In spite of my sig below we are very long term Airstream owners going back into the mid-1970’s.We still own a 34’ Excella.
May I offer this perspective which won’t answer your question but could answer you need and save you many dollars.Don’t purchase a new Airstream.Renovate an old one.As many long term Airstream owners will tell you the old ones are much better than the new ones and cost a lot less - a lot less even after renovation costs.
The deal is to find a unit of the size you want and then have it re-built to your specifications.That’s not too difficult.Unlike the RV’s built today – and I own one as does almost everyone else – Airstreams don’t “go bad” as such.They just get old and can be renovated to like new - or better - condition.
There are quality refurbishing outfits.We know this one and they are the type of operation that “Land Yacht Harbors” invite to come and give presentations.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:40:03 PM
RLandis said
05:13 PM Aug 13, 2013
how much would you expect to knock off MSRP for a 25' or 27', and what would you demand for the dealer to throw in???
Thanks in advance for your help.
R
RLandis said
06:17 PM Aug 13, 2013
have you heard of a guy named Eric Stoltz (not the actor) who has an oufit called txvintagetrailer? There's quite a bit to read if you google him, and you'll see a clip of him on TV.
I talked w/him, and he's talking about finished product, 1955-65 model, 26 ft, out the door, for about 60k. that's his asking price.
Thanks for you help,
Richard
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:42:37 PM
GENECOP said
09:22 PM Aug 13, 2013
I have to agree with Bill, just yesterday I saw a Bambi being delivered, it was a special edition, Reach By Design or something.....the Bambi is the smallest, I went on line to check the price...$.36,000, It appeared to be about 18' long.....
RLandis said
11:32 PM Aug 13, 2013
Thanks for your response, Bill. I have toyed w/the concept you're suggesting, but got scared off it by some horrifically high prices that were quoted to me. I've talked w/Hofarc in Santa Barbara, David Winick (who designed the Bambi 75th Ann for AS, and the prices were gigantic.
However, I'm more than willing to talk w/others. I left a message at the phone number provided in your response. I guess I got confused as to whether that was your number, or the remodelers you were suggesting.
The one good thing about new, or recent model is, I can walk aboard, and see what I'm getting. The remodeling world can be a dark hole---
How would you begin a project like this?? I guess the "older model" would have to have decent "bones", or be really cheap.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Richard
615-714-9922
GENECOP said
12:56 AM Aug 14, 2013
Airstream by the very definition all have GOOD BONES. A good renovator will be able to walk you through the process and ensure you get the trailer you want....
cejones4210 said
03:29 PM Aug 14, 2013
We refurbished our 1974 Airstream last year. The 70's were not a popular decade for the Aistream because they tried to make them lighter and used particle board instead if real wood, like previous decades. We also had a 2001, which we sold when we decided to refurbish the 1974.
RV Revive in Waterloo, IA did a great job! Wonderful to work with and we found him more reasonable in price compared to some of the more "advertised" refurbishers.
Was it cheap, no! Would we do it again, yes! The structure was very sound and we had great "bones" to start. We picked up this 1974, in 2001 for about $3000.00.
Be careful, do your research and welcome to the world of Vintage!
kb0zke said
03:09 AM Aug 15, 2013
Richard, you will find lots of good information on restoring or rehabbing Airstreams at airforums.com
To answer your original question, I've been told that you can expect somewhere around 25% off MSRP for any new coach. More expensive coaches have more margin, so the discount might be closer to 30%, while lower priced ones have less margin, hence a smaller discount. When we visited the factory a couple of years ago we were told that every coach was sold before it was built. I suspect that at least some of them are sold only to a dealer, since I see new Airstreams sitting out on the lot every time we go down to Springfield.
Forgot to mention that airforums also has a classified section, and you can search it for what you want. You do need to log in if you want to send a message to a seller, though.
SnowGypsy said
02:15 PM Aug 20, 2013
And, of course, if can find a 2013 model as winter starts set in and inventory is around the corner, a good time to buy both RVs and vehicles!
cejones4210 said
02:49 PM Aug 20, 2013
Airforums is as informative in regards to Airstreams as this site is to RVing or fulltiming. i would recommend you join it if you are interested in Airstreams. You can always find an answer or receiving fairly quickly. Right before we left on a trip this spring, we had an issue with the door. I posted a question and had an answer within minutes, correctly answered!
Finding a used Airstream or even new will be easier using the Airforums. Good luck!
MerryPaws said
01:46 AM Aug 28, 2013
My reply is a bit late but I must agree with the others about air forums and airstream classifieds. I have always wanted a vintage airstream and I did tons of research reading those boards and gauging prices in my area and across the country. I scoured sites for a year before I found mine on Craigslist. 1976 Original condition, everything in working order for $7500. This was a NJ price (I am sure values would be different elsewhere. also in my area the shells with poor or no interiors sell for $4k) The last owners are wonderful and i keep in touch with them too. I couldn't be happier.
