Considering purchase of a 2005 model, 21 feet, V6, original owner, 70,000 miles, fully equipped including generator. Asking price is $16,000. NADA value seems to be around $15,000. Would this be a good buy and what are the thoughts on the quality of this type of motor home? :@

First question is always "What Do I Need?" and that leads to Second question "Will this RV Satisfy It?" Floorplan, living space, distance you plan to travel, how many people, how "heavy" you pack...I could not find "Vista" in Winnebago's Product Archive for 2005. Looked a later model Vista and it was an entry level Class A gasser.If this IS a Sprinter-based Winnebago Class C, they're the darling of the industry right now. Price sounds good. But if you can't answer the Need/Satisfy questions, you won't enjoy the best buy in the best condition.Have it VERY carefully gone over by an RV Tech AND a mechanic who understands Sprinters (given that's what it is...). RV bodies (the "House") are ruined by leaks and repairs are expensive. Mechanical chassis repair on Gas is expensive. Diesel much more, Particularly when you add "Mercedes."

I liked the Vista/Sunstar in 2004-2005, I thought it was a nice size and more useful than the Rialta alternative. My wife considered it too small, so we ended up with a much larger C.The one person I know who has the VW-based Sunstar, likes it and uses it regularly.You might investigate where you'll take it for chassis service. Many VW dealers do not have lifts, sometimes not even shop bays, large enough for this vehicle. Chassis parts stock can also be "iffy" because VW of America only briefly imported the T4 passenger van, which turned out to be not competitive in the "large minivan" market at which it was targeted, and the commercial T4 van was crippled on the market here by a punitive import tariff.The "house" build is at the same materials level, same construction methods, as contemporary Winnebago Chalet, Minnie or Spirit.

tatest wrote:I liked the Vista/Sunstar in 2004-2005, I thought it was a nice size and more useful than the Rialta alternative. My wife considered it too small, so we ended up with a much larger C.The one person I know who has the VW-based Sunstar, likes it and uses it regularly.You might investigate where you'll take it for chassis service. Many VW dealers do not have lifts, sometimes not even shop bays, large enough for this vehicle. Chassis parts stock can also be "iffy" because VW of America only briefly imported the T4 passenger van, which turned out to be not competitive in the "large minivan" market at which it was targeted, and the commercial T4 van was crippled on the market here by a punitive import tariff.The "house" build is at the same materials level, same construction methods, as contemporary Winnebago Chalet, Minnie or Spirit.This is excellent advice. Lake of service and parts availability would be a deal killer for me. The Volkswagen chassis makes the unit undesirable in my opinion.

Test drove one few years ago. If memory serves thought it was pretty underpowered. And if I remember correctly not much CCC, and the water tank was small, like 25 gallons. So if you boondock much, that might be a consideration

I've considered it because there are only two of us, my wife and I both senior citizens. We had a class A 24 feet a few years ago and that was enough space for the 3 of us, son included. Son is now 33 and on his own. We don't boondock and pretty much stay around Florida and the Georgia/Carolinas areas. Also wanted a unit that would serve as a 2nd vehicle to our SUV. My wife should be able to drive this one easily. Parking, just about anywhere, would be easy.The gas mileage is another consideration. Seems to get double the mileage of conventional class c's. I would imagine that most RV maintenance places could handle any maintenance on it. The owner may have bought it in 2005 but it seems it was manufactured in 2004. NADA doesn't list a 2005 Vista. A lot of good information provided here. Does anyone know how well it rides? Does the wind affect it more or less than other class c's?

Winnebago Vista Motorhome | Good Sam Community

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j-d
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2016
First question is always "What Do I Need?" and that leads to Second question "Will this RV Satisfy It?" Floorplan, living space, distance you plan to travel, how many people, how "heavy" you pack...

I could not find "Vista" in Winnebago's Product Archive for 2005. Looked a later model Vista and it was an entry level Class A gasser.

If this IS a Sprinter-based Winnebago Class C, they're the darling of the industry right now. Price sounds good. But if you can't answer the Need/Satisfy questions, you won't enjoy the best buy in the best condition.

Have it VERY carefully gone over by an RV Tech AND a mechanic who understands Sprinters (given that's what it is...). RV bodies (the "House") are ruined by leaks and repairs are expensive. Mechanical chassis repair on Gas is expensive. Diesel much more, Particularly when you add "Mercedes."

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Winnebago Vista Motorhome

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