Thoughts of this dealers policy on possible purchase.

[Plumber101010]

2000 Newmar Durchstart
Model 3851
Length : 38
Chassis : Freightliner XC Raised Rail
Engine : 300 HP. CAT Turbo Diesel
Mileage: 100k

What I have learned in my research, having no hands-on with the purchase of a motorhome, has led me to believe that this is a pretty good buy. I love the fact that it has a lot of miles in combination with the fact that it looks show room new. That tells me it’s been tried and true, it’s been used about the average of 5000 miles a year, so hasn’t been sitting up anywhere and anything that has broke has been repaired along the line. Add in the condition of the exterior and tells me it’s been better than well-maintained. The interior has been partially updated, the carpet removed and tile put down and they also added lots of updates. But the condition of the painted exterior alone is what is selling me. It was obviously babied and cherished by its owners.

I would post pictures but suffice to say that based upon 30+ pictures and a 30 minute video, it’s really hard to explain how the exterior looks as it does, but it shines like a brand new silver dollar! So does the interior but interior can be renovated and re-done. The exterior is original!

My problem is with the dealer. Parkway RV Center Ringgold Georgia. It’s evidently a high volume, in and out dealership that has tons of turnover and a selection second to none. So I’m sure these policies have been put in force for a lot of good reasons and I see the logic behind some of it. I’m sure there’s a lot of Lookie Lucy’s in this business that drive them insane and never purchase. That said:

They have two prices. No haggle absolute firm price, don’t bother asking. That includes them bringing it into the service center and doing this ridiculous 5 billion point inspection that everybody claims they do, but in essence they just put a checkmark next to everything and push it out the door... and anything that’s wrong whatsoever, they will fix at their cost and the price does not go up for any reason. OR, pay for it and drive it off the lot and it’s all yours at a cheaper price to be negotiated on site. As is.

The problem I’m having is this. And I don’t know if this is standard in the industry. But I seem to be screwed no matter which choice. They don’t do any inspection prior on any units until they receive a nonrefundable $2500 deposit. Once they receive a deposit you have 7 days to pay the balance.

Unfortunately, it will take them 2 to 3 weeks (they are honest and upfront about this), to get it in line and go thru the service department to go through it so if something is found out after you pay for it in full, too late. Of course they’re going to fix it so it shouldn’t matter. But they will not let you take it on a test drive until you PAY for the unit IN FULL!!!

They will not allow anyone to take a test drive until it has ibeen through the inspection department to make sure it’s safe to drive, and because these inspections take longer than 7 days, that translates into meaning you’re going to have to pay in full before you ever get behind the wheel... but they always add that they just drove it 500’ miles when they purchased it and it drove great. Why they are able to drive it without a safety inspection but we cannot I’m not sure I understand.

Keep in mind its the same situation if you purchase it as is. You have to buy it first before you can even test drive it. To make matters worse, they give no warranty no matter what choice you choose. They have one of those 90 day extended warranties but that’s not the same thing. So if you choose the no haggle price and let them bring it through their center, you are basically not going to know if something is wrong until you really get on the road and drive it ia few hundred miles to only then find out they missed a few things. And at that point it’s too late.

I have spent 45 minutes reading the reviews and spoke to the salesman today. The reviews are mixed. 75% really good, 25% horror stories about how they paid the deposit, blah blah, couldn’t get it back, problems with the unit, there doesn’t seem to be any gray area with this dealer. It’s either raving good reviews or straight to a horror story. But their prices are really hard to beat and that is a really good thing.

I am tempted to drive down tomorrow morning and give them the deposit. But I don’t really know what I’m looking for. I can act like I know what I’m looking for. But I really don’t lol. However every bit of my gut feeling is telling me no matter how bad I want this particular unit after searching for months, to walk away because I don’t like the aspect that I can’t take it on a test drive even AFTER giving them a $2500 nonrefundable deposit!

