Deal or No Deal? (new here)

[SuicideCharley]

Hi everyone, been searching for an RV to purchase and I got this seller to agree on 6k WITH the car. I know nothing about RV's other than I want to begin to travel in RV fashion with my family before the kids leave the nest soon. On the surface does this seem like a worthwhile deal?

This is the CL http://fresno.craigslist.org/rvs/4921654237.htmlLINK

Looked at it yesterday and she's not new, but definitely mechanically sound. Some minor cosmetics on the interior, no leaks, all in working order..thoughts? Things I need to look at prior to handing over any money?
Here is the description

APEX 32 FT MOTOR HOME SELF CONTAINED

72,500 ORIGINAL MILES

3RD AXEL UNIT, BETTER HANDLING, MORE STABLE/SAFER THEN MOST MOTOR- HOMES.

OVER HEAD AIR CONDITIONING

COMES WITH ONAN GENERATOR

MICROWAVE/STEREO/TV/ANTENNA/CB/FANS/ELECTRIC STEPS,REFRIGERATOR, ETC.

RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE NEW
CLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLE (NOT SALVAGED) NO BACK FEE REGISTRATION PENALTIES.
VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN MY NAME , I AM SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED FROM DAN GAMELS RV FRESNO, CA

1998 SATURN WAGON
COMES W 1998 SATURN STATION WAGON THAT WAS TOWED BEHIND MOTOR HOME,
4 CYLINDER /AUTOMATIC
CLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLE/ TAGGED TILL JUNE 2015
RUNS GREAT, GREAT MPG.
HAS FACTORY TOW HITCH WELDED ON FRONT FRAME FOR TOWING. SATURN IS INCLUDED IN TOTAL PRICE OF $6995

[AllegroD]

Let the fun begin.

[SuicideCharley]

Excellent idea on the pots and pans. New for the home, hand me downs for the RV it is!

[SuicideCharley]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND It's home. Thanks for all the tips, advice and comments!

[superk]

John Wayne wrote:
Camp in your drive way this week end and you will discover all the things you forgot to pack. Go to good will and buy pots pans etc that will stay in the RV so you don't have to take them out of the house and back in after each trip.

When we bought our coach in the fall we cheated lol.

We bought new pots and pans for the house and took all the old, mismatched, or slightly worn pots and pans and donated them to our coach.

A tip, if you plan on using it primarily as a camper, dont waste your camping trip doing dishes, buy paper plates and plastic cups/cutlery. These plastics are usually recyclable, the paper burns nicely in evening campfires, AND you are NOT stuck watching that pretty campfire from your kitchen window!

[John_Wayne]

Camp in your drive way this week end and you will discover all the things you forgot to pack. Go to good will and buy pots pans etc that will stay in the RV so you don't have to take them out of the house and back in after each trip.

[SuicideCharley]

msmith1199 wrote:

SuicideCharley wrote:

samsontdog wrote:
Did not look like the mileage indicator {72500} lined up straight across. Sometimes that shows that the mileage has been turned back. Also the number 22 on the outside front and back, was it a rental? Just a few things that I learned
when I used to buy and sell. {many} Otherwise you got a hell of a deal !!! Good luck

Good eye, owner bought from a dealer, one owner previous to him. Didn't notice the odometer until just now. I'll need to take a closer look at that.

Don't trust the info that may have come out of the dealership. Mr. Gamel is a convicted felon that stemmed from his business dealings in selling motorhomes.

Info on Dan Gamel RV

Carfax confirmed the mileage, and yeah Gamel is a turd.

[westernrvparkow]

Unless I am missing something, that is pretty much a steal. It's only $6,000. How much could you lose even in the worse case? These people worrying about tires, exact mileage and the like would probably complain about the Frame on a Van Gogh found at a flea market for $20.00. Buy it, enjoy it and if you like the lifestyle but the rig is a bit too old sell it and buy a better one.

[msmith1199]

SuicideCharley wrote:

samsontdog wrote:
Did not look like the mileage indicator {72500} lined up straight across. Sometimes that shows that the mileage has been turned back. Also the number 22 on the outside front and back, was it a rental? Just a few things that I learned
when I used to buy and sell. {many} Otherwise you got a hell of a deal !!! Good luck

Good eye, owner bought from a dealer, one owner previous to him. Didn't notice the odometer until just now. I'll need to take a closer look at that.

Don't trust the info that may have come out of the dealership. Mr. Gamel is a convicted felon that stemmed from his business dealings in selling motorhomes.

Info on Dan Gamel RV

[glamisorbust]

I think you got a smokin' deal. If I was looking for one, that would be a great unit! And the car as a bonus? Come on, too good to be true! Get some new rubber, batteries and go enjoy that beautiful rig!

[SuicideCharley]

Executive wrote:
Congratulations on your find! That said, I'd NOT take it on a trip with your family UNTIL the tires are replaced. They are a time bomb that will ruin your maiden run.

Expect the generator to be worthless. Why were the batteries removed? Don't the batteries that run the genset also run the stuff on the inside????

Also, 137 on the Saturn...remember Saturn's do not record towed miles....still a good deal though..IMO....Dennis

Thanks, yes we discussed even prior to checking the tire codes. Pay now or pay on the trip in more than just $$. Time lost, stress, etc. Definitely not worth putting it off.

Not sure what the deal is with the batteries, he never had them in. We plugged in the electrical so we could run everything inside.

[Executive45]

Congratulations on your find! That said, I'd NOT take it on a trip with your family UNTIL the tires are replaced. They are a time bomb that will ruin your maiden run.

Expect the generator to be worthless. Why were the batteries removed? Don't the batteries that run the genset also run the stuff on the inside????

Also, 137 on the Saturn...remember Saturn's do not record towed miles....still a good deal though..IMO....Dennis

[rgatijnet1]

SuicideCharley wrote:
Carfax shows mileage history at each emissions test. Nothing whacky to note there so a true reading of the 72K. Ran it through its paces and everything is in working order without any leaks from any of the tanks. Tires are beyond the 7 yr old mark, the dash AC works really weird (blows through bottom vents and not through tops) but I think it's something I can handle. Visual of all lines I could see seem to be ok. No fluid leaks from the motor or tranny. Generator couldn't be fired up because of missing batteries.

The tow behind vehicle runs like a top and is virtually NEW inside. 137k on the dial but you wouldn't know by how it runs. Tires needed for that one too.

Left a deposit, pick up today! If everything goes well the family and I will take it out on a short run Easter weekend! Appreciate all the input!

The AC ducts are probably controlled by engine vacuum. If the vacuum lines are original they have hardened and are probably leaking. You can buy bulk vacuum hose at any auto parts store and change then all for less than $20.

[SuicideCharley]

Carfax shows mileage history at each emissions test. Nothing whacky to note there so a true reading of the 72K. Ran it through its paces and everything is in working order without any leaks from any of the tanks. Tires are beyond the 7 yr old mark, the dash AC works really weird (blows through bottom vents and not through tops) but I think it's something I can handle. Visual of all lines I could see seem to be ok. No fluid leaks from the motor or tranny. Generator couldn't be fired up because of missing batteries.

The tow behind vehicle runs like a top and is virtually NEW inside. 137k on the dial but you wouldn't know by how it runs. Tires needed for that one too.

Left a deposit, pick up today! If everything goes well the family and I will take it out on a short run Easter weekend! Appreciate all the input!

[2gypsies1]

It appears to be an excellent deal. The #22 on the rear looks like it might have been on a caravan tour because of the decal next to the number. Caravan operators do put numbers on each one going. If so, it's no big deal - just like a typical trip you might make.