What are the most reliable model years for the U 320 and what years should one avoid?
Please don't take this wrong or think I'm trying to blow you off but the first think that popped into my head was "Which girl at the dance would you rather be with?"
I think I know what you are asking but the there is a lot of "It's all relative".
My candidates would be 99 or 2000
BUT...
I could have done that several years ago.
I would have given up Tamdor cabinet doors
I would have given up the mechanical engine
I might have had to have a slide
But then again..
I could have had a screen door
I could have had a bigger engine
I might have liked the ducted air
? ? ? ? ?
Make the list of things you want
Find ones that have been cared for
Find one and come join us!!
Happy New Year
We are extremely pleased with our 1995 U320. We particularly like the rich look of the full walnut paneling as well as the tambour cabinet doors. We don't miss having a screen door and for us the lack of a slide is a blessing decade of the reduced maintenence issues. However there are several good years and different people have different preferences and opinions.
Sorry for the broad question. I want one or two slides screen door and don't want to pay $200k. Want to stay around $100k
2001 and 2000, single slide
98-2001 and you can go two slides. I have had no real issue with my back slide but to get two slides it will have to be a 42 footer. I think you can look at an 03 as well as the end cap issue is usually fixed by now but only a light colored coach and not a dark black or dark Green. The ones before are pretty trouble free as well but the 98/99 time frame had electronic engines and that made a difference in service interval and you can also get all the information on silverleaf.
We have an '03, 38ft U320 with 2 slides and couldn't be happier😀
That makes Two of us. David
I think if you want to stay close to $100K a 2001 might fit well. Lots of changes from 2000 to 2001. High milage ones are perhaps a bit below that price point, low to normal mileage clean, well cared for ... more.
Any well cared for 2000 or 2001 will be quite nice.
You have to start shopping. Actually seeing coaches in different lengths with different floor plans in different states of care and mileage will help you understand the differences and help you understand what is important to you.
Best of luck hunting. Keep asking questions. Take the time that you need but be ready to buy when the right coach comes along. The really nice ones don't stay on the market too long.
If budget is at 100 then look to spend 90 because rumor has it, you will spend an additional 10 percent on wants, maintinance or something. It was true in our case (3 coach bucks for brakes) but wouldn't change a thing. Looked for a year and found the exact floor plan, length, power plant, even down to the right color of carpet that we wanted.
Welcome -
This might be a good place to start. Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs)
Scroll down and click on a year to see floor plans and OEM stuff.
We have a 2002 U320 - 36' for about three years. One slide in the Salon and one in the Bedroom.
Ours would be higher than the 100K you have in mind. New floor, Res. Refer, reupholstered couch and lots of other upgrades we have done over the years of our ownership.
Do a nationwide search for Foretravels and build a spread sheet of every coach you see that fits in your price range that will include the features that you think are important to you and your significant other. Say $100K +/- 20K. Compare to the link that I posted above and you will start to get a good feeling for asking price. NADA will do you no good in your venture. Lots of threads here on that - use Search and read until you heart is content.
We have had additional maintenance costs related to our slides but we like them. Others do not. This is your choice for you to make based upon your research, your pocket book, revenue stream and ultimately the coach you buy.
We also have an Aquahot and it too requires maintenance/costs. Some here do not like them others do. Again your choice.
Try to NOT be in a rush to purchase your coach. Some are lucky and find theirs quickly - weeks/months - others look for years. Again your choice.
When we decided that we wanted a FT, I read every thread on this site and most of the topics on the web site that I posted above. During that reading we came across a coach that we could not pass by. It was higher than our "budget" but we stretched and are happy we did. We were fortunate to have made the purchase well below market and after 3 years of upgrades and repairs we are still a little ahead and everything functions. We have performed most of the work ourselves with the help of the Fortravel Forum that you are now visiting.
For $100K +/- you should find one. The coaches that you may find in the "Classified" section here may cost a little more than others listed in the papers around the US but it will probably have been cared for and you will probably see maintenance and upgrade receipts/papers.
Start to read you will be amazed what you will find. ;D
Sorry to have rambled on. If you use the search function you will find tons of information. ;D
Thank you all for your resoonse