Community Forums

Notlad · 02-08-2016, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-JLD9

Ramets,

I really like PPL website and look at all the time. Their recently sold prices on 1999-2000 Dutch Star are closer to 30K and those rigs are 38-40 footers. So maybe that why they have had it since July, its to high.

Is the checking problem on the exterior just appearance problem or does it let water in? I don't know a lot about the exterior types and problem of the rigs out there. I usually crawl all over the powertrain and chassis when I look at MH. So I am going to do so research on this, thanks.

I looked at the pic of your 2000 Dutch Star and its pretty. I would not have know it was a 2000, looks a lot newer.

Thanks for the info,
Jen

That the dealer has had it for sale since July jumped out at me in your original post. That would make me suspicious that either there is an issue or issues with the coach or they are asking too much money for it.

After having it that long they should be a motivated seller! In addition to PPL have you checked on the other two major RV for sale sites to see what comparable coaches are going for?

Ludmilla · 02-09-2016, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-JLD9

Just looked at that thread in the Newmar owners forum. The pics are really cool to see them take the skin off and replace. I saw the pics of what the checking may look like and will be sure to pay attention to that when I look at the exterior.

I wonder if that is something I could use to negotiate the price lower if it has the checking problem? Or since it is 16 years old, that's just something that wouldn't move the price down a whole lot.

I would definitely take into consideration the amount of checking and determining if it will need to be repainted. When I purchased my coach, it had checking but it had not affected the clear coat so it was not a big deal. I thought if I waxed it and kept it out of the sun when not in use, it would remain as it is. I was wrong. The checking continued to get worse and in the dark areas, it was lifting the clear coat off. This is not good since it exposes the panels underneath to the elements. I could have had the areas that were lifting repainted for $3K but the issue was there was no guarantee that it would not happen again in 3 to 5 years.

I chose to have the sidewalls replaced at Newmar so I would not have to worry about the issue again. The coach is being repainted at the same time. Since this is a coach I intend to keep for many years, it was worth it to me, even though I will not recoup what I paid when I sell it.

You will need to consider this for any coach you purchase and negotiate a price accordingly.

G-JLD9 · 02-09-2016, 07:52 AM

The dealer called yesterday and said the person who looked at it Saturday did not buy it. So he said he would come down to 36K if I saw still interested. I told him I need to look at if befor I decide and maybe able to come up next week. But I see now that the ad has pending sale on it so I guess Im moving on to another one.

We looked at all the ones at the dealer near home and I just dont get why they dont clean these rigs up to show better. Most are dirty and need stuff repaired. They say once there is a contract to buy they clean it and fix stuff. But to me it should be at least clean from the start.

Next one we are going to look at this weekend is a 1997 Monaco Dynasty Baron. Im going to ask for info on the Monaco page. I do not know much about the features of the Monaco models or how they compair to a Dutch Star so I will be looking into that today.

Thanks everyone for your input,
Jen

barmcd · 02-09-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-JLD9

The dealer called yesterday and said the person who looked at it Saturday did not buy it. So he said he would come down to 36K if I saw still interested. I told him I need to look at if befor I decide and maybe able to come up next week. But I see now that the ad has pending sale on it so I guess Im moving on to another one.

We looked at all the ones at the dealer near home and I just dont get why they dont clean these rigs up to show better. Most are dirty and need stuff repaired. They say once there is a contract to buy they clean it and fix stuff. But to me it should be at least clean from the start.

Next one we are going to look at this weekend is a 1997 Monaco Dynasty Baron. Im going to ask for info on the Monaco page. I do not know much about the features of the Monaco models or how they compair to a Dutch Star so I will be looking into that today.

Thanks everyone for your input,
Jen

Me too. We gave up on dealers after a few trips to look at promising rigs that were just trash. We found a good unit from a private seller and got a three page list of maintenance items they had done over ten years of ownership. The coach was cleaned (you could see the carpets had just been cleaned), everything worked and maintenance was up to date.

Looking at privately owned coaches takes more work and you can usually only visit one or two a day instead of ten on a dealers lot, but we really ran into much better units. Hang in there, you'll find a good one at a decent price.

cvbdsl · 02-09-2016, 01:53 PM

[QUOTE=Ramets;2932247]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvbdsl

The one you are looking at does not have full body paint (I don't believe full body paint was even an option that year on a Dutch Star) so the checking should not be an issue.

I can only go by my personal experience. Our 2000 Dutch Star did have a checking problem.

Ok, don't want to get into an argument about it,

but your MH appears to have full body paint (or did you get it painted after?), the one in the listing has the gel coat.
I didn't think that the gel coat had the checking issue. Or does it apply to the gel coat finish as well? Just curious now.

Tks

Chris

holycow · 02-11-2016, 09:09 PM

Looks nice. Do check for rust and salt damage on the chassis. They use a lot of salt on their roads in that part of the country.

Mr_D · 02-12-2016, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnHenry

If you email the vin to Newmar, they can tell you just about everything about the coach.
BTW - The exhaust on the passenger side indicates its a Cummins engine. Same one I have.

We had a 2000 3865 with FL chassis and CAT 3126. The exhaust was on the passenger side as I remember.