Fans of Airstream Interstate

[73shark]

Not to mention being able to maneuver thru the drive-thru lane.

[balanchine]

We just left a dealer with a quote for 122,000. Do like the style and quality of this vehicle but is would like it better around 100000. Is it feasible in this market to get it down from 122,000? Thanks for any comments.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by balanchine

We just left a dealer with a quote for 122,000. Do like the style and quality of this vehicle but is would like it better around 100000. Is it feasible in this market to get it down from 122,000? Thanks for any comments.

Feasible? Yes. Doable? Depends on your negotiating skills. All the way down to $100,000? Only in your dreams.

Something to keep in mind… There are other dealers who carry the same unit, though they may be farther away. It's best to shop around and get the best price. But be fair. Ask for quotes on an identical vehicle, same extended chassis, same interior, same model year, everything.

If you get a better price elsewhere, you've got two choices: (1) Add in the cost of going to fetch the venicle or have it delivered, and see if it's still a better deal; or (2) Talk to your local dealer again, and see if he can match the better price you got elsewhere.

[balanchine]

Thank you Protagonist...great advice. Do you know the difference if any in the 2013 models? Also the Insterstate Coach has a air conditioner but the Era has a air-conditioner/heat pump...is there an advantage either way?

[wayneskid]

$122K to $100K? Not in your dreams? Not so quick!

Getting to $100K from a list price of $122K would be an 18% discount.

I bought my 2010 Interstate new in April 2010. Sticker price was $116580; I paid $88,499 excluding tags and doc fees. This is a discount of 24% from list.

I will say that the circumstances may have been unusual. The dealer is a long time Airstream trailer dealer and supposedly got "encouraged" by Airstream to take on the Interstate line. He got a few in and had sold all but two by the time he convinced AS that he wanted to exit the motorhome business. Mine was one of the two remaining and he just wanted to get it off the lot.

Moral is, keep looking around and you might be surprised at what you find.

Good luck,
Wayne

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by balanchine

Thank you Protagonist...great advice. Do you know the difference if any in the 2013 models? Also the Insterstate Coach has a air conditioner but the Era has a air-conditioner/heat pump...is there an advantage either way?

Don't take this answer as definitive; mine is the un-extended version…

To the best of my knowledge, the Extended Interstate has a chassis that is 16 inches longer, with all of the extra length behind the rear wheels. What you get for that extension is:
(1) the rear overhead locker is larger front-to-back, but ergonomics make the rear of the locker harder to reach. Next time you do a walk-though, try touching the back wall of it; if you can't, you'll need to invest in some storage trays for it that you can slide forward when you want to access stuff;
(2) There's more storage space behind the rear seat. Not the full 30 cubic feet advertised, unless you stack stuff behind the seat all the way up to the bottom of the overhead locker:
(3) There's a storage bin under the floor behind the rear seat. About the size of an ice chest;
(4) You can recline the sofa without removing the headrests first. Unless you've got stuff stacked behind the seat higher than the underside of the bottom cushion;
(5) The spare tire is harder to reach, because it's 16 inches farther away from the rear bumper;
(6) Although you have more room to store things, you've got less cargo capacity by weight. The Extended Interstate has the same GVWR as the un-extended model, but has a higher empty weight;
(7) You've got less towing capacity. As with the GVWR, the GCWR is the same, but the higher empty weight reduces allowable trailer weight. Also, since the trailer hitch is farther from the rear axle, a given tongue weight has a higher moment arm— a technical term for the fact that the same tongue weight has a larger effect.

Those are the only differences that I know of. There may be others, and any other AirForums member who knows more is free to chime in.

As for the difference between the Era's heat pump and the Interstate's air conditioner… If I rremeber correctly, the Era uses a heat pump to avoid installing a propane-fired furnace. Which is better? Opinions differ.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by wayneskid

$122K to $100K? Not in your dreams? Not so quick!

Getting to $100K from a list price of $122K would be an 18% discount.

A lot more than that. $122k is not sticker, that's the already-quoted discount. Sticker is closer to $135k. Going from $135k to $100k isn't going to happen unless the buyer is a wizard at negotiation.

Of course, stranger things HAVE happened, and I'm not a prophet.

When I bought my 2012, I went from a sticker price of $128k to a purchase price of $103k. And that was after obtaining quotes from no less than five dealers, and negotiating the addition of a second TV in the rear lounge area at no extra charge from the dealer with the best price.

