Maybe I should get an older DP

First, I'd run from the first unit. It doesn't take months to fix a title. Second, for 4 weeks a year use, rent one.

I agree that something else is going on with the first one.

For 4 weeks a year, if that's all you'll really use it for a gas MH is good. If more than that such as a weekend here and there, holiday weekends etc. I think you should stick with a gas Motor Home. Maybe even look at class C's some of those have bunks too. A DP (Diesel Pusher) would be better suited to longer more often trips. Does the DP you are considering have a slide out? I can tell you that with kids a slide out is a must. Nothing wrong with a DP if you're going to excersize it frequently on some long trips.

It's hard to say what is best because I don't know your traveling style i.e. close to home trips less than 50 miles or long trips of 500 miles or more!

Mfan wrote:
First, I'd run from the first unit. It doesn't take months to fix a title. Second, for 4 weeks a year use, rent one.

+1

Vehicles deteriorate while just sitting and not being used.
"Things" need attention and upkeep no matter how often it's actually on the road.

Then.....for $40K, you should be able to get a late model used class C+ with low mileage; more features for less money than an A......usually.

P.S. Being a first timer, get the shortest unit that you think will fit your needs. You can best determine that by renting something in the 25-28 foot range for a "test run".

I have a 2001 40' DP. I don't get to travel much during the school year as I have a high school son at home. But in the summer we always take one 20-25 day trip of about 1500-2000 miles. Also we spend a lot of 3 day weekends and Spring Break away. Only four weeks a year would be tough on a DP I think. gas coach best plan, but the one you are waiting on I would move on and find another one.

AGC, you have been a member since 2003 and never owned a RV? You are one patient man! LOL!

I, too, would skip the first unit. Just about any RV likes to be run often to keep all the parts from drying out.

For the lack of use that you are talking about, would a travel trailer work? You could use it as a guest house or man cave when parked at home.

Good luck,
MM.

Skip the first one and rent one for only weeks of use a year. Not Cost effective to buy one considering maintenance, storage, etc.

AGC wrote:
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing first MH (RV for that matter) and plan to use it a few times a year (approx 4 weeks) with our two young kids. We have settled on a 2007 FR Georgetown with bunks but have continued to see what else is out there while waiting for the owner to take care of a title issue with the bank (its been going on for s few months now).

I found a 1997 American Eagle with decent miles for about the same price. I was all set on a gas class a but read a lot of the threads about folks regretting they didn't buy a DP instead. With a limited budget of low to mid 40s and my plans of using it approx 4 weeks a year should I even consider a DP. The two units are 10 years apart

I'd be looking for some thing more like THIS

I've been thinking of backing out of the deal as well. But I already did a pre-purchase inspection and everything checked out ok. The issue with the title came up when I ran a Carfax report on it and supposedly his bank caused the issue and is working with DMV to get it resolved.

Waiting so long has made me rethink the purchase and whether it makes sense or not.

If it truly is just a paperwork issue and it is clean and what you want then I would wait an acceptable amount of time! that time is up to you. however the RV`ing season is upon us, so by waiting you are running out of days to use it.

AGC wrote:
I've been thinking of backing out of the deal as well. But I already did a pre-purchase inspection and everything checked out ok. The issue with the title came up when I ran a Carfax report on it and supposedly his bank caused the issue and is working with DMV to get it resolved.

Waiting so long has made me rethink the purchase and whether it makes sense or not.

AGC,
This was going to be my 2 cents worth. That first coach, may be everything you want and need in your first coach/RV. It may very well be perfect. To "run" from it simply because the air heads that control paperwork can't tie their own shoes, may be a mistake. Not all DMV transactions go smooth as silk. I've dealt with a couple of states DMVs over my life and, not only can the DMV screw things up royally, but, if there's any other entity involved at all, i.e. a bank, the manufacturer (Honda finance corperation), smog system inspection and screw-ups/ etc. there can be time factors before things are cleared up.

If any of you live in CA, there's little to no doubt you've seen vehicles running around with a big "number" on the license plate or, glued onto the inside of the back window. That number represents a time delay in registration because of some glitch in the system. It can be as much as a month, two or three of a delay. But, having that number on the vehicle allows for it to be operated on the roads, until things are cleared up.

So, while this first RV you're possibly interested in might have a registration issue, it still can be a great coach, with a little patience. But, on the other hand, there's only a few zillion other coaches out there for sale that can take its place.

As for turning towards a diesel for your first coach, that's a tough one. There's lots of reasons that would steer you to one and, quite a few to steer you away from it too. The argument for cost in maintenance of a diesel vs gas unit has been debated on here and other RV forums for a few decades. About 99.99% of the diesel coaches are bigger, stronger, heavier, built better, ride better, have bigger tires and wheels, bigger brakes, auxiliary brakes and more.

There are a few lighter duty diesels but, those are few and far between. An older, nicer one, like the second one you're thinking of, is very nice in terms of quality of build, enhancements, layout, and more and, will cost much less. However, a '97 Diesel is 18 years old and, it has 18 year old technology and, 18 years worth of degradation, deterioration, wear and tear, and more.

Does all this mean it's not worth looking into, nope, not at all. That coach can conceivably go for another 18 years without very many issues at all. Mainly because it's a higher end one to begin with, not to mention if it's had good care for it's life so far.

So, lot's of things to consider. Take some time, think about it, go with a gut feeling in your endeavor here.
Scott