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Topic: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ? (Read 845 times) previous topic - next topic

2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Found this coach for sale this morning and just curious if this was a one of a kind special order? Mid entry , very nice unit just rich for my budget,
2003 FORETRAVEL - National Multi List,The Largest Database of Used Recreational

  Adam
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #1 –
Adam,
That is a GV320.  It's just like a U320 but has the sloped (Grand Villa Style) front end and as such, has the mid door entry.  It's not a one of a kind but not many were made.  They were created because many former Grand Villa owners (models from the 80's to mid 90's) missed the looks and styling.  Foretravel started making them in 2001 and I believe 2003 was the last year.  So apparently, while some missed the GV, not enough of them bought them to keep them in production.  Many people here on the forum (myself included) like the looks of them.  Downside is you loose all the cabinet storage in the front.  The stairway blocks off some basement storage -but you gain some front of the passenger front wheel.  I like the mid entry because you don't have to walk through the "living room" to get to the kitchen or bath (which is usually you're destination when you're camping) - flipside: when parking, or doing service you have to walk through the "living room" to get to the drivers seat.  One of our member has a great website with lots of information.  Here's the link to models (not comprehensive but he includes all the information he can find) - I see he has the spec for the 2001 GV320: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #2 –
Those photos are 8 months old, Seems like I have seen this one before but I can't recall where or when.  One of the Forum Members lives in Moses Lake and may know something about this one. IMHO it is overpriced by about 40 to 50 K.  With a tag it is unusual, not many ( 7 ) GV's in 2003.
Gary B

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #3 –
I personaly like the GV as I like the mid entry and the sloped front is or has a peculiar character that I like. It makes a statement of being in a elite class. :o as far as storage I will be pulling a enclosed trailer, I coulded leave my copper water purification device behind so that and my mobile shop will be towed. I just cant wait to pull the trigger on it all. I am most likely going to purchase the 93 40ft U280 GV in north miami, the one with basement air, Adam
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #4 –
WOW......nice coach! Kind of the classic motorhome recreated.... akin to the new Dodge Challenger vs the old. Agree, is is WAY overpriced at 175K....I would think 100K would be a lot!
Steve Mudd
Commander, The Crystal Ship
CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse International
1993 Grand Villa U300 40', Detroit 6V92 Turbo
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport
2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic
2000 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
swmudd@aol.com

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #5 –
very rare with the tag and double slide.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Those photos are 8 months old, Seems like I have seen this one before but I can't recall where or when.

Gary,

I'm thinking the same thing - vaguely recalling a post a while back with photos of a champagne and black GV320.  I can't find the post, but for some reason I'm thinking it might have been Prevostart that posted the photos.

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: 2003 Foretravel Grand Villa ?

Reply #7 –
This GV 320 showed up on this forum last spring @ $185K as a recommendation from a FT guy who had done some work on it...I think it was on the Aquahot system.  The report was that the owner really took care of his coach but was ready to sell it.

I persued this info with an email to the owner, thru another site and yes, I was using data I had been recording and NADA pricing (which I have been 'privately' chastised for using, as for 'low balling!' 
So be it.

The gentleman sent lots of photos and after blowing them up, saw some  wear/damage (small stuff.  The coach looked like he was a Dale Earhart/race fan with floor mats and decals common on windows etc.  and he had traveled to Alaska in it, if I remember this correctly.

I was interested, but not at his asking price.  As said, the loss of storage up front/overhead, and the loss of doubly used space of the entry. On the GV, the entry steps are in the 'middle of the action' and take up space.  In the unihome..that space seems to be 'out of MY walkspace'.

Also.....There was a 2003 GV 40 for sale at FOT last spring, that I was also considering (It was listed there at $165 I think) but had some delamination and paint damage but had modified headlights/horizontal ones. 

The GV in these models had less galley counter space and the dinette was a tad confining for me.. "for my taste" .

The "look?"  Wow.  I love the look of the GV.  I bet it is gets better fuel mileage too.  However, I bought a FT I'm happy with.
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136