2005 2955 Montana trade in?

[Snowbirds]

We are getting the bug to do some upgrading/trading and wondering what we can expect to get for trade in on our 2005 2955 Montana? We have really enjoyed the 05 but feel it's time to upgrade. We'd appreciate some info from ones that have done some trading lately or are familiar with the business. Thanks.

[Clemson1881]

If possible it's always best to sell your unit and then buy. You'll always surrender several thousand dollars in a trade. Pricing is available at NADA's site.

[jackel1959]

Snowbirds,
Here is the link to the NADA website: NADA. There you can select RV's and then the Travel Trailer/5th Wheel section. You will be able to select the make, model and year of your Montana, add the options you have and then get a price for what it is worth. If you are able, it would be best to sell your current rig on your own. Craigslist is a great resource....that's how we sold our Mountaineer in 2009 after having it listed for about 5-6 weeks.

When we were in the market, we were told by members here on this forum that a fair price for a new one is around 30% below what the dealer's sticker price is. It is also advantageous if you can work 2 or 3 dealers against each other for the best price.

We actually ordered and bought our 2010 Montana on line from Walnut Ridge RV. Our salesman was Shane Garinger and although we had to travel to Indiana to get the rig we got a very, very good deal. They were easy to deal with and the price they gave us when we optioned out our rig was a lot less than what we figured we should pay. They also have an RV park which you can stay in for 2 nights at no charge to work out any immediate problems which their service department will attend to. Even factoring in the fuel, lodging and food costs for the trip, we still came out way ahead.

I hope this gives you some of the information you are looking for. Good luck and happy shopping.
Jack

[Larry]

"add the options you have"...true but as a general rule(when dealing with a dealer)they will only use the Used W/S-Trade-In value listed in the NADA book; which in this case is $16,160. With the Used Retail being $21,040, it's better to sell it yourself.
Good luck.

[indy roadrunner]

I think you will find the Montana brand as one of the better sellers. Selling it yourself requires patience but will reap greater rewards in money to apply to new unit. As a trade dealers are in business to make money therefore they will only offer a very minimal value to the trade in unit and oft times will even off set that some more by not coming down enough of the new unit. Someone mentioned Craigs List and that is a good way to advertise - I know we sold our Honda at a higher price using them.
Now if you are in a hurry and money is not a problem - go for it, trade it in and drive off in a new unit and make that dealer very happy.

[clutch]

Regardless of what the blue book says they will still offer a low ball figure in an attempt to get your trade for nearly half of its real trade in or low book value.

[werhapy]

Another rule is to always get the dealer's best cash price before discussing any trade. Then when you introduce the trade the dealer will show you the actual value that he will provide for your trade. Then just add the sales tax and you will know the minimum private sale price that will better the dealer's offer for the trade. This is an old-line car buying strategy that has proven profitable many times.

[5ER]

We all know that it is better to sell it outright or even sell it on consignment but while you are waiting for it to sell, which could take months, you are without an RV. I guess you could try to sell it while you are still using it but this would not be the best way to show it to people. I only know that last year I tried to sell our 2003 3295RK parked at our house and in three months we had very few interested parties. I had ads in local paper and on line. I think a lot has to do with where you live and time of year.

[Snowbirds]

I appreciate you guys responding. The outright sale is always the best option and the one I prefer but today I just went ahead and traded the 2955 in on a 2011 Montana 3465. I just didn't want to sit around waiting for someone to buy mine and they gave me a fair trade in. Thanks again, this site has some of the best people and I really enjoy it.

[PatnRich]

We traded our 2955 on a 3400. Yes you do lose on the trade. One factor for us was Massachusetts has a 6.25% sales tax and you pay tax on the trade difference. If you sell for trade in plus the sales tax on that amount you break even, sell for more, you're ahead.

Congrates on your new unit

[padredw]

The same thing about sales tax being only on the difference is also true in Texas. Often makes trade in a better option.