100K Airstream

[jcanavera]

I just finished looking at my local Airstream dealer's website. As I was passing through the various new Airstreams, I came across a 2007 34' Classic slide out. Asking price? $102,000. Airstream

It sort of set me back and I know in 2003, my '04 30' slide out was quite a chunk of change. But wow $100k+. Makes you almost think you are buying something with a motor in it.

I wonder what that threshold is where perspecitve buyers say, let's look at something else?

Jack

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

...2007 34' Classic slide out. Asking price? $102,000.
[snip]

I wonder what that threshold is where perspecitve buyers say, let's look at something else?

Jack

Depends upon the shopper and, of course, their finacial position. For me, it's about $6,000!

Mark

[safari57]

Wait till the TV's hit that price too.

Everything has gone up and it is crazy. I look at housing and just bare land and the prices amaze me. To be twenty today and trying to buy a house, car, afford the commute, and then your recreational vehicle starts in the 50K range must be difficult.

Barry

[2airishuman]

thanks jack for the post...

so much for the silly rumor that 34s are extinct...

and that no dealer would order them except as 'special orders'...

way to go bt!

over 100k ouch, but with options that reads right...

note that they sold a 34 without slide listed at under 90k...

and a 19ft dw model is listed at 61k....

cheers
2air'

[str8strm]

I know that most of my friends here on the Forums are into the trailers, as opposed to the motorhomes that we love so much. But when I see the prices for these new large trailers, and realize that my moho cost $100K+ in 1985, I'm amazed that you can get them for $20K now. We paid a bit less than that for ours 2 years ago and it is a joy to own. So many amenities and easy to drive. I'm surprised that the used mohos don't bring more money, and I wonder if the company isn't pricing the trailers out of reach for most folks. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful. But $100K? Wow!

[brunoffrance]

When i see that the first price is $41000 for a 19', I m really happy to have paid only $4000 for my vintage 27'...
Sure we don't play in the same standing range but I don't think i'll spend more good times in a recent model .
With this kind of high prices, certainly increased for exportation, Airstream 'll not sale a lot of trailers in Europe...as they try to develop the overseas market...
May be it's based on the theory that to be sold, that have to be expensive...

Bruno.

[lewster]

........for the cream of the Airstream crop! Just be thankful that you aren't in the market for the top-of-the-line MoHo!

I was working in a 2007 Newell MOHO yesterday. 45' with 4 opposing 3' slides and a 7'6" interior ceiling height. The living room had to be 14' X 20'!!!!! I could have fit my 19CCD in there with room to spare and ....oh, the price? Just a shade north of $1.6 Million

It's a whole 'nother world out there

[rseagle]

Maybe the senior WBCCI leadership will buy the 34 footers when they sell their motorhomes.

[85MH325]

It's amazing, Jack. My 34 was $67,700 new and loaded with about $10k in options in 1994; the sticker came with the trailer.

Was the $102k WITH the optional fireplace?

Roger

[Pahaska]

The current Classic 28, albeit with some additions and improvements, is 50% more pricey than the list on my 2005. Add to that the fact that I bought my 2005 at a discount after the 2006 models were out and I figure I have an appreciating trailer.

Plus, I have upgraded much of the trailer to current specs. Next upgrade is a doorbell ... I have the parts ready as soon as we return from Big Bend.

[Silvertwinkie]

...and one other thing to consider when buying that $100k trailer (or any RV for that matter), even after a possibe 19% off list, is that it will still loose it's value like a rock within the first 5-7 years and non slides, even shorter than 5-7.

An '04 34' slide, loaded is currently (ballpark) valued at $69to $70k. If I recall this unit went for around $90k new, back in 2004.

It's a heck of a commitment.

[john hd]

i dunno if the price is too high. my 1992 was 33K delivered. after 15 years or so of inflation i imagine it would be around 70k now.

if i were to sell my house and everything but the truck and motorcycle and hit the road 100k would be reasonable.

john

[overlander63]

I would certainly insure it to the hilt, with true replacement value coverage. That's a ton of money for a travel trailer, no matter how nice it is, or how long it will last. And all it will take is one idiot not paying attention to what is in front of him on the road, to total it.

