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Topic: Used coach prices (Read 3144 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #40 –
i still have not made it up to see it, but I did get a model. It's a 1988 grand villa u320T 40" WB 102"

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #41 –
Quote from: Robhatric –
i still have not made it up to see it, but I did get a model. It's a 1988 grand villa u320T 40" WB 102"
Check Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year I think you will find that some terms in your description don't go together well when describing a specific Foretravel coach. Best I can tell:

1988 model year will not be U320 nor 102"
Grand Villa will not be U320

Inquisitive minds are curious regarding what you find when you can see and touch the vehicle. Take your tape measure to check length and width. Take your camera to capture the identification plates near the driver's position, the graphics, the engine, and the interior. If you have the opportunity, take an experienced FT owner with you, also. :) On this forum there are lots of experts at your disposal. Your experience may add to the body of knowledge.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #42 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
Check Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year I think you will find that some terms in your description don't go together well when describing a specific Foretravel coach. Best I can tell:

1988 model year will not be U320 nor 102"
Grand Villa will not be U320

Nor will either 1988 nor Grand Villa be a U320T, which I'm fairly certain means a tag axle coach.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #43 –
now you guys have me wondering. I know him, so i know he is not lying. either way I will find out this week or I will move on to something else.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #44 –
What information I have seen sure does not add up correctly, but first hand will sure let you know what the coach is, and as previously stated the information from the vehicle id plate will let others also know what the coach is.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #45 –
Sounds like the model year is wrong, maybe a 1998?

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #46 –
That's a good guess. I just went out and confirmed that my bransspankinnewtome '89 U280 is 8 feet wide.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #47 –
I finally made the 2 1/2 hour drive to look at the coach. It is a 1988 U300 grand villa. With 128,000 miles third owner. I did not make an offer, because it would not drive. It started, but the transmission had an electrical warning light. He said he would get it fixed. The interior is original and was kind of worn. The wife would not go for it in the state it is in. I know a lot of you guys have done work on your coaches, how much would it cost to have someone redo the interior. Re-upholster the sofa and seats and refinish the cabinets.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #48 –
What is wrong with the cabinets? Scratches or water damage? Old english does wonders with the walnut. Has is been sitting out? Any smell from the cabinet interiors? Interior work might be the least of your worries. What does it look like underneath?

Pierce

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #49 –
Nothing is wrong, just dated looking. The wife likes lighter colors. The coach has not been used for awhile, so it smells musky.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #50 –
Quote from: Robhatric –
Nothing is wrong, just dated looking. The wife likes lighter colors. The coach has not been used for awhile, so it smells musky.


Must have heard the wife's comment a thousand times as a Foretravel sales manager in the late 80's.  too dark...

I had a lady poke her head in a similar coach one day at a show and start to back out like alot of prospective buyers but I stopped her like I normally did and asked her from the inside "what wrong?" Knowing the answer but what the heck.  She said it was too dark.  Yea so? What's wrong with beautiful walnut was my answer.  She mentioned that she was a  psychologist and then looked at me and said "this must be made in a sun belt state". What?

She continued that the dark interior would be more depressing in a northern state with less hours of daylight.  Dark wood and walls. 

Beavers, country coach and monacos and safari's were built in Oregon with mostly light oak interiors and big front windows.

Duh.  Never forgot what she said.   

When I showed a coach all the lights would be on.  Even in daylight. 

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #51 –
It would not cost a lot to change out the seats and recover them.  I have heard that Villa is not selling other than to OEMs because of seat belt test.  I guess if you can show them you already have the same model you will be fine.  Recovering the couch is not too bad but still a couple thousand bucks. The cabinets, well they are still going to be walnut.  I know they have oak cabinet a few years newer but to change all of them out would be way too expensive.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #52 –
So, how "Wide" was it?  96" or 102" as stated.  What was the model number on the I.D. plate @ the drivers side panel?

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #53 –
Quote from: coastprt –
Robhatric,

Let's start with the Vin and Model number on the metal plate next to the wall next to the driver.  Easily obtained by the previous owner and will tell much of what everyone needs to know.  When I was inquiring about one that is the first information I wanted to know.  It gives a lot of the specs and takes most of the guess work out of the coach on when it was built, etc. as I learned from Barry Beam's incredible website.

Jerry
  Did you get any of this information from the coach?

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #54 –
I really did not spend too much time looking at it, because I knew my wife would not like it and I really don't have the time to remodel an RV.But, when I got home and started reading the renovation forum, I had a change of heart. If I could get it cheap enough, then I could have someone else fix it up. That is why I am trying to get a round about figure for the upgrades.
Btw, imo, it is not 102". on one of the sales receipts, it said it was a 1988 grandvilla u3 series.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #55 –
so, I have been doing a lot of reading on the renovation forums and it looks more like home remodeling then a vehicle remodeling. I can handle house remodels, since I just got through doing my house a couple of years ago. I made an offer on the coach and he is going to get back to me tomorrow. If he accepts, then i am going to have another hobby for a couple of years.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #56 –
Robhatric,
If the deal goes through here are some ideas on lightning up the wood interior.  The attached pictures were taken when we first bought our coach in 2001.  I was told that our coach spent its first few years owned by Foretravel where they would take it to Motorcade events to get a feel on how existing customers responded to new interior design.  The finish is called Pickled Walnut and only 3 coaches were made with it.  It's any easy finish to achieve:  white stain is applied and immediately removed with a rag then after the stain has dried a polyurethane coat is applied over it. It's my understanding that most coaches have just an oil rub over the walnut.  You would probably have to experiment to see if a pretreatment (like applying a rub down with paint thinner) is necessary before applying the finish.  Apparently Foretravel listened to their salesmen (like Bob) and gave this lighter finish a try but obviously it just didn't take with customers.  I personally think the dark wood is something that grows on you so if you just delay the project for a while your wife might later say "Oh, it's fine" :))

Another difference is wallpaper.  They used wallpaper on the exterior walls only.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #57 –
thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. An easy inexpensive upgrade.

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #58 –
Start with flooring, not cabinets, tile, vinyl, bamboo lighten up coach without touching cabinets

Re: Used coach prices

Reply #59 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
Robhatric,
If the deal goes through here are some ideas on lightning up the wood interior.  The attached pictures were taken when we first bought our coach in 2001.  I was told that our coach spent its first few years owned by Foretravel where they would take it to Motorcade events to get a feel on how existing customers responded to new interior design.  The finish is called Pickled Walnut and only 3 coaches were made with it.  It's any easy finish to achieve:  white stain is applied and immediately removed with a rag then after the stain has dried a polyurethane coat is applied over it. It's my understanding that most coaches have just an oil rub over the walnut.  You would probably have to experiment to see if a pretreatment (like applying a rub down with paint thinner) is necessary before applying the finish.  Apparently Foretravel listened to their salesmen (like Bob) and gave this lighter finish a try but obviously it just didn't take with customers.  I personally think the dark wood is something that grows on you so if you just delay the project for a while your wife might later say "Oh, it's fine" :))

Another difference is wallpaper.  They used wallpaper on the exterior walls only.


I built a pickled oak side aisle 40' u280 for Cleo Dunlap.  Last I saw it it had 300k on the clock. 

I high gloss verathaned a u300 back then.  Gorgeous.  Looked a foot deep in the walnut.

Factory told me no more.  Texas.  Bet they are building high gloss now?  Dr unsell.