Conversely, hundreds of people are doing exactly that and are very satisfied and leaving good reviews! I have come to trust this forum over all others I am a member of. So would like some input please 🙂

[Devocamper]

You need to drive it , the first time you drive a large motorhome is an eye opener as to the handling and driving . We test drove brand new units off of dealers lots both gas and diesel and I was immediately shocked at the handling and lack of response which is what it is with all of them but the first time driving was shocking to me and these were new units, in your case there could be suspension , tire ,engine ,transmission or many other things you won’t feel until your on the road . We ended up not going to a motorhome in the end . As for those dealer policies I think I would have to walk away rather than buy without driving or checking the operation of everything else myself .
Good luck in your adventure
Mike

[Lantley]

I could except their hokey policy except for no test drive without payment!
I don't have an issue buying as is with no warranty. But I at least need to drive before I buy/forfeit my $2,500.00.
I cannot determine what the "As Is" condition reflects without taking a drive.
Paying 2,500.00 To take a test drive is absurd and ultimately the deal breaker.

[classic_31]

If they are going to fix everything no matter what have them give you a 100% guarantee in writing when you purchase it including structure engine whole drive train complete suspension and appliances and see what THEY tell you.after you get it have a inspection done by a professional inspection co and bring the list back to the selling dealer with your writing warrantee.

[Plumber101010]

Plus you have to remember this is a Newmar LOL. It is a little confusing because everyone tells you that those are great brand names to stick with, that high mileage shouldn’t scare you and that in fact it could be a plus in many cases, but then yet go to say you can find another model newer, with less miles, for cheaper!!! LOL.

[Plumber101010]

valhalla360 wrote:
One or two of the issues might be worth looking into but so many things wrong with this...just walk away.
- Price isn't that great. (FYI - a good wax on the outside is easier to make a unit look shiny that replacing worn out interior.)
- No driving is unacceptable.
- If you do the no haggle pricing, expect the second they get the money, they will be finding excuses why something isn't covered...if you do corner them, expect it to take 3 months sitting at the lot before they get around to fixing it.
- 25% bad reviews...that's a horrid review rate unless you read them and it's silly things. Most people will give at least a neutral review even if they aren't happy. To get people to write bad review usually takes something excessive, so hundreds of reviews with 25% bad means they are horrible.

valhalla360 wrote:
One or two of the issues might be worth looking into but so many things wrong with this...just walk away.
- Price isn't that great. (FYI - a good wax on the outside is easier to make a unit look shiny that replacing worn out interior.)
- No driving is unacceptable.
- If you do the no haggle pricing, expect the second they get the money, they will be finding excuses why something isn't covered...if you do corner them, expect it to take 3 months sitting at the lot before they get around to fixing it.
- 25% bad reviews...that's a horrid review rate unless you read them and it's silly things. Most people will give at least a neutral review even if they aren't happy. To get people to write bad review usually takes something excessive, so hundreds of reviews with 25% bad means they are horrible.

I’m long-winded and even then it’s hard to cover everything. But I try to give as much information as possible. But yes there were MANY other aspects that led me to ignore the dealer situation.

The bad reviews were kind of funny, as I read about 100 of them. So say had 25. Roughly now. And a good majority of the bad reviews (7-8) were for campers?? So is the type individual that buys campers just a different bird of the feather?? All the motorhomes didn’t seem to have bad reviews

Then couple more for special handicap vehicles, couple for toads, things like that. Few for fifth wheels. I didn’t really come across many, if any really for motorhomes, maybe one or two. And the complaints for the fifth wheel, TT and other typical RV?

Typical stupid people really. Things like they said everything was fixed but then the TV didn’t work. The owner would respond and say our agreement specifically shows that we fix absolutely everything except for TVs stereos DVD players, you signed an agreement when you picked it up stating that the TV didn’t work, and we even offered to sell you a TV on site at a discount.

I would say I read about 3-4 that were very long bad reviews, went into details, and I felt were extremely legitimate. And it’s easy to spot them because they were the only ones the owner didn’t respond to LOL. But even those complaints weremt really anything about how they got screwed, more like once they got the money, they said 2 weeks, and 3 later they hadn’t even looked at it yet because the salesman dropped the ball.

So again, commonsense told me that motorhomes are definitely something in its own on different category and once again, you don’t get to be this size dealer that has been in business for three generations or whatever the owner brags about, with such a ridiculous policy and be successful. I read stories of people who are flying in, buying them on eBay, blah blah. I also read tons of good reviews of people who did buy motorhomes and we’re extremely happy. They have zillions of motorhomes that are sold like this so that’s why I thought maybe driving it was not mandatory.

And yes the bad review customers were also a little out there.. you can just tell by reading the complaint. Things like they never told me about this deposit being non refundable, when it’s plastered everywhere you look and they signed agreements and it’s on their website and it’s everywhere.

