First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006

Randy seldom will you find a worn out MH at least from the chassis side of the coin. If the running gear (chassis) is solid then getting new rubber an important thing to consider. Next is the roof. If you like the floor plan OK and the chassis is in good shape then you can coat the roof (depending on roofing type) and get more years out of it or you have have to do some roof repairs if a leak as occurred. Even a 15 year MH could provide another 10 years of good service after you addresses the needs that will pop up in the first couple years of ownership. Just look at some of the rigs owned by rv.net posters. If you are putting 15-30K miles a year on one then that is another story but for the 5-10K miles per year user a 15 year old unit can be just as dependable as a new unit. Motor homes are more like trucks and tractors. With reasonable service and repairs they can just keep on going and going. Personally I like to buy solid used vehicles and get the issues like belts, hoses, brakes, bearings out of the way when the engine and transmission seem to perform as expected. Of course with an RV you have to have a solid roof (non leakier) or you can loose the house in short order just like with a stick built house. I hope these thoughts are in line with what you were asking.

I think for $15K you can have a motor home as dependable as one selling for $300K but putting $30K can buy one maybe 15 years of good service instead of 10 years as mentioned above. I really do not see knowing my needs beyond 10 years for a MH so buying one to last 25 years just does not seem best in my case. You hit the nail on the head about life style. That varies from person to person and it seems to me happiness is more a state of mind vs. state of one's toys. :)