Community Forums

aliciah0608 · 10-04-2011, 01:15 PM

I am new to this forum and seeking some advice on a motorhome purchase. We have never purchased a class A and are becoming overwhelmed with decision making. We recently purchased a review from this JR's Reviews to try and get some insight on what to look for. We noticed that the Tiffin brand was a good choice. It is fairly reasonable in price. We test drove the 2011 Allegro Breeze 32BR diesel and fell in love with the ride and the idea of 13-15 MPG fuel economy. The one thing that I feel like I would regret later in this decision is the tight space in the bedroom and the small kitchen, and the slide-out that is taking up most of the awning space. We were made a good offer of $129,000 of the $169,000 list price. What a deal for a new diesel! Our second choice is the 2012 Tiffin Allegro 32CA and a 2011 Tiffin Allegro 34TGA. We were made an offer of $98,000 on the 32CA and $96,000 on the 34TGA. Both I think are good offers. We also looked at a 2011 Fleetwood Southwind that was used one time and has only 3400 miles on it for $87,000 wholesale book price. I know that the Allegro is probably the better choice but still torn on the diesel. I think this Allegro Breeze is probably the least expensive diesel that I have seen. I guess what I am wondering is will I regret the decision later because of the smaller bedroom, kitchen and no tray on passenger side? I know that the diesel will have a better resale value too. But we are down to deciding a $200 a month in a payment. We would like to stay within a budget of that $129,000 if we went diesel and don't think we could get better prices on new rv's with the offers that we got. Anyone else out there have any good advice that they could give me that could give me a more clearer insight on our decision?

wildtoad · 10-04-2011, 01:27 PM

First things first... Make sure you like the floorplan and by you I mean your wife. Nothing is worse than finding out after the sale that y'all really don't like the floorplan, can't use the space under the awning, and so on. Second thing is reread the first thing. Good mileage will not outweigh too small bathroom or unworkable kitchen.

Good luck

DrScott · 10-04-2011, 01:31 PM

You will be living in it, if only on vacation. We considered floorplan, space, layout, etc over other issues. We looked at what was most important to us based on our comforts and lifestyle. We did not want to regret our decision with every trip so were sure to be happy with our living space first. We have never put resale issues at the top of our consideration list. It is in there but we don't go into the deal thinking about getting out, we go in thinking about our enjoyment of the RV, then tweek the decision with the other factors, like resale issues.

Further, will you be driving more or stopping and enjoying more?? which aspects of the trip(s) matter most?

Does that help???

VSPA · 10-04-2011, 01:41 PM

Welcome to the forum. Think you are in the right ball park on looking at Tiffins.

Of the three RVs we've had the last two were used and the final one purchased is Tiffin Allegro Bay. Even though gas powered we have been very happy with the unit, the quality and Tiffin's customer service even though we bought a used unit. Will more than likely go with a Tiffin DP next time and I have found the Tiffin Archive site helpful when looking at different years and floor plans. Archive Brochures | Tiffin Motorhomes.

Frantz · 10-04-2011, 01:53 PM

Keep looking.....floor plan is the #1 consideration! You will regret getting a floorplan that is just workable. Look for one that feels like home when you walk in & sit down.
There are many bargains out there. We did not limit ourselves to a certain manufacturer, although some were not top-of-list, but DID make a list of "deal killers" and never wavered from that. For us our must haves were 2 toilets, good kitchen, usable bedroom, budget. We found ours sooner than we had ever hoped and are completely happy with the results.
I know it is "up for discussion" but we are VERY happy with our "orphan" National RV which we bought new at the $$$ you are looking at.

dsbike · 10-04-2011, 01:57 PM

Food for thought.....My parents are full timers, in a permanet TT for 4 months & a Class A for the rest of the year. They bought thier current class A about 5 years ago & mostly because of the great condition, & the drive train. Since that time when they come and park in my driveway for 3 months out of the year I would bet I hear about how my mom dislikes the floor plan 60 out of 90 days. My dad has gone and looked at new to them used class A's but my mom doesn't want to make any more payments. A smart move since they may not be traveling for much longer due to age. Just saying FLOOR PLAN is a big consideration. If you are like most , not all, but most people you will be setup more than traveling down the road. The decision is yours & only the 2 of you know whats best for you. But keep the DW happy is my motto!!!

aliciah0608 · 10-04-2011, 01:57 PM

That is the tough part too is determining how often we would use it. We are not retired so time is a factor. We are self employed but have a three day weekend. I think that we would take the time if we had the motorhome that we were happy with.

aliciah0608 · 10-04-2011, 02:01 PM

Thanks for your reply! I too, am a Mustang lover! My last one was a 1991 Mustang GT convertible and I want to kick myself in the butt everytime I think about trading it out for a 4Runner for my daughter because when she was sixteen she thought the mustang was too old! Now that she's 22, she wishes that I had kept it. 4Runner drank too much gas...Imagine that.

