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rvbunz · 04-21-2016, 01:52 PM

Looking at a 2003 Dutch Star 64k. Pretty good condition. New tires and batteries. Asking 79k, I asked bottom line and he said 62.5K. Any recommendations?

JC2 · 04-21-2016, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvbunz

Looking at a 2003 Dutch Star 64k. Pretty good condition. New tires and batteries. Asking 79k, I asked bottom line and he said 62.5K. Any recommendations?

I'm sure u might already know:

1. Call the day before and have everything running as much as possible, wh, ac(s) furnace, "RV Fridge"(Chk electric & lp, recall for fridge done, lights, tire age, hwh leveling jacks, air bags, leleling system, water leaks, generator hrs, engine maintenance records, condition of rubber boots over ball joints(early 2000-2008 +- had bad boots causing some ball joints to be affected=$2500-3000 to replace and realignment; you get the message. From your statement, the seller appears to have dropped the price by $16500? I would be very cautious.

dennis45 · 04-21-2016, 07:07 PM

Just as JC2 says, look it over well. If it checks out OK, the price is right. I would try to find the reason he is selling. For me that helps a lot, if you can get the real story.
I would certainly ask more than that for my 2003, 4006. Getting it might be another story.

P/S, check for a cracked exhaust manifold which is a common aliment with the ISC. Have the owner start it up cold while you stand at the rear with the engine lid open. If the manifold is cracked, you will hear it popping. No mistake.

Mr_D · 04-21-2016, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

Just as JC2 says, look it over well. If it checks out OK, the price is right. I would try to find the reason he is selling. For me that helps a lot, if you can get the real story.
I would certainly ask more than that for my 2003, 4006. Getting it might be another story.

P/S, check for a cracked exhaust manifold which is a common aliment with the ISC. Have the owner start it up cold while you stand at the rear with the engine lid open. If the manifold is cracked, you will hear it popping. No mistake.

We got $80,000 trade for our '02 DSDP 4090 with 45,000 miles on it or they gave us $60,000 trade and dropped the Magna price $20,000.
No troubles with the exhaust manifold even after I put the Banks kit on it.

Ramets · 04-22-2016, 03:56 AM

You didn't mention if it had a Cummins or a Cat engine. If a Cummins, then it's on a Spartan chassis and it may have rotted ball joint boots. Not sure if that problem was on the 2003's, but it was on earlier years. Anyway, I wouldn't let that stop me from getting it if everything else checked out. It's about a $3,000 fix, but that can be negotiated in the deal. I would want all maint. records just to satisfy myself that it was taken care of properly.