looking to buy entry level Motorhome

I agree with the used suggestion. This is my first new motorhome. Sure it's nice to have nobody else's dirt, but the constant returns for stupid little things that should have been done at the factory and at least the dealer make it seem like a rip-off. If it had been a year or 2 old someone else probably would have taken care of these head aches and I would have saved a significant amount of money. (2014 Storm 32')

John S. wrote:
I will put my 01 Foretravel up against a new entry level any day. I do not think the technology is any different. In fact I am happy not to have All the pollution stuff on it too. I doubt you will find a 200 gallon fuel tank a 12.5 kW auto start genset a residential fridge in a every level. I have 4 8d batteries and a 2500 watt inverter. I think I can change out the inverter to a 3000 cheaper then a new coach. There is no really new must have technology in motorhomes that are entry level and new. Oh I have the big Aquahot too and the new ones have a extra electric element but does not change the fact that the diesel side is the most powerful. So if youwant an extra element and pollution stuff, go ahead. If I was building new, I would still only get two slides too.

You guys are funny. A foretravel against an entry level mh. Apples and oranges. I am sure a 2001 Ferrari is a lot nicer than a 2014 ford fiesta too. Keep it real.

I will put my 01 Foretravel up against a new entry level any day. I do not think the technology is any different. In fact I am happy not to have All the pollution stuff on it too. I doubt you will find a 200 gallon fuel tank a 12.5 kW auto start genset a residential fridge in a every level. I have 4 8d batteries and a 2500 watt inverter. I think I can change out the inverter to a 3000 cheaper then a new coach. There is no really new must have technology in motorhomes that are entry level and new. Oh I have the big Aquahot too and the new ones have a extra electric element but does not change the fact that the diesel side is the most powerful. So if youwant an extra element and pollution stuff, go ahead. If I was building new, I would still only get two slides too.

Effy wrote:

427435 wrote:



The latest technology and quality construction (that you can't really see until it's too late) don't come with cheap, entry level MH's------even if they are new.

BS - if you are trying to tell me that a 10 yr old MH compares in technology to a newer MH's engine, refer, water heater, electronics, lighting, power managment etc even on an entry level you are off your rocker. If you like old fine. Like I said there is merit to buying used if you like that sort of thing. But some crusties bash new stuff like it's going to fly to pieces leaving the lot. If it weren't for someone one day buying your coach new, you wouldn't have it used. Were they idiots?

Yup, that's what I'm telling you. My MH is now 14 years old. Unlike some of today's cheap starter MH's, it has well constructed walls and roof. It has a good power management system that allows me to run 2 air conditioners off a 30 amp supply. It has not only good air conditioners but a good heat pump. The furnace, hot water heater, stove, oven, and refrigerator all work fine. So does the plumbing (well, maybe the waste tanks sensors aren't always accurate, but I doubt that is any better on a new, cheap, entry level either).

And cut that age in half and start comparing a 2007 to a new 2014 MH. Tell me what a 2014 entry level MH has that a 2007 Winny Adventurer doesn't have (besides a warranty)?????

And I haven't put a $1000 into my 2000 MH for any repairs that a warranty would have covered. The previous owner had the fun of working the factory defects out with the dealer (whatever they were).

427435 wrote:



The latest technology and quality construction (that you can't really see until it's too late) don't come with cheap, entry level MH's------even if they are new.

BS - if you are trying to tell me that a 10 yr old MH compares in technology to a newer MH's engine, refer, water heater, electronics, lighting, power managment etc even on an entry level you are off your rocker. If you like old fine. Like I said there is merit to buying used if you like that sort of thing. But some crusties bash new stuff like it's going to fly to pieces leaving the lot. If it weren't for someone one day buying your coach new, you wouldn't have it used. Were they idiots?

Effy wrote:



I see so much advice on here about older used being better etc. Depreciation, yada yada yada. I gurantee that a 10yr old MH not only has outdated components and trimmings, but is ready to have parts starting to fail. There are 2 types of people on this forum, people that buy new and those that buy and pander used. Some want new (gasp – the horror of depreciation), But they get the newest technology, a warranty and don’t have the guesswork that you didn’t inherit problems. The second type is those that buy only used. You are on your own here and be prepared to fix things and be satisfied with dated décor, technology and parts. There are pros and cons to both. With new, it’s true that you likely get less bang for your buck and suffer depreciation. Be careful and diligent about your deal and you can minimize this. RV’s are not investments. Pretty much anything you buy is heavily depreciated sans real estate – and that’s often questionable. But you also get a warranty, newer technology etc. And despite the brand bashing that goes on here just about ANY brand despite how it rolls of the line, will be fully supported. With old you may very well find a gem and better quality than new. But you have to like used stuff. I don’t. I abhor it. You risk inheriting problems and no luxury of a warranty unless you buy one and then it’s still a bit of a crapshoot. Which is the better value, you decide.

