New Model Price

[rgrjon]

Hi-

I am new to Airstreams and new to this site. My wife and I are looking to purchase a new 2017 30' AS Classic. The MSRP and our local dealer's asking price are the same ($139,000). Before I go in to work with our dealer I'm looking for your advice regarding purchase price. I know with some certainty that paying MSRP is not the norm but I don't want to go in to negotiations ignorant. Is 15-20% below MSRP a good starting point? Thanks for your help.

[AWCHIEF]

First I would shop around the country just to see what other dealerships are asking and actually selling for. Gives you some ammunition to use when negotiating with your local dealer. Personaly I would not pay more than 15 to 20% off.

[dmslawson]

Originally Posted by rgrjon

Hi-

I am new to Airstreams and new to this site. My wife and I are looking to purchase a new 2017 30' AS Classic. The MSRP and our local dealer's asking price are the same ($139,000). Before I go in to work with our dealer I'm looking for your advice regarding purchase price. I know with some certainty that paying MSRP is not the norm but I don't want to go in to negotiations ignorant. Is 15-20% below MSRP a good starting point? Thanks for your help.

If you're on the west coast, give them a call. You'll be pleasantly surprised as we were whe we got our 2016 Classic.

[AnnArborBob]

It's all supply and demand of course. If the current model year Classic is a hot item in limited supply then you should expect a smaller discount in the 10 to 15% range. I know that the "new" Classic was a hot item a couple of years back but I suspect that supply has caught up with demand by now. When we bought our 2014 Eddie Bauer from Colonial in November of 2013, we got a 22% discount off MSRP.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. As to your question, I would start by checking the price of your desired model with Colonial Airstream in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Brian

[SteveSueMac]

You're right at year end. The dealer probably would welcome collecting a sale in calendar 2016 and may be more likely to discount more deeply if you buy before 12/31/16. The advice to call around is very good because even if you have to drive across country to get it - you're going to be driving around with it anyway (I wish I had thought of that when we bought ours as "locally" as possible but could have done better at a more prominent dealer like Colonial). You could approach this a lot of ways - you could have several dealers give you their BAFO (best and final offer) meaning - no additional negotiations - they tell you the absolute lowest "out the door/all-in" price they're willing to sell at and you pick whichever works for you. Or you could pick a number and tell them what you're BAFO is as a potential buyer - knowing if they match it, you're buying and everyone's happy. Or you can dicker after seeing a few offers (personally not my fave, but it's a strategy).

And of course - many will advise looking around for gently used trailers just 1-2 years old that people bought, did a few brief trips, and can't/won't use anymore. That can get you substantial discounts. But if you're like me and wanted the 2 year factory warranty, buying new is a great way to go for that extra peace of mind.

Good luck and happy camping!

[rgrjon]

Awesome advice from all of you. Thanks! I had not thought about going to dealers way outside my local area but it makes sense to look US-wide since we can probably work a mini vacation in.

[tecaulkins]

We were able to find a new 2016 fc still on the lot and it was deeply discounted. Not the exact model we would have ordered but we loved the price and will make it our own.

[Bob662]

One very quick way to assess the market is go to rvone.com. You can spec out the trailer and they'll give you an on-line price. No obligation to buy or further negotiate with them; just a quick and easy way to (usually) get a very competitive price. rvone is usually about 20% off MSRP.

But to answer your question directly, I'd ask for a 24% discount and negotiate up from there, ending at no less than 20%...and probably 22% will get it done.

[Adventure.AS]

I have heard rumours that the MSRP will be going up in the New Year. TIFWIIW

[AWCHIEF]

I just received a quote from Rvone. Request was for a 2017 26U w/rear twins. Quote was 26% off MSRP including Options requested were full awnings, convection microwave and back up camera. Pick up in Tampa.

[Rocinante]

So they want full price. That's fine, everybody should want things.

Ask them to get serious, maybe starting your negotiations by offering 20% off, as there are plenty of 2017 units out there. The only real question is whether you want the trailer more than he wants to sell it. 😏

Based on personal experience with the number of warranty issues we had to get resolved over the 1st 2 years of Rocinante's life with us, we strongly recommend you work with your closest dealer as you will eventually be on a first name basis with their service department.

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

So they want full price. That's fine, everybody should want things.

Ask them to get serious, maybe starting your negotiations by offering 20% off, as there are plenty of 2017 units out there. The only real question is whether you want the trailer more than he wants to sell it. 😏

Based on personal experience with the number of warranty issues we had to get resolved over the 1st 2 years of Rocinante's life with us, we strongly recommend you work with your closest dealer as you will eventually be on a first name basis with their service department.

Btw..I saw Steinbeck's camper (or replica?) In California recently, so went to re read his book after about 40 yrs.. turns out now that he probably made 85% of it up, and mostly stayed in hotels

SOOOOO...instead, I'm re-reading blue highways after 30 years. His Ford econoli ne named Ghost dancer

[Rocinante]

We don't honestly care whether he actually did that stuff or just spun a good yarn. It was a great story and we love it. Blue Highways is a good suggestion though. We will have to read that one too!

[kcardinal]

It appears that the base price of the 2017 Classic was 136,934. The Airstream website says starting at $135,600 but that's without the destination charge (I think).

I just saw a 2018 Classic Twin window sticker on the RV Shop in Lousiana website which seems to show the list is now 141,234 inclusive of destination charge (+$4,300). The unit had not for fee options.

What I think this translates to:

2017 Classic: 135,600
2018 Classic: 139,900