Taking the leap

[DiamondDan]

We bought one of these (Pacific Edition 3776) late August. I second what the others here have said: 1st rate quality, great value, etc. The perfoemance has been good (10.5 - 11.5 MPG on the display towing a 3800# car), and the bunks are a good thing in so many ways with 7 and 5 y/o kids.

Options I have and like:
* 8K Onan (can never have too much juice)
*2x low profile ac's with *heat pump* (free heat in moderate temps
*3m mask (waiting to install - long story)
*leather sofa (classes it up a little)

Option I wish the coach had:
*Power control center w/ load shedding
*Bigger Pure sine wave inverter (inverter works only the entertainment systems
*air-coil mattress for the pull-out (08's didn't have this; 09's do).

Things I like about the coach:
*floorplan (bunk beds, opposing sofa's, dinette)
*seatbelts in the dinette mean the kids can play games while we are going down the road.
*where the TV #1 is located, though it does get warm buried in that cabinet (behind dinette, not in the front).
*power sun and night shades in front

Things I don't like:
*There is nowhere to set your drink when on the couch.
*big tv is unusable with the l/r slide in.

Things I bought:
*bunk bed ladder

Regarding dealers and pricing: you are thinking along the lines I did. I got a quote from one of the big internet dealers, but I was willing to buy the unit on my "local" dealer's lot for a little more for their support. RV's are big, complicated things, and stuff can break. It's nice to have a place nearby to take it, and patronizing (not subsidizing) my local dealer puts me on a better footing with them than if I bought the unit away and am pestering the service manager with questions.

If you need some add-on's, those can be good to have your local dealer "throw in" to close the sale. In my case, it was a towing setup for my car (towbar, brake buddy, car setup). These may be high-margin things to do down the road if you're unable to DIY like me.

Have fun, and don't make enemies over a few thousand dollars in price. Given the total cost of owning and operating a motorhome, those few thousand dollars won't even move the meter. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad :-)

[doc]

CB3> We picked up our Essence on monday. I talked to the guy in SC I told you about via PM. He said he has an Astoria (Pacifica?? Pacific??) edition on the lot. I should have looked at it, but it didn't occur to me to do that until I was enroute back south. He did tell my wife they have dropped prices very steeply in order to make sales. PM me if you need his E-mail.

[JARS]

CB3,

I have had my 3776 (Pacific edition) since 8/07. Mine is a 2008 model also. I too am like DiamondDan, I like a lot of the features and workmanship of Damon. However like anything, there are things that I needed to change or upgrade to my taste. Some of the items I had completed before it left the factory, but most I have done after purchase. i.e. Accu-ride true Aluminum wheels, Awnings on all windows, State of the art Navigation, tire pressure monitoring, Triple color observation system, Satellite radio from Rvnavigation.com, Satellite TV, replaced both Bunk TV and rear bedroom with upgraded and larger LCD's, and the list goes on..... But over all I now have a coach I am very happy with. We ran through 15 states this summer from FL to Northern Arizona and did not have one issue (other than 4.75 diesel prices!). I take pride in keeping my equipment in top shape and like all the creature comforts of home while on the road, and the 3776 works great for our family of 4 (wife and two boys 11 and 15). I too would rather buy "local" than from across country and would be willing to throw a few extra at the local guy to be on his "A" list. However, depending on your level of "hands on" there are a lot of things that us owners can do or "prevent" if we desire. All in all we are very happy after 16 months. Good Luck and I hope you find the right deal for yourself.

[CB3]

Thank you all. Good advice and comments. I certainly agree that buying locally, even for a few thousand more, is wise. Just got a call yesterday from the local dealer that they have dropped prices on certain used coaches by as much as $20,000. The fourth quarter end of year crunch is coming!

CB3

[John H...]

Sounds like the crunch is coming for lots of things. Again, Good luck with what ever you decide. John H....

[ub40]

CB3, my wife and I are thinking about downsizing from our 04 LX400 Explorer since it's just us two. Don't mean to use the forum as a fsbo, but if your interested let me know. Sorry if I have stepped on any toes.

[Sumar]

CB3...any decision yet?

[slabman]

CB, I would NEVER buy a last year's model unless they sold it at about 40% off, which probably won't happen. Been there, done that with a 2002 Escaper. We're still upside down from that deal and no end in sight. This is not unique to Damon....it applies to all coaches. Go check figures at nada.com and get a better idea of how they depreciate.

[CB3]

We have not made a decision yet, and it is not based just on the price of the coach. Being new to this, we are examining the total costs of ownership vs. the amount of use.

We see this as a recreation/vacation commitment for us and our family. We are not retired, both still work and have finite vacation days a year. We have not gotten strong committments from our six kids and their grandchildren to travel with us (not all at once), although that would probably come after they make just one trip.

We have a houseboat share at Lake Powell in Southern Utah that takes up 10 days a year, and other types of family vacations that may not work well for RV'ing. Other opportunities would be improved with a coach, so setting priorities for family vacationing is part of the equation.

What we are really vacillating on is the total monthly cost of ownership impact on our family budget as we approach retirement(5 years?).

So, no we haven't made the purchase, but if (probably when) we do, the advice garnered here will be very important. Thank you all.

BTW, finances at Christmas are always a little sobering, as we have five December birthdays on top of the 'Clause obligations.

CB3