As has been stated by others above, initial capital outlay is one thing at the front end, but the ongoing maintenance and repairs (and there will typically for most of us be many over the years!) is to us the biggie.
For what it's worth, when we bought out first and current A class back in 2003, we chose to go with gas at the time based on the fact that for an extra $100,000 it would have cost us for a brand new diesel we could have bought a lot of gas for those extra $$$'s. Secondly, we were concerned about the cost of maintenance of diesel versus gas and the ease of being able to do a lot of the regular maintenance ourselves where possible. Absolutely can't argue with the engine noise being upfront, but ........ whilst we might be a minute or two longer getting up the top of a hill/mountain, we strangely get up there the same as the diesels. By the way hubby would love a diesel, but I'm just struggling to personally justify it. Agree with others floorpan, reliability overall reviews and good construction would be my priority first and foremost and whether gas or diesel after those facts, but as always ........... to each their own ;)
One of the best pieces of advice we ever received at the front end, was to put at least 5% of the purchase price into a maintenance/repair account, which is what we did based on new purchase price, and being under warranty initially. If we were going to buy a previously enjoyed coach we would likely have put 10% of the purchase price aside. We have sadly depleted this account on numerous occasions = 2 engines, tires all at once, leaf springs and so on, but we have replenished it as quickly as financially possible so it is always there for the next breakdown, replacement/repair.
We very strongly advocate to anyone buying an RV to put aside some serious bucks into a "just in case" maintenance/repair account right from the get go of ownership and add to it on a consistent basis, that plus regular maintenance/checks before heading out on the road we feel are of paramount of importance. It saved our bacon on numerous occasions, as well giving us peace of mind.
RVing has likely cost us more than hotel rooms, flights and car road trips, but the joy and memories we've created for over 20 years, sleeping in our own bed, potty on board, stopping where and when we've wanted to have a rest, eat and being in our home away from home, initially with our fifth wheel and past 16 years Gasser we wouldn't have traded for more money in the bank today.
Live for today and plan sensibly but not obsessively for the tomorrows, just in case they don't all come!
