First time Class A buyer...comments on this deal?

[bclinton]

Hi folks! First of all thanks for the info I have read on this site. It has armed me well 🙂

Here is a price on a Motorhome that seems like a bargain. It is a new 2017. He is telling me that his final price is his cost $75000. Been thinking about coming back with pay sales tax before I make the trip. It is about 3 hours from here so all the negotiations have been through email.

http://www.greatescapesrvcenter.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventoryDetail&id=2283337&p=1&s=Year&d=A&t=new&vt=motorhome&fr=xNewInventory

[bclinton]

So let me ask.....if I find something that looks interesting and it is 700 miles away. What are the options for getting someone local to the RV to do an inspection for me? Could I set it up with a local RV shop and the owner?

[janstey58]

I had a 36 foot gasser and got 7-9mpg depending on conditions. 5mpg??

[fred42]

It is difficult to find a relatively small gasser that will handle well these days. This one has a wheelbase/length ratio of 49% which is considered dangerous by some. Also, a GVWR of 18k which is not going to leave much CCC. The low CCC means you cannot add back weight to front to improve handling.

[DallasSteve]

devildog1971 wrote:
Another reason I think it is priced low it has a gas engine, if you want to travel much you will use a lot of gas. Not to say a diesel pusher is thrifty, I have had both that were pretty close in size and weight , without towing anything (car or trailer) the gas unit was at the best 5 miles per gallon I have a older diesel pusher it uses no def (diesel exhaust fluid) and now no E G R I now get 11 miles per gallon. (relatively flat ground not pulling a car and leaving the trailer with the motorcycle in it at home) I have a friend that owns a trucking company and he helped rearrange stuff and reprogram the computer more power uses less fuel

I question the implication that a gasser will get 5 MPG at best. Here is a thread about the V10 gasser and people are talking 8-11 MPG. Your comment sounds like scare tactics from a diesel lover.

RV.NET - V10 Gas Mileage

[DallasSteve]

I've been looking at units like that one (online). Based on the description if that is a new RV I think you're getting a great price. I searched new units of that model number on RV Trader and I'm seeing prices ranging from $85K to $95K. I would be concerned about driving 3 hours and then maybe they add on some more costs, but it looks great from here.

[devildog1971]

Another reason I think it is priced low it has a gas engine, if you want to travel much you will use a lot of gas. Not to say a diesel pusher is thrifty, I have had both that were pretty close in size and weight , without towing anything (car or trailer) the gas unit was at the best 5 miles per gallon I have a older diesel pusher it uses no def (diesel exhaust fluid) and now no E G R I now get 11 miles per gallon. (relatively flat ground not pulling a car and leaving the trailer with the motorcycle in it at home) I have a friend that owns a trucking company and he helped rearrange stuff and reprogram the computer more power uses less fuel

[Tom_Barb]

bclinton wrote:

Any suggestions on which manufacturers have good reputation?

We love our Newmar, but Monaco, Phaeton, Beaver, and Fortravel are also very well built coaches.
But the whole thing is the care the coach has had.
The coach I linked above is a prime example, 1 owner, low miles, and well cared for. and well below your budget.

The one I pointed out

[bclinton]

Tom/Barb wrote:
I'd stay with a top quality coach. used. the value of new coach goes away faster than the new smell.

That coach will be 50% of its selling price in 2 years.

where as a top quality 10 year old coach won't loose hardly any value over the next 5.

Any suggestions on which manufacturers have good reputation?

[Tom_Barb]

I'd stay with a top quality coach. used. the value of new coach goes away faster than the new smell.

That coach will be 50% of its selling price in 2 years.

where as a top quality 10 year old coach won't loose hardly any value over the next 5.

[bclinton]

Excellent advise and feedback folks. I appreciate it.

[chuckftboy]

Looks like a good deal. A friend of mine bought a new pick-up truck last month and spent about the same amount. He didn't even get a refrigerator or outdoor entertainment center. Oh yeah, and his truck will depreciate at about the same rate as that new coach.

[Rwake901]

If you want to buy new then do it don’t let anyone talk you out of it. We have purchased two new units and don’t regret it. I believe they have the motorhome your looking at priced low only because it’s a 2017. The 2018’s are already out and the 2019’s will be out in 5 months. For us it was the floor plan that most important along with a price we could afford. You do what works best for you. Good luck on your purchase you will love it.

[Isaac-1]

I too would suggest looking at something on the used market that is 10 or so years old, but well maintained and updated if you are not going to be full timing. Personally I just can't see spending the money on something new that will depreciate by thousands of dollars each year for the first 3-5 years, just to use it a couple of weeks each year when there are so many lightly used well maintained, and often better built coaches out there. A similar style coach built around 2007 or 2008 will likely cost you less than half as much, maybe a third as much if you find a deal, with nearly no differences in the power train or amenities.

[Chum_lee]

Looks like a good deal if the floor plan works for you. Keep in mind that with a single slide that long, the floor plan is essentially non functional if you can't extend it where/when you are parked. Depending on what you plan to do with it, that may severely limit your options.

Having a slide that long tends to make the body more flexible if not designed properly, especially over time. Expect air/water leaks sooner than models with shorter or no slides.

Chum lee