$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

[John_S_]

I would not be afraid of a used highline unit. Foretravels are being totally remodeled on the inside by many owners. Why, is simply they are so well built they are not wearing out. I have two slides but would be happy with none as well. I would look at Foretravel, older Country Coaches and Newell's as well as Prevosts but at 100k you will be pretty old on them.

[Rodz]

bogeygolfer wrote:
Buying used can be tricky, but you can become an informed buyer by having a professional inspection done, and by focusing on brands that are less-prone to those types of problems. However, I understand it's not for everybody and that's one of the great things about America - we can all usually find whatever suits us and be happy. I know folks who love their brand new rigs as well.

As for the Canyon Star, I see those have an MSRP of $175,000. I know Newmar is a good manufacturer, but when, like myself, you don't have that kind of change laying around, it's not really an option. We looked seriously at a used Dutch Star before the FT.

Not even close, I didn't pay anywhere near 175,000. Of all the motorhomes I've owned in the last 40 yrs. this is only the second new one. At 65 this is more than likely the last one and at 6,000 average miles per year I'm sure it will outlast me.

[bogeygolfer]

Buying used can be tricky, but you can become an informed buyer by having a professional inspection done, and by focusing on brands that are less-prone to those types of problems. However, I understand it's not for everybody and that's one of the great things about America - we can all usually find whatever suits us and be happy. I know folks who love their brand new rigs as well.

As for the Canyon Star, I see those have an MSRP of $175,000. I know Newmar is a good manufacturer, but when, like myself, you don't have that kind of change laying around, it's not really an option. We looked seriously at a used Dutch Star before the FT.

[Rodz]

Buying an older unit can be risky. Fogged windows, tires, batteries, delaminated side walls and water damage can be very expensive to repair. I've been looking for the last 3 months. I gave up on used and bought a new Newmar Canyon Star 3610 and consider it a wise decision.

[J-Rooster]

I already went thru the same situation that your in! Lots of pros and cons both ways! I ended up not buying a HR Ambassador DP and went with a new Winnebago Adventurer (gasser) that was brand new! I just like the peace of mind of new (I new what I was getting with Winnebago). I've had the coach now 10 years with very little problems. Good Luck

[deandec]

I do not know this coach but have talked to the owner and liked the story and the appearance. I am not in the market for a newer rig.

1998 Country Coach Affinity. One slide, Cat 525hp engine with 78k miles. Stored indoors.

$78,000 asking. Low Retail 63,000

In Bend, Or. 541.390.8000.

[bogeygolfer]

Always an interesting question, and discussion. Same things we were asking ourselves a few years ago. Obviously, we opted for older, higher quality and overall we're pleased. We spent a lot less than $100k, but have also replaced many items - a/c units, refrigerator, tires - and done some maintenance (brakes, hydraulic pump, etc.). Some of these were our choice, some were not.

If I had $100k to spend on a motorhome, I sure wouldn't buy a new one - mainly because I don't believe anything out there that you can buy for $100k new is worth anything long term. Heck, I have friends who bought a new DP for $250k and I'd be sick if I were them (I won't say the brand). I learned long ago from others' mistakes - get the best quality you can afford.

Buying new doesn't mean you won't have problems, by the way.

[tracer999]

mpierce wrote:
$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.

"The quality of these is amazing..." Agreed. "...compared to the newer models." What?

Of course, Blue Bird Wanderlodge went out of business quite a while ago, and there were lots of quality problems with the units they built in at least the last two or three years. But Newell and Prevost (don't forget that Prevost only builds the shell, so the comment about cabinets is irrelevant to "Prevost") have been upgrading their products constantly. Greener, low emissions engines; independent front suspensions and higher load capacities; advanced electronics; of course slide-outs that have been consistently upgraded in operation; flush windows; etc. Cabinets? With either a Prevost converter or Newell, you have a rather wide choice, including infinite customization, so you can get what you want if you are willing to pay the bill. But most brands in this class build very, very good, solid cabinets, and the European 34 mm cabinet hardware used by Newell and most converters is great stuff with very close tolerances. Back in the 90s, solid surface counter tops basically meant Corian. Today the choices still include Corian, but literally dozens more in a wide array of patterns and colors.

Certainly a mid-90 Blue Bird, Newell, or Prevost that has been well maintained represents great value for the dollar, and in that respect for many is the better choice (or actually the only choice). But to indicate that Prevosts and Newells are built to a lower quality level than was the case 20 years ago is an opinion that is both subjective and difficult to support.

[ferndaleflyer]

I thought I put this on here before-----Would you rather have a new Ford or a 5-6 year old Mercedes and which would give you the most use? Pretty easy question---get the high end used one, you won't be sorry.

[Blackdiamond]

univmd wrote:
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.

I would buy used either way, I don't like the 30% depreciation you have as soon as you drive it off the lot and all new coaches have problems, on used coaches the previous owners had to joy of working through all the problems.

For 100k I would look at a 04' to 07' low to mid range diesel or a 09' to 13' high end gas.

[Ivylog]

Four slides, half time use over 10 years... NO leaks. Having slide toppers may be part of the reason but in a blowing rain they do not stop water from getting on the top of the slide.

[mike_brez]

prstlk wrote:
More slides the better

If it were not for my wife I would have gotten a non slide Foretravel. I have looked at so many slide rvs and almost every single one of them I could tell had a leak. I think there are two kind of slides one that had leaked and one that will sooner or later.

[prstlk]

More slides the better

[mike_brez]

crcr wrote:
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.

That's exactly what I just did. I just keep going back in years to to the quality and price I was willing to pay. I hope I can hold onto this one for six or seven years then get my last coach that will be used again.