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Old 07-29-2015, 05:41 PM   #1
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2015 25' FB International
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NEED ADVICE! Buying a 2015 vs. 2016 -- what do I need to look for???

Hello All,
I recently joined the forum and we have our hearts set on an International Serenity 25FB. One dealer is offering us a 2015 model at $77K US while another is offering a 2016 at $86K.
- Is this a fair price difference for a model one year older?
- What do I need to look for, particularly if potentially the 2015 has been sitting outside (they say no, but yeah right). Rubber sealing on windows aging? Corrosion? What signs should I look for?
- What else do I need to check for that you can think of? Your help and advice greatly appreciated, can't wait to officially be part of the Airstream community!
Cristina

2013 Ford F-150 tow vehicle
Dreaming of a Serenity 25 behind it
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Old 07-29-2015, 06:36 PM   #2
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2016's have led lights in the awning, controllable louvers on the AC vents and rubber end caps on the bumper. Is that worth an extra $9,000?
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Old 07-29-2015, 06:41 PM   #3
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What are the respective msrp's? What would the 2015 dealer be willing to sell a 2016 for if you ordered and were willing to wait for delivery?
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Old 07-29-2015, 07:09 PM   #4
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If the 2015 has been sitting in the lot then the battery may not have been attended to properly. A deep discharge can shorten its life by half.
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Old 07-29-2015, 08:23 PM   #5
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Some advice, Buy a model that has a fridge roof vent and no exterior fridge fan. Get one that has solar panels and optional window awnings.
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Old 07-29-2015, 09:42 PM   #6
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Look especially for any signs of corrosion or rust on the shell and the underbody steel. There should be none; if there is it may have been towed on salty winter roads to RV shows. Filiform shell corrosion must be fixed or it will expand, best not to have any. Look for nicks, dings and dents in the shell.

Look for signs of heavy customer traffic, scratched floors, loose cabinet hinges, drawers and doors, scuffs and nicks. The Airstream should look and smell factory fresh.

If the trailer has been sitting in the showroom plugged into power, the batteries are probably shot or close to it.
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Old 07-29-2015, 10:12 PM   #7
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A left over 2015 will typically sell for close to 18% to 20% off of the factory invoice price. If it has sat on the dealer lot over three months, he is paying interest on the floor plan for the unit and is anxious to end that expense.

Ask to see the retail invoice for both trailers. That is a reasonable request. Note that all dealers pay the same delivery cost whether they are in Washington State or fifty miles away in Ohio. That levels the playing field for that piece of the action.

I specifically wanted two of the three options that were available on the 2015 23D International Serenity model. Those included the convection microwave and the street and rear awnings that were factory installed. The factory 1,000 watt inverter was okay but unnecessary as it was to be removed for an improved solar system. The unit I found was built at the end of September 2014 and arrived via truck low boy trailer on 7 October. We purchased it 30 June, so it had sat there for over 8 months. The suggested list price of just over $74,750 became an actual selling price of around $61,200 or about 18% off of list.

The new 2016 models had at least a 5.5% price increase so this model International Serenity could probably list for around $79,950 for 2016. During my research, I discovered that Airstream had several small price increases during the 2015 model year.

Since it is early in the 2016 model year, supply is constrained with production sold out to the dealers until January 2016 before new orders can be entered into the production queque. Thus some dealers may try for a higher selling price. A 15% off of the suggested retail might be a good price depending on your relative location to the dealership and whether you plan to use them for ongoing service.

A smaller dealer will not get the volume discounts like the three largest dealerships so will have to dig into his pocket more to to give a stronger discount from the retail price.
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Old 07-29-2015, 10:31 PM   #8
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Both prices sound high to me. I bought a 2015 Serenity built to order brand new last year in October for just under $80K. This was a 27FB model with dual A/C and 15" wheels with Michelin tires, full awning package.

