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

Great info, I just sold my 22' Tahoe lite today and the TV will be a lease turn-in soon. After my deployment (I'm military) I'm getting a coach to take the wife & son around with. We'll be towing her '08 Jeep liberty, most likely on a dolly. A brake buddy and dolly are almost identical in cost. Anybody have an opinion on which is better? I'm definitely buying pre-owned. My wife is COMPLETELY HUNG on year model, versus a good value for dollar. A very difficult thing given the fact I've seen some nice mid-late 90's coaches that she turned her nose up at simply because of age. My question is mid-late 90's versus 2000-2005 models, around 30'. Do coaches deteriorate as fast as TT's do? Speaking for myself, my '01 Tahoe was as old as I wanted to go. Putty tape gets worn out, roof resealing, a/c shroud it brittled, paint fade, the list goes on. Do coaches on average weather any better, say like a normal vehicle would? If it were a late 90's tow vehicle in good shape I wouldn't hesitate on a good deal. Budget really doesn't bug me too badly. I'll pay the same payment for longer on a newer, or for a shorter period on an older. Standing by for opinions :)

Thanks,
Mike

P.S. I have to admit, it is fun to look at the 100K+ models and dream. I actually COULD own one, but the 20 years of payments is a real turn off :)