$100,000 dollars

[Artum_Snowbird]

So, I am truly debating a choice. We live many miles and hundreds of dollars away from most dealers in motorhomes.

I am trying to decide if spending $100,000 dollars on a rig that may have cost new about $400,000, a really top line rig that has aged but still solid and checked out, would be a better choice than spending $100,000 on a rig that is brand new.

The top line rig would have a 325 or 350 HP diesel, the brand new rig would have a Ford V10 three valve engine.

What would the general population say about that?

Mike

[Ivylog]

Based on your 400+ posts it looks like you are handy so buy used. Coming from a TC do not make the mistake of going too small.

[ncrowley]

I would buy used and get better quality. Given you are retired and plan to put miles on the coach, I would go with a diesel pusher. You can get a nice used Newmar, County Start or Tiffin for that price.

[Thunder_Mountai]

I've got to agree with those advising buying used. $100,000 new is not going to get you much in the way of quality or size. We were at a couple RV shows last winter. There were a lot of what we considered low end gassers in that price range. They were pretty Spartan and we thought the build quality was really poor. The couches were uncomfortable and really cheap.

I personally would look for a used DP in your price range that checks out. If you could add another $10-15K to your price range, there are some really nice units out there.

[crcr]

If it were me in your moccasins, it would be the used quality diesel pusher, no question. Just shop, shop, shop, and inspect carefully to find a unit you like in good working condition and a good value price.

[JetAonly]

Our decision 4 years ago was to buy used. We leave shortly for a 9 month trip. I've updated the refer, the TV and the oven. I've had some work done and do my own routine Maint. The cabinets are tight, my tile floor is not cracked. I pull a 7k towed. I payed away less than $100k. The Coaches of comparable quality new are well north of $400k. We will upgrade to something larger as we nearly full time rather than vacation. I expect to pay $150k-180k for '06-'08 of similar quality. Do a through pre buy inspection, including fluid samples, have some cash for the things you miss. Maybe buy a warranty for a year or two and enjoy. Time waits for no man!

[Trackrig]

I'd go with the quality used DP vs the smaller cheaper made new unit that will cost you a lot in depreciation as soon as you sign the papers. And don't worry about the warranty of a new unit, most people don't have good luck in getting the repair they're entitled to. We can sell the used DP we bought two years ago for the same thing that we bought it for.

Bill

[rollingslow]

highest quality u can buy..a cheeper new one is a chepper one..quality does last

[wolfe10]

Deano56 wrote:

Daveinet wrote:
In that dollar range, you are probably talking about a early 2001 - 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa or Unicoach with a slide out. To me that would not be a difficult decision.

Just remember that what ever quality you jump in at, that is the quality you have for the rest of the life of the coach. You can't do much to improve the existing construction and material quality. You are stuck with what ever it was built with to begin with.

BTW: IF you are looking at Foretravel, you are talking 450 HP Cummins. (not 300 to 350)

http://rvs.oodle.com/detail/2001-foretravel-u320/3691017477-nacogdoches-tx/?cm_mmc=OODLE_PREVIEW-_-w...

a 2001 and no slide outs? there are much more quality coaches out there for that kind of money with lots more room, 2,3 or even 4 slides

Would agree there are plenty of coaches with more room. More quality-- would question that.

Remember the reason that both Foretravel and Prevost were late in coming to the "slide-out game". Both are on unibodies (more expensive to build, but structurally very strong). Cut large holes in the sides of a unibody without significant re-engineering, and the structurally integrity is compromised. So both of them were late adding slides. Not sure how that relates to lower quality????

[mpierce]

$100,000 will get you into a mid 90's BlueBird, Newell, prevost. The quality of these is amazing, compared to the newer models. No slides, but it sounds like OP is looking for two of them. We just bought a 1990 Wanderlodge for half of that. Amazing quality. The cabinets are solid oak, better than in our custom kitchen at home! In 10 years, it will still be a quality coach. The new one will be falling apart.

[mike_brez]

Deano56 wrote:

Daveinet wrote:
In that dollar range, you are probably talking about a early 2001 - 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa or Unicoach with a slide out. To me that would not be a difficult decision.

Just remember that what ever quality you jump in at, that is the quality you have for the rest of the life of the coach. You can't do much to improve the existing construction and material quality. You are stuck with what ever it was built with to begin with.

BTW: IF you are looking at Foretravel, you are talking 450 HP Cummins. (not 300 to 350)

http://rvs.oodle.com/detail/2001-foretravel-u320/3691017477-nacogdoches-tx/?cm_mmc=OODLE_PREVIEW-_-w...

a 2001 and no slide outs? there are much more quality coaches out there for that kind of money with lots more room, 2,3 or even 4 slides

I was looking at that coach a few months ago. It has a large living room slide. The left side window of the slide out leaked and stained the window treatment and the couch. Since then it was taken into the foretravel shop and the couch was recovered the window fixed and the paint was touched up.I Talked to the original owner and he traded it in for a brand new foretravel IH45. He told me he wanted his old coach back and his new one was in the foretravel shop for repairs.
2001 foretravel

[iamcanuck45]

Ask your DW, and then say "Yes Dear".

[Deano56]

Daveinet wrote:
In that dollar range, you are probably talking about a early 2001 - 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa or Unicoach with a slide out. To me that would not be a difficult decision.

Just remember that what ever quality you jump in at, that is the quality you have for the rest of the life of the coach. You can't do much to improve the existing construction and material quality. You are stuck with what ever it was built with to begin with.

BTW: IF you are looking at Foretravel, you are talking 450 HP Cummins. (not 300 to 350)

http://rvs.oodle.com/detail/2001-foretravel-u320/3691017477-nacogdoches-tx/?cm_mmc=OODLE_PREVIEW-_-w...

a 2001 and no slide outs? there are much more quality coaches out there for that kind of money with lots more room, 2,3 or even 4 slides

[pianotuna]

Hi Artum,

Out of my price range. I'd prefer to not buy anything older than 5 years. Reason: plastic parts depalmerize and become friable. Five years old gives a decent life span left to the plastic.

[univmd]

I would go with brand new, but that's because we don't like used vehicles of any kind. I think there is a lot of bang for the buck in today's brand new gas motorhomes.

[Sully2]

Buy the diesel..!