Is this a good deal?

labguy1963 wrote:
How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-Fleetwood-FLAIR-NO-RESERVE-2-SLIDES-35K-MILES-5-5-GEN-951-HRS-/221295732794?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item338640e83a&vxp=mtr

That one looks nice - if you can get it for under $14k.

The Fleetwood Flair is an entry level coach - which means it won't have top of the line finishes like granite or corian counter tops. But they also have fewer things to go wrong.

You can find several of them at good prices in Florida. Here are a few I found:

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/rvs/4073241020.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/rvs/4075053003.html

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/rvs/4119726230.html

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/rvd/4100256199.html

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/rvs/4005542842.html

Bill

I am going to look at a 2003 30' Fleetwood. It has the 8100 Vortec. A lot more money, but a lot newer and only 23K miles with all new tires and more.......I shall return shortly with an update :)

Bill

where do you find 2000 and newer for that kind of money? I search the internet all the time for 2000 year and thats unheard of for a nice coach

Diesel, no, Gas yes.

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-Fleetwood-FLAIR-NO-RESERVE-2-SLIDES-35K-MILES-5-5-GEN-951-HRS-/221295732794?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item338640e83a&vxp=mtr

Deano56 wrote:
where do you find 2000 and newer for that kind of money? I search the internet all the time for 2000 year and thats unheard of for a nice coach

You look where there are a lot of private sellers, mostly people who have retired and reached a point where they no longer feel comfortable driving a large motorhome.

Among these private sellers, you then look for people who own the motorhome free and clear, and are often moving from a home into a condo or place where they can't store the motorhome.

Ideally, they are the original owner of the motorhome and it has been their pride and joy, and they've kept it maintained and in good condition.

These are what I call 'perfect sellers'.

You can find many of them in Florida retirement areas, like Sarasota, Orlando, Ft Myers, Tampa.

I purchased my most recent motorhome from one of these 'perfect sellers'. He had bought the motorhome new, owned it free and clear, had kept it in perfect condition, it was a 2004 model had only 25,000 miles on it.

I paid less than $15,000 for it.

If you search Craigslist in retirement areas, and avoid dealers, you can find these perfect sellers and the motorhomes they have for sale.

Bill

my 1990 air conditioners work fine after 23 yrs, I've looked at alot of so called deals on newer ones and would be in the same place where mine was, a good 2000 plus coach in excellent shape is going to be 20-30k range.

overbrook wrote:

labguy1963 wrote:
Hi to all! This is my 1st post here and trying to learn as much as I can. I am on the fence if I want a class A or C. This class A is listed near me(see below). It would be just me and my Labrador. The owner is an airline pilot, so I could assume it was well taken care of.


http://erie.craigslist.org/rvs/4098329350.html

The price is way too high for a 1995. For around $12,000 you can find 2000 and newer Class A and Class C motorhomes that will have newer appliances, better motors and transmissions, and will be worth more when you get ready to sell.

On that 1995 you linked to, you can expect to spend $3,500 on tires and batteries right off. And probably another $2,000 on brakes,calipers, fuel pump, fuel filter, and no telling what else.

And when you've finally got it ready to roll, you'll have more in it than you want.

Another thing - it is rarely a good idea to buy a motorhome that has spent most of its life in a rust belt state.

Better to get one in Florida where there's more available, generally in better condition, and at a lower price.

Take a look at the Sarasota Fl Craigslist, and you'll see examples of what you can get. http://sarasota.craigslist.org/rvs/

Bill

where do you find 2000 and newer for that kind of money? I search the internet all the time for 2000 year and thats unheard of for a nice coach

Regarding your question on class C verses Class A; I think its a matter of preference until you get to the larger units. Then a Class A is definitely the way to go. When we first started looking we thought Class C. The DW thought she would feel more comfortable driving it (feels smaller when your in the cockpit). We decided to go with a class A since I figured I would be doing most of the driving anyway, and the class C is no comparison to the picture window view of a class A. As it turns out, the DW only drove our 34' unit for about 15 minutes, and has yet to get behind the wheel of our new one. As far as purchase, I might suggest a dealer. You may pay more in the long run, but most units are warrantied, and they can get you financing nowadays to fit any budget. You also can be less concerned about the condition of the equipment since the dealers usually go through them pretty good before they go on the lot.

What a lot of assumptions. I bought a 1992 Class A up in Alaska, took it on a few short trips and then drove it all the way to Virginia. It was 19 years old when I bought it and the only thing I had to do to it was change the oil before I took the long trip. Tires were fairly new and the owner kept up with the maintenance. Had I thrown out the ad based on the year of the RV, I would have missed out on what I feel was a good purchase.

I've seen 2005 models that I wouldn't drive away for free due to smoking owners, poor maintenance, and leaks, and my 92 is on the other end of the equation. Never assume one way or the other, and realize that you're going to kiss a few frogs before you find that prince (at least that's what I tell my daughters).

Good luck and keep looking.

Tom

labguy1963 wrote:
I just came back from looking at it. The owner couldn't make it, so I looked it over on the outside. It is parked way in the back of a small RV park. The 1st thing I looked at were the tires. All were a different make and some not so good. That pretty much convinced me right then. Upon further inspection, the roof has had many shoddy looking clear silicone/rtv patches. I didn't even bother to crawl underneath. I did look in the basement compartments, generator, etc. Not exactly what I wanted to see and not in the greatest shape. Rusty angle iron, screws, rivots, etc. Yes, pics and usually are misleading. I wouldn't buy that one for $1000, due to the fact that it needed a ALOT of love and certainly ALOT of money to get it safe and up to snuff. I think I will heed the advice here and look for at least a 2000 or newer model and smaller too. I found out that the owner only had it for 2 years and he didn't even know if it had a Ford or GM motor! Bummer.................the search continues.

Good job catching all that! As soon as the owner couldn't tell me what brand chassis it was sitting on I would have likely bailed. From what you observed, that price is way too high for a '95.

You will find a good one soon enough for around that price.