Thor vs...

[triplewide]

X2 on Marjoa's post.

I would/did buy used on first motor home. Chances are if you like RVing you will buy another in a few years. If you don't like RVing you will lose less money when you sell it. You will still lose money, just less.

The RVtrader sites and dealer lots are full of newer RV's with very low miles.
There is a lesson in that I think. Good hunting.

A thread worth checking if you are interested in an ACE:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/ace-...223543-98.html

Thread index is on page 98 Post #1369

[TMan59]

Just my opinion here.
I think most 1st time buyers believe the rv they are buying"is the perfect rv for us and we'll have it for a long time"!
They are spending a lot of money so no kidding.

The "problem" arises when after a short time in the "rv world" they stay in the new rv for a few weeks, drive it for long hours and visit the neighbors rv.
Now they see things that are "way cooler".
They hear stories of driving for hours and not getting blown around, much less fatigued.
They found out that the floor plan that is so important can't possibly be determined until you've lived in the dang thing for a couple weeks.
Now they want the kitchen on the other side, a table instead of a dinette, and what about a half bath.

So my advise is simply this:
Find a good deal on an somewhat older rv that "looks like" it has what you want. This needs to be a wise purchase structurally.
Then when you buy your 2nd rv that IS much closer to what you want you get back close to your original investment.

We all wouldn't be referring to our 1st rv if we all kept our 1st rv.
It would then simply be called our rv.

[marknpeg]

Used, new, it's for each person to decide. We bought our very first RV brand new, jumped straight into fulltime, and are very happy with it. Of course we spent more than a year researching, touring, walking, sitting, etc. before we made a decision.

Used: less depreciation hit, debugged (maybe), abused (maybe), good deal (maybe)

New: big depreciation hit (maybe), easier on cash flow, that new-rig smell, warranty, new-coach issues

Buy what works for you. We planned on used, ended up with new and love it. If there's a next coach, it might very well be used. It's a coach, not a religion.

[marknpeg]

Oh and FWIW our neighbor a couple campgrounds ago had an ACE he had bought brand new just a couple months before, and he really liked it. I helped him set up his bluetooth phone and got to tour the inside. Very nice coach, with a good floorplan. And it was his from day one. Yes he had a few issues he showed me, but nothing earth-shattering and everything was under warranty. Looked good to me.

[Unicorn Driver]

The place I bought my 2005 Damon Daybreak has a 2014 Thor Ace 29 something in stock. I really want to check it out but don't want to get my hopes up can't afford to upgrade for at least another 2 years

[Moonless]

We looked at used for a long time and just couldn't find the right one. By that time we were just fed up with the old amenities, TV locations in the wrong place, no new technologies, maybe buying a lemon, and on and on... so we had a hard time satisfying our must have list for a cheaper price. We came close once, but it would be risky and another 15k in repairs and updating. Wife just shook her head no and that was the end of looking at used.

Finally, we found the perfect floorplan in the THOR Miramar, all the amenities we wanted, the right dealer, right price, and bought brand new. It's been a few years now and we are still in love with it. Yep it's a gasser and we can do most work by ourselves and it's actually fun. Just my two cents... good luck in your hunt!!

[twogypsies]

Price and floorplan should not be the first things you look at..... quality and workmanship should be at the top of the list. If you can't afford a quality one new then shop used. There are some terrific RVs out there for good prices. Unless the floorplan is really an odd configuration, one can adapt. It doesn't have to be the perfect floorplan.

[ohau8622]

Thank you all for such wonderful advice. We are going to the show next week so let's see what we fall in love with, if anything.

[davdamon]

I had a 2010 thor daybreak what a pos traded it for a 2003 holiday rambler what a difference in quality

[Bug512]

I personally would look on the slightly used arena to hedge some of the depreciation. Happy with our Winnebago...Check out the video below...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWw904saLGA

[manderson2228]

Originally Posted by Bug512

I personally would look on the slightly used arena to hedge some of the depreciation. Happy with our Winnebago...Check out the video below...

Small mortals are falling through floors!!

That was funny!!

[Unicorn Driver]

Wow, that coach was a mess.

[PackerPower]

Originally Posted by Bug512

I personally would look on the slightly used arena to hedge some of the depreciation. Happy with our Winnebago...Check out the video below...

Bug512, we really enjoyed your video - you did a great job turning a nightmare into an entertaining lesson for all. I hope you are enjoying your Winnebago, glad the Thor experience didn't ruin your dreams

[Johnidaho]

Originally Posted by Safritts

I know there are varied opinions here and will add mine. We have owned 5 motorhomes over the last 20 years. I recently evaluated several manufacturers late models before buying a used Itasca (Winnebago) Meridian DP. I looked at several Thor models, new and used. None of them came close to the quality of a Winnebago coach. You get what you pay for.

Have owned several motorhomes over past 20+years, Newmar, Winnebago, American, and unfortunately, one Thor...for a very short time. Thor coach was a piece of C#AP!!. Started falling apart on the first trip. Poor design (for example, no heat vent in the bathroom) quality and performance. Tile floor shattered and crumbled under the slide out wheels on the third time we extended it, kitchen and bathroom wood delaminated, etc., etc. Don't confuse "affordable" with expectation of quality. Would not wish my bad experience on anyone.