We have talked about purchasing a used DP for years, but now we have to do it. Sold my gasser, so there is no turning back. Need some opinions. We have a budget of $125,000 to $175,000. We have narrowed our search to Newmar, Tiffon and Fleetwood. My question is this, am I better off buying a older one for the $125k or getting one 3-5 years newer for $175k. Both comperable in lay out, miles, etc. My concern is that appliances and so on are going to need to be replaced shortly, on the older one, but am I going to spend $50K over the next 5 years or so. Obviously, I would like to only have to spend the $125K, but looking at it long term which would make more sense? Not afraid of spending $175 if that is the right move. We plan on full timing for a minimum of the next 2 years at least.

I think a lot depends on how much you plan on using the coach. If you use it as per the RV average of 5000 miles/year, those appliances may last another decade. If you use it to full time, or to put 25,000 miles/year, then everything will wear out sooner on both coaches. .

Tiffon is still in business and the factory is only a few miles up from you in Alabama if that is important to you....

The appliances in RVs hold up about as well as they do in homes. There are a few items which have a less than 10 year lifespan in RVs:BatteriesTiresAir ConditionerRefrigeratorFresh Water PumpWith the exception of batteries and tires the others may last beyond 10 years with proper maintenance.On the other hand the drive components in a DP are designed to provide fleet service in truck so you can expect up to 500,000 trouble free miles vs only 300,000 for a gas MH.If not for my DW I would always buyy used. She only wants new. She wins...

We've been fulltimimg in our 2006 Tiffin Phaeton since Dec 2005, with 130,000 miles driven. Two of the major appliances have failed to the point of replacement, 1st is the Norcold refrigerator, that has been replaced under warranty twice and the cooling unit was replaced 4 years ago an aftermarket unit and going strong. We are on our 4th front Coleman Heatpump and still using the original rear heatpump.

Buy the one that had the highest initial quality, although all 3 of those coaches should be pretty close. Appliances will have issues, but the good news is that parts are available for most house systems up to 20 years old.My 22 year old Sahara is still in excellent shape and the only part I haven't been able to replace is the seals on the fridge.You won't spend anywhere near $50k in 5 years on replacing appliances. I tell people to expect to spend 10% of the price in the first year to "get things right".

Financial balancing act | Good Sam Community

stvdman
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
Tom/Barb wrote:
This Is pretty nice too.

WOW, what a coach!
stvdman
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
That first one you were looking at in the description "4000hp Cummins Diesel Engine", that thing should HAUL THE MAIL!

;)
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
This Is pretty nice too.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
What I think is a Better coach for the same budget.
Russ_Pottenger
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
If shopping Newmar keep in mind Comfort Drive started I believe in 2006 in the Mountain Aire in 2006 and went in all Newmar DP in 2009.

That might be in the upper end of your budget, but is a pretty awesome feature
Ductape
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
bobkatmsu wrote:
I just spoke to the owner of the motorhome. It is a ISL400 and DOES NOT use DEF. Does that change some opinions?

As someone else posted, the worst years for Cummins are after DPF began and before DEF. This is one of those. Not a deal killer IMO, but it should be a pricing factor.
Mile_High
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
Nice looking coach! The floor plan is one I would walk away from because of the TV location, and it has an absorbtion fridge which you'll eventually want to replace, but those are just my personal thoughts. We have the 400 ISL with DEF, and it's been a good power plant so far.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 02, 2017
moisheh wrote:
The Dutch Star that the OP is looking at is probably not a good choice. It has been for sale since September. Not much of a description. I don't think it has an ISL 400. It would be at least the 425 or more. Must have other problems. But the Dutch Star is a good choice.

Moisheh

4 months isn't that long. it's late fall, few are looking this time of year. but still I'd offer 15 under the asking.
tropical36
Explorer
Dec 02, 2017
bobkatmsu wrote:
We have talked about purchasing a used DP for years, but now we have to do it. Sold my gasser, so there is no turning back. Need some opinions. We have a budget of $125,000 to $175,000. We have narrowed our search to Newmar, Tiffon and Fleetwood. My question is this, am I better off buying a older one for the $125k or getting one 3-5 years newer for $175k. Both comperable in lay out, miles, etc. My concern is that appliances and so on are going to need to be replaced shortly, on the older one, but am I going to spend $50K over the next 5 years or so. Obviously, I would like to only have to spend the $125K, but looking at it long term which would make more sense? Not afraid of spending $175 if that is the right move. We plan on full timing for a minimum of the next 2 years at least.

My vote, as always, is for getting a reasonably quality unit, that fit's your budget. Also for one that came about before the recession set in and for staying away from some of the later emission controls and with having to add DEF fluid. Newer ones, with the economy in full swing, will have many advantages, as well, but with insisting on some quality, your budget won't be able to handle it.
As a side note, concerning the year models, our rig is running an 06 engine, mounted in an 06 side radiator chassis.
bobkatmsu
Explorer
Dec 02, 2017
I just spoke to the owner of the motorhome. It is a ISL400 and DOES NOT use DEF. Does that change some opinions?

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