Booner wrote:
Floridastorm wrote:
Would appreciate additional info from folks that bought one of the late model previous rental units before I finally make a trip down to Orlando to speak with one of the sales reps. Considering the Class C 23A Model.
*How much of a down payment is required and how many years of financing is available through CA?
*I would imagine the interest rate depends on FICO score. But were their rates competitive?
*Do they allow for an independent RV inspection prior to signing the Purchase Agreement?
*Will they abide by the independent inspection and repair anything noted on the inspection report?
*Is their 3 month warranty for power train only?
*Did you have to have anything done under that warranty?
Thanks again for any and all info provided.
I don't know how much I can help you regarding financing as I paid cash for mine, (Majestic 23A), but why don't you call the CA sales rep. at where you will be buying the unit and ask them these questions? Once you know the answers then you could contact your own banker to compare rates and terms? CA likely does the financing through a third party, and you may be able to get financing at better terms on your own.
They did allow a local inspection service to go over my rig prior to my arrival. I also had the inspection service take samples of the engine and transmision fluids and send them off for testing. Everything was good on my unit, and when I picked it up it was in "rentable" condition. Expect some dings and scratches, you are buying a used vehicle. The fluid annalyse, if it had come back that the engine was in poor condition would have been a deal breaker for me. The inspection service will tell you in what condition they found the coach in (my report was over 100 pages long-vey picture heavy). Again, expect the coach to be in "rental" or serviceable condition. More than likely, they don't have the facilities or parts at the the location your buying from to change out the a/c for example, so it's up to you if you want to accept the unit the way it is. Remember, you are buying the unit "as is." Don't expect them to fix every/any flaw the inspection service may find, but do expect the unit to be in rentable condition.
Their 3 month warranty, as far as I was concerned was for drive train only, that's why I highly suggest you have the fluid samples taken and have their report in hand before you pick the coach up. It's peace of mind to know the engine and transmision are in good condition. If these vehicles have been regularly serviced (and they are,) and you keep that service up, you should get another 3-400,000 miles out of them.
I have not had a reason for any warranty work, nor would I hesitate to recommend a CA formal rental to anyone.
What to expect-
Your buying a used motorhome, it'll have some dings and scratches. It gives the motorhome some character, and you'll add dings and scratches to it too. On the plus side, if you've read the complaints that the buyers of new motorhomes have, you're beyond all that. The things that got screwed up at the factory have long been fixed. More than likely, you'll be working on maintenance items, which every motor home has.
The motor will have fresh oil. They change the oil every 5,000 miles. I recommend you do the same. I am going to have the transmission serviced soon, because I'm annal,not because it needs it. But I want to know that it's been done, and when it was done. If you plan on using the generator much, change it's oil now. And sometime in the near future, change to oil in the rear end. I doubt if that's ever been changed.
The shocks and steering control are at the end of their life and are the ones Ford put on at the factory which are not that good to begin with. I'm putting heavy duty Bilstien's on mine next week. I bought them on Amazon at $95.00 each. I'm having it done at a repair shop that works on semi's. Most repair shops can't handle a rig as big as a motorhome. After I get the new shocks, I'll have the front end aligned. I greased the front end myself and it looked like it had been awhile since that had been done.
If you don't have one, buy a caulking gun and some tubes of caulk and go over the whole unit. They may have missed some spots around windows, etc and you don't want any water intrusion. Pay attention to where the body of the coach joins up with the floor and caulk in that area, particularly around the rear wheels. I get a lot of dust in my unit from these areas, but I'm running mine on gravel roads a lot too.
Finally, when you pick the unit up, they should give you a booklet in how to use the unit-itll be the same booklet they give renters. They should also give you some additional paperwork on how to winterize the unit.
As soon as the unit is yours, go camping for a few days. It should have some propane and fresh water in it, but you'll want to add more. By using the camper as soon as you get it, if you find out the a/c doesn't work, for example, you're on firmer ground if you want warranty work done. If you wait two months and something doesn't work, you'll likely hear "well, it was working when you left here."
I purchased the same unit you're looking at and have been very happy with my mine. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me or this forum. If you don't get the information on how to winterize the unit, I can send you a copy of mine.
Best of luck with your purchase!
-Booner
Thank you sir for a very comprehensive answer. It is most appreciated and helpful, to say the least. And, I will be taking your advice.
In reference to:
"I don't know how much I can help you regarding financing as I paid cash for mine, (Majestic 23A), but why don't you call the CA sales rep. at where you will be buying the unit and ask them these questions? Once you know the answers then you could contact your own banker to compare rates and terms? CA likely does the financing through a third party, and you may be able to get financing at better terms on your own".
The reason that I come on the Open Roads Forum is to get educated opinions from experienced RVers like yourself on a full range of issues before I confront people in the industry who are going to tell me what is best for them and not necessarily what is best for me. I do realize that I can ask these questions from a CA salesperson. But, would rather know beforehand.
