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Old 05-10-2015, 05:42 PM   #15
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I read you whole post, and although very lengthy, reflects the exact feelings of my wife and me. We, too, are looking for a motorhome. (Moving up from a travel trailer.) However, we are on a budget so price and future maintenance/repairs have to be factored in. We have learned from our TT experiences large dealerships are worthless and only care about sales. We are focusing on a good used motorhome and will probably find a mechanic to look it over before we purchase. We'll also buy an extended warranty. (Something I would never do for a car.) Anyone have additional ideas would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know a reputable dealer in the Houston area, (or any part of Texas), that will provide high customer service after the sale, please post that as well. Thanks.
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Old 05-10-2015, 05:55 PM   #16
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We bought our 2015 Itasca Meridian new from Camping World in New Braunfels TX (outside San Antonio) in January. We have had a couple things not work but got them resolved and only spent a couple hours at CW in New Braunfels with appointments to get them fixed. We are very pleased with our sales person (Roz), the service and the dealership and we got a great deal.
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Old 05-10-2015, 07:11 PM   #17
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You make a very good point, but like many other things, different people see things in different manners.

Simply stated, in my case, I'm not looking at a motor home purchase as a financial investment, I'm looking at it as an investment in my lifestyle. Like just about everyone on this forum, I've worked for decades to get to the point where I am able to buy something of this magnitude. I look at houses the same way. The difference is, that depending on how long you've owned a house, you may get more back than you paid for it. Heck, I like my investments to go up in value and just about everything that has wheels depreciates quickly!

The point you made about buying one that someone else spent the time working out the bugs is exactly the point I'm attempting to make:

How many units does a manufacturer need to produce in order for it to learn how to make a model that leaves the factory without all the bugs and initial defects? How long will it take for the dealers to learn it needs more service bays and technicians in order to service the customers in a timely manner? Why is it that motor home owners seem to think this status quo is okay?

It seems that in this day and age, the motor home manufacturers would know how to produce models that leave the factory in excellent working order and not require a seemingly never ending punch list that takes many months to correct in order to make them work as advertised.

Maybe I'm living in a dream world...but I can dream, can't I?

The only thing about a moving house: What is tight and working now, may not be in 1000 miles.

The builders I listed have a service style I believe your looking for. Somebody willing to come to you and take care of the issue. At least that's what I've read about them. To be frank, they're out of my budget to get first hand knowledge.

Furthermore, their customers don't really post about the issues they do have.
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Old 05-10-2015, 09:14 PM   #18
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If it's the RV lifestyle you are really after, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get it. You can get that in a pretty nice coach for $300,000 to $500,000. A lot of people get the same lifestyle on a whole lot less. If you are after the most expensive coach on the market just because you can, that's a different story. Personally, I would not enjoy this lifestyle any more in a 1.5 to 2 million dollar motor home than I do my current coach that cost 1/5 as much. We have a dealer that takes care of our very few problems and we have the amenities that are important. We travel the same roads and stay in the same places that the luxury coaches do. Couldn't ask for more.
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Old 05-10-2015, 10:05 PM   #19
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2/3 year old fortravel , bought from factory in Texas .
Post delivery problems and recalls will have been sorted
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Old 05-10-2015, 10:08 PM   #20
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If it's the RV lifestyle you are really after, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get it. You can get that in a pretty nice coach for $300,000 to $500,000. A lot of people get the same lifestyle on a whole lot less. If you are after the most expensive coach on the market just because you can, that's a different story. Personally, I would not enjoy this lifestyle any more in a 1.5 to 2 million dollar motor home than I do my current coach that cost 1/5 as much. We have a dealer that takes care of our very few problems and we have the amenities that are important. We travel the same roads and stay in the same places that the luxury coaches do. Couldn't ask for more.
We both totally agree with your comments. We also have a dealer who takes care of our very few problems. We love our choice and couldn't ask for more!
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Old 05-10-2015, 11:43 PM   #21
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We upgraded to a Foretravel but went older than our previous SOB because my wife didn't like the glitz in the newer coaches. She just wanted something stable, not going to fall apart when you slam a door or hit a chug hole. We've found the older Foretravel very accommodating. I was at the factory three weeks ago to have some work done and was amazed how well kept some of these old rigs were yet looked brand new.

One couple tore out the whole rear of the 42ft coach and we're putting in a custom bedroom/office out of solid hickory. Lithium ion batteries etc. they will have a complete custom coach for a lot less money than some of the glitzy newer models. But of course you can do this with any older premium coach. Someone said that Foretravels don't wear out, they just get more expensive to fix. Hear hear on that
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Old 05-11-2015, 07:22 PM   #22
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Through our investigation of nearly a couple of years prior to our purchase ... One conclusion we came to regarding brand new units .... Seems the majority spend time in the shop after purchase ... as you say .. nothing is perfect. IMO it would seem the best investment would be to choose a select number of brands, from there find the model that meets you needs/wants, the find a 1 year old unit. Generally the major bugs have been worked out and you've got some performance history. And of course I would purchase from a private party .... It just seems this would be the best investment .....
Aloha Hal, Wondering why you state that "of course I would purchase from a private party"
My wife and I are about to get back into the full-time RV lifestyle and I've been researching available rigs online. What I'm seeing is that often private parties are unrealistically asking much more than some dealerships. e.g.. There is a 2013 Cornerstone with about 16k on it for sale in Oregon and he wants about $50k more than MHSRV is asking for a brand new 2015. I know it's one example and anecdotal but much more common than what I expected to find.
At the dealer you also get the 4-5 hour PDI, in this case a full 2 year warranty etc etc. Caveat emptor when buying anything of course but a dealer (especially the bigger ones) do have a business reason to look after the client. Private party not so much. Paperwork changes hands and adios amigo. Once bitten, twice very wary.

Appreciate any insights you may have that would help us avoid making too big of a mistake.
Thanks
Steve
previously 2006 Country Coach and an embarrassing number of over priced toys.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:53 PM   #23
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DON'T ASSUME -- We bought a brand new 2015 Itasca Meridian in January for a lot less than a used Meridian or even a new 2014. Got 28% off of MSRP plus the full warranty. It has only been in to CW twice for a total of 4 hours for repairs while we waited. Love our MH ! We are verrrry happy campers!!!
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Old 05-12-2015, 08:36 AM   #24
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It's encouraging to hear someone is satisfied with one of the big RV dealerships. Have actually been to that CW in New Braunfels, TX, to look at MHs. However, did see a one year old Coachmen Mirada 33' at PPL, also in New Braunfels. Got a good feeling about these people.

Here's another question for all you veteran MH owners - Water leaking testing. I'm thinking for any purchase I make I require paperwork of a water leak test having been done, recently. And, if there are signs of water damage, there be documents showing it's been fixed. Sounds like if you can get a handle on this area, you stay ahead of the curve for major repairs in the future.
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Old 05-12-2015, 08:51 AM   #25
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We sold our last Class A thru PPL in New Braunfels. Tell Roz that we sent you at CW in New Braunfels.
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