fourfurz
Memphis
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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I suggest looking around the country for dealers. Our local Newmar dealer, "Southaven RV" has a bunch of new and used high end Newmar coaches, including 2007 and 2008 Mountain Aires and Essex models. I saw an ad on Ebay for $310k for a new 2007 MADP 4528, figure 10% less at least and that would make a fine deal. It's worth the effort to shop around the country for that kind of money.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
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joppa
Massachusetts
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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You'll soon find out that finding a nice coach in New England will be difficult. Based on my experience 18 months ago (maybe some things have changed) The Newmar dealer in RI only sells up to the DutchStar and I thought the best local dealer (by far) was Crossroads down in Middleboro. They sell Tiffin (I agree a nice coach with great reputation but not as solid fit & finish as some) and Country Coach though not to many higher end units. I almost bought a CC Magna from them but we couldn't close the gap on price. I did have them do an oil change on the Foretravel I eventually bought and was a bit disappointed with service attitude though the work seemed fine.
I think your going to find yourself traveling a bit to see and drive a few that will match your target zone. Florida, Texas, Arizona now your talking about seeing some coaches. One mistake we did make was to by new but my patience ran out... I sure do think it is great move to buy 1-3 years old and get a top line coach. One mistake I almost made was to focus the decision only on the "house" features. I was about to sign for an 07 MADP with Northtrails RV when by accident I meet some Foretravel folks that just kept insisting I drive their coach. I did. It changed my thought process completely. My opinion is that those steel cage type chassis some variant of semi-monocoque design makes a for a better driving experience... so that puts me in the Prevo, Newell, Monaco, Foretravel, Bluebird type camp verses Freightliner or Sparten. But for every person like me there is at least one that disagrees so go figure.... nonetheless do spend some time hoisting the sails.
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
2007 Foretravel Nimbus
Cummins ISM 500HP
Allison MH4000w/Retarder
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Busskipper
Arnold,Md
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Joined: 11/25/2002
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TheJazzMan wrote:Thanks for all the advice! I'm depending on it to make a wise decision.
I keep hearing that this is a great time to buy a motorhome and that there are bargains everywhere. Well, I must be looking in the wrong places, because I have yet to find a really good deal. My Internet search has taken me to many dealers who are apparently in denial about the state of the motorhome market. Granted, most only have new, 2008 or 2009 motorhomes that have interested me. I do have one dealer that has a 2007 Newmar Essex 4508 that is coming in soon. If it is in good shape, I'll bargain hard for it. Meanwhile, I've got to find some better resources for private sales. I've been mainly shopping rvt.com and rvusa.com.
http://www.rvonline.com/
http://www.rvclassified.com/
Take a look at these two sites they where the best options 5 years ago when I was searching for a coach.
While many will try to convince you to buy this coach or that coach or to purchase this feature or that feature my suggestion is to go to the lower end of your price range and buy a “first” coach to find out what you actually like. After a year or so you will have a much better idea of what you need, to enjoy the RV life. Then you can search for and get a Coach that will be more like your boat – made to order, or at least more to your order.
After a few trips you will find the features that fit your RV style – large or small engine – hydro hot or propane – king or queen – carpet or tile – front TV or Mid station – dishwasher or not – full sized bath or just a little small – gas or electric – on and on. What you may find is what you liked on the boat does not fit the land yacht
When choosing your coach we found that you need to look a lot to find what you feel you need. When you get ready give the guys who bought out Travel Supreme's molds and plant (Jayco) I’ve heard they are building them just like TS did – almost totally custom, and much lower pricing.
BOL,
* This post was
edited 10/08/08 09:04pm by Busskipper *
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
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Locomotiveman
Willmar, MN
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Joined: 03/07/2005
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Randy.. Prevost 'conversions' are A-1 along with Newell. Yes, Newell can be too shiny Art-deco and some Prevost are bordello/casino. BUT, Marathon and Featherlite and CountryCoach etc also do elegant 'Country ManorHouse' or 'ItalianVilla' Prevosts too. Their amazing 'Hulls and Seaworthy hatches' ala Alden passage-makers leave the rest of us distant wanna-be's. TOM
Locomotiveman..Yes I am a career cross-country Locomotive Engineer. Wife is an RN. We are CLOSE to retiring and 'downsized' to a Monaco Executive w/450hp Cummins and nice drapes. Locomotiveman
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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are you really sure that you need something over 40 ft? that might add some "issues".
bumpy
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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08 Navigator on Ebay for $350K. Not the best deal I've seen at 39% off. Recently there was a 07 Monaco Exe on Ebay that had a buy it now of $289K but the highest bid was only $225. It has not been relisted so someone probably bought it for $275 which would be right at 50% of MSRP. Even before this slow down you could buy new at 25+% off MSRP. I'd buy used as there area lot of nice used units and many on here can tell you about the "New MH Blues" and all the problems they've had with their new MH. Hopefully you live in NH with no sales tax. Don't let anypne steer you into anything less than 40" with a tag. Having started at 36', then 40' and now 42' I built my MH bay long enough to hold a 45'. I costs money and time to trade so buy more MH than you think you need??? Guess 45' is the most
*Off subject pictures of my MH Bay big enough for a 45'.
* This post was
edited 10/09/08 08:32am by Ivylog *
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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If you want the sailboat feel inside you need to look at Monoco and Foretravel and Royal prevost conversions. Look at phil cooper for the conversions and at parliment and buddy gregg. I came from a sailboat and chose a foretravel THey do nto have 45 footers in your price but I have a great 42 footer that is just as good. I love how it drives. You can also look at newell but we had the same response as you did with the mirrors etc.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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SCHARLEY
Atlanta, GA
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-Prevost-Bus-Elegant-Lady-45FT-XL-II-Vandermere-WOW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a3Q7c240Q3a1308QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem290265320279QQitemZ290265320279
If I had 350K burning a hole in my pocket I would say forget the .5 bath and see if they really want to sell this baby or not.
My other option would be to go hang out at Lazydays for a wek or so, just let them know you have 250K-350K your looking to spend and tell then what you want, they will find something you like pretty quick!
SCHARLEY
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Phillerup
Fishing, USA <*(((><
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Joined: 10/15/2002
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You have a lot of good advice/choices above....We bought used. My strong advice would be to drive and look at a lot of them before you decide. We found a good deal on a Newmar - our second one but we did not have the budget you have. I also think you can find a great coach for less than you have in the budget and it will cost less in the long run. You can find some very nice used upper end coaches for about 150K - 200K nowadays.
Spend the time to drive a lot and look a lot
2003 Newmar DSDP 4005 dual slide king bed Spartan 350 Cummins 2004 Jeep Liberty 4X4 tow, SeaEagle boat in basement
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WTD44
Ca.
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Joined: 09/01/2003
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It is easy to get tired of looking for the "right used coach" and people run out and buy a new one. HUGE mistake. You can find a 3 or 4 year old coach that cost over $600 k for 250-300 k and if you take you time you can find a perfect one--no pets-no smoking-low miles- all the records. As some one else said, make sure yu buy the coach you want to keep as trading up is expensive. If you sailed for 2 years, you will be competant to figure out quality v. glitz
WTD
'07 H.R. Scepter 40 ' PDQ
Cummins 400 ISL
Alison 6 speed World
'04 Jeep Wrangler X
Wife and,
Sparky the Wonder Dog
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