I am going to look at a 2003 McKenzie Rogue (Monaco) Class C with 2 slides and 31k miles today. It's listed as $27k OBO.It has heated holding tanks and air ride suspension. New tires two years ago.A couple questions:1) How is this brand in terms of quality? Is it low, med, high compared to other RV manufacturers?2) According to NADA, the low retail on this is 23k and the high is 28k. Does 27k seem like a decent price if it's in good condition? What would be a decent counter offer? There is one other person looking at this later today after we look at it.Thanks for any feedback. We are still trying to purchase our first Class C and have turned down several before this one.Thanks.

Hi,Sad to say all RV's are pretty much built to bargain basement quality levels.Water leaks are the deal breaker, but I think you know that already.

Check tires and tire dates / CCC / and if it has a a front window above cab check that area really good for leaks. Good luck!

Fridge and roof AC units, water pump, converter/charger and batteries start to need replacement/major repairs at about 10 year point. Awning may need new fabric. Exterior vinyl trim may be starting to fade and crack. Roof etc. may have leaks causing expensive damage. Mileage should be about 5000 per year to be average.Brake system should be serviced including flushing and replacement of brake fluid and flex hoses to front brakes. Know how much more you are likely to spend on it in the first year when deciding to buy a used rig. Don't buy on impulse or when tired of looking.

Monaco is a highly regarded name as far as motorhomes. But as pianotuna elated to, they all have or can have issues. My in laws had a Monaco Dynasty. Paid big bucks for it. It had to go to the shop several times. The problem is that the shop (dealer), was over 4 hours away. The problem with higher dollar motorhomes is that they can often have higher dollar problems. Most RV's are built similar. There are a few different ways. Some that do it better, charge more. As far as mechanically sound, they use the same brands. Dometic, Atwood, suburban, etc...there are different levels of products within those brands. The main thing is too make sure it has been cared for. Check for leaks. Class C's are the most succeptable RV to get leaks. If the seals are kept in good shape, then it should be good. Bordercollie mentioned 5000 miles average. You can't really go on that. People camp differently. Just like people drive differently. Car dealerships say that 12,000 miles is about average for a car driver. I drive double that. There are people that drive half of it. We've had our motorhome for going on 2 years. We are now just pushing 5000 miles on it. It had a few hundred on it when we bought it.

Buy what you like and can afford. They basically are ALL built using the same appliances, fixtures, water pumps,etc. on the inside. The more expensive ones might have better cabinet wood, granite counter top or a leather couch. But underneath that they are all the same.Some Class C's will offer 2 different chassis for the same model. I don't know the chassis models on that one you are looking at but take the time to learn about the differences. IMHO it affects how enjoyable it is to drive.I.E Ford makes them on the 350 or 450 chassis. BIG difference between the two, but the inside of the RV will look the same.

Advice on a Class C for sale. Looking at it today.

14 Replies

wbwood
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Monaco is a highly regarded name as far as motorhomes. But as pianotuna elated to, they all have or can have issues. My in laws had a Monaco Dynasty. Paid big bucks for it. It had to go to the shop several times. The problem is that the shop (dealer), was over 4 hours away. The problem with higher dollar motorhomes is that they can often have higher dollar problems. Most RV's are built similar. There are a few different ways. Some that do it better, charge more. As far as mechanically sound, they use the same brands. Dometic, Atwood, suburban, etc...there are different levels of products within those brands. The main thing is too make sure it has been cared for. Check for leaks. Class C's are the most succeptable RV to get leaks. If the seals are kept in good shape, then it should be good.

Bordercollie mentioned 5000 miles average. You can't really go on that. People camp differently. Just like people drive differently. Car dealerships say that 12,000 miles is about average for a car driver. I drive double that. There are people that drive half of it. We've had our motorhome for going on 2 years. We are now just pushing 5000 miles on it. It had a few hundred on it when we bought it.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Fridge and roof AC units, water pump, converter/charger and batteries start to need replacement/major repairs at about 10 year point. Awning may need new fabric. Exterior vinyl trim may be starting to fade and crack. Roof etc. may have leaks causing expensive damage. Mileage should be about 5000 per year to be average.Brake system should be serviced including flushing and replacement of brake fluid and flex hoses to front brakes. Know how much more you are likely to spend on it in the first year when deciding to buy a used rig. Don't buy on impulse or when tired of looking.
Steeljag
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Check tires and tire dates / CCC / and if it has a a front window above cab check that area really good for leaks.

Good luck!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 14, 2015
Hi,

Sad to say all RV's are pretty much built to bargain basement quality levels.

Water leaks are the deal breaker, but I think you know that already.

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Advice on a Class C for sale. Looking at it today.

14 Replies

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