[WhiteyFord]

Originally Posted by john hd

i dunno if the price is too high. my 1992 was 33K delivered. after 15 years or so of inflation i imagine it would be around 70k now

John, Not quite. The average annual inflation rate over the past 15 years is 2.67%. If an inflation only adjustment were made to your 1992 purchase price of $33, the 2006 price would be about $49,000. However, weren’t there significant modifications made to all Airstreams over the past 15 years that would be "add on" costs and aren't being considered in the inflation only price? If so, then it appears the market place (Airstream) is "speaking" to the demands of the consumer.

Neil

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by kitfoxdriver

John, Not quite. The average annual inflation rate over the past 15 years is 2.67%. If an inflation only adjustment were made to your 1992 purchase price of $33, the 2006 price would be about $49,000. However, weren’t there significant modifications made to all Airstreams over the past 15 years that would be "add on" costs and aren't being considered in the inflation only price? If so, then it appears the market place (Airstream) is "speaking" to the demands of the consumer.

Neil

Neil,
My Inflation Calculator brought it out to just over $47k (close enough for goverment work ) I too have wondered about the "added value" but in a 10 year span I haven't really seen any real upgrades that would justify that great an increase. Yes the slide outs were added, and some fancy audio/visual stuff...but not $60k worth. I suspect there is more than just plain inflation at work. I have no clue but I know there have been increases in at least some materials that have exceeded overall inflation, as well as increase in profit margins. I know that if you don't increase the efficiency of the production or the perceived value of your product you will lose your profit(s) as well as the necessity of increased production. I think Airstream has been maxed out on production for several years. The metals market has been pretty volatile over the last couple of years we have seen increases of our stainless steel sheet goods almost double in the past 5 years, with copper following suit and in some cases become unobtainable in certain alloys.

Aaron

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by john hd

i dunno if the price is too high. my 1992 was 33K delivered. after 15 years or so of inflation i imagine it would be around 70k now.

if i were to sell my house and everything but the truck and motorcycle and hit the road 100k would be reasonable.

john

While inflation may not totally explain the rise in pricing, I think that's a huge component. I'm not sure of the year, (I worked there 1980 - 1987) But when I worked for a Cadillac dealer, I remember the first $20K unit that hit the floor, and I said that nobody would ever pay that much for a car.
Dave

[Silvertwinkie]

There is no question in my mind that there would naturally be some increase in price. On average, for arguements sake, say 3%. There have been some increases in costs, namey energy and aluminum. Taking all these into account, it's hard to justify a trailer over $100k. Yes, they are very nice, don't get me wrong, but if I sold my house, etc, I doubt I would place 1/2 it's value into a thing that would loose it's value....I would most likely buy that unit 2-3 years from now when it's worth a good sum, but far less.

...and yes, I know there is a significant discount of list...but even when there were no energy or aluminum costs increases that were very drastic, Airstream was putting 5% increases across the board. At some point I would suspect either the market will dictate that the trailers have to be near what the MoHos are at (in terms of interiors and amenities) for the 6 figure prices or at some point, Airstreams could find themselves priced out of the market. Just my thoughts on it....

[Fyrzowt]

Market forces being what they are, if the $100k unit doesn't sell, they will drop the price or drop the model. Somebody must be buying them...

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Market forces being what they are, if the $100k unit doesn't sell, they will drop the price or drop the model. Somebody must be buying them...

Yes, there are a few buying the $100k+ unit trailers, but there are many pitfalls to that segment. One, is fuel prices, when I was at the factory when it $2- $2.50 a gallon was a reality, the factory production line had big gaps in it. Compare that to how it was when we first visted the factory in late 2003, there were nearly no spaces. Now I know we've all gotten use to the fact that gas/diesel is going to stay above $2/gallon, but if it hits $3 again, or if interest rates go up, you will find these units not being pulled off dealer lots.

Right now I would estimate, based on the number of units I saw on the production floor the few times I've been to the factory would be units between 19 and 25 feet long. It's my believe that this is their core segment. However, even these are getting a bit out of hand. For example, my 2004 25' SS retailed for $39,143.00 base. That same unit is now $45,083 for what I believe to be the 2007 model year (knowing that the '08s are just around the corner, and most likely another price increase).

That said this represents about a 5% increase or nearly 2x the rate of inflation, even with the retail price adjusted by whatever one could negoit.

3 more model years from now, we will be looking at $51000 25' base Six Sleepers!

[Silvertwinkie]

Oh, and by the way, look at the many QC threads and the improvement idea threads.

After reading all these, then come talk to me about spending $100k on a Classic slide (today's dollars) or $51k on simple 25' SS (projected 3 model years out).