Need opinions on 2004 Sun Voyager 8379

[lemosley01]

2004 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 8379 - 36' on a W22 chassis w/8.1L Vortec. 28000 3 slides, 50A service, 7000W Onan.

Dealer asking price - currently 51,000.

This would be our first RV.

The interior in this MH is in very good shape - not very worn, a few trim pieces out of place, and we like the layout. The salesman expanded the slides and ran the engine, though we didn't drive it, and I noticed no odd sounds from the engine at idle. It started easily everytime, including the first time he started it, and was quiet both at the exhaust and when listening to it from the driver and passenger side front [COLOR=#0072bc !important][COLOR=#0072bc !important]wheel[/COLOR][/COLOR] wells.

Now the bad - this MH was sold in Ohio, and it appears to have seen some winters, or at least some time when salt was still on the road. Below are 2 pictures I took of the undercarriage under the bedroom, at the back. I also noticed that the leveling jacks have suffered corrosion. The rest of the undercarriage seems ok, as it is largely covered with some sort of gray insulation material; I'll admit I didn't crawl under on a creeper and inspect end-to-end.

How much of a problem is this corrosion?
IMAG0018 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMAG0017 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Also some bubbling on the mirror arms (front and back of metal piece in this picture on both driver and passenger side).
IMAG0023 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Some water damage that appears to have originated from the vent (kind of hard to see, but one of the corners of the vent was still very slightly damp' I could only notice the dampness when feeling a dry area around it and noting the very slight change in temperature). We've had crazy storms in NC in the last few weeks.

I'm not sure if the vent/seal around it was leaking, if the water was forced in by the high wind, or if the vent was possibly not closed all the way. On the roof, it appears the vent has has been resealed.
IMAG0024 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMAG0026 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The roof, from the inside, feels solid, with no soft spots; it feels the same in the spots with water staining as the spots without staining. The roof around the vent has a little give, but this seems to be more like a design because it is like that all the way around the vent.

Some water damage on the roof *above* the slide (the coach structure itself) - the ceiling is slightly stained, and the wood trim has absorbed some water and swelled in places. This is on the passenger side. I checked the 'sunroom' lights on the slide, and there is no leaking from them at all; there are no evidence of leaks in the slide itself.

IMAG0025 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMAG0026 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I believe what may have happened is that some damage was done to the passenger top corner of the front of the coach; here is what I saw from the outside:
IMAG0028 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

This appears to be a repair, or is this routine sealing?

I think the water may have come in this way, possibly while driving, and been forced back, staining the ceiling and swelling the trim. On the inside of the coach at the top right passenger corner, I can see that water has damaged a carpet covered trim piece in one of the cubbies above the passenger seat. The ceiling in the area with the stain feels the same as portions of the ceiling that have no visible staining.

For reference, here is the driver side:
IMAG0029 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Lower left corner of passenger side slide. This piece of trim is loose - how can that be fixed?
IMAG0022 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The driver's side living room slide has a long thin piece of trim on the outside that has slightly separated perhaps a quarter an inch out. This separation is at the bottom, so water is not running into it. The screws in the trim piece are present and have not backed out. Other than that I noticed no problems with the fiberglass body - no bubbles or waves - it is smooth and straight.

The tires are from the 34th week of 2003. I noticed the rear drivers side outside rear tire has some cracking around the tire, near the rim, but not on the bead itself. That's enough for me to believe they all need to be replaced. The salesman said they would replace tires if they wouldn't pass inspection, but I'm going to make replacement part of any deal (they are 22.5" wheels, and I don't want to get stuck with a 3K tire bill right after buying).

The paint is in good shape, though the graphics could use some buffing out to remove oxidation. [COLOR=#0072bc !important][COLOR=#0072bc !important]The [COLOR=#0072bc !important]motor[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] is quiet, the roof appears to be in good shape (these are fiberglass roofs). We couldn't run the generator because there was < 1/4 tank of gas in the RV, and there was no water hookups.

Is this worth pursuing further? I was thinking of offering 45, but that would include a warranty, new tires, motorhome cover and wheel covers and be contingent on inspection, including the vent being pulled to view the structure and see if the water stains are cosmetic or something deeper. I have asked to be present during the inspection as well so I can view (and verify) all of this is done.

[jim and di]

I have the same RV love it and have had only self-induced problems, dents and such. I do not like the rust and corrosion. My rig has been in New England winters for several years. My undercarriage looks like new. lots of rigs about no need to go after a potential problem.
M2C
Jim

[HoRotica]

lemosley01

I just purchased a 2005 8378 non Atrium model. The coach is very nice with 17k miles on it. I purchased it privately and no warranty or getting "the dealer" to fix anything... I was pleased with a private purchase price of $44K. Tires are dated 5003 so I am taking the chances there. Brake recall hasnt been done yet. Found some water damage in the shower dome surround that I will be taking care of shortly.

Overall I am quite pleased even despite I have some work to do...

If you decide to continue on, most folks are talking about offering 20% under average retail no options. 2004 Gulf Stream M-8379-WRKHRS - 36'6" Standard Equipment, Prices & Specs - NADAguides

I am seeing low retail at 46K probably most because it is an older body style than the 2005.

I think I would let the one you are looking at go away gracefully and continue your search for a unit that was more lovingly and appropriately cared for. The unit I purchased doesnt have any of the type of damage/repairs that you are showing on your post. At their 51K asking price I would expect that unit to be very very nice!

Chris

[lemosley01]

Thank you everyone - that is the advice I received at RV.Net. I had to verify my first thought that these may be minor issues, but may possible turn into large ones later.