Thor ACE - Yes or No

[Massparanoia]

Originally Posted by KniRee5

In the market for a new/used Thor ACE 32.3. What are your thoughts? Quality? Best dealers?

Buy the RV with the floor plan that you like the most, with the features you like the most, for the price you can afford. Otherwise they are all pretty much the same.

[Fogbelly]

I wouldn't buy anything that's says THOR on it.

[navychaps]

My sister has one she bought in 2014. I would not have it. She has already had to paint it and it has set in the shop for months on end due to defects. I have a 2003 Winnebago 33V that has given me less problems. It is sad that a manufacturer would allow their quality to go so low. And unless you are over 6 ft tall get a step stool for the bathroom as you will need it to sit on the throne.

[scbwr]

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

Buy the RV with the floor plan that you like the most, with the features you like the most, for the price you can afford. Otherwise they are all pretty much the same.

I can't say that I agree with that! In looking at rvs for about 30 years, there are differences in quality and construction.

Regarding floor plans, I can live with a few compromises if I know I'm purchasing a better quality rig and fortunately, my wife is very practical about this also. I can understand full timers being more selective as it their year round home.

My advice is to do a lot of looking and research and buy the best quality you can afford. After having our Bay Star (purchased used in 2018), I can appreciate the quality of the unit and I know that in terms of construction and materials, it is better than many other gas motorhomes on the market. Is it perfect? No. I'm not a fan of the wrapped cabinet frames but the solid wood doors are very nice. Like most rigs, the fake leather used on the captain' chairs started cracking, so I had the chairs upholstered last winter. But, the major components such as wall construction, slide out mechanisms, roof construction, etc. have been trouble free.

Based on my search for a gas motorhome, we narrowed our search down to rigs from Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago (not their very basic entry models) for our top choices. Would we have considered something else? Yes, but we wouldn't have bought a sup-par entry level rig just to have be new or newer. It makes far more sense to purchase a better quality rig used than fall for new bling.

But, that's my take on the issue. And, to answer the initial question of the OP, based on what I've seen when looking at Thor entry level products, I wouldn't purchase one.

[99dart]

Originally Posted by Fogbelly

I wouldn't buy anything that's says THOR on it.

I AGREE WHOLE HEARTEDLY!! We bought a 2016 Thor Quantum WS31 thinking it was our final motorhome going into retirement... NOT! What a pile!! We traded it in on an older Itasca Meridian 36M, 21 months later!

[djc290]

Traded a 2015 Thor Ace , Even price for a 2007 Coachman Encore DP Best day ever getting rid of that Thor fire trap. Way too much RV for a F53 Frame. Would never buy a Thor Product again. Found wire nut connections smoking on the Thor, filed a NHTSC complaint about that practice.

[znt1186]

Originally Posted by Fogbelly

I wouldn't buy anything that's says THOR on it.

Based on what? Personal experience or what you hear?

We are in our fourth motorhome. Two Winnies, a Tiffin and the current, Thor. We have loved them all, to a point. We had issues with them all at one time or another. The name of our RV depends on what is happening with it today. I have a variety of four letter terms of endearment to use from time to time.

Yes, Thor makes some cheap entry level models that they sell for cheap entry level prices. You get what you pay for. Thor also owns Entegra, Airstream and now, Tiffin. If you don't like the ACE, don't buy one. I probably would not buy one, but then I know what I like and what I can afford. If it fits your budget and your taste, roll with it. Just educate yourself and know what you are doing.

Just have to remember that lot of people got along fine with their Yugo and Gremlin autos back in the day. It doesn't matter what brand of motorhome you own, you are going to have to learn to do a lot of things yourself to fix it and keep it rolling or pull out the old check book or credit card to pay someone to fix it for you.

[swampdog2]

I had one ! Key Word 'HAD'