Finding a good used Fiver

[RogersM]

I hope this is not considered OT on this forum. A friend and I are planning to head for Yuma Az. in November to hunt for a couple of good barley used fivers. I had always heard that Yuma is a favorite snow bird spot and many times older couples get there, the old man passes, and the wife just fire sales the trailer or motor home... . more likely the latter.



Anyway, if anyone has experience with this please chime in... or if there is a better place/way to find a deal on a gently/barely used fiver. We just hate paying 'new' prices and taking hit cuz new alum frame trailers are way up there now.



Thanks,

Mark

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mark did you check the Tow & Hauling Forum

 

[Grizzly]

Mark, I've heard of that also. I believe a better place may be Phoenix. Start checking classified ads now, such as Creigslist.org. Click on Phoenix or Tucson. Check classified ads in their local newspapers. Don't wait till November or you may miss out on the best deals.

 

[RogersM]

Thanks for both suggestions. Actually we're planning of Phoenix first to shoot the Az. State Silhouette match ;-) I also just posted on the tow/haul forum.

Mark

 

[Buffalo]

RogersM.



As you probably know, there are good deals everywhere. You just have to be patient & wait for just the 'right one'.



I live in the Phoenix area & was able to find a used 25' Nash, that was only 7 months old, for $12,699. I understand it should have sold new for about $17,000/19,000, or possibly more. It even smelled new when I bought it. The previous owners bought it new in Kalispell, Mont. in late '97 & I bought it early in '98. They had towed it down to the Phoenix area (snowbirds, I believe) & found it too large for their liking, & traded it in on a smaller model.



Regarding finding trailers in the Phoenix area, I would try to concentrate in the SE valley (Tempe, Mesa, Apache Junction). Seems to have the highest concentration of RV parks, RV dealers & repair facilities, there.



I noticed that you have a '78 Porsche 911. I bought a '78, also, in '80/'81. Had 17,000 miles on it. Sure was a fun car!!! In fact, it was TOO MUCH fun!!! Got into trouble with the AZ. Highway Patrol, with it. Ended up selling it & buying an '80 Mercedes-Benz, 300-D (my first diesel), non-turbocharged. Man that thing was slow but, no more tickets!!!



I fell in love with the Porsches when I was in the Air Force ('65 through '69). I would hang around at the local Tacoma, WA. dealership on my lunch hour. The interesting thing was that my first year in the service, I only made $960. 00, before taxes, & I was looking at Porsches. The sales people must have thought I was 'nuts'. But, it certainly was 'nice having a dream'. Dreams do come true, also.



Good luck with your search.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[jelag]

I've been looking for a good used 5er since the first of the year... . have found 4 or 5 I wanted to buy... . each of those were 1-3 years old and excellent... . but the owners were backwards in their contracts and wanted out..... none were willing to deal with me... . of those most are still sitting in the driveways with the for sale sign on them... . and each of them have had payments paid on them... . I drive by 2 of them every week to see if they are still there... ... I've offered cash... ... I'll go to your bank and give them a check for the title and the trailer..... but none are willing to make a move.....

Someone give me an idea of how to get past this other than buying from the dealer or an older unit that's worn.....

 

[jjdiesel]

Jim... good old-fashioned persistence. If you have 4 or 5 prospects... one of them should fold in time, if you're persistent. Hope it works out for you. Keep buggin' them!

 

[Grizzly]

I've been looking for a good used 5er since the first of the year... . have found 4 or 5 I wanted to buy... . each of those were 1-3 years old and excellent... . but the owners were backwards in their contracts and wanted out..... none were willing to deal with me... . of those most are still sitting in the driveways with the for sale sign on them... . and each of them have had payments paid on them... . I drive by 2 of them every week to see if they are still there... ... I've offered cash... ... I'll go to your bank and give them a check for the title and the trailer..... but none are willing to make a move.....

Someone give me an idea of how to get past this other than buying from the dealer or an older unit that's worn.....

Jim, if you find a 2 or 3 year old 27' Arctic Fox 5er and you don't want it, let me know.

 

[3grumpy]

Have a friend go by and offer less than you did. They will think your offer is great. Sneaky huh??

 

[LesStallings]

And each time you check with them, offer them a slightly lower price... you know, to account for depreciation. Tell them the "book value" is going down every month.

 

[Grizzly]

Have a friend go by and offer less than you did. They will think your offer is great. Sneaky huh??

Good thought!