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Topic: NADA Guides & Intro (Read 1079 times) previous topic - next topic

NADA Guides & Intro

We're (wife, dog and myself) are OLD RV'ers, started with a Winnebago in '78, and now are on the road home (Livingston, TX) from a trip up the inside passage on the ferries, by RV. We now have a Leisure Travel Sprinter van. Done most of the "places" at least once and specials like Alaska several times by all methods except cruise ships. We've had small motorhomes since '06, but we're probably going to be "fulltimers" again - we've been doing 6-8 months a year. So we're thinking of a Foretravel.

On our way thru Nac. we'll stop and visit my daughter & family, and use the opportunity to checkout MOT & FOT. MOT has 2 - 36' coaches I like, but - who is Motorhomes of Texas ? Do they have any ties to FOT across the street ? How are they to deal with, are they reputable ?

Now, I'm still working my way thru all of the post on the Yahoo Forum, so may find the answers needed there - I'm just up to post 1500 - starting from the oldest post - but how do you use the NADA guides ? They list EVERYTHING in a unit, whether it is standard or not - like you start with a empty shell and add everything to it ? Just trying to figure out how to develop an offer in these economic times. My C-Dory boat was valued at $75K last year - this year....probably ~$60K, have the NADA values for coaches been adjusted for reality of the present economics ?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #1 –
Quote from: toyman –

On our way thru Nac. we'll stop and visit my daughter & family, and use the opportunity to checkout MOT & FOT. MOT has 2 - 36' coaches I like, but - who is Motorhomes of Texas ? Do they have any ties to FOT across the street ? How are they to deal with, are they reputable ?


Dan,

Welcome to ForeForums!

In a nutshell - MOT was started by a former Foretravel salesman, David Robertson, after Foretravel initially decided to stop doing consignments back in 2004.  Over the years they have been a consignment dealer, a Foretravel dealer (when Foretravel had outside dealers), SOB dealer, etc.  They do have a lot of Foretravel expertise, are very reputable, and many of us have purchased our coaches there (Steve and I were David's 13th sale back in 2004 when it was just he, his wife Emily, and Keith Risch as service technician). 

You would also be best served to contact FOT and MOT and see what they actually HAVE on the lot.  Some coaches never make the websites because it takes time to get all those photos and write ups done.  There could be some coaches not yet listed.

Quote

Now, I'm still working my way thru all of the post on the Yahoo Forum, so may find the answers needed there

You might find the Yahoo Archive board here a little easier to use to follow those old posts.  Steve has been busy cleaning up the confusing threading, extraneous characters, odd quote nesting, etc.  Plus our search works a little better.

Just a thought....

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #2 –
Quote from: toyman –
but - who is Motorhomes of Texas ? Do they have any ties to FOT across the street ? How are they to deal with, are they reputable ?

Is MOT reputable?  Does a year have 12 months?

I'll tell just one of my experiences with them.  Others will add theirs.

We bought our 2000 U320 in August of 2008.  We actually saw it and took delivery in April of 2009. During a drive over some rough back roads the glass in one of the sliding closet doors cracked.  This was 8 months after the PDI.
MOT would not let me pay one half the cost.  They did the repair on their dime. 
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #3 –
Dave,
 
Welcome!  As to the NADA guides and real selling prices, RV's require negotiation to arrive at a mutually agreed to price.  The NADA guide prices that you can search online are the retail prices only.  Usually, the coach price is going to be less than the "asking" price a dealer needs.  The higher asking price allows for the room to negotiate a final selling price allowing you to feel good about the purchase.  MOT in particular will set a fair asking price.  All that being said, the specific coach you fall in love with will bring with it a history of repairs & maintenance, options, overall condition & appearance, a specific floor layout, tire wear (life left)...so on and so forth.  There are some folks on this forum who may chime-in that can offer to inspect the coach you like to give you an idea of what to look for and the condition of the major coach components.
 
A true & experienced evaluation of the coach is needed to arrive at the price that will satisfy your needs.  As a general rule, whatever you pay for the coach is not going to be the road ready cost to you (trust me on this one).  As good as some folks are on this forum, there's bound to be something(s) that is/are missed.  And then there are modifications & upgrades to modernize the coach....
 
