Georgie Boy Encounter Class A Gas Motor Home RV Camper

Adventure2014 wrote:
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He pulled up a NADA price guideline and it would go for about 15k...but they just want it gone...

Not the NADA I use. Give this LINK a look at. I'm guessing the owner is putting in every option. On a 20 year old rig options have zero value, and you should buy at the base price. That is the true reason he's at $8k because he understands that.

Now for the engine/transmission I doubt if that will be an issue, if it is ballpark would be 3-5K depending. On an almost 20 year rig expect to be nickeled and dimed to death. Fridge 1k, tires 1-2K, HWH $300, gen 1K, brakes 1K, AC 500+, etc...

Not saying it's a bad buy, just keep in mind the age and your abilities (whatever those may be.)

Ok all...
He said it was last driven a year ago. He started it up, turned on generator. Ac was cold, lights worked, etc. I agree we need to drive it.
He pulled up a NADA price guideline and it would go for about 15k...but they just want it gone.

Anyone know what engine or transmission on these is to replace?

. dbl post

Since he is asking top dollar EVERYTHING should work and work well. For the dollars he is asking, cosmetics should be in good shape. For the record if I can't ride in it/drive it for a good distance like 20 or 30 miles I would walk away from it. Plain and simple.

I used to own the same motorhome, albeit a 96 Encounter. Spartan econo chassis and 5.9 b series engine. The worse thing about it was the air over hydraulic brakes, not nearly as good as air brakes. By now the particle board used in the construction is suspect.

Don't buy it unless you drive it...if he can't understand that, something is fishy.

How long has this thing been sitting? Does the genny work? A/C units? Refrig?
Condition of tires? Water heater? Does the roof need redone? I'd be more worried about the expensive things working properly.

What does a new tranny cost or engine? If it were me those would be my main concern if you can't drive it a good ways to see how they run. Having to repair or replace those one or both would be a big expense coming close to, if not more than your purchase price. Probably using up all the monies for your other projects you mentioned.

mrkoje wrote:

Adventure2014 wrote:

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They are wanting 8,000 firm.
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Would you buy? He started it up...but said we couldn't drive it for insurance reasons.
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1) How much would you average a new paint job?
2) I'll probably want to re-carpet and reupholster the interior just because I'm picky. Where can I get that done and any estimated costs for that?
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So this is what I get out of what you are saying. He wants 8,000 FIRM he will not let you drive it and that you are picky about the cosmetics.

Respectuflly - at $8,000 you can't really be TOO picky especially about cosmetics. If I were going to be picky it would be A LOT more about the structural integrity of the coach and the condition of the tires, brakes, engine etc. The last of my concerns would be spending an enormous amount of time and money to have it repainted or to have the fabrics redone. Especially since I would not likely recoup any of that money spent. Just imagine it being flushed down the toilet if you were ever to decide to sell the coach. If you really want to be picky then be picky on something newer that doesn't need a paint job or new fabrics. IMO of course.

Best of luck to you!

I believe he is saying he is picky in that he wants to make it the way he wants, and do any of us recoup any money we put into these by way of purchase or remodel? I think not. I see a fair amount of pre 2000 motor home around going down the road and running fine, if kept up and maintained

Go to NADA and look up the price. I think you'll find out that he is asking top dollar. To make it look all nice again will make you upside down on it.

With such low miles, faded paint, worn fabric, and carpet it may have been lived in years ago. Not a bad thing, just something to think about.

If it's a Ford it will have 16 inch tires that will cost about a grand to replace. RV consumer group is a joke in my books. Those that use them are mostly newbies.

I know many 90's GBM "entry level" rigs with well over 100,000 miles that have been all over north america. Seems like the Chev's will have more miles on them then the fords. Guessing it's because of the ride quality. If it's a ford look for a broken rear passenger side exhaust bolt. If it's a chev look for melted spark plug wires.

You may find out if it's a chev that the reason he doesn't want you to drive it is because it misses under load. From those that I meet the plug wires start to short out because of the high heat in the engine compartment.

Good luck, but keep NADA in mind.