Community Forums

riverhouse · 12-30-2009, 02:53 PM

In process of buying 2000 40' Alpine, I believe it is a FDS model. Can anyone give me advice on what to look for in the areas of concerns? Is this year also in need of the steering bracket upgrade! Coach is very clean and low miles....what would be a fair price. Thanks MIKE

Dave and Jaime · 12-30-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverhouse

In process of buying 2000 40' Alpine, I believe it is a FDS model. Can anyone give me advice on what to look for in the areas of concerns? Is this year also in need of the steering bracket upgrade! Coach is very clean and low miles....what would be a fair price. Thanks MIKE

That coach won't need the steering bracket upgrade. FDS would mean "Front Door [Single] Slide." Is that what you are getting? (FDTS would be a Front Door Triple Slide).

Hard to say what is a fair price, but I occasionally monitor ebay listings/sales of Alpines. For example, a 2003 40' FDTS recently went unsold for $99,000 -- meaning you could have bought it for no more than that.

Currently, there is a 2004 40' MDTS (Middle Door Triple Slide) on an ebay auction that ends in 1 hour with a high bid of $86,000. So clearly a 2000 should go for substantially less.

NADA online guides for that year/model show a range of $50-60,000. NADA tends to be a little on the high side (10+%), in my opinion, so that rig, in decent shape should be bought for no more than $45-50K in my estimation. Maybe a little more if there have been some upgrades/replacements made over the years (such as satellite, HDTV, new appliances, etc).

Keep in mind that regardless of mileage, if the tires have not been replaced they are overdue (that alone is a $3000+ cost). Check the date on the batteries. If you have to replace all of them, get ready for another $600-800 outlay.

Probably a good idea to have all fluids, belts changed too, unless someone can prove to you regular and recent maintenance. But, if you like the floor plan, everything else seems to work as it should, just set aside some $ for a complete "once over" and enjoy the best riding MH built and be glad that someone else took the depreciation hit. Buying a good used MH is a better value than new.

Dave and Jaime · 12-30-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverhouse

In process of buying 2000 40' Alpine, I believe it is a FDS model. Can anyone give me advice on what to look for in the areas of concerns? Is this year also in need of the steering bracket upgrade! Coach is very clean and low miles....what would be a fair price. Thanks MIKE

P.S. You might also PM kraig (on the Alpine Forum) who recently sold his 2000 Alpine to get a 2007 Alpine. He would probably be a good source for the fair market value of a 2000 Alpine.

EngineerMike · 12-30-2009, 05:27 PM

re: steering
The 2000 will have either a type1 or a type2 bracket holding the steering gear to the frame below the driver's seat and ahead of the FL wheel. Type1 has the front flange of the bracket facing forward, type2 has a front flange that faces rearward.
The type1 is the best bracket WRV made. However it suffers weld cracks that should eventually be repaired by grinding out the cracked weld plus a bit, then rewelding, and then adding a stiffener plate to reduce the stress on the weld ends where they start to crack. This is not a big deal, perhaps a $300-400 repair including repainting; finding a great welder is essential to getting a proper job as it is hard weld to do properly given the position and working room available. Coaches in the 75-90,000 mile range should get the repair IMO.

Jim A · 12-30-2009, 05:57 PM

Riverhouse,

Welcome to the forum! Sorry I can't help with the fair price. I haven't been in the market.

At a recent Alpine Socal rally in Newport Beach, Redlands Truck Service inspected the steering brackets on all of the coaches at the rally. If you want to get it checked by somebody, they have some experience in what to look for. I see you are in the So. Cal. area.

riverhouse · 12-30-2009, 06:01 PM

Thanks so much Dave and Jamie....yes front door single slide is correct. Around $45/50 is what I think too, its a bank short sale so all I have left to do is summit the offer. Again Thanks for the good info. MIKE

riverhouse · 12-30-2009, 06:04 PM

EngineerMike, I will take a close look at that bracket....Thanks

riverhouse · 12-30-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks Jim A....

Dave and Jaime · 12-31-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverhouse

Thanks so much Dave and Jamie....yes front door single slide is correct. Around $45/50 is what I think too, its a bank short sale so all I have left to do is summit the offer. Again Thanks for the good info. MIKE

Dealing with a bank is much better than a private party. They just want to unload an asset they never wanted in the first place and get it off the books. Private parties tend to be emotional and overvalue. Go low and stick to it with the bank. Good luck.