Help me spend some money

[RELHUB]

Originally Posted by winniman

They asked for opinions, and I gave one. Whats wrong with that. 150k rv is a long way from a tent. For example https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used-r...o-bus_rv-43425

I agree you gave sound advice.

[Elousv]

I certainly appreciate the many decades of collective experience from the forum members. People always ask how much can you spend so that is why I put that number out there. If I find something for less, great. $250K is what I am willing to hand someone in exchange for their coach. It does not include the tax, title, registration, insurance, $600 fuel fills and $100/night resorts. I had budgeted $6K for tires but I would rather find one that already had that done recently. That Tiffin that winniman linked looks to have most of the things on our list including king bed, bath and 1/2, booth dinette, dishwasher, stacked washer/dryer, residential fridge etc. The main thing I don't like is the TV is on the 1/2 bath wall clear across the kitchen.

[winniman]

Originally Posted by Elousv

I certainly appreciate the many decades of collective experience from the forum members. People always ask how much can you spend so that is why I put that number out there. If I find something for less, great. $250K is what I am willing to hand someone in exchange for their coach. It does not include the tax, title, registration, insurance, $600 fuel fills and $100/night resorts. I had budgeted $6K for tires but I would rather find one that already had that done recently. That Tiffin that winniman linked looks to have most of the things on our list including king bed, bath and 1/2, booth dinette, dishwasher, stacked washer/dryer, residential fridge etc. The main thing I don't like is the TV is on the 1/2 bath wall clear across the kitchen.

The reason I suggested that is what I would do is because if you are having to get a used high quality rv at 250, it might put you in the 2015 ish range. The same well kept and maintained one four or five years older could be as nice or nicer, but has depreciated that much more. Unless buying new, a couple mores years old doesn’t mean it not just as good. Look for one garage kept with lower miles and top notch maintenance. They are out there. Someone might be in a situation where they need to move it, and are will to take a loss for quick sale. The fact you have cash puts you in the drivers seat. No need for bank approval. Ones older than 10 years old can be hard to finance. A ten year old , top end coach is not much different than a five year old one. With the saved money, you can buy a lot of upgrades and cover a few years of travel. Call me cheap, but bargains are out there if you keep an open mind to them. Good luck and happy trails.

[RI Expat]

Aside from all the good advice above, let me add one thing for your consideration. There is a RV, Airplane, and Boat broker near me that sells coaches that belong to various banks. The company goes through all the units and tends to any ills. The prices are at or below what you would pay a private seller and you get a little bit of expertise by the technicians at this company.

I'm sure there are similar "dealers" near you. You get to walk through multiple units at a single trip and you may get lucky and find the perfect deal for you. Kind of a blend of the private seller experience for price and a dealer experience for choice, future repair, and bartering with the bank/owner on your behalf.

[Elousv]

Great idea but there isn't diddly here in good old Idaho. It is the trailer capitol though. There are a couple dealers over in Spokane WA, but they have already managed to tick me off.

[caryt]

IMO $150k or less will get you a better coach than $250k will...get a 2002-2004 CC Magna or Affinity, best year's. Personal I'd rather have one than any later coach for $250k

[Gamaliel Kid]

Originally Posted by Elousv

We are a retired couple, seasoned travelers and have a relatively nice travel trailer. We are going to be on the receiving end of a substantial windfall. Looking at jumping into the DP pool. Willing to spend $250Kish. Leaning towards used( a few years) from private party. From visiting dealers and online research, have made a potential list; Newmar Dutch Star (or better), Forest River Berkshire XLT, Winnebago Grand Tour(no longer made), Itasca Ellipse Ultra ( also no longer made) American Dream, Entegra Anthem, Tiffin Allegro Bus. I consider Newell, Prevost and Foretravel out of reach. I see this list as the sweet spot of having all amenities and going further down the rabbit hole only yields diminishing returns. No brand loyalty. Willing to travel to get. This would be for fun with trips lasting a week to a couple months at a time for about 10-15 years. DW's main wants are usability while under way and continuous hot water. Mine are plenty of power, ease of setup and teardown and driving with two fingers. MH layouts are new to us and so far we have not found one that we love and plenty that don't make sense to us. Options seem very limited. I have read the entire "death spiral" series and agree that it seems that the people designing these things have never used one. Anyhow, what would ya'll buy if a quarter mil dropped on your lap?

I would look at new 2020 Newmar Ventana. You can buy one for the $250K if you pick the right equipment package and size. Another great option is the 2020 Newmar Kountry Star. Same solid wood cabinetry, engine, tranny, chassis and basic box as all Newmars - probably the best built DP in its price range. I have owned 6 coaches, 2 HR's and 4 Newmars - the last 4 all Newmars - I guess that tells you how I feel about them. You will not regret the Comfort Drive feature!

[saddlesore]

Foretravel/Newell/Prevost conversions..Just drop back in year models until you hit your budget.
I suggest using these guys..Top Drawer Company.
https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/#/...lt/all/all/all

[Mr_D]

Wish I had inherited something other then 3 years of phone calls and letters from collection agencies!
Parents gave away most of their money to my son over a 10 yr period and let him rack up $17,000 in credit card debt.
Anyway, buying an older, high quality rig makes sense to me. But stay away from anything with the Cummins ISX 650. I've spent $53,000 in 4 years on mine. The Country Coach I have is very well made and heavy as a result. But it will still be usable in 10 if not 20 years from now.

[vonkamp]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Foretravel/Newell/Prevost conversions..Just drop back in year models until you hit your budget.
I suggest using these guys..Top Drawer Company.
https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/#/...lt/all/all/all

I agree, 250k will get you a nice Foretravel...

[GCSuper]

250K will buy a lot of motorhome. I think y'all need to go to as many dealers as possible and look at floor plans first. Once you've decided on FP, then you can narrow your list down. Our favorite floor plan is the Newmar 4369. It's available in several model's and years. The Entegra 44w is similar. Tiffin also has similar, but the bed is on the wrong side for us.
The brand doesn't matter if you don't like the floor plan.

[ransil]

I love spending someone elses money.

Having already done alot of research myself in your price range. I think that is a good number to get a 2015 +/-. And it will last 10-15 years.

Entegra anthem is on my short list B model .

Floor plans you should go to the tampa RV show in January and check out as many as you can to get an idea what floor plan you like, newer stuff might not be exact but it will be close.

If you have time go do a factory tour (s) you wont be buying but it will give you an idea what you ate getting into.

[Dutch Star Don]

It just kills some on here for someone to spend more then THEY could afford to spend. Another person said he's spending his entire inheritance......he never said that, he said he's getting a windfall. Maybe he's getting a million bucks, but finds it prudent to just spend $250K on a good used coach.

ELOUSV......You're looking in a good range. I would look at Entegra, Newmar and Tiffin. A nice Entegra (don't know the lines well enough) Allegro Bus or Dutch Star. Since I have a Newmar, I know their prices a little better. You should be able to get a 2017 Dutch Star at that price. Staying in that year model, your transmission and engine will still be under factory warranty.

Start hitting some of the lots of the various brands and get a feel for the build and designs. You can download most brochures in the year model you're looking at to drill in on the features and specs.

[Prof_T]

We went through the same process. Had set a budget lower than yours. Found a low mileage well kept 06 Wanderlodge for substantially less than your budget that checked all our boxes. Deals are out there. Be patient and take your time. Good advice here. Good luck and keep us posted