Newbie-Budget $70,000

[Captainkoop]

New to The scene.. We are shopping for a class A DP to use in our retirement. We won't be full timers but plan to take multiple 4-5 week trips yearly. Our budget is $70,000 ish. Our wants are 38-40 ft 3 or 4 slide out unit. 2001-2005 model year. We are looking for advice on what RV is the best quality that's fits our wish list.

Thanks Captainkoop.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Captainkoop

New to The scene.. We are shopping for a class A DP to use in our retirement. We won't be full timers but plan to take multiple 4-5 week trips yearly. Our budget is $70,000 ish. Our wants are 38-40 ft 3 or 4 slide out unit. 2001-2005 model year. We are looking for advice on what RV is the best quality that's fits our wish list. Thanks Captainkoop.

http://t.rvtrader.com/listing/2003-N...Star-111412284
http://t.rvtrader.com/listing/2003-I...32TD-111436068
http://t.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-M...-PDT-111295068
http://t.rvtrader.com/listing/2001-M...40DS-111174590

Here is a fairly wide range of possibilities. The Executive listed last is a very high end coach.

[vanbuskirk]

Private the way to go if you do not have a trade. There are some great buys on the web and also on Craig's list. Make sure you take a seasoned rv'er with you when inspecting the coaches. Open up ALL of the cabinets and look for water damage. This is a lesson learned after we purchased our first MH. Don't hesitate to ask them to open all of the slides, the awning, to start appliances and generator. And lastly...before you make the deal research the price to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.

[CLIFFTALL]

Welcome to irv2. I would insist on maintenance records .

[Steve N Sal]

Howdy and welcome aboard. I have to agree with "Clifftall", If your researching a DP those maintenance records are important. If they're not available I would certaninly pay to have the chassis and all it's workings gone over by a qualified shop. Evrything mentioned is important. Good Luck and hope you find the coach that fits you best.

[450Donn]

Welcome. For your budget iMHO a DP is not the best option. I understand the sex appeal of motor homes, but i also see the costs associated with them. Like 5-600 dollar tires. Oil and filter changes at a truck shop instead of oil world. 70K to buy that 2001 MH is just the start. For your budget and intended few trips a year have you considered alternatives? It sounds sort of like this is a first RV purchase for you? If I am wrong please say so. But if this is a first purchase, and while I commend you on buying used, that is a lot of money to spend on something you may or may not use as planned. Things have a way of happening to our plans. My wife never intended to full time, but we are. She never intended to get sick, but she did and nearly died twice in the last few years from illness. Please sit down, crunch the numbers. Do you have a reserve account to pay for major motor work? How about a transmission? Six new tires? Routine service? Add up the costs and see if this is still doable, then jump in with full knowledge of what you can expect.

[grandpatime]

I agree, 70, 000 for a DP is on the low end of the market ....uness you have the experiance to repair,and maintain the complex systems that most pushers use . Most 12 to 15 year old coaches are already on the downside of their life.There is a great selection of used class A gas coaches that are closer to your budget

[jamesrxx951]

Make sure you fully test the water lines and even the black tank flush line. We purchased a used motorhome recently and when I cleaned out the black tank for the first time I had water coming out of the floor. There was a bad anti-siphon valve.

[stan5711]

All depends on where you are going,if it will be a lot of mountains and your wanting a 40ft with 4 slides I would want the DP for sure

[palehorse89]

Sounds to me like the OP has his heart set on buying a DP after working hard all his life, maybe like a dream come true? As Steve posted some links above, there are a ton of used DP's out there that have low miles on them and has been stored inside when not in use and still look brand new. It is not a sellers market still but it is for sure a buyer's market when it comes to RV's still after the market collapse in '08. There are some out there that are 12-15 years old that people have owned and did not have the brains that God gave a snail to take care of it and it is beyond recovery, but you will find there are a ton of them for sale by individuals that have maintenance records, be well taken care of, "stored indoors" is the BIGGEST thing to look for when buying anything used. When I was looking for a Coach as you are when reading ad's or calling to ask about if it was stored indoors and if they said ....was not stored indoors.....OK thanks for your time and I would move on. When I found mine it was 925 miles from my home, 29,000 miles, always stored in a climate controlled garage at his home (what a garage) looked brand new......and it still looks the same today as I also keep inside. Keep looking and take your time and you will find just what you have been wanting and within your price range. Good luck!
P.S. The search is also fun.........Take your time and "enjoy the search" , you will be glad you did.

[AKrvman]

Dp are great, I bought a 1998 Dutch star 42k,for 32k it has been great.
Check roof, date on tires, maintance records,keep in side.
pay to have it check out.
there are many out there.don't fall in love with the first one. it is a tool to travel.
Try to stay a way from dealers.
You will find a great one, used has all the bugs out of them.

[MSHappyCampers]

We love our 2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT! You should find them in that price range now.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[STEVE-JUNELL]

I have a nice 2005 40' Newmar kountry star for sale

[Velroc]

I just bought a 2012 winnibago Vista T with lots of options for about 90K w/4K miles in new condition, don't forget sales tax.

Why 40 foot ? 30 feet is a lot of room for 2 people.

Bob