I'm looking at a small former rental Class C primarily because of the savings. The ones I'm seeing in the 2006 age range can be had for around $20K vs $40 or $50. That's a lot of budget left over for the fun aspects of full timing. Newer means more modern floor plans and savings which can go toward customizing for my use.
My first RV was a 26' Class A. At the time I bought it it felt huge compared to my small sailboat. Space is a relative thing. My 2nd RV was a beautiful DP with two slides, but I had a lot of money tied up in it and and there is a big depreciation hit.
It is all a compromise. Full timing in a former rental will provide the same experience as paying double for a non rental. As far as maintenance issues go, the rental company has a interest in maintaining these vehicles and a well maintained gas unit should be capable of 200K miles with routine repair and replacement. When I sold my 26' Chevy 454ci we checked compression and with 126,000 it was still like new.
One of the rental companies claims to have sold 120,000 former rentals and if there were problems specific to them, it would be showing up.
