New or Newer RV Purchase

[Sightseer33]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with CW. Just brought a 2011 new paid 65 percent of
Sticker. Looked for the same model and found no one who came with in ten thousand of their price and they exceed all others by ten thousand for our trade in. They worked with us all the way. We had a 2004 35u sightseer. We got a 2011 sightseer 33c The service and follow up has been great. And if you knew me you would know I have very high standards about service I except after a purchase of this size for me. I traded because of the paint on the 2004 was oxidizing and it was10 to 20 thousand to paint it Our old RV did not stay long enough on the lot to get listed. Very well maintained Being in fla a full paint job was a must. We did know this when we purchased our first. We are considering full time in this. I think you need to keep looking and price shopping. We had been shopping for more than a yr to get one we liked and got a fair offer on our trade. Never though we would was on the verge of paying 20 to get painted. Instead put that on our new one.

Cindy

[SteveLevin]

Find a nice motorhome, offer what you think it is worth, ignore the screaming/stamping feet/etc. and just say "do you want to sell or not?" And if not, move on to the next.

Right now on used 20% back of low NADA (no options added) is where you should be buying. Maybe closer to low NADA if it's a superlative coach. No more than that.

Steve

[vincee]

Hi guys! Thanks for all of the insight and great suggestions as my DW and I continue our quest to upgrade our motor home.
C-Leigh, would that be a horse race at Batavia Downs race track and casino? Should be beautiful around here at that time of the year. By the way, there is a real nice state park about 25-30 miles north of Batavia on the shore of Lake Ontario called Lakeside State Park. Many water front sites and they even have a seperate loop for campers with dogs, and there are boundry lines of where fido can/cannot go.

Popcorn Man, what resource did you use shopping Florida used rigs, other that the internet in general? You know, like RV Trader or I believe this site and just about every site that deals with RV's has a link to used RV's, not to forget Craigslist.

My own thread of asking the question "Has High Gas Prices" delayed or cancelled anyone's plans of getting a different RV has sort of gotton high jacked by our search to upgrade our rig, again, much appreciated suggestions, not to be dis-mayed by the cost of fuel ruining our enjoyment.

[vito.a]

I'm told that the wholesale RV market has dropped because of the gas price increase. Some coaches are only getting 50% of wholesale at the auctions.

[Popcorn Man]

Vinee, Used RV.net to buy RV and sold Trailer on RVOline. I was in Florida in 2010 on winter vacation. I was in the market to buy so was on line to see what was avaliable. Traveled around to view area RV's for sale. Found 2008 Tiffin TGA 34 in excellent condition. It was being sold by a widow who's husband had passed away suddenly a few months before. Bought it drove it to my condo. Did some housekeeping, washed it up and then drove it 1200 miles home. I hadn't driven anything that big since as a young teacher I drove a school bus. DW trailed me with our car. Camped twice on way home it was quiet an adventure. In my opinion buying used is the way to go. Just make sure you or a friend have the knowledge to do a good inspection of the RV.

[TXiceman]

Asking and getting a price are two different issues. Honestly, used RVs are selling for low NADA retail or lower. So do not be afraid to make a lower offer on any RV.

Ken

[JimM68]

You can see a lot on the websites of the big dealers. Just remember the difference.... Lazydays is a full service dealer and has huge service facilities. PPl is a consignment center. Very different.

[summer_reeh]

shop around and do your homework!! the internet was our best friend in purchasing a brand new (2011) diesel mh recently. Yes, we had to travel to pick it up but for a price that no one could even touch and with all the same options (fully loaded) it was beyond worth it.

[Smitty77]

We went thru this about two years ago, pulling up our replacement RV by about two-three years, due to the great prices on high end used rigs. Figured it would give us time to dial it into be 'our coach', and we also felt we were getting close to double the quality of coach while remaining within out budget.

You both have experience with RV's, as we did too. Suggest:
-Make an Excel spread sheet of 'Must Have's' and 'Like to Have's. Consider what is important to both of you:
Inside:
-Layout
-Space
-Galley
-Cosmetic looks
-Slides
-Sleeping space
-Storage
-Etc.

Outside/Mechanical:
-DP or Gas
-Side Radiator or not
-Tag or not
-Slide out tray storage or not
-Jake Compression Brake or Pac Brake
-Aqua/Hydro Hot or not
-AC/Heat/Pumps Ducted or not
-Chassis
-CCC (a real focus if ever considering extended travels)
-Etc.

We came up with a weighted grading scale of 1 to 5, default being 1, but if something was real important to us, we could award up to a 5.

We then narrowed down our Manufacturers to two-three, with a sub set of two-three models.

For us, as we hope this is a rig for the next 20+ years, we really strive'd for quality. My slogan was to: 'Drop years to remain in budget, while still obtaining the highest quality rig that we could.' Quality lasts.

For us (key word here is 'us', as everyone has different needs), we came up with a Tier 1 and Tier 2 group. All DP.

