The hardest part is finding your new home!

[1gooddogandme]

So I posted a few weeks ago and have come far in planning for my departure which will be July 1st," if the creek don't rise". I need your help, feedback and possibly a cuddle...my head is absolutely boggled trying to find the right rig. I will be on a limited income and will have a payment and have been looking at used Pleasure Ways and/or Roadtrek simply because of the reliability but the cost of these is often prohibitive, even with high miles.
I have stumbled upon a 1994 Intervac Falcon, 80,000 miles and clean, clean, clean. I have seen these listed between 3500.00 to 19,500.00; prices really fluctuate. This is at a dealership and asking price is 22,900.00 and I'm panicking thinking they'll sell it BEFORE I GET IT. This is never a good state of mind to make a deal so any help you guys can offer would be great. Thanks!

 

[SoulRaven]

First of all, what I have always found to be true is that if you wait and it gets away, it was never meant to be and something better eventually comes along.

I wouldn't pay 22,900 for it realizing all the possible issues unless I had a generous fund for doing replacement and repairs, but are there maintenance records at least and how many owners have there been concentrating on how long the last owner kept it. RV systems are so expensive to replace. A/C, frig, furnace, water heater, I take it that it is fully loaded with these items.

A dealer has an "asking" price. If I were interested, I would negotiate starting at about 75% of that price. Write down how much you would like to pay on a piece of paper and keep looking at it during the negotiations. Dealers will try to put a lot of pressure on you, I just tell them "If it gets away, it wasn't meant to be mine."

You'll want to assure ALL systems on the RV portion are in working order and also, if you aren't experienced with the engine end of it, I would have someone look at that. Oh, and keep in mind that tires cost a small fortune, maybe they would throw in a new set! Tires over 6 or 7 years should really be replaced even if the mileage has been low and the unit just sitting. Just sitting with low mileage isn't a plus.

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

...Tires over 6 or 7 years should really be replaced even if the mileage has been low and the unit just sitting.  Just sitting with low mileage isn't a plus.

This can not be over-emphasized enough ---rv tires have an expected lifespan of 5-7 years, regardless of mileage; ... add in any/all deterioration and damage the tires may have accumulated over those years AND from just sitting in the sun not being driven and you have a situation where the tires WILL fail  (just a matter of how soon)

 

[hepcat]

The Falcon was a well-built unit. Hopefully it's on the e-250 HD chassis rather than the e-350. That it's a pre-'97 is a plus if it has the 351W rather than the 460. The 460 in the e-350 chassis will get you 8mpg. The 351 will get between 11 and 15 depending on wind conditions and terrain.

Make sure all of the mechanicals are sound. It's a 23 year old coach, so it should have recent shocks, belts, hoses, tune-up, brakes, brake lines... perhaps calipers and rotors. Make sure the tires are recent... check the DOT date codes. Any of those things found lacking are a deduction and negotiating point. Either the dealership can do them, or discount it so you can. Check the transmission fluid to make sure it's a nice clear red... not dark or thick, or that it smells burned.

The camper's systems and appliances are all aftermarket and off-the-shelf. Replacements are readily available at any RV store and from Amazon for most of them. Make sure that there aren't any long-term leaks in the windows/through hulls. Have the dealership demonstrate all of the systems... especially the refrigerator as it can cost upwards of $1200 to replace. Check the sliding RV window tracks and make sure they're clean and free of debris. If the weep holes on the outside are plugged, water will over-flow into the coach.

Generators. I have an Onan 2800 in my Coachmen (see the link below) that I now have about $2k into. Cummins/Onan is the only place you can get parts, and their shop rates (at least here) are $135/hr. Make sure the generator starts easily and runs well. If it only has a few hours on it, it's less likely to work well after 23 years. A few hundred hours on the genset is a good sign (provided it's been maintained.)