Even the owner responded to almost every negative complaint and said even your credit card company would not give you credit on your dispute once we submitted documentation showing you were aware of it.

I’m sure they pull this off because they do have better pricing than most. I know a couple people said that wasn’t that great of a price but again, it really depends. If the unit was really truly immaculate as they said / showed it is, and the inside had been renovated by the previous owners which is a another plus, I didn’t find that much money to be ridiculous. Not to mention that if I decided to not bring it through their department. I was really leaning towards just buying it with a “gut feeling” that the owners really cherish that and maybe sending another $5000 - $10,000.

Yes I know wax helps, but you have to admit, that unit for being almost 20 years old was cherry. Especially combined with 100,000 miles. Adding in the renovation, the upgrades, owners really did a good job! And yes I have seen better prices, but all of that still didn’t mean anything if it had that old white / yellowish color look to it. That thing looks like a later model and would fool anybody unless you are a connoisseur of frames, I don’t think too many people could’ve been able to tell if it was a 2000, or 2015.

I personally could care less but I think at resale time that adds value plus any of the parks not allowing me to stay there because older model. If I could walk in and do a as is for say $37,500, I still think based upon what I have been looking for and looking at, that’s not a bad price at all.

[hoosiermark]

Think of it as if you are buying it at an auction- as is where is. Pretty simple. If you like the unit and think that the price is low enough to allow you to fix anything, including the engine, transmission etc and still have a bargain buy it. Otherwise listen to previous posters and walk away. It is their game and their rules, if you do not like them, don't play. I would not play.

[valhalla360]

One or two of the issues might be worth looking into but so many things wrong with this...just walk away.
- Price isn't that great. (FYI - a good wax on the outside is easier to make a unit look shiny that replacing worn out interior.)
- No driving is unacceptable.
- If you do the no haggle pricing, expect the second they get the money, they will be finding excuses why something isn't covered...if you do corner them, expect it to take 3 months sitting at the lot before they get around to fixing it.
- 25% bad reviews...that's a horrid review rate unless you read them and it's silly things. Most people will give at least a neutral review even if they aren't happy. To get people to write bad review usually takes something excessive, so hundreds of reviews with 25% bad means they are horrible.

[AlaskaShooter]

To many negatives to even considering purchasing this used unit or from this dealer. Sounds more like an as is where is deal once you close.

[Plumber101010]

Tinstar wrote:
It's a good looking RV. I noticed it only has a single slide, 5000 lb towing capacity, 300 HP engine and a Powertech genset. Maybe those things don't mean much to you but there are a lot better deals out there. You can buy newer quality motorhomes with at least double slides for the same money.

Have seen other deals but that one was so sweet looking with that mileage..HAD equal well cared for agree? Why I thought was worth the risk cuz of previous owners. That and also as I mentioned in my other post, I love the way that it looked like a much later model as the other deals are comparable have that old look to them!

http://www.mcssl.com/store/parkwayrvcenter/2000-newmar-dutchstar-38ft-diesel-class-a-slide-out-full-body-paint-high-quality-stock-3473?utm_source=www.rvtrader.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dealer-click&utm_content=view-inventory-link

[Plumber101010]

Thanks!!!! Think everyone here just saved me from a possible big mistake!

[Tinstar]

It's a good looking RV. I noticed it only has a single slide, 5000 lb towing capacity, 300 HP engine and a Powertech genset. Maybe those things don't mean much to you but there are a lot better deals out there. You can buy newer quality motorhomes with at least double slides for the same money.

[Community Alumni]

Would you buy a used car from a total stranger without taking it for a test drive? If not, why would you buy an 18 year-old RV from a total stranger without a test drive? Good luck!

[pianotuna]

Since you have not owned an RV it is even MORE important to have a good dealer. This one is NOT.

RV dealers are often slow to fix even "brand new" rv's. Lots of horror stories of the unit being in the shop and the warranty expiring. Months waiting for parts.

[okhmbldr]

WOW....25% dissatisfaction rate is pretty poor. What that means is 75% of the units that leave the lot are pretty good motorhomes. 25% have problems. You roll the dice to see if you get a good one.
There are other deals out there, I would keep looking, and find a dealer that will let you drive one. Get the feel of the motorhome and drive several, then you will know what feels right.

[Lantley]

This is almost silly. No one buys a used vehicle without some sort of test ride prior to putting any money down.! Run away. You have already wasted enough time there.