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

[JR_of_Utah]

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

[wildmanbaker]

Hum, sniff, sniff, sniff. Hope I'm wrong, but sniff, sniff, sniff. This seems to have a fish smell to it.

[Jayco-noslide]

What would going $10000 over budget actually mean? Could you avoid a loan if it's $30000 or less and have to borrow if $40000? Or, do you have the 40 and would just rather not? Important questions to me. I think getting a decent unit for $30 is doable? Offer him 30 and see if he might go for it. We bought a 2003 30 ft. Class C several years ago for $23000 and we haven't regretted it. It had been priced a lot higher. Although, we've spent a lot on it, no guarantee we wouldn't have on a newer one. I'd say stick with the 30 but really depends on your $$$ situation.

[Dennis12]

That unit looks too to be @ 40K. If you are strongly considering this move I would take it to a privet mechanic that I know or a friend knows and have him go over it completely. Tires new in 15 only means that you have another year or so on them. Check the price on replacing them. This may help you with your decision. You never said but I'm assuming that you are going full time RVing. If so you can supplement your income in working in the campground. Just my thoughts, Good luck. Privet message me when you make your decision. I'll be curious as to what you do and how it goes for you.

[LVJ58]

National built good quality coaches, if you can afford to spend the $40k without going into bankruptcy, I would go for it, however I would pay for a thorough inspection of the coach before buying.

Good luck with your quest for a coach....:)

[ScottG]

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

[3oaks]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
If your budget is $30,000 and if you over-extend yourself to $40,000, you may lose everything, especially if you can't afford any unforeseen repairs or costs involved to park this rig at a place where you can live in it.
Let you wallet be your guide. :B

I agree 100%.

$10,000 more is 33-1/3% over your planned budget.
I would not go for it given the reasons stated.

[Nutinelse2do]

downtheroad wrote:
Can't help you with the financial decision, but......That looks like an, "almost too good to be true," for $40K.

There is no description, just pictures and they look great. I'm wondering about the mechanical condition?

That is not the actual rig. OP says it is LIKE that one.

If he doesn’t have documentation of service, ie oil, tranny, etc. you should have engine and tranny, and generator serviced, which will be some more overbudget dollars right away. You always want to start with a baseline to go from.

Just more food for thought

[Executive45]

Buy it! You can't take things with you when you die. Enjoy the heck out of your 'find'. God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time. Opportunity is knocking. You'll make it work..My brother 'played it safe' his whole life. He died last month without doing some of the things he wanted to. Don't make that same mistake.......Dennis

[1968mooney]

if you read original post OP states, site is one "like" it. Shoot, if I was crazy, I would borrow all I could for as long as I can. Never get it paid for anyway. When times get tough, give it back to the bank and move on down the road to the next adventure.

[tropical36]

JR of Utah wrote:
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

That's a good price if it's right and who doesn't overextend their budget when finally making the right deal.... NADA
It shouldn't make you or break you, either way and if so, you may want to think over the whole idea.

[RLS7201]

You really need to be a lot under budget. If you are on budget or over budget and it need repairs, you are screwed. The purchase is easy. The operating costs are over the top.

Richard

[maddog348]

Are the photos of the ACTUAL motorhome in question?? OR are they brochure pictures of the year & model # ?? JM2¢

[Cobra21]

Very tempting, I would go for it! You can also drop 10 grand on a 30K rig very fast. It's a **** shoot you won't know till the fat lady sings.
Brian

[downtheroad]

Can't help you with the financial decision, but......That looks like an, "almost too good to be true," for $40K.

There is no description, just pictures and they look great. I'm wondering about the mechanical condition?