Buying old RV

I don't mind if the inside is not good. I'm concerned with system repairs that will cost $$$ and/or I cannot do. I can do the interior repairs and replace appliances if needed. But I don't want to buy something that needs work only a mechanic can do. I'm not mechanical , but I'm willing to learn to do some work.

Driven and started are two different things. It may not have been started in 10 months. Not good.

I just looked at a nice '98 newmar. It has new brakes, New tires, a residential refrigerator and there isn't a dent on it. That's the driveway look over. Today we got to go inside to see what happens when a grandson lives in a MH for 11 months. Grandpa wants 35,000 and there are dirty close and old food everywhere. All the upholstery is shot, ripped leather, ripped carpet and it stinks. I would have paid that for it because it has maintenance records and books BUT it isn't worth fixing in my opinion.
Do you want it to run good or be livable?

You may be better off with a truck and trailer. At least you will have a vehicle you can use while you work on the trailer, if it needs work. The truck will also be easier to repair than a motor home.

Thanks. I've been looking for a month and haven't found many driveable RV's around this price and the ones I did were pretty bad. I'm wondering if there is a point where there are some repairs to make the rv worth it. But I don't want to buy something that needs so much work its not worth it. I wanted to buy a camper/tower behined, but I don't have a truck.

That particular make and era has a real serious problem with the way the sidewalls are attached to the motorhome. The sidewall becomes "floating" and as you drive the entire wall will move up and down. No really good cure. Do your self a favor and forget that one! Lots of decent older units are around.

Moisheh

to answer your last statement, water damage,, look at the ceiling and side walls ANY SIGN OF WATER is a sign to run not walk. tires a must and brakes could be froze up, just because price is low, does not make a good deal. frig work?? stove??? furnace?? and there will be things you can,t see.

Thanks. I'll definintely check the tires. The Owner said they are new but checking the date is probably a good idea. I have to look at the rv to get the exact make/model to pull up nada price. I'm just wonder what major things could be wrong that make a good deal not a good deal.

is that a chevy P-30/32 chassis? the mid 90s ones were dreadful, I had two of them, :s needs headers, air bags, etc. offer much less than $2500 IMHO.
bumpy

I don't know if that's a good price or not. Did you check the NADA prices? $2500.00 may be too much.

You will probably need to buy new tires before you drive it, RV tires age out before they wear out. Figure in the price of new tires when negotiating the price.
Even if the tires have a lot of tread and look good, they probably need replaced.
Check the date code on the side of the tire to get the age.

Plus, you need to check for leaks. A small leak can cause a lot of damage to a RV if not repaired quickly.