Tier1:
Foretravel
-U295 to U320
Country Coach
-Allure, Intrigue, Magna
Travel Supreme
-Both of their models

Tier2:
Alpine
-Liked their rigs, Peak chassis, but not the brakes
American Coach
-Really a Tier1 quality, but we found very few models interiors we liked
Newmar
-Mountain Aire
Monaco
-Dynasty or above (and the equivalent Beaver, Holiday Rambler models)
Rexhall
-Probably the safest coach frame on the road. Good bang for the buck
Tripple E
-Only one DP model

Now, to round things out, we did look at Birds/Wanderlodges, Older Beavers before Monaco 'blended them' into their line up (Patriot, Marquis -Very nice coaches, well built, most had the Big Cat.) So, we kept and eye our for most of these too. A 'Must Have' for the wife was a Big Galley, and less glitz... So, many of these coaches were not in the running. (Beavers had the Galley Size OK, but so much glitz that she would not go for them. The Patriot Thunder was very close, but did not find a clean rig during our search.)

We budgeted travel and independent inspections, oil analysis into our search. We also retained a budget bucket to 'baseline' maintenance any item in question. Oil/Lube/Filter/Belts/Hoses/Tires/Battery etc.

I then made contact with Steve Wilson, Holland Motor Homes in San Diego. And California Coaches, Steve (?? forget last name). Both of these gents came highly recommended from many different board members, here and other boards. These professionals hear about coaches coming in on trade in, or consignment, before they ever are advertised. Our Country Coach Allure, was coming in on Consignment at Holland Motor Homes, and Steve called me and I got to crawl thru/under/over the rig the very first day it came in. Not even prepped for show yet. We had a deal worked out within a week. I suspect that 'the good ones' move like this, before they ever get advertised.

I mention all of this, as you sound like you are looking for a 'keeper' rig... Great prices (forget CW's 'asking price' - and understand that they are marketing to a different kind of buyer...).

If any of this helps, great, if not - no worries. Just wanted to share what worked well for us.

Best of luck on your search, have fun, and do take your time and 'get it right' - these things are expensive!
Smitty

[vincee]

Smitty77, great post! and timely at that. Presently the DW and I are suspending our new/newer motor home search for that reason you laid in a very organized manner. We just can not come to an agreement on wants and needs. DW is very attached to our Allegro and uses that as a bench mark to moving on. Case in point, north/south bed layout (no slide). I can not get it past her that having a slide bedroom is going to be 99% east/west and the benefit of the added length to the living area of the coach. Of course being the guy I look at roof material, mechanical, and the outside as much as inside. What "I" decided to do was sell our Allegro outright first. This way I feel we will be much more free to shop the country, or at least up and down the east coast unencumbered from having to trade-in. Thanks for the tips, will keep them in mind if and when we move forward.

[Smitty77]

Vincee - One common thread of advise read over and over again on many many boards... KEEP MOM HAPPY!

One old timer once told me: 'I can live without a Big Block, I want one, but I can live without it. I can not live in a sardine can with a DW that is not happy!'

Actually, she may have save you some money. Some great one slide (no bedroom slide) high end coaches - and they usually get hit on cost due to having only one slide!! We looked at a great Foretravel U295 (may have been a U270, time blurs) with one large and deep (Not all slides are as deep.) - it had the big block Cummins of that era, and at 38' - it could climb the side of a building!

Again, best of luck - and have some fun along the way!
Smitty

[powellrv]

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Vincee - One common thread of advise read over and over again on many many boards... KEEP MOM HAPPY!

One old timer once told me: 'I can live without a Big Block, I want one, but I can live without it. I can not live in a sardine can with a DW that is not happy!'

Actually, she may have save you some money. Some great one slide (no bedroom slide) high end coaches - and they usually get hit on cost due to having only one slide!! We looked at a great Foretravel U295 (may have been a U270, time blurs) with one large and deep (Not all slides are as deep.) - it had the big block Cummins of that era, and at 38' - it could climb the side of a building!

Again, best of luck - and have some fun along the way!
Smitty

That's a truth you can take church. If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

[jabfado]

An Arizona, Florida, California, New Mexico, Texas are the places to purchase R.V. due to the great weather...Arizona being the best for that is where our Military Aircraft are stored due to the rust prevention from the great weather...

I bought my coach from a private party in California and there is no rust on my 2003 Winnebago Sightseer, and yes, I crawled underneath it, over it and around it. Any State that has snow and ice on the roads will also have salt and calcium chloride on the same roads to melt the ice and snow....not good for any R.V.

[xctraveler]

Originally Posted by vincee

Smitty77, great post! and timely at that. Presently the DW and I are suspending our new/newer motor home search for that reason you laid in a very organized manner. We just can not come to an agreement on wants and needs. DW is very attached to our Allegro and uses that as a bench mark to moving on. Case in point, north/south bed layout (no slide). I can not get it past her that having a slide bedroom is going to be 99% east/west and the benefit of the added length to the living area of the coach. Of course being the guy I look at roof material, mechanical, and the outside as much as inside. What "I" decided to do was sell our Allegro outright first. This way I feel we will be much more free to shop the country, or at least up and down the east coast unencumbered from having to trade-in. Thanks for the tips, will keep them in mind if and when we move forward.

What others have said. DW was "The Decider" when it came time to upgrade and in the final choice. I wanted to upgrade to diesel, but had to wait until she agreed the interior needed to be completely redone - 8 years and roughly 50% time on board plus trip to Alaska. I got to pick chassis and airhorns she got to pick floor plan. She did end up with dining table and chairs and W/D which were not on her list but . . . she decided.