I looked at used Class A (bus based) RVs that are 35', 40' or even 44' long. It seems the high end bus based RVs hold their value better, although as stated, RVs always depreciate quickly. But I've seen 1980s Wanderlodge motorhomes (based on an all steel Bluebird school bus, but factory converted to a luxury RV when new) still fetching $20k to $30k for nicely kept units. 1990s units are $50k or more and early 2000's units are over $100k. But, these are motorhomes that sold for over $1million when new, at a time when other motorhomes sold for $70k to $100k when new. They may have a slightly dated look (inside and out), but they definitely hold up a lot better than the fiberglass or thin aluminum bodied motorhomes. <br><br>Used higher end models like Prevost or Newell cost about double of what a Wanderlodge costs. If I could afford one of these condos on wheels, I'd buy one! I've heard you should set aside $10k for repairs for the first year. Seems to be the average people spend when buying one. A set of 6 new tires can set you back $4k-5k. And maintenance and repairs on a diesel bus will be more than for a cargo van!<br><br>But if all I had was $5000 and had to choose between using it for renting an apartment, or buying a vehicle to live in, I'd seriously consider buying whatever motorhome I could for $5000. It will be older, but definitely better than nothing. I think if buying a travel trailer, your money could go even further. If you can find a free place to park, then all the better! And even when it comes to paying for parking at an RV park, $700 a month to be near a major city and have water, toilet waste dumping, trash removal, electricity, cable TV and Internet is pretty reasonable. You would never be able to live in an apartment that cheaply in most major cities. You could tow a car or van behind it so you could drive locally in something fuel efficient and leave your 5 or 8 mpg motorhome at the RV park.<br><br>Having said that, I'm in the process of converting my Chevy Astro van into a stealth camper for vandwelling and parking for free as much as possible. I already own my van, it's in great condition and I'd never get my money out of it if I sold it. I've heard people often prefer something smaller, so maybe I'll like the van and won't consider a motorhome. We'll see. But for the next few years, looks like I'll be living in my van. If I had the money, and could choose any vehicle, I'd choose something with more headroom, be it a high top van, a regular motorhome or a used high end bus based motorhome. But, I don't have that luxury. I will be saving my money though! Until then, I will be roughing it, hunched over, or walking on my hands and knees in my stock height Astro and sharing it with my dog until I can afford something larger.
