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08-18-2015, 12:49 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
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Alfa Motor Homes
Hello and good day to all:
I have been browsing through various threads and forums where there seems to be a lot of Alfa bashing as well as many discussions about the quality (or lack therof) regarding Alfa and the associated amenities.
I have owned a 2005 Founder Edition for 3 years now and had no issues with mechanical or fit and finish. The coach had 32K miles and showed some wear and tear which is expected from a used vehicle of any kind. Freightliner chassis, Cat C7 and Allison Tranny are bullet proof. Obviously with the proper care and maintenance most if not all chassis' out there will perform as expected. I have put over 20K on it since I bought it and expect to retire next August and go full time for a while. Absolutely no issues with anything worth mentioning. Minor latch and hinge displacement occurances but what the heck, it gets a beating where I drive so a few loose screws here and there is expected.
The coach may not be the "top of the line" some people want but for a new in '05 price of about 165K and a purchase price 70K in 2012, it never was designed to be a Prevost luxury rig. It is the perfect size with no unnecessary frills and the amenities are fully adequate for life on the road for me and the wife. Pulls a Jeep pretty good too!
Any thoughts out there in case we have a future coach buyer looking to buy used, which as a first timer is the way to go IMHO.
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08-18-2015, 03:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
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Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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08-18-2015, 03:33 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 5,099
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__________________
Bruce & Nancy
FMCA F280542
2004 Bounder 35E
US Navy Vet.
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08-18-2015, 04:56 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 2,723
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__________________
Tricia & Dennis Lockhart
2010 Ventana 4333
Spartan MM w/Cummins 360 ISC
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08-19-2015, 04:33 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ocala, Florida
Posts: 6,295
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Welcome, glad to meet you!
__________________
FMCA #F431170, GS #822128658, Escapees SKP #112655
2012 Airstream Mercedes Interstate Class B
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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08-19-2015, 07:56 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Everywhere USA
Posts: 2,107
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My son has an Alfa also .... bought new in 03 ... they have only had minor issues as well ... like anything else ... when in use .. stuff happens ...
They're getting ready to sell as well ... only because the kids are grown and they have chosen to fly instead of drive ......
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Hal & Jackie .... 03 TS Select 45DS01
02 Haulmark 20' Edge .... 02 Corvette Rdstr
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08-19-2015, 09:41 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA (Stick & Brick)
Posts: 2,643
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Alfa seemed to fall on its sword shortly after the Gold "See Ya" version came out. Not sure why.
__________________
Frank Damp -Anacortes, WA,(DW- Eileen)
ex-pat Brits (1968) and ex-RVers.
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08-19-2015, 10:57 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hal1phx
My son has an Alfa also .... bought new in 03 ... they have only had minor issues as well ... like anything else ... when in use .. stuff happens ...
They're getting ready to sell as well ... only because the kids are grown and they have chosen to fly instead of drive ......
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Thanks for the post Hal, My Alfa has been good to me as well. I suppose a guy could get a lemon with most any manufacturer but I have always said that the key to lasting enjoyment is maintenance.
Seems like some people on other forums are more interested in trash talking any other MH EXCEPT the one they own...LOL. This will be my first membership to any forum. Mainly because I see good, honest and considerate people on here.
I look at like this: if ya liked it when ya bought it then keep it maintained and enjoy this beautiful country we live in. Regardless of manufacturer we all share the same roads and making friends along the way is what is important.
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08-19-2015, 11:04 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankdamp
Alfa seemed to fall on its sword shortly after the Gold "See Ya" version came out. Not sure why.
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Thanks for the reply Frank,
There is a lot of opinions out there on what happened with Alfa and yes they did fall on their own sword as a part of the problem but as far as I can tell they were excellent value and quality until the original owner Johhny Crean, sold out. Lots more to say about that but I figure that the founder of Fleetwood RV (Crean) knew how to make a good one and then founded Alfa Leisure.
Heck if you and I had FL chassis', CAT, Cummins and Allison powertrains to start with I bet we could make a good one too!
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08-22-2015, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 48
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We are currently in the process of purchasing a 2006 40' founders DP. I have read a lot of posts here about the Alfa. Was a bit concerned at first, but reading more I come to the conclusion that the "bones" are good, chassis, engine, transmission. The unit only has about 11,500 miles on it. We not concerned with delamination, if it happens, we will deal with it. I looked closely at the interior (it was renovated, new upholstery, carpet, window trim etc) cabinets closed and latched well, seemed sturdy, has lots of counter space and storage, which was one of my requirements. I have one big problem with the unit though. The refrigirator is elevated off the floor and I am only 5'1" tall, will need a step ladder to reach the top shelves, lol.
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08-23-2015, 08:57 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzque49
We are currently in the process of purchasing a 2006 40' founders DP. I have read a lot of posts here about the Alfa. Was a bit concerned at first, but reading more I come to the conclusion that the "bones" are good, chassis, engine, transmission. The unit only has about 11,500 miles on it. We not concerned with delamination, if it happens, we will deal with it. I looked closely at the interior (it was renovated, new upholstery, carpet, window trim etc) cabinets closed and latched well, seemed sturdy, has lots of counter space and storage, which was one of my requirements. I have one big problem with the unit though. The refrigirator is elevated off the floor and I am only 5'1" tall, will need a step ladder to reach the top shelves, lol.
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Suzeque,
INMHO you will enjoy the Alfa. The wife and I have had ours on some long trips through bad weather, rough roads and hard times but haven't had any issues to speak of. As I said in my earlier post, the minor issues with little things coming loose is to be expected. Love the storage and layout. Less frills and goodies with the Founder editions but we didn't buy it for those. It is pretty enough to get some oohs and aahs and yet is fully functional and super comfortable. The wife and I love it. I am sure you guys will too. Follow your maintenance routines and get to know the inner workings of the beast and you will find that a lot of the work can be done by someone with common sense and patience right in the driveway. Saves thousands when compared to RV Service techs.
Many happy trails to you and enjoy your new to you home!
McFarlin AZ, Alfa FE 36FD, wife and 3 4 legged co pilots
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