Community Forums

G-JLD9 · 02-06-2016, 12:15 PM

Mobile 2000 DAMON 335

Looking at this rig and wondering if anyone has any thoughts on it. They won't budge from the 18,750 but will fix everything I found (idle arm bad and front end shimmys, tires need replaced, rear jacks don't go down, coach batteries need replaced, A/C dash not working, replace awnings and change all fluids and filter) and put new tires on. Everything will work like it should if I buy it and when I do my finale checks something is wrong they will fix. I was out there two hours and drove it. We like the floor plan and the storage it has. 30 day 50/50 warranty.

Any one have one like this and know of any thing I should extra look at? It's has a Workhorse chassis and vortec motor.

Thanks,
Jen

sbleiweiss · 02-07-2016, 08:51 AM

Sounds like they are going to be doing more than the asking price worth of work. Much better than lowering the price, even to zero. We have a current Challenger, and love it, especially the floorplan.

G-JLD9 · 02-07-2016, 10:09 AM

While we were looking at it again before making a decision, someone who was looking at it before came back and said they wanted to buy it. The salemen said we need to move on it now if we wanted it. I decided to go home and think about it, didn't want to be pressured into anything. So if I still want it I will see if its there Monday, but I have a Dutch Star I really want to look at anyway. So if the Damon is sold I will keep looking.

t55watson · 02-07-2016, 10:27 AM

Dutch Star is a better built coach than a Damon. Just my humble opinion.

tomwalt · 02-07-2016, 10:51 AM

Smart not to jump on it - probably a salesman ploy.
That is a Workhorse P-32 chassis with the Chevy 454 L29 engine and 4L80 Hydromatic transmission - a proven solid performer (I have one).

If it is still there and you decide to go for it, NADA has it listed as average retail at $15,150. With all those issues, I'd offer $13,500, print the NADA listing with your contact info and offer on it, and walk away.
2000 Damon Corporation Challenger Series M-310-Vortec Standard Equipment, Prices & Specs - NADAguides

G-JLD9 · 02-07-2016, 02:19 PM

We started looking for a "for now" rig to go to games and 2 week trips. So we were looking to only spend 15k and when we retire in 3 years get out full time RVing Dutch Star. But I keep looking at DP and sometimes want to just get it now. I had asked for advice about getting one now vs waiting in the General Discussion page and got lots of great advice. Mostly do it now, if its a Dutch Star or something else we need to get out there now and have fun.

The chassis and power train look well taken care of. I couldn't see any problem areas other then the bad idler arm, easy to fix. With everything I found I offered 15k as is and I fix it. I'm a diesel mechanic and every thing would be easy to fix to us. But they said no quick. I mentioned to them that they were over NADA and showed them on my phone. They sad internet NADA is a joke and not accurate. The use NADA books they pay for and go by that.

So I'm in no hurry and if it still there I might offer something again. But I think 18,750 is high.

At least I learned about a different chassis and motor combo. I have had a Class a with the Ford 460 motor and F53 chassis. Most I look at have the Ford platform but I liked what I saw on the Workhorse chassie as far as ease of area to work on it.

One thing that ticked me off was when I was leaving to think about it I was trying to give the salesmen my number. He said he didn't need it the offer will not change. I was giving him my number to call me if he gets something else in that I might be interested in, but he cut me off before I could finish and said he didn't need it.

rambler62 · 02-07-2016, 05:53 PM

Sounds like the salesman has the IQ of most used car salesmen.

tomwalt · 02-07-2016, 06:06 PM

There really isn't much of a market now, so I think he is bluffing.
If you got this and plan to re-sell in a couple years you are probably going to deal in a hit or miss market. If fuel $$ is up, not many will be buying a 20 year old MH.

So my humble opinion, if the DP is your true goal - get it now, fix it up while you have a job and income, and then you will know what you have prior to hitting the road FT.

FYI - I went thru this 5 years ago and bought my 2000 Allegro to 'lean' prior to getting a DP. I ended up liking it so much I just kept it and the DP plan was cancelled (and still plan to keep it).

P.S. If you do decide to look at the Damon again, pull a front and back brake bleed screw and look for rust. The Calipers tend to corrode after 10 to 15 years if the brake fluid isn't changed often.

short kid · 02-07-2016, 06:18 PM

Call his bluff, if he has your # in a week or so he will call you!!!! I can't see them fixing everything you mentioned for that kind of money. If he doesn't call back nothing lost. Good luck in your shopping.

WillsDP · 02-09-2016, 07:52 PM

Walk away from this dealership, the fact that he didn't want your phone number and acting like a snob. Don't give your hard earned money to them. There are plenty of units out there and better wait. I was like you initially looking for a "for now" rv. Some thing cheap then move up later. Well I remember our boating days it is hard to "settle" on some things and actually cost much more to buy something now and to get a bigger better one later, plus life is funny about plans.
I'm in my early 50 and walked away on a few coaches.
Imagine buying this challenger and something has gone wrong and for some reason you always get the salesperson voicemail.

**TonyDi** · 02-09-2016, 09:03 PM

This sounds very fishy to me. There is so much wrong here that I can't see how they will replace all that stuff and make repairs and make any money. I'd walk away from this one. JMHO.

G-JLD9 · 02-10-2016, 05:24 AM

That one is off the list, after doing some research and getting good info here, we are continuing the search elsewhere.

Almost everything we have looked at has problems. I don't understand why the dealers don't fix and clean before they show it. It would look so much better to us.

tomwalt · 02-10-2016, 11:05 AM

I found dealing with private owners very rewarding while the dealers were just trying to play the game of pick pocket. I learned something new talking to each one, met some real nice people, and you are doing them a favor considering their RV - they are happy to sell, you to buy.