Kinda fits what we want, put a deposit on it pending an inspection. Would love to know some history if it's available.
With zero photos in the ad, and unknown Motorcade Club number, it will be difficult for anyone here to identify the coach.
Without meeting the PO and seeing paperwork, I'd be nervous.
As it is a consignment, probably will not meet the PO. Might have paperwork, sometimes MOT leaves it in the coach, sometimes you have to ask them for it. You will get it, if you buy the coach.
I purchased my 1998 sob without meeting Po and not a single service record and no inspection from a third party. So far so good after 10k miles
Guys,
Just a reality check: Expecting to meet the owner of a consignment coach is not a realistic expectation. This is particularly true at MOT, as they have coaches from all over the country (i.e. it is not a "local" consignment lot).
That is not good or bad, just a fact.
Mike,
You might call MOT sales department (936-651-1112) to ask if they would call you when they have a 36' coming in.
Jim
2002 U320
There are or were two that description. The 1997 All white no decals looked pretty good to me. The other, I think may be what you reference MAY be one owned by MOT
IF so be very sure you know what getting. Most any coach will be ok if you spend enough to fix it up. The one I am thinking about imho may need bulkhead box frame work, other things. Inside looked good, outside not as nice
Am NOT saying not buy, but do not without a Risch or Wolfe inspection, my free advice
If helps, the one I refer to was Wisconsin and Michigan license plateand park stickers
This is the add, not much here as they didn't have any pictures. I have a few I will post.
1999 Foretravel U320 36 Priced at $ 67500 (http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv/foretravel/1999--u320--36--C2067)
I have an inspection scheduled.
Is it me or does that seem high for a 36' 99 model?
Can't read anything that suggests headlight conversion and seems to have original inverter.
Not trying to take profits from MOT in any respect.
Then again our coaches may very well be gaining in value as economy continues to expand?
Believe that many people like the 320 with the 450 ism, and 36 ft is very popular for people either downsizing or first timers. And many do not want slides. I know I looked for one for a long time, and could not find one. A desireable coach will command a higher price.
It does seem priced a bit high. Miles are not low. Generator time is low. No idea what upgrades have been done, what condition it is in, how old the tires and batteries are or how appealing its floorplan or colors might be. One would need to see it to know. They are desirable coaches especially if the price is right.
On the surface it does seem a bit high. It is pretty common to see 97-99 36' in the 40-50k range. So on the surface it looks to be pretty high. The issue is finding one with the correct floor plan and in a 36' U320 in the year range I am looking for. I have been looking for about a year and this is the first one I have seen with that floor plan in a U320. I am willing to pay a premium to get the floor plan I want in the model and year I want, if it checks out. How much of a premium is up for debate as asking and selling price are going to be different.
I tend to buy and keep things so my guess is I will live with what I buy for ten to twelve years. An example would be an E320 Mercedes wagon we bought used and kept for 11 years and +- 275k miles. Living with a floor plan my wife doesn't like or without the U320 trim level for 10 years isn't an option. That M11 with 450 hp in a non slide 36' coach sounds like it will be fun to drive. I suspect it has enough power to pull our F150 toad down the road with it.
Updates are another issue. I have seen a fair number of older coaches with various updates. Some done pretty well, some not. Updates not done well are worse than it not being updated at all. Cosmetic updates are very personal and I would rather be the one to do them as that way we get what we want.
I am having it inspected by a well respected forum member and I feel like we will be making an informed buying decision one way or the other. The way I look at it their asking price is reasonable for this coach if it doesn't need anything major like tires, batteries, motor, or transmission work and the body and interior are in very good condition. I already know it needs tires, my guess is the batteries are in need of an update if they are as old as the tires.
I knew it was too much to ask to find the owner or someone that knew them on the forum but it was worth a shot.
Like yourself we wanted a non slide from that era.
We wanted double galley 40'. The first one we found was an eggplant/purple coach with complete interior incl worn out carpet and fridge. It needed batteries and some other preventive maintenance. $65,000.00 was their bottom dollar. 6 weeks after passing , the same coach with full body paint , tile floors new inverter, fridge and generator was delivered to Our home in Nashville for Considerably less than that with 47,000 miles on it.
Any given item is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. I am confident that if the inspection goes well you won't regret buying the specific unit you want.
I'm starting to suspect we made our purchase near the bottom of the market several years ago additionally I believe more and more buyers are seeing the inherent value of a non slide coach.
