What's it worth? Class B 1998

[uncagingmyspirit]

I'm considering a 1998 Leisure Travel freedom, $26,500 - [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]76000 miles[/font]

Looking at the pictures, it looks pretty nice. 
 Sleeps 2 . All RV systems were checked and fixed as needed. Inflatable air shocks lines were repaired.  Over $6000 on repairs and upgrades. 

I've been looking at a lot of different class B's and I'm in that limbo search stage of "is it worth it?" and "what would I need to fix?"

 

[B and C]

NADA: https://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/1998/Leisure-Travel-Vans/Freedom-Widebody/3020389/Values

1998 Leisure Travel Vans
Freedom Widebody Prices
VALUES

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIAL NOTES
Values

Suggested
List Price $54,974
Low Retail $5,290
Average Retail $6,370

In 2015 I paid 14K for mine when it was 15 years old.

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

Thank you for the link. I'll definitely check it out.

 

[highdesertranger]

BTW air shocks are a big no, no. i feel that is way to much money. highdesertranger

 

[1shemp]

WOW! That's a lot of money for a 22 year old camper.You could get a newer class A for less money.

 

[trailer-t]

"Low Retail $5,290
Average Retail $6,370"

I wish I could find a Class B around St Louis with 76,000 miles for that NADA--- even if 90s vintage.
Maybe I need to look at the retail lots rather than on craigslist.

I Googled that van and these are beautiful vehicles imo .

 

[LERCA]

Depends where you are. I’ve been looking at Class Bs for almost a year and that’s a good price where I live.

 

[MotorVation]

Inspect the front frame horns for rust. In fact, inspect it everywhere underneath but the front frame horns are critical. A Google search will fill you in. I have that chassis, assuming it's a one ton. If it were me, I'd also want to see receipts for the repairs. If the front end hasn't been rebuilt, it will need to be at some point.

That said, I'd love to have one of those bad boys...

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

Reading all the comments and have started to read comments on all used class B's for sale on different websites. This way I am more educated and can definitely make a better judgment on what's really worth seriously considering. I do plan to have a presale inspection / mechanic go over it from front to back then top to bottom

 

[LERCA]

Wow, I don’t know what is going on but used Class Bs anywhere in Southern California are being grabbed up as soon as they’re listed. One guy had a waiting list of 12 people. I don’t know if people are deciding to vacation locally or they are living in them or what but they used to sit forever and now there are waiting lists?? And $85,000 for used van builds without bathrooms (toilets or showers or sinks) unbelievable. I’m hoping this is just a trend that will go away like every other trend. But right now it’s ridiculous.

 

[GntlStone]

It's the pandemic. People who never would have considered RVs or vans before are realigning their vacation plans and see the benifits of an rv as a safer method of travel as versus flying.

Doesn't help right now, but just think of the bright side of how many barely used rvs people will be offloading after the pandemic.

 

[trailer-t]

Around here (St Louis area) a big Class A camper is WAY cheaper than a van sized Class B. I don't get it, but it is what it is in the market.
Maybe less of them for sale??
t

 

[LERCA]

I also am looking forward to seeing all those people buying and reselling and price gouging getting stuck. It’s a very specific way of travel and lifestyle I don’t think it’s going to stick here where people don’t even mow their own lawns or clean their own houses. I’m going to be paying attention.

 

[B and C]

Around here  (St Louis area) a big Class A camper is WAY cheaper than a van sized Class B.  I don't get it,  but it is what it is in the market. 
Maybe less of them for sale??
t

Class A's (the cheaper ones) are made poorly and in a class B, everything is usually top notch and all work has to be done in a small space.  Glad I bought mine back in 2014!

Go look at the build quality between the two, you will be surprised.

 

[trailer-t]

^^^
I don't dispute that at all Brian. I am just saying they (class b) are not cheap anywhere and a class A can do all the same things with a lot more living space
and yeah the RVs have all the roof/quality issues etc. --And that is why I will keep my cargo trailer/Suburban combo
(till I can find a class B priced for the MSRP posted up above). Trailer-t

 

[RvDreams]

It was the "I don't get it" remark that made me respond the way I did.

 

[trailer-t]

edit---Meant current retail price ^^^^

 

[trailer-t]

^^^
I don't dispute that at all Brian.  I am just saying they (class b) are not cheap anywhere and a class A can do all the same things with a lot more living space
and yeah the RVs have all the roof/quality issues etc.  --And that is why I will keep my cargo trailer/Suburban combo
(till I can find a class B priced for the dealer posted up above).  Trailer-t

 

[becida]

See what else is around for that much money. 
I think it's too much but I as some have said these are odd times in the RV world, maybe demand has done that to the class "Bs" where you are.
Maybe looking in a different city (Craigslist, etc) will save enough to make it worth the extra hassle? Cheap to look.

 

[B and C]

When I was looking, I was prepared to go anywhere in the lower 48 to get it except the rust belt to get exactly what I was looking for. I was not going to settle for something else and then go woulda, coulda, shoulda. I have never regretted waiting for THE one to show up. Took almost a year and it popped up about 30 miles from me. Waiting paid. No way would I buy from the rust belt.