So I would think a year old 2015 Serenity would go for at least 20% less than the price I paid which would put it at about $64K. A new 2016 Serenity 27FB should sell for about $85K. A 25FB should be less than that.
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:04 AM   #9
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2015 25' FB International
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Thank you all so much for all the wonderful advice! The 2015 we are looking has a full factory installed solar system and was not used for rv shows as the dealer does not take Airstreams to these shows as the sell a lot of SOB's. They received this one directly from the factory 90 days ago, I have the shipping documents. I am looking at the unit on Sunday and will check for inside wear, corrosion, dings etc that you all suggest and will ask about the state of the batteries as well. Any added thoughts?
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:21 AM   #10
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2015 vs. 2016

If you decide on a 2016, take a look at a Flying Cloud 26U...Saw this at the WBCCI International and loved it.

Discount: On ordering a 2016... probably delivery is near the December or January time frame....get the full retail price, take 18% off and make an offer. I think this may be a universal number for discounting the AS.

Also, I would make an offer as an "out the door" price as they cannot add anything once this is established. Some dealers agree on X dollars, then when it is written up they add "Doc fee", "pre-delivery service", and "ADM" insisting this is routine.

Unfortunately, they may not wish to discount a 2015 much more than that. Many folks simply do not read the forums, pay more than might be necessary and these are the one's who will take 15-18% off last year's model thinking they are getting a super deal.
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:40 AM   #11
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I've been told that this is what is different on the 2016's from the 2015's

• New 26U Floorplan
• Ducted A/C on 23 foot and smaller floorplans
• 1000 watt pure sine inverter becomes standard
• LED awning light strip with dimmer switch
• Omni-directional antenna on all floorplans
• Black interior convenience handle
• Updated Clarion stereo with built in CD and remote
• Updated Blu-Ray player
• Added mid-length turn signals on 30’ trailers
• Rubber caps on bumpers
• Deeper battery boxes
• Pantry Microwave on 27FB becomes standard
• Ultraleather becomes standard
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:45 AM   #12
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Switz,

I know Colonial is probably the highest volume airstream dealer, just curious who the other two largest dealers are?

"A smaller dealer will not get the volume discounts like the three largest dealerships so will have to dig into his pocket more to to give a stronger discount from the retail price.[/QUOTE]"
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Old 07-30-2015, 10:15 AM   #13
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Do the 2016's have a "humpless" roof? Have they redesigned the end caps to match the higher roof on the units equipped with ducted air?
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Old 07-30-2015, 10:18 AM   #14
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Thumbs up .......... what do I need to look for???

IMHO......

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Old 07-30-2015, 10:35 AM   #15
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26ft?

Seen mentioned several times a 26ft model?
Anyone know anything about this?
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Old 07-30-2015, 11:42 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan hartman View Post
Seen mentioned several times a 26ft model?
Anyone know anything about this?
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Old 07-30-2015, 12:45 PM   #17
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Once you decide what you want make several calls to different dealers. I was shopping 2015 vs 2016 about 2 months ago. The price difference between the dealers on the 2015 was as much as $10,000! I ended up purchasing a 2015 because they were more "motivated" to sell the 2015. Most of the late 2015's have many of the changes listed on the 2016. For instance mine has no hump and also has the new adjustable vents. Ask to see an actual copy of the retail "Window Label". Some dealers were reluctant to do this. Airstream ships every trailer with one.
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Old 07-30-2015, 02:50 PM   #18
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So the original 2015 ducted air models had a hump on the roof I'm guessing. What is a humpless roof? Does it just look better or also function better?


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Old 07-30-2015, 04:28 PM   #19
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I have looked for a picture but couldn't find one. Basically it was a section of the roof that was raised to make room for routing the pipes going to the vents throughout the trailer. Some people complained of roof leaks. I noticed it in threads on this sight while I was still deciding what to buy. I think this was mainly on the 2014's and early 2015's.
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Old 07-30-2015, 04:49 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiho Silver View Post
So the original 2015 ducted air models had a hump on the roof I'm guessing. What is a humpless roof? Does it just look better or also function better?


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Prior to 2015, the trailers did not have "ducted" air. The roof was a little lower. In 2015, ducted air was introduced. The roof was a little higher, but they still used the end caps from the lower roof models. Thus a transition, or "hump" was needed from the same end caps to the new higher roof. They may have redesigned the end caps to match the higher roof on the 2016 trailers.


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