We have owned our new to us 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire DP for 2 months now, put 4000 miles on her and are still super happy on our purchase. But a year of looking and seeing so many disappointing rigs, made us almost want to throw in the towel. So glad we didn't and really feel we bought our third coach first. So here is what we did to find the one:
Deciding on what type of RV to get
When DH was forced in to early retirement 5 year before he wanted to, we decided to look into full time RVing and sell everything. After some research on this forum, seeing some budget numbers and taking everyone's advice about life is short do it now, we decided to get the ball rolling. Did a bunch of research on what is needed for full time living and after much back and fourth on 5th wheel or diesel pusher, we chose a DP and tow a car. Both have advantages and its mostly a personal choice. We have owned a 5th wheel, which we lived in for 2 years before we bought a house, and a gasser Class A that we used to go to many Nebraska football games.
After much research on who make a good quality DP for full time living, we narrowed it down Monaco, and Newmar but we looked at everything. Lots of other good stuff out there but we just seemed to like these brands better. We set a budget of 50-75K and went looking, and looking and looking and......well lets just say we looked so much I almost got sick of looking.
I looked at RVT, RVTrader, classified ad on this forum and many online dealer web sites everyday for a year. Looked at everything around me that was listed but Kansas is not a place that has a big inventory of DPs. So went to Texas 3 times, lots to look at. PPL Motorhomes is where I learned a lot of info on how bad a rig can look but every now in then your can find a good one there. Went to Motor Home Specialist and learned a lot about pricing, and they have so much inventory you can look at so many different types of RVs in one day. Both places let you roam around and look all day so that was great to not have to talk to any sales person since we were in the early stages of looking.
By month 9 of looking and research we mostly went and looked at Newmar Dutch Stars 2003-2005, we just liked them the most and felt we could get what we wanted on our budget. Biggest lesson we learned is if it has what we want and is a reasonable price go look at it now, the good ones go fast. But after about 4 or 5 coaches that we did inspections on, cant even remember how many we walked and in right back out do to condition, we were starting to rethink or idea of buying a used. I know we are buying used and its not going to be perfect, but man at least clean the coach. Some we walked in I would not even let my dog live in there.
Finally found the one
Every now and then I would look at Motor Homes Of Texas and see what they have. They mostly had higher end stuff at 100k+ but always liked to look, they have a great web site. I almost drooped my coffee cup when I saw a newly listed 2004 Mountain Aire 4018 that was loaded, asking 79k.
It was a pinch more then what I wanted to spend but after much research on what things would make full time RVing nicer, I just might spend more money now and not have to trade her in later to get what I really wanted in the first place.
Why I loved this one:
-The 4018 floor plan with king bed was great for us 2 and the 80lb dog, 2 slides on drivers side and can be use it with the sides in. Simple but so functional. Separate door for the toilet, corner shower was surprisingly bigger then we thought it would feel like and lots of storage.
-It had many upgrades. The original buyer in 2004 purchased almost every option except key lets entry. Things we just had on a wish list, this rig had. Biggest being Hydo-Hot system, really love it!
-Bigger motor then the Dutch Stars we were looking at, with a engine brake. I just like them better then a exhaust brake. The Cummins ISL 400 was still a CAPS system, and the Freightliner chassis had only one combined full water/fuel filler but that was not a deal breaker, every thing passed inspection. Liked that it had IFS.
-The coach was as good as the pictures looked, great condition inside and out, everything worked, and after 2 days of inspections, 100 miles of road tests, I finally had that gut feeling of its the one
. (I am a mechanic and was very confident and had the right test tools to do the inspections ourselves. But while we inspecting ours there was a couple next to us doing there own inspections and asked me many question. I didn't mind but felt they should have hired someone, and it was going to be there first RV)
-Motor Homes of Texas was great to deal with, nice dealership with knowledgeable people, you might pay more but their coaches are super clean, everything worked as they stated and I felt they were very honest, or as honest as a dealership can be.
-Gary and I both agreed and liked everything on the coach, this was big! We mostly like the same stuff anyway but it seamed with all the other ones we looked at we never agreed 100%. Only thing we didn't like is where the TV is about the windshield and it didn't have a booth, we like booth dinettes. I can change all that if we want to, that's easy. Adding Hydo-Hot not so easy.
Negotiating and paying for it
Saw the listing on Feb 16th, researched the price they are asking with others for sale and NADA. 79k was 4-5k too high I felt so when I called the salesmen I said I would come look at it for 75k. he said the best they can do is 77k, so I said I would come look at. Put a 1k deposit down, and told him I would be there Monday. Brad the salesmen was great to deal with, left us alone to do inspection. After two days of inspection I again offered 75k but they would not budge, oh well I tried. We finally found a winner and didn't want to walk away over 2k, they would have sold it that week anyway, it was that good of a coach. I don't think I paid too much, but I didn't get a great deal either. I paid a fair price for a great coach, and I am still fine with what I paid.
Didn't want a payment so we always want to pay cash and not finance and pay interest. Since we have to move fast to make sure this one did not get away, we did not have all the cash in had to pay it all right then. Would take 10 days to get it what we were short. Even though I really never researched RV loans too much because we were not going to use one, but it was quite easy to get. 4.9% I thought was high but dealer said he could not beet it and after a short internet search that was inline with others. Its ok, we will not have the loan long.
Called USAA the day I put a deposit down to see about a loan. They asked how much I want, asked how much I made and 5 min later said yes to a 14 year old rig. Now we have fantastic credit so I know that helps but it was so easy. They said just call back if we decide to purchase, so called them and gave them all the info about the Mountain Aire. After 15 min they said they are overnighting a check to the dealer. What, I got to stay here another night, why not just wire transfer? They do not do that, so one more night and we got to stay in the coach with hookups. It was a fun night, we owned a DP and all our research had paid off. We named her KOKOMO, and we both had a tear of joy in our eyes
The drive home
Overnight check came, finalized everything. They filled the 150 gallon diesel tank, filled the propane tank, gave us some t shirts, cups and sewer hoses. Loaded the car on a u haul dolly, and away we went. It was a nice dealership and I would do business with them again if the need arises.
Now the drive home, I have had nightmares of things going wrong. I mean anything can happen, even with all the inspection I have done and felt really confident she is road worthy, you just never know what might blow and stuck on the side of the road you are. It is 8 hours from home, but after the first hour of Gary driving and me watching gages like a hawk. I felt really good, and started to enjoy the drive. No problem on the way home, backed her in the drive way. Went in and go our dog, she loved it. Dog approval is very important, lol.
We have about 4k miles on her now. Just got back from a 2400 mile round trip to Charleston, SC and had such a great time doing what we wanted and staying where we wanted that I could just sell it all now and go. But going to fix a few thing around the house and sell next spring.
Cant tell you how good it feels to finally see our dreams coming true. After all the disappointing one we looked at, we learned from each one and know we have a coach we are going to be very comfortable full timing in. So for all the ones who are looking and researching right now, hang in there. You will find it and do your research, it is well worth the many hours I searched topics on the is forum.
Sorry such a long post, I could go on forever with stores of some of the coaches we went in and bad dealerships we dealt with. But its time to plan our next trip now, wash the coach, clean the inside, check all the fluids, inspect the undercharge, look at the roof, inspect the tires, check the Hydro-hot system, check the generator, test a few new gadgets out, and wait this is starting to sound like a lot of work. At least its fun!
Jen
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