Ask for maintenance records. A dealership may not have them, but then again they may. At $23k they're not going to have a lot of action on it... if you can get them down under $18k you may have a good buy on your hands.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[cyndi]

Check the NADA for a ballpark value.
http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/Motorhomes
If nothing else it will give you a place to begin negotiations.
Off the top of my head, $22,000 sounds high for a 23 year old vehiçle. And if you're on a limited income that's going to be a big payment. That's if you can find someone to finance a vehicle that old.

 

[OutdoorFT]

For any unit or vehicle, that is mighty high for its age. Being a stealership, I doubt theyd haggle to a reasonable price for that age unit. Ive been wrong before. But, if youre willing to spend that much, you can probably get a little more for your money.

 

[Bast]

Have you looked on ebay. They do have a "Let's Us Go Look" program that will evaluate the unit for you before you buy. I have no idea if they are any good (perhaps somebody else does) I have been very tempted by some of the units I've seen.

 

[1gooddogandme]

First of all, what I have always found to be true is that if you wait and it gets away, it was never meant to be and something better eventually comes along.

I wouldn't pay 22,900 for it realizing all the possible issues unless I had a generous fund for doing replacement and repairs, but are there maintenance records at least and how many owners have there been concentrating on how long the last owner kept it.  RV systems are so expensive to replace.  A/C, frig, furnace, water heater, I take it that it is fully loaded with these items.  

A dealer has an "asking" price.  If I were interested, I would negotiate starting at about 75% of that price.  Write down how much you would like to pay on a piece of paper and keep looking at it during the negotiations.  Dealers will try to put a lot of pressure on you, I just tell them "If it gets away, it wasn't meant to be mine."  

You'll want to assure ALL systems on the RV portion are in working order and also, if you aren't experienced with the engine end of it, I would have someone look at that.  Oh, and keep in mind that tires cost a small fortune, maybe they would throw in a new set!  Tires over 6 or 7 years should really be replaced even if the mileage has been low and the unit just sitting.  Just sitting with low mileage isn't a plus.

All good information, thanks for the reply. I am not a mechanic nor do I want to be and I have only a small stash of money but even 18,000 sounds better financed (smaller payment) than 40,000 which a cheap, newer, class B goes for. Given the fact that they probably gave the guy (or girl) 3500-6000 on a trade in, I agree they are way over a reasonable figure. My thought was to offer them 7000.00 less but have their service dpt. do any updates, tires etc. (solar and such as well)

 

[1gooddogandme]

Have you looked on ebay. They do have a "Let's Us Go Look" program that will evaluate the unit for you before you buy. I have no idea if they are any good (perhaps somebody else does) I have been very tempted by some of the units I've seen.

That's really good info. Didn't even know that was available; I thought I would just have a local Ford guy go over and check it out which probably would tick off the dealership. I'll check ebay..thanks

 

[[email protected]]

1gooddogandme, NADA average retail on the 17' model is $5800 and $6200 on the 19 foot model. There appear to be several floor plans and options available, but you would be extremely lucky to find financing on even half of their asking price. If they carry their own loan you will be paying a high interest and an inflated price. The unit would need to be low enough in price that you could do a cash purchase to make it work. Otherwise you would be getting ripped off. I think on these class b units that the asking price have little or nothing to do with their actual asset value. I wish you good luck in your search. Jeff

 

[1gooddogandme]

For any unit or vehicle, that is mighty high for its age. Being a stealership, I doubt theyd haggle to a reasonable price for that age unit. Ive been wrong before. But, if youre willing to spend that much, you can probably get a little more for your money.

If I had cash I'd do much better with that amount but I have to finance. It's frustrating that these units are selling so fast right now. That's why I'm in panic mode..I look at one then the next time I look, it's been sold.

 

[[email protected]]

1gooddogandme
If I had cash I'd do much better with that amount but I have to finance. It's frustrating that these units are selling so fast right now. That's why I'm in panic mode..I look at one then the next time I look, it's been sold.

