Need advice on purchasing an older RV.
My partner and I are looking to purchase an RV by the end of the year and have it renovated by next spring when we will strike out on the road and go full time. We are interested in Class A RVs due to...
Forum Discussion
We ended up with a '98 diesel for about twice your $10k limit, but we looked at a LOT of gas RVs in your price range.
Almost none of what we saw were great. Most has worn carpet or some fabric tears, or significant fading on the outside. After a few months, we (mostly my wife) decided we would have to spend more to be pleased.
My own opinion on shopping in your price range - the story is the most important. Why is it in the condition it is in? Why is it being sold? Was it loved and well-maintained? Why were faults not corrected?
The chassis of gas motorhomes seem to be Ford or Chevrolet, both are generally good, and strong opinions seem to have more to do with NASCAR than objective measures of reliability. We have looked at many Bounders (there are a lot out there), and they seem just about like anything else.
I would buy an RV with a bad engine or transmission if the price was right and the story fit - that is, if there was a good reason for the failure and a good reason it had not yet been addressed. If I am lied to or feel like it, I would pass on an otherwise amazing deal. I bought a 40-foot diesel that had not been moved for six years because the story was solid, the answers were truthful, and the price reflected the risk. It came out great.
Engine, transmission and generator are huge bucks items. Water damage would probably be a deal breaker without knowing the extent (and I am a serious DIY person.) Most everything else is just dollars - if the fridge is bad (and the story fits), you account for it in the price, make an offer and replace it.
My best price resource is the sold charts on PPL's website. They consign a lot of RVs, price them aggressively and sell a lot. Don't be afraid of insulting people with low offers - you are there to do business, not make a buddy. We actually paid asking price for our current coach - it had just been marked down by the seller 50 percent from his initial asking price, and NEEDED to sell. I caught the craigslist ad minutes after he marked it down, and was there with a cash offer in twenty minutes.
Matt B
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/sold/class-a-motor-homes.htm
Almost none of what we saw were great. Most has worn carpet or some fabric tears, or significant fading on the outside. After a few months, we (mostly my wife) decided we would have to spend more to be pleased.
My own opinion on shopping in your price range - the story is the most important. Why is it in the condition it is in? Why is it being sold? Was it loved and well-maintained? Why were faults not corrected?
The chassis of gas motorhomes seem to be Ford or Chevrolet, both are generally good, and strong opinions seem to have more to do with NASCAR than objective measures of reliability. We have looked at many Bounders (there are a lot out there), and they seem just about like anything else.
I would buy an RV with a bad engine or transmission if the price was right and the story fit - that is, if there was a good reason for the failure and a good reason it had not yet been addressed. If I am lied to or feel like it, I would pass on an otherwise amazing deal. I bought a 40-foot diesel that had not been moved for six years because the story was solid, the answers were truthful, and the price reflected the risk. It came out great.
Engine, transmission and generator are huge bucks items. Water damage would probably be a deal breaker without knowing the extent (and I am a serious DIY person.) Most everything else is just dollars - if the fridge is bad (and the story fits), you account for it in the price, make an offer and replace it.
My best price resource is the sold charts on PPL's website. They consign a lot of RVs, price them aggressively and sell a lot. Don't be afraid of insulting people with low offers - you are there to do business, not make a buddy. We actually paid asking price for our current coach - it had just been marked down by the seller 50 percent from his initial asking price, and NEEDED to sell. I caught the craigslist ad minutes after he marked it down, and was there with a cash offer in twenty minutes.
Matt B
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/sold/class-a-motor-homes.htm
