Hi everyone I was really hoping for some input and help as I am considering buying a '79 25' GM Aristocrat, fully loaded, generator, a/c, everything works, low kms, in good shape.
My buying limit is about 7500$ cnd, could probably score it for 6-6500$. I was originally looking at class C, but found this one near where I live.
Like I said everything works well drives good, mechanically looks ok, but the wood panels all around the front flat windshield is soft on the inside, I also see some Rot coming backwards in the ceiling coming back from the windshield. No other stains or rot found anywhere else on the rig.
I guess I was hoping for some opinions on whether I should just runaway or buy it and repair it, I have some experience with this but if I have to tear apart the whole front half of the rig I might be in over my head.
I'd have a mechanic go over it with a fine tooth comb. Wood and coverings can be easily fixed. I'd offer an RV mechanic to go as well. Lots of $$$ to repair/replace the the house components, i.e. H20 Pump, Fridge, A/C, 12V Converter goes bad...
6K is alot of $ to toss at a "Project". If you do, it will turn into a labor of love and a PITA...
Good luck and keep us posted...
If you are feeling handy, offer them 6K and see if they bite... It sounds like a leady widshield seal gone unattended for quite some time...
Its fixable...
Just be sure to check EVERYTHING!!! Smell the Tranny fluid. If it smells burnt... Its burnt... If its brown... Its burnt...
Check the engine oil... Is it sludgy???
How are the brakes?
Smooth Roads!!!
2006 Damon Challenger 372F Triton V10
2007 Ford Edge
Thanx for the reply, I'm a licensed mechanic in the trade right now so mechanically I'm not to worried about it, it's the "House Rot" that worries me.
Also I have a Camper that was on the back of my old 1 Ton that has very nice appliances in it that was written off in a car accident, so I have an extra stove, hot water tank, converter, fridge etc. Whether this stuff can be swapped...
Nothing wrong with buying an older coach as some are better built than current models, however based on your description of the wood rot etc., I would be very wary of buying it unless you're handy with doing a structural rebuild.
Hidden water damage in the structure would deter me from making that purchase.
Dean
95 CC Magna Jeep GC
(Vietnam Vets may be eligible for medical care and disability compensation. Contact the VA if you have prostate cancer or type 2 diabetes.)
They say you can only see 10% of water damage, the rest you find as you take it apart.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
Gale's price is much more accurate. You need to do some price shopping on Ebay and TraderOnline.com. Be patient in your search. I believe there are far better deals out there. Late 80s and some early 90s are going for under ten grand. Also be careful, if your budget is 7500, you also need to budget another $4K to $8K for repairs, and yes I do mean parts only. All those little mechanical parts add up quick. And guess what, on something that old, nearly all wear parts need to be replaced.
Thanx for the replies, I see by the replies that maybe I should look elsewhere, but I guess my point is I can only afford pre '85 or so motorhomes and in British Columbia it can be hard to find one that has NO ROT.
In my price range this one has everything including generator all in good working order, most class C's that I have found don't. It even has rooftop A/C that works...
I guess I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons, I don't want open up a can a worms as much as the other guy....
You guys are talking me out of it, the problem is I'm looking at a '84 Ford Class C that is more solid but has no Ac, generator, Hitch, storage....
Daveinet wrote: Gale's price is much more accurate. You need to do some price shopping on Ebay and TraderOnline.com. Be patient in your search. I believe there are far better deals out there. Late 80s and some early 90s are going for under ten grand. Also be careful, if your budget is 7500, you also need to budget another $4K to $8K for repairs, and yes I do mean parts only. All those little mechanical parts add up quick. And guess what, on something that old, nearly all wear parts need to be replaced.
I have done some searching but most of what I have found is the class C style, I cannot seem to find any of the smaller class A motorhomes anywhere. LOL Maybe I'm answering my own question....
I have found some class C's for under 10$ but none anywhere near where I live and will need to travel 15-30hrs to get it. Which can add up to another 1000$ or more travelling just to get it home.
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