Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: RandallBrink on May 21, 2017, 08:09:12 pm

Title: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: RandallBrink on May 21, 2017, 08:09:12 pm
I am attempting to determine tha value of a 1989 Grandvilla 40 with Detroit Diesel Silver Edition 6V92-DDEC. It has all options and 80,000 miles.  NADA is not much help for a coach of this era.

Any insights or information will be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: red tractor on May 21, 2017, 08:26:24 pm
The condition of the coach and interior will determine the value and also what you and the owner could come to terms.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on May 21, 2017, 08:35:45 pm
I know what you are asking, and I know you would like to get a nice "ballpark" number, but...  There are so many variables that can have a bearing on the "value" of a old motorhome - it is almost impossible to even make a meaningful guess.  We wanted to know the same thing when we were looking to buy our coach - what is this one worth?  There is only one answer to that question: "What is it worth to you?"  All you can do is examine any given coach in every way possible, using every tool available, and then decide what you would give for it.  If that amount of money will buy the coach, you are good to go.  If not, keep shopping - eventually you will find the right coach, at the right price, and it will be yours.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: stevec22 on May 21, 2017, 08:51:36 pm
In my opinion, a coach of that age might be worth $20k if in very good condition or might be worth Zero dollars if too many components need repair.

Things to evaluate: Tires, batteries, air system, 12 Volt system, !20 volt system, steering, engine, transmission, condition of interior, condition of exterior,  awnings, windows not all inclusive
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: John44 on May 21, 2017, 08:54:01 pm
Send pictures and tell us where it is,we won't outbid you!!
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Andy 2 on May 21, 2017, 09:45:16 pm
We paid 27.500.for our 92 with 111,000 miles on her, 500 watts of solar documented new motor and newish full body paint. Had to put tires on her and service it.other then just Mantinence and our upgrades that's it . So like all have said what do you value it at. Good luck.  ^.^d
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: kb0zke on May 21, 2017, 10:34:54 pm
We paid $25,000 for our 1993 with 150,000 miles on it four years ago. We've put about that much into tires, batteries, inverter/converters, refrigerator, MCD shades, etc. and about the same amount into the rebuilt engine. We've got it listed for $45,000 with no takers. MOT thought it might be worth $20,000, and then they would take their cut from that. They didn't get a consignment.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: jcus on May 21, 2017, 10:54:59 pm
Have had a bunch of RV's. Have always upgraded them and repaired any problems, sometimes sinking many coach bucks into them, to keep myself happy. Have learned over the years that money you put into a coach is seldom returned when you sell it. Bought a 320 a couple of years ago, had just got a $30000 extreme makeover/ paint job. I paid about $5000 more than I would of for a plain jane 320.
Your coach may sell faster, but if you realize 25% of your upgrades/repairs, you are doing pretty good.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Caflashbob on May 21, 2017, 11:18:38 pm
Never was any resale money in paint
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Old phart phred on May 22, 2017, 01:05:29 am
Low mileage and old age can bite you in the butt, as nobody has opened the can of worms. JMO.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: stump on May 22, 2017, 06:39:39 am
I paid $9000. for my 91 U300 But it had been sitting 4 years. It does have some rust issues in the basement I addressed. It is not the Taj Ma Hilton, But it serves it's purpose for us.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on May 22, 2017, 10:17:21 am
Never was any resale money in paint
They sure attract the children, young and old!  ^.^d
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: twobus on May 22, 2017, 10:32:41 am
Our '89 36' 3208 Cat was bought for 13 and we put another 7 or 8 k in for tires, roof reseal and radiator recore. I think buying vintage RV is la bit ike buying a house, there are no NADA values that can be applied, just comparable sales.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Kent Speers on May 22, 2017, 10:35:31 am
My 93, U300 underwent a $53,000 interior and exterior and wear item furb at the factory the year before I bought it in 2010. Since then we have had to replace the two air conditioners and the batteries but little additional costs that weren't elective upgrades. I don't want to sell it but if I did I would not take less than $40,000 for it now. It still looks and drives like a new coach. However I have seen early GV's that I would value at $10,000. There are a number of posts related to expenses for getting an older coach road ready. I feel you should figure investing an additional $10,000 to the cost of the cost of coach the first year of operation no matter what you pay for it.

