Yes or No - Would you buy this older model Class A?

[KewlKristen]

I'm a newbie ... this will be my first RV of any sort. (Take a look at my newbie intro if ya want.) I started thinking travel trailer, but I realized my vehicle isn't in the best of shapes to tow ~~ so then I thought double cab truck and fifth wheeler ~~ then I realized my sister and her dog, along with my dog may be traveling with me alot; she has medical problems where she needs to rest often, so a truck may not be comfy for all of us ~~ I also may be living in the thing for a period of time, so more room than a Class C would be nice.

I can spend up to $25k, but I really don't want to if I can get around it and still have a reliable and comfortable "home". But I don't want to go too cheap and end up in the garage more than on the road, or worse than that, stranded on the road in the middle of the night or something!


Any and all input would be appreciated!!!!! Thank you so very much! Kristen


Pictures at this link and below a listing of features, etc.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1087349...CLaDheePxqGsYQ#

1993 Cobra Monterey Class A - 24 feet

List Price:

$15,236.00

Price:

$9,990.00

Code:

1993 Cobra Monterey Class A - 24 feet

Length and Beam:

24' X 8'

Engine:

V8

Reduced

1993 Cobra Monterey Class A - 24 feet
Great size, great condition
Very easy to drive
Chevrolet engine
Automatic transmission
36,973 miles
Double bed in rear
Dinette makes into a bed
Onan generator 2800 Watt
Bathroom with toilet, tub/shower, sink
Kitchen with double sink, gas stove/oven, microwave, fridge with separate freezer
Air Conditioner / furnace
Small TV
Stereo with CD
Dash air
Roof ladder
Tow package
Spare tire
Fiberglass siding
Outside shower
$9,990. or best offer

[SpringerPop]

My guess is that you're gonna' HATE that bed arrangement, especially if there are those middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.

It's a pretty small sleeping area, and awkward access.

Jus' sayin'.....

Pop

[windydaboo]

What is that line running sideways across the rear, delamination?

(moderator edit)

I would suggest to stay away from dealers and buy private party. Look,look, and look some more and you will find what you want for the price you want.

With my first RV I shopped hard for about a month and a half and found a lot of pigs, but I didn't give up. My price point was locked at 15k at the time. I needed something for 2 adults and 4 kids.

I finally found a 30ft. 1994 Fleetwood Flair w/ 40k miles advertised for 8k. When I went to look at it I discovered it needed tires and a fridge.

It was owned by some old guy out in the boonies who got it when his father passed away. He never used it to camp but did use it to store his guns and when his old lady got ticked off and he got tired of hearing her nag.

Anyway... I liked the layout and low mileage. I whined a bit about having to put on tires and getting the fridge fixed and ended up paying the guy $4500! I put about $2500 in tires and fridge, belts, and engine service and drove the heck out of that thing. Took it to Alaska, Canada, and half of the US on it's first outing, over 13k miles. We kept it for 3 yrs., put on 30k miles, and sold it for $6500.

My point is... look a lot. Buy the floorplan you like and what will work for your circumstances, keep away from water damage and delamination, and definitely stay away from dealers. Only the owner can tell you it's history and take that with a grain of salt. The dealer only wants to make a profit, the owner wants to sell something he doesn't use or want anymore and with a flooded market will be much more willing to make a deal.

Just my opinion, good luck and safe travels my friend......

[RV Wizard]

If you really like it. Offer $5000 and go from there. Good luck and keep us posted.

[winnie32v]

General layout is not too bad.
With a short unit like this, you give up some of the amenities.
The kitchen looks OK, the window is a real plus....you do not want to be in a closed box....the windows help to eliminate this.
No couch, but that is a give-up for the length.
The bath looks OK, the tub is a plus.
The bed...well this is a very close area .. not much room here. Keep in mind that you wil have to climb on the bed even to pull up the blankets etc. just to make it.
To get out you will have to 'climb' out of the end.
No night stand, etc.
I DO like the windows for ventilation in the bedroom.