You might look at PPL or RV Traders as I think you can find a model new enough for the same price and one you can get financing on. Those two are nation wide and they can assist with the loan, Jeff

 

[1gooddogandme]

1gooddogandme,  NADA average retail on the 17' model is $5800 and $6200 on the 19 foot model. There appear to be several floor plans and options available, but you would be extremely lucky to find financing on even half of their asking price. If they carry their own loan you will be paying a high interest and an inflated price. The unit would need to be low enough in price that you could do a cash purchase to make it work. Otherwise you would be getting ripped off.  I think on these class b units that the asking price have little or nothing to do with their actual asset value. I wish you good luck in your search. Jeff

Yeah, I know. My bubble is quickly being burst. The newer "b's" with the same mileage are selling for double that and more.

 

[1gooddogandme]

1gooddogandme
If I had cash I'd do much better with that amount but I have to finance. It's frustrating that these units are selling so fast right now. That's why I'm in panic mode..I look at one then the next time I look, it's been sold.

You might look at PPL or RV Traders as I think you can find a model new enough for the same price and one you can get financing on. Those two are nation wide and they can assist with the loan, Jeff

I look at RVtraders all the time but didn't know they help with loans. What is ppl?

 

[1gooddogandme]

The Falcon was a well-built unit.  Hopefully it's on the e-250 HD chassis rather than the e-350.  That it's a pre-'97 is a plus if it has the 351W rather than the 460.  The 460 in the e-350 chassis will get you 8mpg.  The 351 will get between 11 and 15 depending on wind conditions and terrain.  

Make sure all of the mechanicals are sound.  It's a 23 year old coach, so it should have recent shocks, belts, hoses, tune-up, brakes, brake lines... perhaps calipers and rotors.  Make sure the tires are recent... check the DOT date codes.  Any of those things found lacking are a deduction and negotiating point.  Either the dealership can do them, or discount it so you can.  Check the transmission fluid to make sure it's a nice clear red... not dark or thick, or that it smells burned.

The camper's systems and appliances are all aftermarket and off-the-shelf.  Replacements are readily available at any RV store and from Amazon for most of them.  Make sure that there aren't any long-term leaks in the windows/through hulls.  Have the dealership demonstrate all of the systems...  especially the refrigerator as it can cost upwards of $1200 to replace.  Check the sliding RV window tracks and make sure they're clean and free of debris.  If the weep holes on the outside are plugged, water will over-flow into the coach.

Generators.  I have an Onan 2800 in my Coachmen (see the link below) that I now have about $2k into.  Cummins/Onan is the only place you can get parts, and their shop rates (at least here) are $135/hr.  Make sure the generator starts easily and runs well.  If it only has a few hours on it, it's less likely to work well after 23 years.  A few hundred hours on the genset is a good sign (provided it's been maintained.)

Ask for maintenance records.  A dealership may not have them, but then again they may.    At $23k they're not going to have a lot of action on it... if you can get them down under $18k you may have a good buy on your hands.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Damn hepcat!! This is all brilliant information..thank-you. I've done some research on these units and they seem to be very solid. I think you're exactly right on the offer..I'll keep you posted.

 

[[email protected]]

I look at RVtraders all the time but didn't know they help with loans. What is ppl?

Ppl is a very large RV consignment outfit. They are Nationwide and very large. PPL.com can assist you with lenders because it helps to close the sale. I don't think they actually finance the unit but the can help you find lenders that are RV friendly. Good luck. Jeff

 

[cyndi]

Folks, this is just a friendly reminder that many of us have limited bandwidth so we ask that you carefully trim any quotes you include to the bare minimum. When you are reading on a phone, and you have to read the same post twice to get a new comment, it can be frustrating--especially if there are pictures!

Be kind and trim!!

And definitely feel free to NOT use the quote or reply feature!

 

[cyndi]

Here's a 97 in SoCal for $10,000
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/6049738697.html