2003 Coachmen Mirada 30Q for $27K - ok deal for newbie?

[canuckystan]

Newbie here, thinking Class A for family of 4 where driving distance will always be minimum 4-5 hours (class A's are smoother than C's yes?), and kids like looking out the window, and the layout with couch, chair and dinette looks good.

Looking at a 2003 Coachmen Mirada 30ft for $27K (Cdn) with 25,000 miles, second owner. Tires are (supposedly) good, looks to be in exceptional condition.

I know this model is lower than many others, but does it seem to be a reasonable deal for a first RV? Any concerns with a Class A for a family of 4 I'm not considering? I know the sleeping arrangements aren't as good as a C, but smooth ride and big windows are real priorities.

[NCC-1701]

NADA has the average retail of that unit with those miles at $22,295 USD, so around $28,500 CAD. That included over $5500 add for the low mileage. Don't let them try to add "options" though. Generally, finance companies won't let those be added and after so many years it's far safer to go by the base without options. Net, asking price looks pretty good.

Tires: Don't go by looks alone....look at the date codes. 7 to 10 years max on tire age regardless of wear and looks. 7 years if uncovered...10 if it's been undercover a lot. I personally go by the 7 year rule...better safe than sorry...especially on the steer tires.

Ride? On gassers with a Ford Chassis, a class A is not a smooth ride. I actually thought my C on a Ford was a better ride.

When you go to look at it, have them have the refrigerator running so you know it gets cold, check the function of EVERYTHING! Open all your cabinets and for the ones at the roofline, look for anything that might look like there was a roof leak. Bring a pair of coveralls and crawl under the rig. Have them have water in the tank so you can check the pump function running water at the faucetts and the toilet. Fire up the water heater. Get on the roof! Thoroughly check it out for bad sealant joints, etc. Is it clean? Might be an indication of care. Maybe you've done all this, but you said you're a Newbie, so just putting a few thoughts out there.

Good luck!

[Dale_Traveling]

$27K CND ($21K for those of us in the warmer half of North America) for the Coachmen seems a reasonable asking price but see if you can get a the price down a few thousand. Set aside a few thousand to cover initial expenses such as getting the coach maintenance back on schedule if necessary. Learn how to read tire manufacture date codes. RV tires don't normally wear out but will age out. Also either learn how to spot water damage or have a coach you have your eye on inspected.

Both groups, class A or C, have pros and cons. Class A will have a bit more storage and weight capacity while the C has more mattress square footage. Performance when on the move is an important aspect of a coach but you might want to place floor plan a bit higher on the priority list. You'll spent a lot more time in a camp ground then moving down the road so getting a floor plan the fits your needs should be high on the list on needs and wants.

While on the road you really want to keep movement to a minimum and everyone seat belted. Think of it in the same light as flying. The ride can go from smooth and comfortable to a nightmare with no warning. I've thrown the dog around enough that he pretty much finds his spot, passenger side front corner, and stays there when on the go.

[tatest]

When I went to the Tampa RV Supershow in early 2004, this was one of the entry-level Class A motorhome floorplans I really liked (there was also a quite similar Hurricane model from FourWinds). At about $40,000-45,000 new, from the show, it was an incredible bargain. I'm not sure that a 15 year old example would be appropriately priced at something more than half of what it was new, but that depends on condition.

In 2003-2004 Coachmen was building the 30Q on the F-53 chassis with the lightest GVWR Ford offered, so the springs should be loaded well enough to give the best ride one can expect from the chassis type, but not necessarily any better than a C with similar loading.

We ended up getting a C because my wife did not feel comfortable sitting right behind that big window up front. She also would not sit in the first seat of a motorcoach, which is much further back. Another member of our RV club gave up on an A gasser, traded for a C, for the same reason. Try it out before deciding.

[DrewE]

The "air suspension" on the class C is almost certainly air helper springs, unless it has been highly modified or is a unique chassis. Such air springs can help the handling some and are useful to compensate for the weight that's always on the axle of a class C, but don't expect it to ride like a full air suspension--it won't, by a rather long shot.

On smooth roads, I'd expect either one to be decent enough riding. On rough roads, neither will be exceptional. Both basically amount to truck chassis, at least from a suspension point of view--a live axle, leaf springs, etc.

[canuckystan]

Interesting. There's also a 2002 Triple E 28ft Class C with air suspension, 40k miles, one owner - I'm guessing that will be a better ride than a Class A?

[Georgew48]

Having owned both I can say that my 2015 38 foot Georgetown class A dosen’t ride anywhere near as smooth as my old class C did. I have made it a lot better by spending a few thousand dollars on it but is still not as smooth. A 30 foot class A is going to be on a lighter chassis then my Georgetown and will not be as smooth as you hope I am afraid. Make sure there are enough seat belt positions for the six of you. If you want a real smooth Class A you will pretty much have to get into a Diesel coach with air suspension.

[Lwiddis]

I’ve never been that concerned with a “smooth” ride but windows are a must. I would check maintenance records and tire manufacture date(s). Have you considered having a pro inspect the rig? If you don’t, have you run each system?