Good deal?

Sounds like a good deal if it checks out mechanically and all the house features work. If there are problems, it could turn in to a bad deal fast. Just be sure to add up replacement costs on individual components (tires, batteries, appliances, etc.)

Check belts/hoses for cracks. Check dates on battery, tires. Check underbody for rust. Walk/stomp around floor near all slides, windows, shower, toilet etc to check for soft spots. Look for weird ceiling stains.

Jim Bride wrote:
Ex mother in law has 1999 Southwind with big block Chevy gas engine. She wants 10k for the thing which has been sitting for over a yr. It has 99,000 on odometer. What's the life expectancy of the tranny on one of these...good deal or not?

In addition to what's already been said, if the rig is over 15K GVWR, you might check it for autopark. If so equipped, check it out thoroughly and then educate yourself on the system, if you choose to buy it.

The drivetrain should be fine at that mileage if it was serviced properly. As far as the price, that also is influenced by which model Southwind and the condition of everything of course. It could be a great price or it could be average.

Is that something that will work for you? If not, it isn't a good deal.

Find out how old the tires are (years and miles), plan on a complete service of all fluids (including brake fluids) and all filters (engine and generator). Battery ages and type but I would budget new ones in most all cases. I think for a private sale the $ amount is too high to start but if you take that price and subtract what it's going to cost to bring it up to par you might find some mutual ground. Every coach loses value everyday so the sooner she can get rid of it the better off she will be.
I agree that buying from anyone you intend to continue a relationship with is a very big mistake. However, if you both understand what is and what is not you should be able to continue to get along.

Two words kind of stood out "mother in law" and "ex".lol.Take it to someone who can give you a real good check out.You know if you have a problem after buying it that your relationship with her is gone.I never ever buy from relatives or friends for that reason.

Hello, welcome to the forum.
Was the Southwind used to tow anything, trailer/toad?
Take it for a drive and see how the transmisson works, check the fluid to see if it's clean.
If you make the purchase, I would have the transmission serviced. Then you will know when it was done.
As J-Rooster said, it may need tires.
I have a 96 Southwind, it works great. It has the original roof and it's holding up very well. It does not need replaced.

It's all in the service records, as if transmission fluids were filtered per manufactures recommendations along with all other services like belt, hoses, wires, distributor, brakes, tires. Figure 7 tires if needed are about $2500. other services could be another $3,000 to get it roadworthy. The brakes probably will have rusted to the races so have the races greased first thing as they are known to not retreat and hold on to rotors causing drag and hot spots. Then the roof may need replacement if it's original at about $4500. If it needs just routine work and everything else is done it's probably worth around $20,000.

Jim Bride wrote:
Ex mother in law has 1999 Southwind with big block Chevy gas engine. She wants 10k for the thing which has been sitting for over a yr. It has 99,000 on odometer. What's the life expectancy of the tranny on one of these...good deal or not?

Jim, IMHO opinion you will wear out the inside of your coach before the engine and transmission. 2004 / 2005 my coach sat for over a year while I went thru a series of spinal cord operations, and my coach ran just fine after sitting a year. If the coach wasn't abused (sounds like it wasn't since your buying from family) you will be OK with the purchase! What might cost you is new tires if they are worn are cracked! Sounds like a good deal to me! Good Luck, Rooster P.S. Jim Welcome to RV.Net