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marchesi · 06-08-2009, 08:59 AM

I just bought a 16 foot 2004 Bambi CCD. It was one of those impulsive purchases after trying to buy one for 6 months and seeing them sell within hours of their postings. I paid $23,500, the trail is in excellent conditions and thought I got a decent deal. Today I was on airstream website and they listed the NADA guides to figure out prices of used airstream. I put in the model and year of my airstream to see what a great deal I got and the search came back with a price of 13K! For the high price! Did I get the worst deal of my life and paid an extra 10K?

Utahgoldrup · 06-08-2009, 09:28 AM

Hey marchesi - we just sold our 2005 Bambi CCD (16ft) last year, before selling it, we went through everything, replaced a couple of trim pieces, replaced the folding partition door between the bed and the rest of the trailer (all because a little plastic piece broke off from the track), touched up the inside of the back bumper (black paint), touched up the front of the trailer (hitch),etc. just so it would look brand new, it even still smelled new inside... we sold it for $20,000 or $20,500 and the new owner felt it was a very good deal after looking around for one this size. (I sort of wish I had asked a bit more for the trailer, it sold fast and I had calls from all over the country) I think the NADA guides are off when it comes to Airstream trailers, I have seen others post their thoughts/comments on this before, that does seem low, even for a 2004 CCD in very good/excellent condition. $23,500 does seem a bit high but you must know what you saved over the cost of brand new and hopefully that makes you feel better, I would definately say that you did not pay an extra $10,000. I have not see a Bambi CCD (16ft) for $13,000, not for a 2000+ model unless it had damage, etc.

wiegabr · 06-08-2009, 09:46 AM

Yup, NADA does not reflect local conditions. I found my 02 28 Classic in almost new condition this year for $24,800. There's likely a premium for smaller, easier to pull models due to gas prices.

Silverhobby · 06-08-2009, 09:47 AM

I agree with Utahgoldrup. The prices guides tend to be on the conservative side. If you're happy with the coach, that's the most important thing. Welcome to the Forums, and post pics of your new beauty when you get a chance.

**Stefrobrts** · 06-08-2009, 10:05 AM

I don't think the NADA guides are very useful when looking for a product that is so popular you can't even find one to buy. When looking you must have seen the prices of the trailers you didn't get a chance to buy. Were they in the same ballpark as the one you bought?

The 16ft CCD Bambi is a nice trailer, congrats on your new find! Don't worry about the deal you got, just get out and start enjoying it

kevin242 · 06-08-2009, 10:52 AM

The most important thing is are YOU happy with it? Those guides almost always under-represent values. Imagine if they were too high - insurance companies would be screaming!

If you were happy when you bought it at that price don't let anyone change your mind on that. A friend of mine bought a near-mint, unrestored 66 Mustang after looking for 5 years. Some people told him he paid too much, but he got exactly what he wanted. Others may be had cheaper, but they might not be better! Enjoy your trailer!

Foiled Again · 06-08-2009, 11:29 AM

Agree-you might have saved $2K, but that would be IF you could find a CCD Bambi. There are far more Safari's than CCD's especially at that size.

Just be glad you found one.

On the down side, that shows you how badly you could be hurt by insurance if you were to wreck your new-to-you unit. Jeeeeeeeeeeee. Make sure your coverage includes replacement with like unit. (Let your insurance company try to find you another one same year & model, rather than just cutting you a check.)

Paula

mandolindave · 06-08-2009, 11:34 AM

Compare the price of a new Bambi, what it cost to repair and renovate an old trailer, and what you paid. Also factor in the cost of picking up a purchased trailer from Timbucktu. Also factor in how long your Airstream trailer will last compared to a white box trailer, and the resale value.
I paid roughly the same for my trailer. So far I have used it about 100 times. So far that translates to about $200 a trip. I am confident that the old girl still has a lot more life in her. I have also used my trailer as a guest house ( actually I sleep in the trailer and give the guests my bed ) I have also used mine as a survival pod when we had no heat. And on hot days, it is cheaper to cool a trailer than to cool a whole house. So depending on how, and how much you use your trailer, it's not such a bad deal. Yeah it's expensive to own a trailer. It's expensive to go to a ball game, dinner, show, concert. You wanted it and you had the money. One or two times for 30 seconds , I had buyers remorse. I didn't sell my trailer.
Don't worry, enjoy it for a while and see if you want to keep it.

VIKING · 06-08-2009, 11:43 AM

The worst deal was the guy who sent $1500 to the bambi scammers on craigslist. Be glad you didn't get caught up in that mess.

Rich

Airhog1 · 06-08-2009, 12:27 PM

Not a bad deal at all...put it on eBay in two years and I bet you get your money back!

G

Airhog1 · 06-08-2009, 12:30 PM

I also agree with Paula...make sure you get an appraisal from an Airstream dealer on the value of your unit...that will help you get the coverage you need!

G

ts8501 · 06-08-2009, 01:07 PM

I am convinced that NADA does not do aluminum. You can buy an SOB for the lower price, just not an Aistream. Go use the heck out of it, and enjoy!

tksbaskets · 06-08-2009, 01:34 PM

I think a good deal is one YOU are happy with. I know from experience if you are looking for a specific Airstream floor plan/model/year you need to pull the trigger when you find the unit.

My next piece of advise is to stop looking at what similar Airstreams are listed for. I have found a wide range of conditions in the same year/model. The best deal is having an Airstream of your own. Sure you could look for years for a 'better' deal but now you'll have years of camping in your Bambi!

I'd like to see picture of your new AS too

Airboss · 06-08-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhog1

Not a bad deal at all...put it on eBay in two years and I bet you get your money back!

G

I agree and maybe more...

snake · 06-08-2009, 02:47 PM

There is virtually no chance of buying a used Bambi for anywhere near the NADA prices. If you've been looking for 6 months you should have a better understanding of Airstream values then NADA.

I spent over a year looking for my 1999 Bambi 19', paid $12,000 in 2006(more then the NADA value) and had to drive from Arizona to New York state to pick it up. About a week ago a 1998 Bambi 19' sold on eBay for "only" $14,651.

danalee · 06-08-2009, 04:38 PM

Its a done deal-go camping and enjoy!

Airboss · 06-08-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danalee

its a done deal-go camping and enjoy!

amen!!!

overlander63 · 06-08-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marchesi

I just bought a 16 foot 2004 Bambi CCD. It was one of those impulsive purchases after trying to buy one for 6 months and seeing them sell within hours of their postings. I paid $23,500, the trail is in excellent conditions and thought I got a decent deal. Today I was on airstream website and they listed the NADA guides to figure out prices of used airstream. I put in the model and year of my airstream to see what a great deal I got and the search came back with a price of 13K! For the high price! Did I get the worst deal of my life and paid an extra 10K?

I went to NADA, and put in the options I am pretty sure yours came with. While still nowhere near what you paid, it's a lot more than you originally got for a price:

Price used, with listed options: $17,690 Suggested List: $32,393

marchesi · 06-09-2009, 06:42 AM

Thanks for all the replies! I feel much better now... As much as I love the Bambi it would have hurt to have paid an extra 10k for it. Now I can go and camp in peace :-)