Looking at....

[johnnyringo]

2004 Monaco Diplomat I. 52,000 miles, well cared for, new rubber, batteries, tv's etc. $69,000 asking. Thoughts?

[Mike Canter]

Sounds really good. Great price. Check the DOT make date on those tires. When buying a MH and the history of the care of the tires is unknown then they should not go beyond six years from that DOT date. Are you a previous MH owner? If not then you should get the coach checked by a dealer or somebody that knows MH's. How does it drive? I think that year may have had the Monroe shocks on it if so they will be harsh riding and at 52K miles will need replacing. Look and see if the shocks are totally yellow on the top and bottom halfs. If yellow on the bottom and blue on the top then they are Bilsteins and are OK. Which motor is in it?

[Robi.1014]

My '04 40-PST has treated me very well except for rivets failing at the exterior roof/wall intersection....and the California Carefree slide-toppers having poor sewing at their hems. Tranny temp meter (at the dash) never worked. A rain leak showed up at the bedroom slide that I've yet to solve. I've enjoyed this RV very much, but have wished that I had purchased the bath-and-a-half model (40-DST) instead.

[Mike Canter]

So Robi how did you repair those rivets that came loose?

[Robi.1014]

Mike,
I used stainless steel screws & pre-drilled new holes for them. The challenge was to get the aluminum roof-panel to re-assume the curve. Used longer screws first to pull the aluminum sheet back into "almost" position, then removed the long screws (only one at a time) and replaced them with shorter screws to "take home" the panel. But I still got some buckling that doesn't look very pretty.

[Pairajays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo 2004 Monaco Diplomat I. 52,000 miles, well cared for, new rubber, batteries, tv's etc. $69,000 asking. Thoughts?

I would think in today's market, $69K is a bit high. If I really wanted this unit, I would start at about $52K and not exceed 59K. With an average annual milage of about 7500 miles for 7 years, it is well used. The Diplomat is a low to mid level Monaco and is not highly desirable. Please don't jump on me and tell me how great the Diplomat is. I'm not an expert in valuing used MHs, just my opinion.

Jim E

[moisheh]

I'm with parajays. I wouldn't call it a high miler but is way overpriced. I would look at a Monaco that is further up the food chain even if it was one year older. I dislike aluminum roofs.

[johnnyringo]

FWIW, I haven't seen a single similiar unit listed ANYWHERE in the US priced in the $50's. Not even close. NADA's price is $71K, low wholesale with ZERO accessories/upgrades. Am I missing something? We took a look at this one yesterday and was reasonably impressed.

[Pairajays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo FWIW, I haven't seen a single similiar unit listed ANYWHERE in the US priced in the $50's. Not even close. NADA's price is $71K, low wholesale with ZERO accessories/upgrades. Am I missing something? We took a look at this one yesterday and was reasonably impressed.

Go here
2004 Monaco M-40DST 330HP - 40' Standard Equipment, Prices & Specs - NADAguides

Jim E

[Mike Canter]

I have a close friend in the RV business and this is what he passed to me. It used to be back in the good old days when the economy was great that a MH real price was midpoint between the NADA wholesale and the retail price. Now they are wheeled and dealed starting at wholesale and going down from there. A lot of deals are closed at below wholesale.

[johnnyringo]

Ok, $71 base model. Where are the ones for sale in the $50's & $60's? Send me those links please.

[roscoesdad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo Ok, $71 base model. Where are the ones for sale in the $50's & $60's? Send me those links please.

Here is a 40 ft. Endeavor that has the reserve met. https://www.crankyape.com/default.as...emNumber=26219

I have a close friend that has purchased 2 MH from these people. He was happy with both purchases.

[JC2]

I might be mistaken, but didn't some older Monacos have some type of suspension problems?

[Pairajays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo Ok, $71 base model. Where are the ones for sale in the $50's & $60's? Send me those links please.

Show me one that sold for $69k besides the one you are determined to buy. No one has said one was sold for $50k or $60k. I am talking offer. You are being defensive about this issue and I think you are in denial because you have made up your mind to buy the coach. If that is the case, then by it. You asked for thoughts, that's what you received.

Jim E