Maybe tiredness is scrambling my brain, but surely there is a pre-purchase checklist on here somewhere (and I'm asking in the B forum because I'm hoping someone has a Roadtrek specific list they could direct me to).
FWIW, I'm looking at a 1999 Roadtrek 190 Popular closing in on 100k miles. And here's some "incidentals" that have me concerned:
It's a consignment, and there was, I swear, a piece of black electrical tape over the illuminated check engine light, and, I might add, the airbag light (also illuminated). The dealer seemed as surprised as I about this. Remember, it's a consignment, and my gut is telling me he's an okay guy. But my gut has been known to be wrong before.
He took it to his auto shop, and they checked it, and it seemed it just needed resetting. So the light is no longer lit. However, the airbag light is still lit, and it'll cost to figure out what's wrong with it. They'd need some sort of physical financial assurance from me before they fiddle with it anymore.
Naturally, I'm taking it to my mechanic (whom I am ever so grateful to have found for his thoroughness and reasonableness; been a long time since I've been able to trust a mechanic) before I hand over money. Actually, the dealer should have dropped it off there today (but I haven't heard back yet about that).
There's some other things too, like the genny (1780 hrs) sputtering down to off in 5-10 minutes (I tested it), which could just be the filter, but could be something bigger too. Missing cushions (preventing the twins being made into a king..no biggie, but still, you know)
Sorry, I digress. SPECIFICALLY, I'd like a mechanic check list (to just hand over to my fabulous mechanic), and a list of RV stuff to check that I'll do mostly myself.
Again, I'm feeling pretty good in my gut about the dealer (I'm working with the owner), but I can't find squat about him online (small operation, mostly trailers); don't even know how long he's been in business; and frankly, his partner (employee??), I don't like at all.
Hmm. After writing this, I guess I'm asking for the 2 checklists and some thoughts about my gut (usually a good machine to follow) and the facts (the black tape over the engine light). Hard thing (weird actually) when the gut says the dealer's okay (kinda a first for me, really), and there's black tape over the engine light (even if it is a consign....crud, better add to the list: "ask dealer what the owner's reason was for black tape"....duh!)
Should throw in here that they're offering NADA clean trade price on my car (through a neighboring car dealer; they don't take cars directly), which is fair. And that the owner-dealer is being respectful, not pushy, not unreasonable, taking all the steps one would expect (cleaning rig up, mechanically checking, etc) and going with the NADA price on the rig too (an unusual move in the "B" world IMO).
Oh heck, I dunno. What say you all?
FWIW, I'm looking at a 1999 Roadtrek 190 Popular closing in on 100k miles. And here's some "incidentals" that have me concerned:
It's a consignment, and there was, I swear, a piece of black electrical tape over the illuminated check engine light, and, I might add, the airbag light (also illuminated). The dealer seemed as surprised as I about this. Remember, it's a consignment, and my gut is telling me he's an okay guy. But my gut has been known to be wrong before.
He took it to his auto shop, and they checked it, and it seemed it just needed resetting. So the light is no longer lit. However, the airbag light is still lit, and it'll cost to figure out what's wrong with it. They'd need some sort of physical financial assurance from me before they fiddle with it anymore.
Naturally, I'm taking it to my mechanic (whom I am ever so grateful to have found for his thoroughness and reasonableness; been a long time since I've been able to trust a mechanic) before I hand over money. Actually, the dealer should have dropped it off there today (but I haven't heard back yet about that).
There's some other things too, like the genny (1780 hrs) sputtering down to off in 5-10 minutes (I tested it), which could just be the filter, but could be something bigger too. Missing cushions (preventing the twins being made into a king..no biggie, but still, you know)
Sorry, I digress. SPECIFICALLY, I'd like a mechanic check list (to just hand over to my fabulous mechanic), and a list of RV stuff to check that I'll do mostly myself.
Again, I'm feeling pretty good in my gut about the dealer (I'm working with the owner), but I can't find squat about him online (small operation, mostly trailers); don't even know how long he's been in business; and frankly, his partner (employee??), I don't like at all.
Hmm. After writing this, I guess I'm asking for the 2 checklists and some thoughts about my gut (usually a good machine to follow) and the facts (the black tape over the engine light). Hard thing (weird actually) when the gut says the dealer's okay (kinda a first for me, really), and there's black tape over the engine light (even if it is a consign....crud, better add to the list: "ask dealer what the owner's reason was for black tape"....duh!)
Should throw in here that they're offering NADA clean trade price on my car (through a neighboring car dealer; they don't take cars directly), which is fair. And that the owner-dealer is being respectful, not pushy, not unreasonable, taking all the steps one would expect (cleaning rig up, mechanically checking, etc) and going with the NADA price on the rig too (an unusual move in the "B" world IMO).
Oh heck, I dunno. What say you all?
Early next week dix....waiting on the dealership owner to return from vacation and the list of items that needed fixing to be completed by the shop.
antiquedrose wrote:
I hope all is well with you Susan. I enjoyed your posts here and your full-timing blog from 1-2 years ago.
Please rely less on guts and intuition when doing this deal. The dealer is not your friend.
Yes, I know the dealer isn't my friend; and that's why I brought it to my mechanic to check out.
I'm smarter than I "look"...really! lol
I don't think anyone thinks consignments are bad; rather that one person wasn't familiar with them.
The deed will be done on early next week; will celebrate then.
The deed will be done on early next week; will celebrate then.
lol mum. you know damn well how long I lived in my C. 2 years. But I do appreciate the, well, edification. ๐
Funny how you think something will last a lifetime. Thank heaven's I'm geared towards change.
Oh heck. I digress.
Funny how you think something will last a lifetime. Thank heaven's I'm geared towards change.
Oh heck. I digress.
Ah. The long running debates. *Such* fun!
I will check on the tires when I next see it, probably Monday.
And just FTR: I'm not a noob to all this. Just sayin'.
I will check on the tires when I next see it, probably Monday.
And just FTR: I'm not a noob to all this. Just sayin'.
