Thoughts of this dealers policy on possible purchase.
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 :)
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 :)
