Bought Used MH Sight Unseen, What to Look For, HELP

[adlerx]

Well, been looking for many months for a MH in the <$25k range. Seen lots of real crap out there I gotta tell you.
Last week I finally gave in to temptation and made what I think is a reasonable deal on a 1999 Monaco La Palma, 34s. Ford v10gasser with one slide and 49k miles.
It's a reasonable deal if the coach turns out to be close to as good as it appears from pictures and sellers discription.
I am in Oregon so at least I have close access to excellent maitnence facilities.
I have to go to AZ to pick it up in two weeks and drive it home. I will have to complete payment before I see it only because I just can't travel soon enough to satisfy payment terms due to prior commitments. If I could travel next week, just take $$ with, not happy, walk away.
I suppose I will be able to unwind the deal if there is a deal breaker problem with the coach when I get there but who knows what kind of problem I could have getting all my $$ back (can you tell I don't trust salesmen).
I really need to know what are serious maintenence/repair issues to look for when I go to pick up the coach. Especially items that could be missed in a cursory inspection. At least I can have those addressed before I take delivery.
I did work a two year so called "permium protection package" into the deal so I would hope that would cover any huge issues that may arise.
I do own an older class c now and am a bit familiar with some of the regular stuff I experience but my coach is a 1982 so a complete different animal.
I know there will be alot of things I'll want to do over time and am prepared for those costs. Yes, I know they are money pits.

So, sorry this is so long but please help.
Known problems with these models?
Overall assesment of this coach model/brand.
I know nothing and am starting from zero knowledge base really.
Thanks in advance for any advice insight or name calling.
adX

[faye]

i don't think i would ever purchase a motorhome without first checking it out...they can look good and have low mileage and just be a headache and endless money pit? is this a craig list or ebay purchase? perhaps you could get this seller to let you place money with a reputable institue or law firm, so that you don't lose it if the mh is not up to your expectations.,.the premimum repair has deductibles and may or may not be worth anything. good luck to you

[RVNeophytes2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faye i don't think i would ever purchase a motorhome without first checking it out...they can look good and have low mileage and just be a headache and endless money pit? is this a craig list or ebay purchase? perhaps you could get this seller to let you place money with a reputable institue or law firm, so that you don't lose it if the mh is not up to your expectations.,.the premimum repair has deductibles and may or may not be worth anything. good luck to you

My lawyer wife had suggested placing funds with a certified escrow service (her title company has a license for this from the state) as a measure to protect a potential buyer. The sales contract then has mutually agreeable language, like "has to be deemed operational and free of major mechanical defect" by, for example, a mechanic selected by neither party.

I just ran back to the bedroom to rouse said sleeping atty (talk about taking your life into your own hands!) and verifying all this is what she meant to say, got a reply to the affirmative after several blind swipes into the darkness with her razor-clawed paws failed to achieve contact with my upper body

Dunno how you'd pitch this to a seller, of course, 'cept it IS a buyer's market, and if he's a good-faith seller, it should not be a problem.

[Midniteoyl]

I dont think I would complete the payments with out seeing it, at least...

[rewaters49]

Adlerx,

CONGRATULATIONS! This is what I tell myself: Every day is an adventure!

One year ago I bought a 7-year-old class-A on eBay, sight unseen, from a guy in Oregon. I would never, EVER do it again, BUT, when I see comparable units listed for twice as much I feel pretty good about it. I have had to spend some money on it, though: shocks, tires, fridge repair, furnace repair. But the fridge and furnace worked fine when I bought it - just crapped out when it got really cold (12 degrees) in the north Georgia mountain snow and ice this winter.

Can you get an independent RV tech to go over the coach and give you an evaluation before you drop the money on the seller? Beyond that, look for oil leaks under the engine, water leaks and especially stains inside the coach, make sure all appliances and systems work as expected - stove, fridge, water heater, furnace, A/C, etc.

Best of luck to you. I know it's no consolation, but I know how you feel right now.

[adlerx]

I really don't feel that bad. When I made the deal, I was sure I would be able to go there in person to complete the sale next week. Unfortunately a sudden unexpected death in my immediate family just makes that impossible. I haven't spoken to the seller since making the deposit last week and may well be able to delay final payment until I arrive. I will speak to him tomorrow, I have been a bit busy.
As for the doom and gloom attorneys, the nature of your business must make life difficult to live. I think if you had read my original post more thouroughly you would notice, I didn't ask about the deal. I have made that, I have to live with it.
What I asked about was what to watch or look for.
As for the deal, it is an ebay deal with a top rated seller who has sold over a hundred coaches there with 100% positive feedback rating so thanks for your opinions, but like I said, I've already made the deal.

If anyone wants to talk about some kind of list of things to check very closely, it would be much appreciated. thanks

[Monaco38]

Below is a link to Monaco manufacture's recalls on the Lapalma model. One recall for the model years 1999 - 2003 involving a structural issue may be of interest to you. I would second endorse the recommendation of the above posts that if at all possible arrange final payment at the time of an on site inspection. If you cannot do that in person before sending full payment is it possible to arrange for an independent third party examination and inspection to your specifications prior to exchange of funds? The internet is a good place to find "just what you are looking for" and to find a great deal, but "due diligents" and caution should apply before finalizing the purchase. Is this unit in Apache Junction, AZ?

MONACO LAPALMA Problems | MONACO LAPALMA Recalls & Defects

[AZgl1500]

Run, do NOT walk to a telephone and call this man.

Have him go to that MH and do a pre-buy inspection.

You need an independent opinion from a 3rd party who is certified in the industry.

Get it done before you have to transfer the funds.







