Looking for a DP from PPL

bobkatmsu wrote:
I am just starting my search for a used DP, 38' to 45'. My budget will be in the $150K to $175K range. I want a quality built unit and am willing to go a little older model to get the quality. Has anyone dealt with PPL? Seems like they have been mentioned quite often on the forum. Any guesstimate how much they will come off their asking price. I am aware they are consignment, but, I would think they give the sellers some guidance on how to price their units. Anything else I need to be aware of when dealing with them? Any other places that I need to look at? I have Lazy-Daze, close to me and I have bought from them before, with no problems, it just seems like better prices at PPL. In no rush. I am going to take my time and look as much as I need to. Thanks in advance for any help.

I've shopped PPL before, and their sale prices for SOLD units are plainly logged on their website. It gives you a good idea of what a similar unit could go for elsewhere in your shopping and buying process. At PPL, you must have a good working sense of any coach's level of repair quality. They're consignment units that you have to be your own doctor when it comes to qualifying them. No one is going to twist your arm at PPL, they're too busy selling units to high-pressure any buyers.

With your stated parameters - I would shop used Newells and converted Prevost too. If you're looking for an absolute quality made unit in your price range, and Up to a 45' unit, DP - they're the only units I'd be shopping. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was in passing up a one-owner, 1991 Newell with 90K miles on it for $120K (asking) back in 2000 or so. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of thinking an almost new, top-shelf, fiberglass unit was the way to go. Boy, did I ever make a grave $$$ mistake there.

John S. wrote:
I would second Motorhomes of Texas. Their units are almost always nice and they are clean too. I looked at PPL a while ago and found mist to be harder used. Funny, that is where MOT sends a unit they do not think will sell or meet their standards if they take it in on trade.

Totally disagree. Apples and orangutans.....
One of the many downsides of dealing with MOT are their higher unit costs, and sales commission charges. Just because a unit is @ PPL in Houston/New Braunfels/ or Cleburne, Texas, doesn't mean it's automatically a lesser unit in quality than any MOT used unit. PPL has a vast selection of used RVs too - unlike MOT. MOT may be much pickier on what they will display for sale, but they do not sell nearly the numbers in volume that PPL does. The better bargains are easier to find at PPL, IMO. You just have to be ready to move on a unit @ PPL, because unlike MOT, they will move them fast!

Use PPL as refernce . You should have lot & lots of RV in your State . Check out DREAM FINDERS RV .. Good luck

I would second Motorhomes of Texas. Their units are almost always nice and they are clean too. I looked at PPL a while ago and found mist to be harder used. Funny, that is where MOT sends a unit they do not think will sell or meet their standards if they take it in on trade.

I'm realistically still a few off from justifying a DP but have spent a ton of time researching and combing RV Net and RVT. If/when I do go for it I have a very similar feeling to the OP. I'd opt for a higher quality coach that is few years older.

The best value at the price point mentioned seems to be the private party units. There are often sellers that have meticulously maintained and garage stored coaches at a great price. Judging by the houses in the background of the listing photos the sellers seem to be in a better position than I am to eat all that depreciation :)

My must haves would be verifiable service history and just the right feeling from the seller. Of course, there are exceptions but the consignment lots seem to be full of coaches that maybe weren't cared for the best and the seller just wants to unload it.

We consigned our '08 Monaco Dynasty at MOTORHOMES OF TEXAS in Nacogdoches, TX. They, to me, carry a good selection of quality units. And, all prices are negotiable depending on how eager the seller is.

I like the fact they MOT keeps their units plugged in and the slides only go out when a customer is interested in a coach.

MM.

We bought on consignment from Palm rv and marine in Fort Myers Fl. They were great to work with. After looking at the low book value, we put a bid that we thought was fair on a 2008 Thor Four Winds Mandalay 41 ft 6 inch's with the Cummins ISL 400 engine. this was 2 years ago. The owners must have thought it was fair because they accepted it without a counter offer.

For that kind of cash I would be looking
Here ,Here

I like PPL and bought my first DP from them. Here's the good and bad:

Good: Easy to deal with. They generally won't do anything to the coaches other than give them a cursory cleaning if the seller pays the $500. This allows you to see how the coach was cared for by the seller. Some good, some not so good. They will negotiate with the seller for you and do any repairs you agree on. They also have a campground on site with hookups. They allowed us to stay there for two days to familiarize ourselves with the rig and note anything that needed to be fixed. No high pressure. You go thru the coaches at your leisure. If you're interested in any, you have to find a salesman to help you. Finally, their website gives you access to all three of their lots and include floor plans. Great for looking for one that fits your needs. They also provide a SOLD section so you can find out in real world figures what a unit is actually worth. They also ensure the unit has a clean, clear title.

Bad: Many of their coaches are in poor shape. They are well used and the interiors are dirty. Don't expect their condition to be that of a LazyDays, although I saw some rough ones there too. Since these coaches are where is as is, it's your responsibility to ensure the coach is acceptable to you before handing over your cash. They provide a service, (at a cost) to the seller so they are representing the seller's interest, although I felt my salesman was top notch with both of us ensuring a win/win situation. I had them replace all the batteries and fix a couple latches at the seller's expense. They also negotiated a couple thousand off the asking price, which was pretty cheap to begin with.

Good luck in your search...Check with MrMark. He used another place in Texas to sell his coach, but the name escapes me at the moment. IMO, the best place to purchase a used coach is in Texas or Mesa Az...try DesertAutoPlex there. They have a large inventory and many repossessions. They are not a consignment dealer and all their units are cleaned and freshened up...Dennis

P.S. Before you make a decision, be sure to drive a tag axled coach....:)...D

Thanks for the responses. All good points. We do have a very specific list of mandatory things we want in a floor plan. We also have a secondary list of things we would like to have. My general feeling is that to get everything we want, it would probably have to be larger than a 38', but as I am just starting to look, and I have never owned a DP before, I want to take a look. Like wise, I feel the a 45' that has everthing that we want and is in the condition we want, is probably out of my price range, but I don't know that for sure either. That's why the question about how much to expect a seller to come down. My guess is I will probably end up with a 40'. I just did not want to limit my search at the beginning. Thanks again. Great idea Don, about having someone check a MH that is out of state. If anyone is ever needs someone to look at one in the Clearwater, Fl area, feel free to contact me.