The latest technology and quality construction (that you can't really see until it's too late) don't come with cheap, entry level MH's------even if they are new.

As some others have mentioned, spend your money on a gently used MH from a good company (Winnebago and Newmar come to mind), rather than a cheap, new one.

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

krivanj wrote:
. . . . . . . .

After four motor homes, I am convinced the money saved by buying used is well worth it. If you can find a better quality, higher end unit a couple of years old, I think that would be a better choice. And make sure the length will do it for you. Good luck with your search!

Very strongly agree on this. We have had a 1997 30' Triple E Commander (Canadian Built) and added 100,000 kilometers to the 80,000 already on it. 5 years ago we bought a 32' Itasca Horizon (similar to Winnebago Journey) and added 140,000 kilometers to the 40+ that were on the clock when we bought it.

Cabinetry still in excellent shape, everything still works well, the rig still looks good. We have had some maintenance issues but nothing disastrous. We live in it 6 months every year and do a lot of miles so that is not too surprising.

I see so much advice on here about older used being better etc. Depreciation, yada yada yada. I gurantee that a 10yr old MH not only has outdated components and trimmings, but is ready to have parts starting to fail. There are 2 types of people on this forum, people that buy new and those that buy and pander used. Some want new (gasp – the horror of depreciation), But they get the newest technology, a warranty and don’t have the guesswork that you didn’t inherit problems. The second type is those that buy only used. You are on your own here and be prepared to fix things and be satisfied with dated décor, technology and parts. There are pros and cons to both. With new, it’s true that you likely get less bang for your buck and suffer depreciation. Be careful and diligent about your deal and you can minimize this. RV’s are not investments. Pretty much anything you buy is heavily depreciated sans real estate – and that’s often questionable. But you also get a warranty, newer technology etc. And despite the brand bashing that goes on here just about ANY brand despite how it rolls of the line, will be fully supported. With old you may very well find a gem and better quality than new. But you have to like used stuff. I don’t. I abhor it. You risk inheriting problems and no luxury of a warranty unless you buy one and then it’s still a bit of a crapshoot. Which is the better value, you decide.

krivanj wrote:
. . . . . . . .

After four motor homes, I am convinced the money saved by buying used is well worth it. If you can find a better quality, higher end unit a couple of years old, I think that would be a better choice. And make sure the length will do it for you. Good luck with your search!

Very strongly agree on this. We have had a 1997 30' Triple E Commander (Canadian Built) and added 100,000 kilometers to the 80,000 already on it. 5 years ago we bought a 32' Itasca Horizon (similar to Winnebago Journey) and added 140,000 kilometers to the 40+ that were on the clock when we bought it.

Cabinetry still in excellent shape, everything still works well, the rig still looks good. We have had some maintenance issues but nothing disastrous. We live in it 6 months every year and do a lot of miles so that is not too surprising.

I was looking for a MH this past winter and visited quite a few. I found the Vista was the best built of all small MH. It has the hard top, the in and out seems to be a much better construction than others. I found the Holiday Rambler 30 full wall slide a very nice MH too, but more expensive. Newmar is a nice unit, but the price is over 100,000.

If you buy last year model you can save a lot too. For example, there was a new Vista 27, 2013, at Mesa Orlando for $59,000. I found it hard to find a recent used small MH. I found many 5+ years old one wity a price tag in the 40 to $50K. If I buy one, I would prefer a new/year old one in the $60k than a used 5+ years old in the 50K.

A few sellers told me that many are selling their used one for what the own on it, and some own a lot of money, some paid too much for their RV and are now stuck with the morgage, so prices are sometimes very high for the year.

The used one I found with a reasonable price where either worn out, furniture all bang up or of lower quality.

I am now looking for a Diesel 32 to 34 feet in the 2002 to 2007 years old. I found the finish and handling much better than any entry level Class A.

Good luck shopping, let us know what you found.