At Auto Boss, I personally met a very good RV ASEE Certified RV Mobile technician whom I liked very well. He took the time to show me things that we need to know. He told me that for a flat $200 he would inspect any motor coach and devote 5-6 hours going over it with a fine tooth comb.

I can't find his card, it might be the one above, don't know. I thought it was tan in color.

Call this business and tell them you need the name/number for their mobile repair mechanic to do a pre-buy inspection for you.







You must, get this done. Sight unseen w/o 3rd party certification? No way...

John

[justimagination]

" I will have to complete payment before I see it only because I just can't travel soon enough to satisfy payment terms due to prior commitments. If I could travel next week, just take $$ with, not happy, walk away."

.....I sure hope you think this over and understand that the final outcome could be dissasterous for you. I understand your frustration, but all anyone including myself is trying to do, is help you understand. For someone to put a time limit restriction on you with such a horrible family situation that you are bearing at this time, is simply a person with absolutely NO CHARACTER. Everyone just wants the best for you, Good luck.
David G.

[Dave and Jaime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by justimagination " I will have to complete payment before I see it only because I just can't travel soon enough to satisfy payment terms due to prior commitments. If I could travel next week, just take $$ with, not happy, walk away." .....I sure hope you think this over and understand that the final outcome could be dissasterous for you. I understand your frustration, but all anyone including myself is trying to do, is help you understand. For someone to put a time limit restriction on you with such a horrible family situation that you are bearing at this time, is simply a person with absolutely NO CHARACTER. Everyone just wants the best for you, Good luck. David G.

That's a little harsh to call the seller someone with "no character" based on the facts supplied by the OP. The time limits to pay were in the original deal (as is often the case) and would have allowed the OP to travel there first. The OP's situation arose after the deal, not before. Additonally, the OP states the seller had a superb rating from other buyers. That does not sound like someone with no character. Finally, the OP said he had not even yet called the seller to explain his personal situation and request an extension for the payment. There is not a single fact to suggest the seller is anything but an honorable person. Even if the seller were to deny the extension, keep in mind that those were the terms of sale. There are plenty of dead beat buyers who bid on items and then never follow through with the purchases so sellers need to either close the deal or move on. The OP also remarked on what he thought was a great value for this coach. Part of the price one pays for online purchases is a slightly increased risk associated with the transaction.

[94-Newmar]

adlerx, the beauty of the older MH's, as you probably well know is in their simplicity... especially if you're able to do most of the maintenance work yourself. I cannot offer any insight on the Monaco's but I can tell you that very little has changed with these things over the past couple of decades. We bought a 94 Newmar Diesel and since having it have been pleasantly surprised with how unchanged most all of the internals are as compared to friends who have later models, 2005, 2008's. I read horror stories on here and other forums from new Motorhome buyers whom end up back at the dealer numerous times to get little bugs worked out of a brand new rig. Equally I read horror stories of used Motorhome buyers too.

I quickly realized that my 2 largest $$$ expenses would be any repairs to the Generator or the chassis drivetrain... everything else was a commodity such as the appliances and amazingly the technology really hasn't changed much from then to now. I also realized that compared to some of my friends 4 digit payments each and every month till eternity that an awful lot would have to go wrong with my older Motorhome to even begin to come close to their monthly payments. Some of them pay over 12,000/yr on their coaches... to me that could account for a LOT of repairs on an older simpler Motorhome in a year's period of time..

As long as there is no major water damage from say like a roof leak, no major engine internal issues, transmission shifts well, fluid appears ok, the generator internals are good, oil appears ok and runs smooth you should be fine as most anything else that goes wrong is rather simplistic in comparison and cost.

I like knowing all the odd bugs have already been worked out of my older Motorhome as it served it's first owner well for 16 yrs, and properly maintained will probably do the same for us.

Just my $0.02 cents worth.

[codgerbill]

adlerx,

The ford F53 V10 of the vintage you are purchasing had a recall for the cruise control module. That engine (on my former 2000 Adventurer) also had an issue with the air intake. If it was driven in the rain during an all day rain the air intake that was positioned near the bottom of the grill would suck in water and eventually the engine would quit. The air filter would be really wet and one had to either carry a spare air filter or wait untill the original one dried out. Regarding the recall on the cruise control module it was a simple (and free) fix. It takes about 30 minutes at a Ford truck place. To find out if it had been done you need to have the VIN # and to call Ford motor co, and they should be able to tell you. There have been several blogs on thei forum and others regarding both issues.If and when you pick up the coach you search the ford chassis owners forum for more information.

[pwf16129]

just did this in december of 10 bought mine in tucson az live in ar got mine off of ebay so had their protection plan just in case, was it any good don't know i did't have to use it.
seen dozens of pictures and asked lots of questions, not all i needed too, when i got there to pick it up there were a couple of small issues i did not think of.
i bought from an individual he really did try to take care of it ,and was very honest ,the shop that did his repairs not so much. i found a lot of jury rigged and crappy repairs done to the coach , i have been working on it for the last couple of months fixing all the small stuff.
i would get it looked at by a third party even after you buy it just to make sure where you stand, i mechanic for a living so all I'm out is parts and my time but repairs that you can't do will add up fast especially on the road.
good luck been there.

best wishes frank, cricket and harley the dog

[BarbRN]

We were tempted to do this when we found a too good to be true coach. The pictures were awesome and details fit. We were going on New Years weekend to pick it up with two plane tickets in hand (round trip in case we didn't go for it). Then I sent out an APB to some groups of friends in that area with a cash prize for their help to go check it out, drive it etc. Darned good thing we spent the cash on this. Brakes were gone, leak found in the ceiling and the tires would have never made it home. Just saying. Some motorhomes have bad odors you can't see in pictures too.