2001 Bounder with 8000 miles

[smm1225]

We are looking at a 2001 Bounder today. The owners husband past away. They bought it in California, moved it to Oregon, when he was receiving treatment they lived in it. It is now stored in Arizona since Sept 2014. It has less than 8000 miles on it. I know that us a BIG red flag, because of my research.

The other concern, it has a lein on it and titled in California. She needs to sell it to pay it off. They are asking $29999. I'm not sure how much is owed, but I have a big problem giving someone that much money and not getting the title right away.

Any advice? This is our first motorhome, and we plan on being full timers. Thanks in advance

Here is a link to the ad
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4848974687.html

[smm1225]

Thanks for all the good advice. We saw the coach.The cabinet doors were really rough. The upholstery was ok, but dirty and they couldn't get the main awning to open. But I did like the floor plan. It also had the original tires, but we couldn't convince them of the date codes. Apparently she won't budge on the price. So we are going to pass on this one.

[fischer]

If you contact them and can't see the coach in person for any reason run away .Other wise go see the coach . If you get to inspect the coach place close attention where the cabinets meet the roof for stains and damage good luck

[JerryofWV]

I think you can get a motorhome 2-3 years newer for the same price. Just a thought.

[xctraveler]

I would hesitate getting involved in this coach. That old and used as living space for treatment recovery would lead me to doubt any maintenance was kept current. At the very least it would need tires, batteries, and service updates. The title issue alone would lead me to look elsewhere. There are lots of good quality used coaches looking for new owners, keep looking.

We traded away an '04 Southwind with 110,000 miles two years ago for about $10,000. Regardless of the mileage, it had been maintained to the mfg book and had new tires and batteries (about a year old) when we traded it. There was at least another 50k miles left before the engine was likely to need major overhaul.

[wolfe10]

Let me address the payment/title part of the question:

Have the seller get you the contact information for an officer at their bank. YOU talk with that officer to get payoff information. The next step will depend on whether they owe more than the selling price. In either case, this is a common issue that can be handled between you, perhaps your banker and the bank holding the lien. Once you get the numbers, visit with your banker for their suggestion. Do not be concerned about this-- basically if your banker is happy with the process (draft for title, etc) you should be happy.

Bottom line, you do NOT turn over money to the seller and HOPE that they pay off the lien. And a quick call from seller to their bank should confirm this is NOT the way it is done.

[PastorCharlie]

Do the transaction at a bank and have all the paper work completer there by a banker, title, certified check, etc.

The year model has the early V10 engine that had problems with the heads...check if that has been upgraded.

Tires will probably be out of date.

[The_Texan]

Looks to be a 31W model, with 2 slides. We owned a 2001 31W and the slides leaked like a sieve. Fleetwood made several attempts at fixing the leaks, but did not succeed. Extend the slides and try to look under the carpet at the corners of both slides. If you see water stains on the flooring, run the other away. Other than that, it was a very good and livable coach.

[frankdamp]

We bought an '02 32' Georgetown four years ago. It had 12,000 miles on it from new. We just sold it through a consignment dealer. It has 18,000 miles on it now. It's in very good shape and it sold for just under $24K.

I think $30K is too high for an '01, unless it's bigger than 32'. Friends recently sold their '98 bounder 32' (no slides and about 50,000 miles) for $16K.