid anywhere from 500 to a 1000 to much for my 59 tradewind....having said that though, you have to ask yourself if you are going to be able to find one in this condition again. The problem is dealers/restorers are buying these for resale so it appears if this trend continues it will become harder and harder to find the doit yourself variety.
so just check the axles really good and see if the floor rot can be patched without an off frame restoration, if so then I would get it....looks like a nice trailer. I am hoping to find several more of these for http://www.mercury7.com before they become unfindable.
i've got a 64 trade wind, and one of my friends has a 64 overlander. both had soft spots in the door, and under the front window (typical). open up the rear compartment and look closely at the floor... my trailer didn's show any signs of rot.. then i looked at my friends, and realized that it didn't have the FLOOR in it! that'll have to be addressed soon.
also, check the windows and see if they have the latch locks on them, or if they just rely on the torqe openers to keep them closed. mine doesn't have the locks, and it's a major pain to keep a tight seal on the windows. i ordered replacement openers (because half of mine have stripped out at teh end of the thread where it closes the window tightly)... haven't put them on yet, though.
other than that, a couple of bottles of bleach would take care of the garden you have on teh roof!
Also the guide in post #1 for vintage units is at least 5 years old. (It's what I used when I was in the market) So the values indicated in that website site could go up at least 5 to 10 percent.
The hobby has gotten much bigger and the vintage units are getting more and more in demand.
According to the copies of posts that I grabbed and included ..... as of last december the valuation table at vintage airstream was over 5 years old.
It would really be helpful if current vintage valuations were available to back up price trends. Every little bit helps.
The correct link is Price vs. Condition - Airstream Values
There is a note near the top of the page that says "Last updated December 2, 2006". The opening paragraphs explain the difficulty in trying to assign a value to vintage Airstream trailers. Each one is unique in its own way. One variable not mentioned is the location. Folks will naturally pay more for a unit that is nearby rather than one that is far away.
__________________ Rog
May you camp where wind wont hit you, where snakes wont bite and bears wont git you.
And I was so proud of myself!!! After looking at lots of SOBs, I found a AS in the paper really cheap (what was I thinking) I just looked at the blue book. thanks guys for the cold water -THOMAS
I've been a forum member for a while, I usually just read the messages and don't often comment.
I need your help. On January 12, here in Missouri we had a major ice storm. The next morning I went outside and saw that my recently restored 1976 25 foot Caravanner had a large tree limb crash through the rear roof. It damaged three panels and the interior of the rear bath. Estimates for repair are approximately $5000. My insurance company is willing to work with me to have it repaired and not salvage it if I can show the Airstream is worth more than the repair value.
In reading ebay and may want ads and the pricing guide in vintage Airstream I note that the Caravanner may be worth upwards of $7500 in its restored condition.
Any suggestions on where I can get a great appraisal or comparison?
So sorry to hear of tree damage to your trailer... If you look at my post above, it lists the three largest online sites for ads for used trailers. That could get you close to a value, which I think would be above $7500, if you could find a similar year and near equal length... There's a '76 Tradewing 25 listed here for $7500, though maybe you've already seen that one.. Several others from mid 1970's at wide range of pricing.
If that fails, I'd try one of the restoration shops (search threads for renovation or restoration shops or restorers or similar phrases..) You might find one of them has a unit or recently sold a restored unit that would serve as a market.
Alternatively, you might try looking here at Forums members for owners of similar trailers and send some of them PM's to see whether any recently bought or sold one, and for what price.. I think you can search in member area based on trailer model or year.
If your insurance agent/adjustor is willing to work with you, that is a good sign... Your worst case might be to agree to take the $$ as if totaled and buy the trailer back from them at a pre-agreed salvage value (low..) and then proceed with the repair.
__________________ Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
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If you look at my post above, it lists the three largest online sites for ads for used trailers. That could get you close to a value, which I think would be above $7500, if you could find a similar year and near equal length... There's a '76 Tradewing 25 listed here for $7500, though maybe you've already seen that one.. Several others from mid 1970's at wide range of pricing.
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