Community Forums

JSPERRELLA · 06-28-2011, 01:23 PM

My wife and I are in agreement about buying a diesel pusher motor home and leaning towards an Allegro Bus in the 40 foot range. But we are still having issues on the age of a motor home. We will be purchasing in the first quarter of next year. We anticipate going fulltime 12/12/12 as that will give us nine glorious days to enjoy before the end of the world on 12/21/2012. My wife says no older than 2007. I would consider older depending on the care, maintenance and amenities of the motor home. We would appreciate your comments and experiences.

bdpreece · 06-28-2011, 01:32 PM

The newer the better and can I have it on 12/22 since you won't be needing it?

radams · 06-28-2011, 01:37 PM

Well let's see . . . I'd say no older than 2007!

JacknKay · 06-28-2011, 02:09 PM

We bought ours this year and it's a 2007. Tiffin products are nice and they have a great support system.

jollyjim · 06-28-2011, 02:20 PM

Ours is a 2004 Beaver and we bought it in 2007. It is still running fine and giving us a lot of joy and taking us a lot of fun places.

Rapid Robert · 06-28-2011, 03:35 PM

Well lets see, I'm 70 & think that is way too old! Oh, maybe I didn't read the post all the way through.

texnet · 06-28-2011, 05:40 PM

When is an MH too old? It is too old when it requires more upkeep than the depreciation of a newer MH. It is too old when it no longer fits your needs and lifestyle. It is too old when you have to worry about going out on the road for a several week or several month old trip. It is too old, even a 2010, when it was not maintained and treated well.

We moved from an 07 to a 03 and really like the additional 8 feet of space and all the bells and whistles! Yes, it was a move backward in years but a huge move upward in the coach!

wildtoad · 06-28-2011, 05:53 PM

If it looks old then perhaps it's too old. There are many examples on this forum where folks have taken great care of a unit they bought new 10, 15, 20 years ago and have stored in a building, carefully maintained the mechanics and systems, washed, waxed and caulked the unit as required.

I have also seen folks with brand new units tell of horror stories with the quality of their expensive purchase.

I buy older units and prepare myself to spend an additional sum getting it in shape.

So it all depends on maintenace.

bosshawg · 06-28-2011, 06:17 PM

We just brought a 2006 and we are fine with it. I think the slides may be better that the older ones.

ahicks · 06-28-2011, 06:55 PM

We could afford a newer coach than what we have, but the one we have left a very sizable chunk in the bank that we didn't have to touch. Depreciation is practically non existent on it, and I had (am having) a blast fixing it up. That's me though. I had the time, the skill set, and the patience to carry this project through to the point where I can trust it to go anywhere I might be interested in taking it.

Point is, the call you're making is about a lot more than the maintenance that been done on a coach, or the year it was built. A lot of it is about what kind of an owner you intend to be. Will you be doing all of your own service work, or making lists of problems to take to a dealer? I would think the more you're able/willing to take on the older the coach could be. With a set budget, that older coach could represent a LOT nicer/more coach than a newer one might be? FWIW

tomwalt · 06-28-2011, 07:18 PM

You and your wife will know when you find the right motorhome. Look at all that interest you - it doesn't cost anything to look at models older than 2007.

njs42 · 06-28-2011, 07:28 PM

Our 03 which we care for gingerly looks and acts new----just depends on how it was cared for----I agree with Tomwalt-----look at what you like---then decide.

frankdamp · 06-28-2011, 08:02 PM

Slide-outs are a good thing unless you go really long. I'm not sure when they started to show up - maybe 1997 or so? Our 32-footer has a bedroom slide and a dining room slide and we figure we could full-time in it without a lot of grief, particularly if our nearly 14-year-old lab wasn't with us any more.

It's a front-engined gasser - we couldn't find a DP we could afford!

Billieg · 06-28-2011, 10:28 PM

I've got a 1990... I paid for it cash and it didn't hurt. I put in a few thousand to update and fix it and it runs and drives great and is really comfortable. All the amenities including the cabinets, floor, appliances etc are first class and real quality products. It's been on the road for over 21 years and I suspect it will still go another 21. So, I say find what "fits" you and don't worry about the year or millage. If you are looking at a DP the motor will out live you.... and P.S. From what I see on the forum newer models have way more problems than the older ones....