Anyway, my point being the older ones are solidly built and you can get a great value if you can do the work. I have read about one full timer who had a lot of issues with her 2007 model. She has an interesting story. Her site is www.silversnail.com and there's a link right on the main page to that story. Also, if you search YouTube for "airstream DIY ken" there are 10 episodes from a DIY show where they restore the entire airstream. Definitely worth a watch if you want to know what you would be getting into.
Sorry for the long post but I am emphatic about my 'new' Airstream! Good luck with your search!
Terry and Jo said
04:23 AM Aug 28, 2013
Merry,
I'm wondering if you got the right web address. The one you listed comes up with something related to comic books. Do you perhaps mean this one?:
Richard:
In spite of my sig below we are very long term Airstream owners going back into the mid-1970’s. We still own a 34’ Excella.
May I offer this perspective which won’t answer your question but could answer you need and save you many dollars. Don’t purchase a new Airstream. Renovate an old one. As many long term Airstream owners will tell you the old ones are much better than the new ones and cost a lot less - a lot less even after renovation costs.
The deal is to find a unit of the size you want and then have it re-built to your specifications. That’s not too difficult. Unlike the RV’s built today – and I own one as does almost everyone else – Airstreams don’t “go bad” as such. They just get old and can be renovated to like new - or better - condition.
There are quality refurbishing outfits. We know this one and they are the type of operation that “Land Yacht Harbors” invite to come and give presentations.
Simply a suggestion FWIW
If we can be assistance just ask.
P&S Trailer
4702 W US Highway 6
Helena, OH 43435
419-638-6261
http://www.pandstrailerservice.com/
Bill
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:40:03 PM
how much would you expect to knock off MSRP for a 25' or 27', and what would you demand for the dealer to throw in???
Thanks in advance for your help.
R
have you heard of a guy named Eric Stoltz (not the actor) who has an oufit called txvintagetrailer? There's quite a bit to read if you google him, and you'll see a clip of him on TV.
I talked w/him, and he's talking about finished product, 1955-65 model, 26 ft, out the door, for about 60k. that's his asking price.
Thanks for you help,
Richard
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:42:37 PM
Thanks for your response, Bill. I have toyed w/the concept you're suggesting, but got scared off it by some horrifically high prices that were quoted to me. I've talked w/Hofarc in Santa Barbara, David Winick (who designed the Bambi 75th Ann for AS, and the prices were gigantic.
However, I'm more than willing to talk w/others. I left a message at the phone number provided in your response. I guess I got confused as to whether that was your number, or the remodelers you were suggesting.
The one good thing about new, or recent model is, I can walk aboard, and see what I'm getting. The remodeling world can be a dark hole---
How would you begin a project like this?? I guess the "older model" would have to have decent "bones", or be really cheap.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Richard
615-714-9922
RV Revive in Waterloo, IA did a great job! Wonderful to work with and we found him more reasonable in price compared to some of the more "advertised" refurbishers.
Was it cheap, no! Would we do it again, yes! The structure was very sound and we had great "bones" to start. We picked up this 1974, in 2001 for about $3000.00.
Be careful, do your research and welcome to the world of Vintage!
To answer your original question, I've been told that you can expect somewhere around 25% off MSRP for any new coach. More expensive coaches have more margin, so the discount might be closer to 30%, while lower priced ones have less margin, hence a smaller discount. When we visited the factory a couple of years ago we were told that every coach was sold before it was built. I suspect that at least some of them are sold only to a dealer, since I see new Airstreams sitting out on the lot every time we go down to Springfield.
Forgot to mention that airforums also has a classified section, and you can search it for what you want. You do need to log in if you want to send a message to a seller, though.
Finding a used Airstream or even new will be easier using the Airforums. Good luck!
My reply is a bit late but I must agree with the others about air forums and airstream classifieds. I have always wanted a vintage airstream and I did tons of research reading those boards and gauging prices in my area and across the country. I scoured sites for a year before I found mine on Craigslist. 1976 Original condition, everything in working order for $7500. This was a NJ price (I am sure values would be different elsewhere. also in my area the shells with poor or no interiors sell for $4k) The last owners are wonderful and i keep in touch with them too. I couldn't be happier.
Good luck with your search!
Anyway, my point being the older ones are solidly built and you can get a great value if you can do the work. I have read about one full timer who had a lot of issues with her 2007 model. She has an interesting story. Her site is www.silversnail.com and there's a link right on the main page to that story. Also, if you search YouTube for "airstream DIY ken" there are 10 episodes from a DIY show where they restore the entire airstream. Definitely worth a watch if you want to know what you would be getting into.
Sorry for the long post but I am emphatic about my 'new' Airstream!
Merry,
I'm wondering if you got the right web address. The one you listed comes up with something related to comic books. Do you perhaps mean this one?:
The Silver Snail
Also, I think this link will take one to the YouTube videos.
Airstream DIY by Ken Nishikatsu
Terry
Yes those links are the correct ones. I wasnt sure if adding certain types of links was allowed so i spelled them out. Thanks!
M