Community Forums

Tom and Patty · 01-27-2005, 08:32 PM

Congratulations Wingding. Like you we are new to RVing. When we bought our used Alpine last June, we used this forum almost exclusively. There is a wealth of knowledge here. My wife and I were consumed like you before the purchase, and now 6 months and 13K miles later, we still cannot wait for the weekend to take off and enjoy the lifestyle. We joined Alpine Coach Assn and So Cal Alpine Club. We have made it to only one rally so far, but it was great fun, a good learning experience and the people are great! Hope to meet you in campground (rally) someday. If we pass on the road, wave.

Audrey & John · 01-28-2005, 03:37 AM

Wingding - you can get really a great deal on a 2005 right now as dealers are interested in making space for 2006s.

Motorhome Specialists www.mhsrv.com has two 40ft 2005 quad slide units on their lot. You have to call them to find out their price.

Audrey

SteveS · 01-28-2005, 08:38 AM

Wingding - Thanks for the update and CONGRATULATIONS. Another piece of advice (for what it is worth) since you are new to RVing... In general, I would guess that the biggest complaint is getting service/warranty work done expeditiously. By far, the most common concern I have heard, (and from my own personal experience also) has been related to the service center correcting problems quickly. We pay significant $$$ for these homes on wheels and when we need service/repair, we expect it to be done promptly. This is often not the case. That is one reason you find so many owners that are "handymen" themselves. Be prepared for delays at the service center when getting things fixed, and delighted if repairs come quickly (I am not addressing factory service here). This is just a heads up from my experience/perspective. This deficiency is across the RV spectrum, even the million $$ coaches. So, don't be disillusioned, just deep after the service center when delays occur. Even so, the good outweighs the bad. Good luck and enjoy the great times ahead.

Wingding · 01-28-2005, 11:55 AM

Hello Audrey and John,
Geeze ... I hope they cannot do better then the deal I just made. I thank you for your help but it's to late for me. I have signed on the line but I don't think they can beat the price.
I have been at it for three years now. Yes indeed, this is the time of year to make a move if ever, also interest rates most assuredly are going up. To lock in now would be prudent. I do believe that we will see the prime rate on the way up.It is curiousity though that makes me wonder where they would "hold the line"........ but I would not want to waste their time knowing full well that indeed I would be.If you would go to www.burlingtonrv.com you will see what I put all the Alpine dealers in this country up against. I said if they can beat this $ they would have my business. It has held true that when the 2006's are about to come in that the buyer has a advantage!!! This is most truely the best time of year to buy.
I truely feel that I could do no better. But that remains to be seen. However, I am completely satisfied with my deal. I got everything I wanted, all my particular tastes. And it had all the options I wanted.{Even the color was the choice I would have selected if I had made it a priority.

But thanks again, because had I not signed, I would have gave them a call. {At one time this particular dealer in Texas had them at sale at $235.But the closer it gets to the 2006's ... I think they would have been more "flexible"....

Audrey & John · 01-28-2005, 06:37 PM

Wow - looks like you indeed made a good deal. I think you might have gotten it at cost. Did you get the one with the Hydro-hot? Pretty sweet!

Audrey

Wingding · 01-29-2005, 04:54 AM

Yes Audrey,
It does have Hydro hot heating.
I must admit that the ad from Burlington was very helpful. A few places I walked into would come up with a $ that was way above, {one} $60,000 more and say what do you think? I would just give them that web site address and watch their jaw drop.
One got down right upset and called WRV.

This is the nice thing if one can wait till the next model year is about to come out. Now ofcourse I am buying off the dealer's lot. So I cannot have a custom order to my specific's.
But by checking every Alpine dealer in America {And I did just that} I was able to find one that was extremely close to what I was looking for.By using the ad for leaverage and knowing the many other offers I got, I was able to define a approximate cost.
Once again timing is everything.If a dealer has had a good year and has sold just about everything on their Alpine stock,selling the last one at cost is not a big deal.

I would have to say that the only thing that did not come with this one was the satelite. But that is a small price to pay when you get a really good deal.
I found that for options and other things that PPL out of Texas wins hands down. I think they buy in huge quanity and one would be hard pressed to match or top them. The internet is a wonderful thing when it comes to shopping for something!!!
Not to mention getting great insight and educated on anything you seek in life.....

Just wondering when your 2006 is about to come in?!! I wonder what is new for 2006 ????
I tried to get a sneak preview but nobody was talking at the time.........

Audrey & John · 01-29-2005, 07:56 AM

I heard about dealers calling WRV to complain about the internet pricing. Other dealers complained about MHSRV advertised internet pricing too - I think they were advertising about 27% off on the 2005 models they were trying to move. They claim that that was their cost - I think it includes the cost of having the models sitting on their lot for part of the year.

2006 models - well I think the Silverleaf 400CL system including display is built in, which is a biggie. We requested that. They have changed the bedroom layout on all the 36ft models to correspond to the 36FDTS layout which was a big, big deal to us as fulltimers. The closet is way better and there is a lot more room in the bathroom. The curb side window on all models is now one single 10 foot wide window! Since you have the front curb slide you already have a large window. There are several little things - like they went to the low-profile King Dome.

There are changes in color schemes - we hope to see some samples soon. I don't think the basic chassis specs or general floor plans have changed. The last 2005s built actually already had some of the floor plan changes listed above. The factory rep has been pretty good about letting us know what would be different.

Actually - the factory has been pretty open about what was coming. They have never indicated any of it was "hush hush". I think it's just that the dealers don't want to talk about it because they want customers to buy what is on the lot now.

The 2006 models will be introduced at the FMCA convention around March 21.

Factory told us ours will come off the line April 10.

Audrey

Audrey & John · 01-29-2005, 08:06 AM

Now PPL Motor Homes is a consignment dealer in Texas and they are indeed supposed to be one of the best. They don't currently have any Alpines in stock. Used Alpines seem to move pretty fast most of the the time.

Audrey