Distance to travel for new "A" purchase?

[G6driver]

Our motorhome I flew from DEN to BWI and then drove 1 hour north of Baltimore. Checked it out,handed over the check, and drove back to Colorado. Had a bit of a break down in WV but Good Sam came to my rescue. At least I got the shake down cruise out of the way ;-)...

[mavric65]

Drove from Sacramento to Bakersfield about 340 miles and drove the new rig home the next day ... I love the search its always a adventure... Drove the wife crazy though but she sure loves the coach and by the way i saved 20,000 for the 5 1/2 hour drive on the same coach that i found 4 miles from my house and even told the dealer what i was doing and they still didnt want to deal their loss ...

[flaggship1]

We flew 650 miles to ABQ NM - planned 2 vacations since we have friends there. 1 with and one without the Motorhome. Had many pictures and videos from Internet sales manager.

There were a few things that needed attention and received it, a few that we chose to live with - example: just replaced the accordion shades with MCD Duos - but all in all we were pleased and had a great two week vacation and drive home.

One issue with the fly in is carrying things you need on the plane like sheets - limited cookware - dishes and such. We stayed near a CW and Wally World which helped.

Annie did the packing and this pic or similar is what you will be in for taking to the airport at a minimum (for 2).



We rented a small SUV and kept it until we left town. Would liked to have towed it home cause we still need a toad.

A few of these at Sandia Casino (nice place)



Made the trips to CW less painful. I'd say if you put the seller through the paces - pictures - videos - questions - making a trip for purchase can be fun and a great way to maiden voyage.

We also had an Onsite Oil Change - fuel and fuel water filter installed and the generator serviced for good measure. The guy did some inspecting and poking around. Paid a little premium as you do with Onsite but it was worth it to us. Put about 1,000 miles on it without issue.

The thing I was worried about was having to do it a second or third time if it didn't work out. Cost could add up flying around looking. Need to be pretty sure out of the gate.

[Stnlss]

Flew Austin to Baltimore and purchased our Phaeton. The return in 40 footer with empty compartments and cabinets was a great ride.

[Trekkers]

We live in Indiana and after totally checking out the internet decided on the exact motor home we wanted, the 2013 Itasca Ellipse 42GD. My husband even went to Forest City Iowa and went through the plant and went to Lichsinn RV. After thorough investigation, we both saw the unit at FMCA rally in Indianapoliswe and ended up buying it there through Camping World- Stouts in Greenwood, Indiana only 75 miles from home. We are very happy with the price and service

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by barbaram

We live in Western OK and bought our "used" Newmar at Dave's RV in Claremore (around 300 miles) Very happy with the MH, however it wasn't serviced as well as we would have liked. Found lots of small things that should have been taken care of at the dealer and weren't such as clogged dryer, carpet that was supposed to have been steam cleaned and obviously wasn't, loose belt on generator, and etc... Next time we will inspect more closely before driving off the lot. Other than that was a good experience. Are there any Newmar dealers left in Oklahoma?

The only one in Oklahoma that I could locate was Camping World on north Broadway in Oklahoma City. There's a dealer in Little Rock, Arkansas, one in Great Bend, Kansas, and one in Joplin, Missouri. Most of these dealers have very very few new or used units, if any at all, in stock, and mostly 40-42 foot units. There's several dealers in Texas so I guess that would be the best area to search in. Not being an impulse buyer it usually takes several look sees before I can lay out that sort of cash so several long distant drives will probably be in the future if I find a favorable floor plan.

[sdennislee]

Anchorage, AK to Pahrump, NV flew down and drove back 3465 miles.

[barbaram]

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

The only one in Oklahoma that I could locate was Camping World on north Broadway in Oklahoma City. There's a dealer in Little Rock, Arkansas, one in Great Bend, Kansas, and one in Joplin, Missouri. Most of these dealers have very very few new or used units, if any at all, in stock, and mostly 40-42 foot units. There's several dealers in Texas so I guess that would be the best area to search in. Not being an impulse buyer it usually takes several look sees before I can lay out that sort of cash so several long distant drives will probably be in the future if I find a favorable floor plan.

