We're looking at a 40' 2006 American Tradition with a cummins 400 ISL, independant front suspension, tile floor and all of the correct goodies. We've never owned a DP, so I need to ask if the 400 ISL is the way to go. The coach has 62K on it and the're asking $144,500. I test drove it and it is quieter that our gasser and ride is much better. My only issue is that it means a new payment and our gasser is paid for. The other major issue is that my dear wife loves the darn thing and told she won't walk into another showroom ever again.Is the 400 ISL on a Spartan chassis a good combination?

American Coach has a reputation for making very nice, high-end coaches. The Spartan chassis with 400 ISL Cummins is a very popular and reliable combination used by a number of coach manufacturers.The key is to determine if the proper maintenance has been done on the drive train. If so, that combination should be pretty bullet-proof.If the coach is in good condition and has a floor plan you like, just make sure you inspect it well for any hidden issues....water leaks, delamination of sidewalls, etc. If the coach has original tires, they should surely be replaced before the sale or a proper allowance be made in the selling price so you can get new tires. We just traded coaches and found that it was generally more easy to get a good deal on DP's listing for more than $100K than those selling for less (in the current economy). I would suggest you should be able to buy most any coach in that price range for something between NADA 'low retail' and wholesale. If you are trading, the only real figure that matters is the difference paid. Obviously, if you trade against a low price, you will get a lower trade.

Greyghost wrote:The other major issue is that my dear wife loves the darn thing and told she won't walk into another showroom ever again.You know the answer to that one. If Momma isn't happy,,,, Payments are always a pain. AKA 'A dead horse' you are dragging around.The ISL is a powerful engine and will push the coach up any grade you can find. Don't hear much concerning Spartan, which maybe a good thing. If the seller has maintenance records take it and enjoy the coach. Otherwise use the lack of records as a bargaining tool. Same with tire date codes. $144K seems OK but offer them $139K and see what happens.Good luck.

NADA does not list a 2006 American Tradition 40' with the Cummins ISL. All the '06 models show CAT 400 hp engines. Are you sure it is a 2006? At any rate, the asking price of $144K is less than low retail for any of the 2006 models listed. NADA data, of course, may not be correct.

My feeling is that the price is a little high, for two reasons: - I assume that any seller (whether dealer or individual) has the sense to ask more than his bottom line, to leave some room for negotiation, and - more importantly, if I look at other coaches listed online around that price, yours looks like an OK deal, but I think there are other coaches I might buy first for that $$$.For instance, look at PPL Motorhomes website. They list lots of used coaches (on consignment) in descending price order. Right now, for around $150k, you can get a 2007 40-ft. Allegro Bus, a 2000 45-ft. Prevost (!), a 2008 42-ft. Phaeton (though underpowered, IMHO, with only a 360 Cummins), or for only $136k, a 2003 45-ft. Monaco Executive. All of those except the Bus have a tag axle, and the Prevost and Monaco have 500-hp engines.The coach you're looking at sound great, but with or without your DW, check out some more alternatives, even if only online. And even if you don't want one of those, you can use them in your negotiations to get a better price. If I were negotiating to buy the coach you're looking at, my first offer would be around $130k (10% under asking), and I wouldn't even consider that playing hardball.

smlranger wrote:NADA does not list a 2006 American Tradition 40' with the Cummins ISL. All the '06 models show CAT 400 hp engines. You are absolutely correct. It's an 05 with a special order 400. Thanks for catching that.

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23 Replies

smlranger
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
NADA does not list a 2006 American Tradition 40' with the Cummins ISL. All the '06 models show CAT 400 hp engines.

Are you sure it is a 2006? At any rate, the asking price of $144K is less than low retail for any of the 2006 models listed. NADA data, of course, may not be correct.
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
Greyghost wrote:
The other major issue is that my dear wife loves the darn thing and told she won't walk into another showroom ever again.
You know the answer to that one. If Momma isn't happy,,,, Payments are always a pain. AKA 'A dead horse' you are dragging around.

The ISL is a powerful engine and will push the coach up any grade you can find. Don't hear much concerning Spartan, which maybe a good thing. If the seller has maintenance records take it and enjoy the coach. Otherwise use the lack of records as a bargaining tool. Same with tire date codes. $144K seems OK but offer them $139K and see what happens.

Good luck.
smlranger
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
American Coach has a reputation for making very nice, high-end coaches. The Spartan chassis with 400 ISL Cummins is a very popular and reliable combination used by a number of coach manufacturers.

The key is to determine if the proper maintenance has been done on the drive train. If so, that combination should be pretty bullet-proof.

If the coach is in good condition and has a floor plan you like, just make sure you inspect it well for any hidden issues....water leaks, delamination of sidewalls, etc. If the coach has original tires, they should surely be replaced before the sale or a proper allowance be made in the selling price so you can get new tires.

We just traded coaches and found that it was generally more easy to get a good deal on DP's listing for more than $100K than those selling for less (in the current economy). I would suggest you should be able to buy most any coach in that price range for something between NADA 'low retail' and wholesale. If you are trading, the only real figure that matters is the difference paid. Obviously, if you trade against a low price, you will get a lower trade.

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