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

[doxiemom11]

We have a 95 Jeep with the older mechanical odometer. When it first rolls over, the numbers do not match up, but after 100 -150 miles, they all line up again perfectly.

After looking at the pics, it does look like the entire line of numbers is riding high in the display area. A car fax probably wouldn't work on an RV. If titled by all owners in the same state - maybe the licensing bureau has a mileage history from the times it sold. Most title transfers require an odometer statement.

[superk]

Check the holding tanks fresh, black, and grey water. Place a small amount of liquid in each, and check for leaks.

TAKE A FLASHLIGHT AND CHECK THE FOLLOWING MECHANICAL ITEMS:

BRAKE LINES
FUEL LINES
ALL BUSHINGS, HECK ANYTHING YOU CAN FIND THATS RUBBER.
CHECK THE DISTANCE OF YOUR LEAF SPRINGS FROM FRAME, VERIFY EQUAL

Is this fuel injected? If not be ready for insane fuel consumption.

[Tinstar]

I'd jump on that deal if I were in search of a motorhome in that price range. BTW rgatijnet1 was being factious. Gassers will last a good long time with proper maintenance.

Things I'd check would include the walls, ceiling and floors for rot. Things I would hope work would be the roof air, fridge, genset, furnace, etc. At the price, you could afford to repair/replace a couple of those things though. Being good with a wrench is a big plus in case you need to do brake work, greasing bearings, shocks, etc.

[fcooper]

See if the owner has the maintenance records, and try to get the documentation for the tag axle. The body builder added the tag axle to the frame to support additional weight. That tag axle will likely be from a different manufacturer than the original chassis. If/when you need to do maintenance on it, you will need to know the manufacturer, etc. The tag axle will likely have a separate braking system slaved off the chassis brakes. You may also need to know how to increase/decrease the weight the "tag axle" is supporting. With this information, you can adjust the weights that the tag axle, the main axle,and to some extent the front axle is carrying.

It sure looks like a clean unit. Good luck.

Fred

[DownTheAvenue]

With any RV and especially one this old, you will need to be very handy fixing things yourself, or very handy writing checks to pay someone else to fix things.

[SuicideCharley]

Billinwoodland wrote:

SuicideCharley wrote:
Plan is to run it tonight and place a deposit. Is there a way to determine the actual mileage on an RV? Show me the CARFAX?d

Start with Carfax. The mileage will be reported everytime the vehicle had a smog check done or was in for service. You dont need the vin, you can run it off of the license plate. If you are just starting your shopping, you can get unlimited carfax reports for about $50 (over 2 month period). I did this as I shopped for my MH and toad. I caught a bunch of sellers in lies with the carfax report.

NICE! I'll report my findings haha!

[Billinwoodland]

SuicideCharley wrote:
Plan is to run it tonight and place a deposit. Is there a way to determine the actual mileage on an RV? Show me the CARFAX?d

Start with Carfax. The mileage will be reported everytime the vehicle had a smog check done or was in for service. You dont need the vin, you can run it off of the license plate. If you are just starting your shopping, you can get unlimited carfax reports for about $50 (over 2 month period). I did this as I shopped for my MH and toad. I caught a bunch of sellers in lies with the carfax report.

[rgatijnet1]

korbe wrote:
If the number 22 on the back indicates a rental, I would be concerned that the 72,000 miles might really be 172,000 miles.

Are you crazy?????? Only diesels will run that long. Just ask any of the DP fans on this forum. :B

[SuicideCharley]

Plan is to run it tonight and place a deposit. Is there a way to determine the actual mileage on an RV? Show me the CARFAX?d

[Ivylog]

Sounds like a great deal as car is worth half. When the numbers first roll over they often times will not line up for a while. Tires are only $150 and I would put two new on the front even if less than five years old. Give a $100 deposit to hold while you check things out.

[korbe]

If the number 22 on the back indicates a rental, I would be concerned that the 72,000 miles might really be 172,000 miles.

[mike_brez]

Looks like a great deal even if it needs tires. No leaks or delamination I would jump on it.

[SuicideCharley]

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.

[samsontdog]

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

[SuicideCharley]

Thanks for info on the date stamp and how to read it. I am also pretty good with a wrench and have experience with old vehicles breaking down (Harley Davidson anyone?). Don't mind at all needing to fix something here and there. I suspected it is a really good deal but not knowing anything about the RV world I was a little tentative in getting into a "pinto" of sorts. Anyhow, I appreciate everyone's input and based on what I've seen so far the forum is pretty active and full of experience and knowledge I hope to leverage. Going to be fun running it trough it's paces tonight. I'll start a new thread as we start our adventure into the RV world of travel.