Also I disagree with Bob, fresh paint adds a lot of value to these older coaches.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Doug W. on May 22, 2017, 11:07:23 am
Our '89 36' 3208 Cat was bought for 13 and we put another 7 or 8 k in for tires, roof reseal and radiator recore. I think buying vintage RV is la bit ike buying a house, there are no NADA values that can be applied, just comparable sales.

Jay, I think you got a great deal knowing what all had been replaced and the condition of that coach when I sold it for $27k one year prior to your ownership.

Then again I upgraded  to a 7-year newer coach with new tires, batteries, graphics, $3k brake job, 100k less miles for only 2 coach bucks more than what I sold the 280 for....I think I got a great deal too!!
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: twobus on May 22, 2017, 11:37:51 am
Agreed. I think i got a unicorn-rainbow-chorus-of-angels deal. So did you from the looks of it!
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Old phart phred on May 22, 2017, 02:30:01 pm
Make sure your not looking at a coach with the Detroit 8.2 aka as the HATE.2, these go for much less. And have leaf springs.
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 22, 2017, 03:09:18 pm
I am attempting to determine tha value of a 1989 Grandvilla 40 with Detroit Diesel Silver Edition 6V92-DDEC. It has all options and 80,000 miles.  NADA is not much help for a coach of this era.
Any insights or information will be greatly appreciated.
The presence of corrosion is the biggest factor in the price. Worth zero if bad. Inside storage vs outside storage, maintenance records?, etc, etc. Upgrades including roof ACs, fridge, tires, TVs, interior. The Detroit 2 cycle is my favorite engine.

Reading between the lines, you sound like a newbie when it comes to RVs/Foretravels. I suggest you should have a Foretravel owner look it over with you. Too many chances of a costly mistake, especially for someone without a mechanical/diy background. Buying an older coach means you must plan on spending quite a bit of $$$ as time goes by or be a good DIYer.

No matter what condition, it's not going to be worth much more than $15K. Probably less.

Pierce
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Gerry Vicha on May 22, 2017, 05:05:50 pm
Like Beauty, Value is in the eye of the beholder.  I bought our 1994 coach from an estate, at the time it had 30,000 miles on it and it had been stored in an airconditioned garage for most of its life. It looked like new inside and out. The complete set of manuals, specifications, original sales order complete with delivery inspection, all neatly stored in one of the inside compartments however, as  I started to get more familiar with  my new to me coach, I found several items that needed to be addressed.  The tires were like new but almost out of date, I had to replace all six (6) within two years of my initial purchase, Like wise with the batteries. The real hurt was there were loose/corroded battery cables that I did not find until after the inverter burned out from trying to charge and receive voltage through cables that were loose and corroded. That was the most expensive fix. Our coach now has about 65,000 miles on it and has been constantly upgraded mostly by choice, Seats, Dash, TV's, Refrigerator, Isolator, Alternator, LED marker lights, Radio, etc. Mechanically, I rebuilt the steering gear box, installed wheel seals, replaced some sensors on the Generator, all in all not too much. I also insulated the engine compartment with fire proof glass matt, which was a safety issue. I know my coach needs a new coat of paint, it has never seen snow but is does see constant sunshine, which takes its toll on the gelcoat. 
What is it worth today? To me I can't replace it, I know it sold for over three hundred thousand dollar new (I have the bill of sale) I bought it for 20% of that in 2006 with 30,000 miles on it, ($60,000)  I have invested less than $ 20,000. in repairs and upgrades.  So what is it worth??    ???       
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on May 22, 2017, 07:13:18 pm
Like Beauty, Value is in the eye of the beholder.  So what is it worth??    ??? 

Good points, when we were looking for a GV, we found many for sale. Being previous SOB people, we knew what we wanted. The one we found, was $10,000 more than usual, but had paperwork up the kazzo. I talked with the PO many times, but he seemed burned-out and not forthcoming as to my questions. Turned out, he was fried by tire kickers, and figured me to be the same. Finally, I said, "we want your coach" and made him an offer. He hung up on me. Hmm, sat for a minute, called him back and said "I'll take it". A good decision, to this day, but you never know!
Title: Re: Valuing a Foretravel Grandvilla
Post by: Caflashbob on May 22, 2017, 08:13:02 pm
Condition, condition, condition, equipment, miles, model year in that order is what it's worth..

Told that to hundreds of customers.

You cannot make it new appearance wise without a serious wallet divot.

I paid top dollar fior garaged perfect coaches.

Bought our coach as a trade in and outside was faded. 

Which fits our uses fine.  Tree branches no big deal, 

Painted guys cringe when I say that