Ivylog wrote: Is the DP $30K or $35K??? How old are the tires? 135K miles is not much for the engine, but the rest of the unit has been well used in that many miles. Not trying to rain on your parade as a used DP is the only way to go, but's it's a buyer's market and some really good deals out there like a 06 40' Safari, full wall slide and almost every option except AquaHot, 10K miles for $55K. Came real close to buying but do not need two DP's although I could have made and easy $15k-20K on it. Keep looking.
Good points, I too would shop around a little more before you make your decision. Although 135K is low miles for the diesel engine itself, that is also alot of miles for the rest of the rig. Tranny, fuel pumps, altenators, etc can start to have problems around this time. It's also a 99, so the RV componets also have some hours on them. RV repairs are just not cheap. Now if you can't find anything else then maybe this RV will still be there for you, if not maybe it was a good thing.
Yes, the miles are the only thing that concerned me. The owner is very "Well to do" and just bought a Provost and has this thing serviced like a finely tuned watch. I'm at 35, he's at 39. We are very close on numbers. If it doesn't work out, there is another 99' Newmar local to me that is only being offered for 30k and it's got 35kmiles. Going to look at it tomorrow actually. 35k is my budget mainly because I don't want a note on it. So if I can't get it for 35, it's not an option for me right now. I think $35k can buy a lot of rig for the money, but I need to have it sooner than later, got some trips plans made already
turbo38sfi wrote: Yes, the miles are the only thing that concerned me. The owner is very "Well to do" and just bought a Provost and has this thing serviced like a finely tuned watch. I'm at 35, he's at 39. We are very close on numbers. If it doesn't work out, there is another 99' Newmar local to me that is only being offered for 30k and it's got 35kmiles. Going to look at it tomorrow actually. 35k is my budget mainly because I don't want a note on it. So if I can't get it for 35, it's not an option for me right now. I think $35k can buy a lot of rig for the money, but I need to have it sooner than later, got some trips plans made already
Why are you concerned about the miles? That engine is good for another 400,000 miles, if not more. As long as you know it has been properly serviced, I would not hesitate. I went from a '94 gas mid range unit into a '94 Foretravel DP. Was like night and day. I still marvel at the fit and finish of the Foretravel compared to what I had, and what I see at the RV shows.
turbo38sfi wrote: Yes, the miles are the only thing that concerned me. The owner is very "Well to do" and just bought a Provost and has this thing serviced like a finely tuned watch. I'm at 35, he's at 39. We are very close on numbers. If it doesn't work out, there is another 99' Newmar local to me that is only being offered for 30k and it's got 35kmiles. Going to look at it tomorrow actually. 35k is my budget mainly because I don't want a note on it. So if I can't get it for 35, it's not an option for me right now. I think $35k can buy a lot of rig for the money, but I need to have it sooner than later, got some trips plans made already
Why are you concerned about the miles? That engine is good for another 400,000 miles, if not more. As long as you know it has been properly serviced, I would not hesitate. I went from a '94 gas mid range unit into a '94 Foretravel DP. Was like night and day. I still marvel at the fit and finish of the Foretravel compared to what I had, and what I see at the RV shows.
135000 miles is a TON of miles on a RV and it indicates that the RV has been used to the extreme thats why a person should be concerned about high miles,.The engine will be fine its everything elses that will be worn or worn out
I had my heart set on a Newmar. I found a 37 Mountain Aire with a little less than 13,000 miles on it. I also found a 40 foot Newmar DP Mountain Aire with 11,000 miles on it. The DP was a year older, 07 vs an 06. The price difference was over $50,000. I just could not justify that much more money for 3 feet and a Cummins. I can buy a lot of gas for that amount of money and as I tend to trade RV every four of five years, the fact that the DP would still be just "broken in", really did not figure into the equation for me.
Larry
2007 Newmar 37 Mountain Aire, 05 Jeep Wrangler,lifted and chipped toad.
The comment that fuel pumps, transmisisons etc. would be going on the DP is a lot of baloney. I drove tour buses with Cummins and Allisons that had over 500,000 miles and we never had any problems like that. The w hole thing holds up very well.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
turbo38sfi wrote: Yes, the miles are the only thing that concerned me. The owner is very "Well to do" and just bought a Provost and has this thing serviced like a finely tuned watch. I'm at 35, he's at 39. We are very close on numbers. If it doesn't work out, there is another 99' Newmar local to me that is only being offered for 30k and it's got 35kmiles. Going to look at it tomorrow actually. 35k is my budget mainly because I don't want a note on it. So if I can't get it for 35, it's not an option for me right now. I think $35k can buy a lot of rig for the money, but I need to have it sooner than later, got some trips plans made already
99.9% of the battle with an older RV is how it was maintained. If this guy was the orginal owner and "serviced it like a finely tuned watch" well that's saying a lot.
You simple can not beleive the stuff I see while on the road. Right now, in this park, there is a Tour Master DP that get driven inland and parked all summer (outside.) Then in the fall they drive a car down, get the MH out of storage, and park it next to the gulf all winter and live in it. A low mile MH for sure, even a 300hp DP like everyone talks about on this forum (and how it will go 500K miles) but I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10 foot pole.
Best of luck, and safe travels.
On edit:
BTW, you might want to mention to the owner of the coach that most banks do not loan money very often on coaches that are over 10 years old. You're coming with cash.
I would buy the one that you feel that you will be most comfortable and happy with. I wouldn't concern myself with the resale value 5 or 6 years from now because there is no guarantee what the market will be at that time or in worse case scenario, you may not be here. Enjoy life now and worry about tomorrow when it comes. Motorhomes don't have an investment value like a stick and brick home. They are only worth what someone wants to pay for them.
Nathan and Linda
KF4GYL
2000 Winnebago Chieftain 35U Ford Triton V10 F53 Banks Power Pack
turbo38sfi - Your choice between a DP or front motored gas coach should be influenced by your use. If you are going to drive the coach a lot a DP is much more comfortable to drive.
We have close friends who have a 2003 Southwind with 70,000 miles on it. They bought it new. They have had very good luck with this coach and it is still in excellent condition. All of their systems have held up well.
Of the three choices you gave I would take the Southwind. 4 years newer. Only 17,000 miles.
That said I would not care to go back to a gas coach at this time. We like the luxury of riding in a DP. But I would keep looking and find a lower miles DP if you decide that is the type of coach you want.
A buddy of mine (ORG - Ole Retired Guy - like me) works part time at a large auto auction. They move 1500 - 1800 cars a week through there. He said that they had a beautiful 2006 class A gasser motorhome with low miles that looked brand new. He said that it went through the auction three weeks in a row because no one was buying or wanted a gasser motorhome. I figure that when the time comes for me to shed my old motorhome I'll just take it to the used auto parts yard and practically give it away, especially if gas prices keep climbing.
Nevertheless, I will enjoy it as much as I can between now and then.
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