What do I do??

[JR_of_Utah]

I am selling my house and buying a class A. Trouble is I have to stay around $30,000 or less and that makes a purchase tricky. So, I go to help a disabled man and see his wonderful looking RV and I think wouldn't it be nice. I'm thinking $100,000. He shows it to me. It looks brand new. It is a 2003 National Islander with the 400hp Cummins. Diesel 8000 generator, crème leather every thing looks new. Tires were new in 2015 and have been under cover. Washer/dryer, solar you name it. Look one up on line. He says, tell ya what my friend, bring me $40,000 and I will sign er over to ya. So, here I am, my budget says $30,000 and get way way less, of risk eating hot dogs??????help me decide
This is one like it
http://www.mhsrv.com/2003-national-rv-islander-w-2-slides-9402-used-rv-for-sale-used-diesel-pusher-tx-i560526/images

[mike_brez]

Give me his number so I can buy it and flip it. :B

[derouen6]

Had a 2004 National DP, kept it for 11 years. Well built, trouble free MH. National made quality RVs.

[Old_Man]

I used to fly, and I owned a Cessna 172. I met a guy who was an airplane wheeler and dealer, and he always told folks dealing with a private party: "Offer them the asking price. But your guy inspects and whatever he finds that's wrong, current owner pays for the repair. Take or leave."

I like that. Owner gets his price and buyer gets a clean machine. If the seller balks at the offer, run away fast, they're hiding something. Caveat emptor, and look out for Ferengi selling junk.

[JR_of_Utah]

Thanks for the feedback timjet and jplante4. Another old school hippie would be great. But I have received the message "3 to 5". So, that idea is out. Could be another reason for this man's generosity. I must say, the difference on the road test between the National Islander and the Fleetwood Bounder was like.......unreal. They have an $8000 difference. The Bounder had the Banks system but still.....the 400 Cummins just felt way better. The National was tight and quiet. The bounder......ha ha ha

[gonesouth]

At first glance it looks like you are being offered a $70,000 motorhome for $40,000. The first step is to make sure it is not damaged or abused. An inspection is therefore critical. I would get an RV inspector to look at the house side of things, then take the unit into a Cummins dealer to check out the drive train. A cylinder cutout test, maybe dyno testing, injector and fuel pump testing, cooling system testing to verify condition of radiator, Allison transmission, and engine is necessary. This should cost a total of about $800 and is cheap insurance at twice that cost.

If it passes muster find a way to come up with the extra $10,000 and go ahead with your beautiful new coach!

[Mr_Mark1]

JR of Utah wrote:
I have a mechanic who works for a big trucking company who will spend a few hours looking it over and driving it. It has 66,000 miles and is a 400hp Cummins. The tires are pretty much new with 2015 dates. Thing I was thinking is I can get a V10 ford in a 38 footer not nearly as nice for my budget. My budget puts $8000 in for emergency repairs. Or borrow $10,000 on the Islander and have a more powerful, much much nicer rig than the Ford. By the way, what would I get in fuel mileage for the 40 foot 400 hp Cummins and what for the 38 foot V10 ford? Thanks everyone

JR.,

It would be safe to say that you will get about 7.5-8.5 with the Cummins and probably 6.0-7.0 with the Ford.

A lot will depend on your right foot. Take it easy and stay at 60 mph or under and you can achieve those figures.

Good luck!
MM.

[Bruce_Brown]

ScottG wrote:
Personally, I would tell him I have $30K and that's all.
He may very well take it.

Just exactly what I was going to say.

Explain your situation. It may be more important to him where it's going than how much $$$ he gets out of it.

[jplante4]

JR of Utah wrote:
He is very well to do and I think would like to help me out a little. I have never charged him for stuff because I am old school hippie that believes in helping one another.

Maybe you should find another old school hippie to give you $10k.

[timjet]

You are way over budget on a 14yo coach. Being so far over budget you are betting that nothing will go wrong after you buy it. That is very very unrealistic.

There are other RV's within your budget that will allow you to enjoy this lifestyle while you're young enough to do it. Don't make a financial mistake that will be hard to get out of and leave you wishing you had chosen more wisely.

[JR_of_Utah]

He isn't even actively selling it. Because he has become disabled, I do some things for him. He just shot me the price. He is very well to do and I think would like to help me out a little. I have never charged him for stuff because I am old school hippie that believes in helping one another. I found these pictures of the exact same rig.
http://www.mhsrv.com/2003-national-rv-islander-w-2-slides-9402-used-rv-for-sale-used-diesel-pusher-tx-i560526/images

[jplante4]

Buy it. In the long run you won't miss the $10k. Trying to find a good coach below $30k could take a while. Your time is worth something. Ask me how I know. Spent 6 months looking for our Sahara and in the end it was dumb luck finding it.

[DallasSteve]

ScottG wrote:
Personally, I would tell him I have $30K and that's all.
He may very well take it.

2X

This isn't the last good deal out there. You can afford to be picky unless you have some sort of deadline.

[mike_brez]

Buy it :B

[Tinstar]

Only you know your budget but that's one nice coach. Paying cash as opposed to payments would come into play, for me anyway. I like paying cash so I don't have to worry about payments. A part-time job over the summer in a resort town would pay that extra 10K, but again, you know what your plans are, not me.

It would be nice, living in a coach you only dreamed about a few days ago. Shi77ing in high cotton is nice.

If I really liked the coach, I would do it but that's just me.