Afubar · 10-04-2011, 02:21 PM

I bought a 38 foot 1996 Newmar Mountain Aire just this past April, the deciding factor? The layout. I didn't want anything this big, thought that a 35 footer was as long as I wanted to go. After owning an older 24 foot Winnie that was an absolute bear to drive, would leave me white knuckled when semis passed, thought I wouldn't be able to handle anything as big as this. Wrong! It drives like a dream, but it was the layout that kept me going back to look time and again. It felt good, felt like it was home.

Find the layout that speaks to you and the wife, then any decision you make won't be the wrong one.

Good Luck
Kaye

Skip426 · 10-04-2011, 02:28 PM

I'll wish you all the luck in the world; trying to get the right RV on your first time, is a true challenge. Something to add to the advice you've gotten so far.
Kick the salesman out, sit in the coach, move to every seat in the coach, every seat including the head; one friend found out she couldn't close the door while sitting. Run the slide(s) in and walk through the coach.Both of you lay on the bed, imagine walking through in the dark. Can you get things in and out of the fridge? I've seen a 4 slide unit where all 4 slides had to be out to load the fridge; not something that works if your buying groceries enroute.
Again good luck , DW and I went through 4 ,5ths before we got the one, and hope our first "A" is the one to keep.

VSPA · 10-04-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliciah0608

Thanks for your reply! I too, am a Mustang lover! My last one was a 1991 Mustang GT convertible and I want to kick myself in the butt everytime I think about trading it out for a 4Runner for my daughter because when she was sixteen she thought the mustang was too old! Now that she's 22, she wishes that I had kept it. 4Runner drank too much gas...Imagine that.

Loved the Fox body styles. DW says that the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. She right, I went through two convertibles, an '01 LX and an '03 GT before I settled back down and got an F-150.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliciah0608

.....We are self employed but have a three day weekend. I think that we would take the time if we had the motorhome that we were happy with.

Even though I stated above that if there is another one the horizon I'd like to go DP, there is still a definate cost break on gas vs diesel that I will have to look at again. Currently, my use does not justify the extra cost of purchase or upkeep of a DP. Even though my gasser will pull a trailer, the primary idea on a DP and the extra power as I want to start trailering the '65 Mustang to out of town car shows. I read an article some time back that it takes between 10 to 15 years to recoupe the extra cost in fuel savings you get with diesel over gas if you are a casual low mileage RVer. Units in the same quality and age range as the one I bought were 25k more than what I paid when I got mine.

jfran304 · 10-04-2011, 02:40 PM

Like everybody says the floorplan is the main thing you should consider. If the wife isn't happy you won't be.

Another thing to consider is the slideouts and what they contain. The heavier the items (like a refrigerator) the more likely you will have problems with them.

Check out the blog by Paul and Nina: Wheeling It | Living the RV Dream with 12 Paws, 40 Feet and the Open Road

Now for the off topic subject of Mustangs: I have a 1973 Mustang Convertible with a 351 Cleveland 2V that I purchased new. When our son turned 16 I made the mistake of letting him have it. After he trashed it I took it back and let him pick out what he wanted and I took the Mustang and restored it. Now that he is older he realizes his mistake.

dajudge · 10-04-2011, 02:44 PM

I will also tell you not to buy the smaller floor plan if you have some doubts. Like he said,kick the salesman out, and imagine you are camping. Try everything on for size.
I thought I wanted a smaller floor planwhen I bought my last one, but I found a 2006 pre owned Allegro Bay 35 ft with only 12k miles. I went from diesel to gas and don't regret it.

fansill · 10-04-2011, 03:05 PM

In real estate its.."location, location, location..." . In RV language that means "floorplan, floorplan, floorplan...". We purchased our pre-enjoyed Revolution in April of this year and I still say "AHHHHHH" every single time I come in the door. Keep looking until you get that same feeling and it will be worth the wait.

Good Luck!

Faith