By the way re pulling you'll have power to pull a stacker trailer with two f 150's down the road!
Yes, I think the prices of these coaches has gone up over the time I have been looking at them.
I think people get too hung up on original purchase price and not hung up enough on what it costs to keep one going.
Pulling a stacker with two f150's sounds like fun. Probably more like the F150, a GS1200, a few bicycles, and a couple kayaks, if we go that route.
There is a lot that goes into determining the fair market value. For example, I have new air bags, Koni shocks, Atwood air conditioners, new flooring, LED lights, upgraded interior, and complete maintenance records from when it was purchased new. If I were selling, WHICH I AM NOT, it would be priced higher than most all other non-slide 20000 U295's.
That is what your inspector will be able to point out for you.
Trent
As others have said a lot of things determine the value of a used FT. Our coach has updated blinds, upholstery, wood floors, TVs, cabinets, air bags, stacked WD, and so on. However while it raises the value, is unrealistic to think it adds 20-25% to the market value of a 15-20 year old MH.
Yup, they may look the same and be shiny outside, but once you get into "the heart of the matter", it's another story. We paid 10 CBs more than normal market prices because of the paperwork. Yes, she had been stripped, painted and striped, but that would have meant zip if we broke down in Podunk after "getting a good deal".
The add says" previous owners service records available ". Maybe the inspector will look at them, and get the name of owner.
Getting a play by play from my wife who is in TX for the inspection. Worst thing so far is the auto level system may need some work. Best thing is a brand new AquaHot. From reading this forum, that is an expensive part to replace.
I missed that. I really like to have the service records. The manuals are in the coach.
The manuals are no big thing, they can be gotten on the 'net. What you're looking for are shop invoices and what the PO has done. and what has NOT been done!
$$$$$$ can add up on level system issues, tied to suspension as well.
Brain box is fairly expensive to rebuild. Failed air dryer can allow desiccant through out air system with expensive consequences, will show up as "auto level" issues.
Or it can be something cheap and simple.
Easy to restore a late 90's or early 2000's coaches operating and rolling systems and spend the same money as FBP
Ours looks beat on the outside as we like the less heat transferring gel coat finish and the ability to go into tighter camp spots without worrying about the branches damaging the paint. No paint.
Michelin Tires, gel batteries, inverter, solar, fuel lines, air bags, FSD shocks, resonator, major brake service, engine and gen major service are an easy $20k. Led lights, roof spotlight, new mirrors, new back up camer, flat screen tv's add to the $.
$2k worth of front windshields to look out of unblemished glass is the best investment as you feel like you are outside.
Especially as DW is a photo contest gal.
Not visible externally. Not as many "wow, that's a pretty coach" comments.
Given a choice I would rather have a system's worn coach to purchase then replace everything new so I KNOW the condition and get more of the "new" coach condition use and enjoyement the first owners had.
Just the way this current coach worked out.
I rebuilt coaches traded in as a Foretravel factory stores sales mamagef 30 years ago so this is normal for us.
Have not touched the interior or exterior other than cleaning and waxing type stuff.
So far.....
OK so the auto level issue wasn't an issue.
Brakes need work, and there is a bulkhead issue that I need to get an estimate on.
Overall, the inspection went pretty well. Now just to figure out what the ticket is on what needs to be fixed.
I suggested early on have good inspection for IF it the coach I looked casually at for someone, get a good thorough exposed bulkhead inspection. Then price can be estimated if that is important to you
Thanks to Brett Wolfe for doing a thorough inspection of this coach yesterday. I wasn't there but my wife had nothing but nice things to say about Brett, his better half, and his thoroughness.
We have a deal and will complete the money changing hands early next week. Then into the shop for some needed repairs and hopefully we get to fly down Thanksgiving day to pick her up and drive her back to Asheville. Nothing like 900 miles to get the feel for a new ride.
Feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.
Welcome to the family! I'm just down the road in Boone.
Sign up for the Spring Un rally at Saint James County Park in Charleston. Search the forum for the info.
Exciting time! Congrats.
Welcome to the forum family! We have Brett & Dianne's ex-coach. Now that I've gotten to know him better, I know two things:(A) for a would-be buyer, there is no couple who I'd think would be better to do a inspection. (B) for a seller, if I knew who was doing the inspection. I'd be "shakin' in my boots". ^.^d