Airstreams are renowned for their amazing quality and meticulous attention to detail. According to the airstream site, "Airstreams are still years ahead of all other makes in style, strength, lightness, durability, quality and comfort. From casual travel with overnight stops to full-time living on the go, Airstream cannot be equaled." Airstreams are made from "the ground up according to the artisanship of veteran Airstream craftsmen. " Airstream's unique construction process is very labor intensive and does increase the price of their products, but they believe customers are willing to pay for the extra effort. Heres an excerpt from the site explaining about why airstreams are so expensive: Airstream's proprietary construction process also ensures easy serviceability for all coach components. Everything, from the furniture to the appliances, is brought in through the door of the coach for installation. This means that any item needing service can easily be accessed and even removed if necessary - through the door. Yes, this process is more labor intensive. Yes, this process costs more. But Airstream customers demand and deserve the best; our unique process ensures they get it. http://www.airstream.com/product_line/travel_trailers/travel_trailers.html

Mass produced cars are cheaper than low volume vehicles, aren't they? If an assembly line was set up to produce Airstreams in volume then the price could be lowered. However this would not please all the Airstream owners who paid the higher prices. Airstreams do not have as much usable interior space as regular RV's and it has been proven that people do not like living in igloo-like dome homes either. The only reason to own an Airstream is, if it fits your lifestyle and you like belonging to that group of owners.