Thanks for info - CW on Broadway Extension was Lee's and CW bought it. Didn't know if the Newmar Dealership went with it or not.

[The Okie]

I was told by one of the employees at camping world on broadway that they would more than likely not be selling newmar. I was sad to see Lee sell to them. Lees Rv had a great reputation as did his sales people with service after the sale.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by nwokhunter

I was told by one of the employees at camping world on broadway that they would more than likely not be selling newmar. I was sad to see Lee sell to them. Lees Rv had a great reputation as did his sales people with service after the sale.

How true, the good ones always seem to go by the way-side followed up with just the so-so. Wonder why Lees sold out. From everything I've been reading about CW service I would be a little leary about buying a new coach and expect any decent after-sales service.
This DP I now own was purchased from a Winnebago/Ford dealer in Lowell, Arkansas and 6 months later the dealership was sold. And guess what, the new owner didn't want the RV business so that left me looking for a new service center. The Winnebago dealership in Tulsa was 100 miles closer but I knew from prior experience their sales department was terrible (salesman wouldn't even return my calls) followed by an even worse service department (they informed me since I was not one of their customers they would only do 3 warranty items per visit and it took them 3 weeks with my coach to do 4 1/2hours labor-the only part used was a new tail light lens).

[Fastavenger]

We flew from Md to ca and Drove back 2800 miles That is just how we are we dont CARE where it is if u Want it u go get it

[Snomas1]

I flew from Denver to Maine to look at the Dutch Star and bought it and then drove it back to Denver after purchase. Talked to owner over the phone and agreed on the purchase price and after seeing it had to re-negotiate a little more but have been totally satisfied after 8 years of ownership.

[bjsheldon]

With todays internet, you should be able to determine what you THINK you want as far as floor plan, colors etc. Once your initial homework is done, go look at a few actual MH's that meet you requirments. Once you are sure what you want, start an internet secrch to find your dream unit. Once found, do all your negotiating over the phone with an open clause based on actual inspection. If your inspection finds things you weren't told about, walk away; there will be others they are trying to hide. Where it is should be of little concern, as most dealers and/or sellers will pick you up at the local airport. Some dealers have hookups on site to let you stay a day or two. If buying from an indivigual, find a state park or camp ground close by and negotiate a couple of day stay before handing over the check. Most of all, make it an adventure and have fun.

[jollyjim]

Originally Posted by bjsheldon

With todays internet, you should be able to determine what you THINK you want as far as floor plan, colors etc. Once your initial homework is done, go look at a few actual MH's that meet you requirments. Once you are sure what you want, start an internet secrch to find your dream unit. Once found, do all your negotiating over the phone with an open clause based on actual inspection. If your inspection finds things you weren't told about, walk away; there will be others they are trying to hide. Where it is should be of little concern, as most dealers and/or sellers will pick you up at the local airport. Some dealers have hookups on site to let you stay a day or two. If buying from an indivigual, find a state park or camp ground close by and negotiate a couple of day stay before handing over the check. Most of all, make it an adventure and have fun.

X2
My wife shopped for our coach online. We were fortunate to find one that we thought was way above our purchase ability. She negotiated with the company that had advertised it and got them to reduce the price. I flew from Florida to New Jersey to look at the coach and to drive it with airline miles that we had acquired from our credit card purchases. I picked it over in detail and found a few things that needed to be fixed. I used these items to further negotiate the price down and to get a four year, bumper to bumper waranty and for them to fix the things that needed to taken care of.

We got the coach we wanted, for the price we wanted and stuck around the area for a couple of weeks to make sure that everything worked OK before driving back home to Florida. We would have never been able to match this by only shopping in our area.