[balanchine]

Thanks very much to both replies. Knowledge is power and I want to feel good about a purchase from price to the options. I have the ERA 2013 brochure and looked at one and it has a furnace as well. I read online that you can damage your unit if using the hea tpump with the outside temperature too low. I would think Airstream made a choice which one was best...Having both gives you more options, but we prefer the Airstream in most ways.

Thanks for breaking down the extended versions qualities or drawbacks.

We will take our time and keep shopping at different dealers. No rush. An advantage to our age is that we don't have this sense of urgency to buy, buy, buy.

Cheers to you both!

[Lily&Me]

Our Interstate has a propane furnace in addition to a heat option in the AC, which is very nice for a quick warmup on chilly mornings. We don't use our furnace often, but I wouldn't want to be without it

We bought our 06 in April of 07, which gave us a very nice discount. Maybe stating the obvious, but waiting til later in the year should bring your $$$ down considerably.


Maggie

[balanchine]

Thank you Maggie! Will try later in the year for a 2012. Maybe we can ask for the aircond/heat pump...that seemed like a good idea.

[73shark]

FWIW, we bought a used (4K mi) 2011 in Aug, 2011 for $90K w/ a $126K sticker. Also had a second TV/DVD in the rear and a Sirius/XM radio module. It was in new condition w/ a rub mark on the awning housing as the only flaw.

Depending on efficiency, heat pumps only work down to about 32*F to 0*F. And the heated air from a heat pump will not be nearly as warm as a furnace although it will keep the space warm. You just can't stand in front of it and warm up like a furnace. But in an RV, probably would be adequate.

Does the current model offer the heat pump option?

[balanchine]

You got a great deal! No Airstream isn't offering a heat pump but I wonder why they don't.
I hope we can do as well as you.
I hate this game that the dealers play with mutt and jeff or good cop bad cop. Seems childish. "I am older and have more insurance" Kathy Bates in Fried Green tomatoes. I feel like she does I have the $ and the offer...take or leave it
Thanks for your response.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

FWIW, we bought a used (4K mi) 2011 in Aug, 2011 for $90K w/ a $126K sticker. Also had a second TV/DVD in the rear and a Sirius/XM radio module. It was in new condition w/ a rub mark on the awning housing as the only flaw.

Really helps to buy used, obviously. Did you get yours from a dealer, or a private sale?

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Really helps to buy used, obviously. Did you get yours from a dealer, or a private sale?

From a dealer. PO was trading it for two Mercedes. They took my first offer so guess I was too high.

[balanchine]

I found this site full of useful information and guides:
Cost of a Class B Motorhome Camper Van - Get Prices and Information - CostHelper.com

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

From a dealer. PO was trading it for two Mercedes. They took my first offer so guess I was too high.

Well, if you got it from a Mercedes dealer and not from an Airstream dealer, that might explain the fantastic deal you got. A plain-jane Sprinter, without an Airstream conversion, only lists for about $45,000. They may have offered the previous owner WAY less than it's worth as a trade-in, simply for not knowing what it's worth. Bad for him, good for you.

I am trying very hard not to be envious.

[73shark]

Actually the MB dealer is also an Airstream dealer and Sprinter dealer. I was afraid that since they accepted the offer w/o quibbling that I paid too much.

On another topic, I was put off by the ugly exhaust pipe sticking out the side, so put a chrome extension on but couldn't find one small enuf for the generator exhaust. My HVAC guy suggested a lavatory chrome drain pipe extension to the P-trap. After drilling and tapping for a couple of 10-32 screws, it worked great and since it's brass, will probably outlast the RV.

[Teamaron]

Hi All

Finally have our interstate!

For what is worth, We paid $80k from a private party and they did a few upgrades such as Tracvision Satelittle in motion TV and TVs in headrests plus a cargo carrier on back.

What's interesting though that I just found out is even though it is a 2010 airstream interstate its chassis is a 2008 freight liner sprinter, but still under warranty. Go figure.....

Anyway I love it but seem to have so much to learn in operating it.

For example can you run the rear AC with inverter on while driving it? Also which switch on panel works what? Such as water heater, auto inverter or charger, amp switch. Also what is red rocker switch that illuminates above passenger seat where light switches are? How do you turn on lower cabin lights?

I could go on and on, I guess just have to spend time in it.....

[xrvr]

If, you have an onan genny be careful with the exhaust. Onan used to be very picky about warranty claims if the pipes were messed with. Of course this was five years ago. Jim

[Lily&Me]

There should be an owner's manual, which will tell you where all switches are and what they do.

Enjoy!


Maggie