motor home mpg

Floridastorm wrote:
Thank you, both Drew and Matt, for the comprehensive information provided. If and when I purchase a motorhome I'll then learn to accept that science has done all it can to make RV engines as efficient as they can and that there is a point where no additional efficiency is possible without giving up some other factors.

Matt, is your 40 year old MH a class A or C? Do you feel that it is more advantageous to purchase an older motorhome, that has been inspected by my mechanic prior to purchase, instead of buying a new or newer motor home. Even if I needed the assistance of RV mechanics, over the years, would it not be less expensive to spend let's say $12,000, and take the chance, rather than to spend $90,000?

Well $12k vs $90k is still subjective, if you're talking totally apples to apples, size/style, etc then one priced that low will likely be a pile of .....
You self proclaimed to not be mechanically inclined. That IMO will raise your cost to repair and frustration factor through the roof. I'd imagine a guy like Matt Collie has the ability and means to fix almost anything that goes wrong with his classic RV. If you don't, I wouldn't reccomend something old. From not knowing what to look at when purchasing to all repairs, large and small.

There is a good middle ground though. Depreciation on most RVs is huge and I think it's totally plausible to find your "$90000" RV in a late model equivalent, with low miles, good maint and care and modern amenities, like overdrive trans, fuel injection, etc for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of new. That's the range I'd be shooting for unless strict budget or the acceptance of a rolling "project" are your limitations or desire.

Finding a 10 year old car, like new, super low miles, etc is typically very difficult. Cars get used, daily, for the most part and are more tools than luxuries. The RV market is a bit different. There is a greater % of discretionary income used for luxuries like a RV. Therefore you can find a lot of, say, 10 year old, stored inside, has 30,000 miles and little use type units.