Zeroed in on the Motorcoach we want

[Rich-n-Linda]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

I would rent an RV first and make sure RVing is for you ...

ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY AGREE!!

The DW and I rented an Itasca Ellipse for a week before we made any buying decisions. While we did not like the Ellipse very much, we LOVED the lifestyle. It was the best 3 grand we ever spent.

[MarkofSJC]

I think all the advise offered is right on target. Here are some additional thoughts, depending on the direction you are leaning.

Is that particular model unique to this year? If not, there may be the previous year's model that a dealer is dying to unload. Look for them on Oodle.com, RVT.com and RVTrader.com, to name a few. Look nationally, as sometimes the savings can more than justify the travel.

I highly recommend renting, if possible. There are many direct-to-owner web sites that may allow you to "test vacation" in a coach similar if not identical to what you're considering. Then you can validate assumptions that may save you huge dollars "Do I really want a tag axial? Will 40' work, or do I need a 45"? Will XX size engine work for the areas I'm driving?, etc"

If your locked in on buying a '14 version of that coach, put together a list of all the options you "must" have on your coach and email it to any dealer representing that line ~ regardless of where they are. There are hungry dealers out there...one may have your 'dream coach' that they're eager to move. Personally, I think NADA is a bunch of BS on anything but a brand new coach...and I've heard of discounts below 30% off new, so either ask them to give "your best and final price" or roll the dice and set your own price to see if they'll meet it...but you may be leaving money on the table or "whoops, I forgot that one doesn't come with XX options"

I concur with the earlier comment on MotorHome Specialists...they've been amazing to deal with, yet zero pressure. HUGE inventory!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Mark

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by MarkofSJC

I think all the advise offered is right on target. Here are some additional thoughts, depending on the direction you are leaning.

Is that particular model unique to this year? If not, there may be the previous year's model that a dealer is dying to unload. Look for them on Oodle.com, RVT.com and RVTrader.com, to name a few. Look nationally, as sometimes the savings can more than justify the travel.

I highly recommend renting, if possible. There are many direct-to-owner web sites that may allow you to "test vacation" in a coach similar if not identical to what you're considering. Then you can validate assumptions that may save you huge dollars "Do I really want a tag axial? Will 40' work, or do I need a 45"? Will XX size engine work for the areas I'm driving?, etc"

If your locked in on buying a '14 version of that coach, put together a list of all the options you "must" have on your coach and email it to any dealer representing that line ~ regardless of where they are. There are hungry dealers out there...one may have your 'dream coach' that they're eager to move. Personally, I think NADA is a bunch of BS on anything but a brand new coach...and I've heard of discounts below 30% off new, so either ask them to give "your best and final price" or roll the dice and set your own price to see if they'll meet it...but you may be leaving money on the table or "whoops, I forgot that one doesn't come with XX options"

I concur with the earlier comment on MotorHome Specialists...they've been amazing to deal with, yet zero pressure. HUGE inventory!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Mark

I agree. I was in camping world last year while they were working on my coach. They had a 2012 and a 2013 tour sitting side by side. They were the same size same options pretty much identical coaches. There might have been a few differences but not many. The 2012 coach was 100,000.00 cheaper before you even started negotiations.

[akeyzoo]

$200K-$250K would buy a pretty amazing 3-5 year old coach, or $100K will buy a 5 YO Discovery. I am firmly in the camp of buying the best quality for the money, and like PLASMA800 said (and he has great taste! (hint, we own identical rigs)) the difference between a high end rig a few years old and a new good coach is palpable. Go to a lot that has some used high end coaches and be amazed for what your dollars get in comparison. Only concern with some of the truly high end rigs I have is that some have "gaudy" interiors with lots of mirrored and coffered ceilings that do not match my personal taste.

Oh, and DO rent a rig.

[tagcat]

We are heading to dallas ft worth to day.There is a m/h show the 9Th---12 in Ft worth(we will be there on the 9Th).This way we can see the new things they have.Also we will be going to motor home specialist in Alvarado just south of Ft worth.They have several nice low miles m/h we would like to see the floor plan.You can only see so much from the photos.
Our price range is still around $125,000---$150,000.There is a lot of nice newer coaches out there.The big problem is what one.
There is a nice 43' Tiffin Phaeton 2010 qbh with tag asking $174,500.00. Has 129000 miles never lived in just driven(is that to many miles,)a little over our budget ,but never know.This will be our home 9-10 months a year.We will drive up and look at it when we get back from Ft worth.
Anybody else going to the show in Ft worth.
For Us used is the only way we can go.
Tim

[Farmer Steve]

Think about where you want to go with the RV too. A 40' motorhome fits in way fewer places than a 30' does. From what I here, a lot of National parks won't allow a rig that big. Also, might need a CDL license someday for the rig. I've got one but no way would I take one of my tractor trailers on vacation! Just my opinion, it's worth what you paid for it.

[KSCRUDE]

Originally Posted by tagcat

We are heading to dallas ft worth to day.There is a m/h show the 9Th---12 in Ft worth(we will be there on the 9Th).This way we can see the new things they have.Also we will be going to motor home specialist in Alvarado just south of Ft worth.They have several nice low miles m/h we would like to see the floor plan.You can only see so much from the photos.
Our price range is still around $125,000---$150,000.There is a lot of nice newer coaches out there.The big problem is what one.
There is a nice 43' Tiffin Phaeton 2010 qbh with tag asking $174,500.00. Has 129000 miles never lived in just driven(is that to many miles,)a little over our budget ,but never know.This will be our home 9-10 months a year.We will drive up and look at it when we get back from Ft worth.
Anybody else going to the show in Ft worth.
For Us used is the only way we can go.
Tim

Thats way too many miles, for any used rig that I would buy. Most MHs of that vintage have way less miles. They had to live in it on the road, to put 129K on it in three short years. Look for a better deal. Probably said it was only drove to church on Sundays too.

[nbargolf]

+ 1 on look at the like new used units. you will get a lot more bang for the buck.

[aimhigh46]

We are still in fact-finding mode. I agree that the best thing might be to purchase a used...this is why we spent two days at the RV show here in San Antonio. We asked a lot of questions, and have definitely decided motorcoach. We will wait a couple of years and probably purchase a 2014 (or so) model. I have looked at the used ones 2-4 years old and I feel that when we do purchase, we will save a lot of $$$ by doing so. We have also come to the realization that there are many out there that impress us, and are confident we will find the right one for us when the time comes. Thanks again...I will continue to view this site everyday, and learn from you experienced folks.