Hang around, you'll learn from the best on this forum, and best of luck in your search!
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #4 –
We just purchased a 2003 40' U320 from MOT a few weeks ago..  We had been shopping for a Motorhome at many dealers in several states, we found MOT to be outstanding in every aspect....In fact David, the owner ask for our testimonial . You can go to MOT web site and see a picture of our NEW MOTORHOME and us along with that testimonial...  on the front page..http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachesrv/all/default/foretravel/used?gclid=CIrB1Ou_mKQCFVjW5wodE2Y-FA It is true and unsolicited. They were outstanding...

I have found a couple small items that I missed having them fix, so I'll be going back in a few weeks on our way south for the winter...  I will at that time find out how they handle those situations. However, I expect it to be in a fair manner. No matter, with all their expertise on Foretravels (many of the mechanics have up to 19 years working at FOT) it will be where we will go for as much of our service and repairs as we can.....

Mike

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #5 –
I just purchased a New, Old Coach last week and had been searching for the last month. It appears to me and was verified by a salesman at FOT that used coaches are selling for about 20% under NADA low retail. As to your question about whether to use all of the add ons or not, use them if your figuring your selling price and don't use them if your figuring the price for buying. At least thats my thought.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #6 –
We purchased our coach from MOT also.  Since that time, we've had service work done at both facilities - MOT & FOT.  Truth of the matter is, you can't go wrong with either of them.  So let selection and price be what dictates where you make your purchase.  You won't be disappointed.
Russell
'99 U320 CAI 40ft w/Xtreme Full Body Paint
Baton Rouge

The selected media item is not currently available."Tetons"

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #7 –
Kent,
 
What was done to your coach to classify it as "Restored"?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the sage (what ever that is) advise.

Sure wish I'd had a FT to test drive today - down out of Iowa/Nebraska and half of Kansas winds at about 2 O'Clock (passenger front corner)at ~30kts gusts to 40-45 and raining like it does in  Houston at times !
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #9 –
Dave,

Welcome to the ForeForums.  I really liked your saying about electrical problems.  My favorite is:
 
Don't force it, use a bigger hammer.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #10 –
Dave, Like you I am in the planning stages of buying a used Foretravel. In trying to understand the NADA guides I came across this in-depth study of NADA guides and RV selling prices:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15272942.cfm

A very interesting read

Cheers
Ted

"97 40' U320 build 5035

The best things in life are not things.... It's fulltiming in a Foretravel.

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #11 –
Quote from: toyman –
Thanks for all the sage (what ever that is) advise.

Sure wish I'd had a FT to test drive today - down out of Iowa/Nebraska and half of Kansas winds at about 2 O'Clock (passenger front corner)at ~30kts gusts to 40-45 and raining like it does in  Houston at times !

I have been there before. In Iowa we had 60  mph winds with gusts higher. I had to pull over and stop when it hit over 70mph.  Other than that my FT handles the wind and rain up to about 50 mph with no issues. 

I too purchased my coach from MOT and was their first remodel job.

I can not say enough about David and company and the service is top notch.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #12 –
I'll continue on this intro thread. On our way back down last fall we stopped by the NuWa (5th wheel) factory in Chanute, Ks, and after some consideration we thought it to be more economically responsible to move back into full-timing by getting a 5th wheel, instead of a Foretravel. I still follow this forum, we have, since 1977, been motorhomers, and are not certain that the 5th wheel will fit our needs (wants ?). I still keep an eye on MOT - just in-case.
So if you don't mind a trailer - I'll tag along here and enjoy your experiences. Just learking again.

We kept the Sprinter, but the boat went down the road, my $75K boat was actually a $50K boat.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss
 

Re: NADA Guides & Intro

Reply #13 –
Dave,

I am glad you are here.  Sooner or later you will get tired of hearing us brag about our coaches and you will find yourself compelled to tell your wife that you made a grievous mistake in buying a fifth wheel and that you just have to go buy a used Foretravel.  Between now and that "moment of truth" we are pleased to continue with your education.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.