Well, after all our discussions about the cost savings of buying "gently used" and not being in a hurry, etc., my wife tells me on the phone 2 nights ago that she put $1,000 down on a new Great West Van Legend (same unit that Rich has).
I was somewhat shocked, but I can't say it came totally out of the blue. We had been having serious discussions and had settled on this chassis and engine (there are 3 or 4 companies that use that chassis and engine). But I thought we were going to be buying used. In here defence, she 'only' put $1,000 on it and has expressed a willingness to burn the $1,000 if I think it's a 'bad idea.'
She toured every lot in Calgary and Edmonton, and basically there were only a couple of 2007's left of the sprinter chassis with the Mercedes diesel, and she had her heart set on one. The used ones are hardly any less--the darned things don't seem to depreciate much. And the 2008s will be bigger, more expensive, and less mileage due to new EPA regs (which also drive the smaller market in Canada). So she is concerned that once the public realizes this, that even the used ones will increase in value.
I explained to her how much gas we could buy with the extra money this unit costs in order to get the better fuel economy....
I've thought about this, and the bottom line is that it makes my wife happy, when she's happy I'm happy, and we were going to buy one or something like it anyway.
all that being said, it is a beautiful rig, it is what we want, and we can afford it. But frugal--NOT!
conflicted in Alaska--27 days until ER and ready to return home to Canada