So, get in it and go through ALL of the motions of really living in it.
Anything and everything you can think of. Even bathroom activities.

I was once given a bit of advice when we were shopping for a Class A.
If you see something that you don't like, you will be aware of this EVERY time you enter your unit and it will be the focal point each time. It may be the kind of thing that will keep you from really enjoying your unit.
Your mind will say 'I wish that .......'.

Case in point: We bought our unit with this in mind....we asked ourselves this very question AND we found NOTHING that concerned us. We STILL have no things that 'bug' us about our unit.
In fact, we continually comment that this unit has 'everything we wanted' .......where we wanted it , etc.

So, begin the process of sorting out the many variables that are necessary when you purchase a 'home'.

Remember, you will be living in this unit....be sure you enjoy it, NOT be concerned what you don't like about it.

Like stated above, offer 'low' and go from there. Tires are extremely important and must not be old.
Check for ALL system function. Don't forget anything.

Regards,
Paul

[Ed-Sommers]

My thought is 5 to 7 K, because you appear to be single, the bed problem could be solved by tearing out what's there, and put in a single. Have an independent inspection of the rig by an independent RV Tech, and/or insist on a one year guarantee on engine and drive gear at the least.


Ed
USN Ret.

[LVJ58]

If all systems, coach structure along with engine and drive train check out OK, Yes I would buy it in a heartbeat. Based on the pictures it appears to have been well taken care of. Depending on age of tires, if over 5-6 years old even if tread looks good you may need to replace all of them due to age.

Good luck with your decision..

[akadeadeye]

It really looks like it's in great condition from the photos but looks can deceive. The advice to have it checked out by an INDEPENDENT RV tech is sound on one of this age. If it checks out, it certainly looks like it would be worth it if you can buy it for something less than $10K and the suggestion of offering $5K is a good place to start.

Someone has taken pretty good care of it or has done a good restoration. It would be worth a little money to pay an RV tech though.

Don

[frankdamp]

No, I wouldn't - for the following reasons, which are purely personal preference.

1. I don't like the "knock-kneed" look of the older Chevrolet chassis, where the track of the front wheels is that of the inside duallies.

2. I wouldn't have an automatic parking brake at any price, even if it came with a $20,000 bonus to me.

3. I can't tell from the photos whether it has a corner bed with the bathroom alongside. Our first rig (a Class C) was configured that way and we came to hate it very quickly. It was boxed in all the way across the head of the bed by the back wall, all the way along the RH side of the bed by the right sidewall, most of the way across the foot of the bed by a wardrobe and 2/3 the way down the left side by the bathroom wall. The bottom LH corner of the bed was cut back about 15" at 45 degrees to allow access to the bathroom. If you use the bed solo, it's marginally acceptable. We ended up with me in the corner bed with one of our Labradors and DW on the jacknife sofa with the other one!

[doc]

(moderator edit)

Did you try getting into and out of the driver's seat? Appears you will have to be a contortionist to do so. The doghouse looks pretty tall and a tight route in and out.

[mgtr]

Originally Posted by doc

Did you try getting into and out of the driver's seat? Appears you will have to be a contortionist to do so. The doghouse looks pretty tall and a tight route in and out.

Yes, looks like instant trip to me. You will come to hate that.

[catonine]

I agree with what others say about it being a little small for the use anticipated. There are a lot of good motorhomes on the used market and many are a little larger, say 30' to 32' range. I had a class c that was a 30 footer with one slide in living room. It was a size we liked. Often we traveled with my wife, grown daughter, 2 dogs and a cat and still had sufficent room. Dont give up looking. Take your time and get the best setup for you and your use. Good luck whatever you decide and please keep us updated.

[Forest Grump]

Way way overpriced for its age and size. Probably wortha about 5k.

[szy]

Originally Posted by winnie32v

General layout is not too bad.

I was once given a bit of advice when we were shopping for a Class A.
If you see something that you don't like, you will be aware of this EVERY time you enter your unit and it will be the focal point each time.

Regards,
Paul

And that is the truth