When you’re trying to buy a recreational vehicle, you’ve got a wealth of options before you. Towable or self-contained? What types of features do you want? One important decision that you have to make right off the bat is whether to buy a new or used RV. Each category has its benefits and its drawbacks, so you’ll need to think carefully about this choice.

Airstream of New Mexico in Albuquerque is your local RV dealer. We’ve drawn up a comparison between new and used RVs so you can better decide which is the best option for you.

Benefits of Buying New RVs

New RVs are popular due to the peace of mind that they engender in their buyers. A fresh-off-the-assembly-line RV is one that has all its original parts and no wear and tear whatsoever. This means you get an RV that’s in peak condition without the need for immediate repairs. And any issues you may have within the first year or so of ownership are generally covered by some sort of warranty.

Veteran RV owners commonly purchase new RVs because they’ve owned enough different types of RVs to know exactly what they want. They can confidently buy their new RV knowing that it meets all their criteria for a comfortable camper.

Those who also enjoy having the very latest technological advancements will also benefit from purchasing a new RV, since these models will be equipped with all the industry’s best updates and modern features. And some of those features will improve safety as well as comfort, which is yet another boon of new RVs.

Benefits of Buying Used RVs

On the other hand, used RVs also have a lot going for them. Their biggest appeal is their cost. RVs, like any big purchase, experience a certain amount of depreciation in value over the first year or so of ownership. This drop in value is very steep at first, then it levels out over time and holds fairly steady. You can save yourself thousands of dollars if you buy a gently used RV that doesn’t have very high mileage while still getting a great vehicle for camping.

Used RVs appeal to new buyers who aren’t yet sure what it is they want from an RV and whether they even like the camping lifestyle. You can go with a small used model at first to see how you like it, then pay it off sooner and upgrade it faster than you could if you bought a big new RV. Maybe you start off with a used trailer and end up buying a motorhome later because you don’t want to tow. Maybe you want more space. And maybe you just want a different layout. Whatever the reason is, buying used can let you try things out more easily.

Another overlooked benefit of used RVs is how much information is available about them. You can do research on older models to see exactly what professional publications and current or previous owners thought of them. Read reviews to learn how people felt about a given model that interests you so you can decide if it has the features you want before you spend all that cash.

We can’t tell you which option is right for you, but we can help you by answering any questions you may have about RVs. Browse our website or come to our Albuquerque dealership to take a look at our full selection of new and used RVs for sale. We even offer financing options to help you fund your RV purchase. Airstream of New Mexico proudly serves the cities of Santa Fe and Las Cruces, NM.