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07-29-2015, 05:41 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB International
San Ramon
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
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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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07-29-2015, 06:36 PM
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#2
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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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?
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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07-29-2015, 06:41 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2020 30' Classic
2016 30' Classic
Covington
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 203
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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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07-29-2015, 07:09 PM
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#4
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,006
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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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07-29-2015, 08:23 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2023 25' Globetrotter
Manheim
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 201
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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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07-29-2015, 09:42 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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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.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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07-29-2015, 10:12 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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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.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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07-29-2015, 10:31 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 426
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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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07-30-2015, 06:04 AM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB International
San Ramon
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
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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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07-30-2015, 06:21 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
2009 27' FB International
2007 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,564
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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.
__________________
Happy trails and Good Luck
Ms Tommie Fantine Lauer, Greensboro, NC
AIR #31871 KQ3H
www.fantinesvoice.com
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07-30-2015, 06:40 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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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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07-30-2015, 06:45 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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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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07-30-2015, 10:15 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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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?
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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07-30-2015, 10:18 AM
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#14
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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.......... what do I need to look for???
IMHO......
A gently used 2011.
Bob
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07-30-2015, 10:35 AM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Currently Looking...
mesquite
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 105
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26ft?
Seen mentioned several times a 26ft model?
Anyone know anything about this?
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07-30-2015, 11:42 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan hartman
Seen mentioned several times a 26ft model?
Anyone know anything about this?
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__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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07-30-2015, 12:45 PM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Sandy
, Utah
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 229
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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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07-30-2015, 02:50 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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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?
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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07-30-2015, 04:28 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Sandy
, Utah
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 229
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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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07-30-2015, 04:49 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiho Silver
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?
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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