Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

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Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

December 02, 2015, 09:22:36 pm

We are looking to purchase our first FT. I am looking in the 1996 to 2003 year range and would prefer a 40' U320. Although not a requirement, a slide is preferred so that moves the year up to at least 2000. Is NADA RV a reasonable sight to check prices on? Most of the FT's are priced higher than average retail, especially the non slide coaches. Is there a better site to use for price determination? Thank you

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #1 – December 02, 2015, 09:31:59 pm

Quote from: Ed W – December 02, 2015, 09:22:36 pm

We are looking to purchase our first FT. I am looking in the 1996 to 2003 year range and would prefer a 40' U320. Although not a requirement, a slide is preferred so that moves the year up to at least 2000. Is NADA RV a reasonable sight to check prices on? Most of the FT's are priced higher than average retail, especially the non slide coaches. Is there a better site to use for price determination? Thank you

While everyone understands that the coaches come with a long list of std equipement the banks want the long list in the nada book added to both the wholesale and retail values in the guide.

Easily plus $15k. Then the condition comes into play. Then how much you like it......

Jokingly in the Rv biz we used to ask how much it weighed? No reference to the quality or value.

Garaged coaches that have "eyeball" are more valuable to most.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #2 – December 02, 2015, 09:32:09 pm

A Foretravel is so different from other motorhomes that it is difficult to find a generic site showing what you are looking for.
Foretravel of Texas, Motorhomes of Texas can help and usually have coaches to sell. You can also buy from an individual owner, your best bet with that would be from a forum member. We try to share our knowledge and experience with each other to help us keep our great machines running great.

The bottom line, what is a fair price for YOUR used Foretravel? Whatever you are willing to pay for it- both in cost of acquiring the coach then in upgrades, repairs, changes, etc that will make it your own. Best of luck finding YOUR coach.

By the way, check out the classified section- there are some nice coaches that you might be interested in.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #3 – December 02, 2015, 09:35:20 pm

First welcome to the forum.

An answer as to value, is you can not count on NADA to give a fair value of a Foretravel. Too few have been built, and the NADA just uses a formula to depreciate them. I have paid and sold my first Foretravel, for 3X the book value. I think that I paid 2X for the one we have now, and I would pay that again, today, some 2.5 years later.

You are going to get some many responses, and you can also search this topic, as it comes up several times a year.

The best is do your research, find the model, size, options and upgrades that are important to you. Then when you can grab the coach of your dreams that you find, before someone else grabs it first. And plan to do the minor upgrades that you want, as the foundation being a Foretravel you will find is a really good choice.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #4 – December 02, 2015, 09:58:32 pm

Welcome, Ed. Do your research to find the best floor plan for YOU. Barry's site has all of them to look at. Once you have settled on a floor plan (or two) you can start searching for the right coach. Motorhomes of Texas and Foretravel of Texas both have a decent selection of coaches and good turnover, so if they don't have what you want today just keep checking - it might show up tomorrow. Of course, the Classifieds here are also a good source.

As for NADA, there are lots of threads here about that. If you have the time, start watching for coaches that might be close to what you want and see what they are listed for. Over a few months you will get a pretty good feel for what they ought to be listed for. Remember that the actual value of a thing is what a willing buyer is willing to pay for it and what a willing seller is willing to let it go for. That number probably won't match the asking price.

One other thing. If you find a coach that seems just right, but is priced higher than you want to go, make an offer that isn't an insult to the seller. If you can justify the offer there is a decent chance that it will be accepted, or at least countered. If the seller says "NO!" you are no worse than if you hadn't made the offer, and the seller just might say "YES!"

Ask lots of questions here. We've all been in your shoes before and those who went before us answered our questions.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #5 – December 02, 2015, 11:11:12 pm

Ed

Best places to start are the web sites of Motorhomes of Texas and Foretravel of Texas. PPL has some sold Foretravels from time to time. NADA is useless for valuation.

Welcome to the forum

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #6 – December 02, 2015, 11:20:08 pm

Welcome!

I must suggest that you consider a '95,too. The production numbers were strong and they still seem to be running well across the Forum. While we've been in Nacogdoches these trips, I asked most of the Nac Guys, "What FT would you buy?"

The common answer is a non-slide '95-01. Cummins. (I didn't ask sales guys, but I will. I never met one in a year of wandering around in this little town!) I prodded all the service guys and got some great info regarding not only the Heydays, but the "tough years" at FT. "Old glue meant something", is my takeaway. Things must have really clicked in the late 90's around here.

I just dropped two plus coachbucks before Christmas at Xtreme and I'm thrilled with the improvements. Pros.

Interview everyone that gets glowing reports on this forum at Xtreme, FOT and MOT. Talk to Bernd and get some real opinions! I love these coaches and the support teams! Let me leave you w/ "NADA NEVER BOUGHT A COACH"

Let's hear from you! Best, P

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #7 – December 02, 2015, 11:34:12 pm

James Triana at GV in Seiverville when asked what used FT he would buy, he didn't wait a second before he said 2001 single slide 42' U-320 with a tag axle

Love my slide, loved my non-slide. Just don't let DW see a FT with the slide out, hard sell for non slide at that point, damage already done....

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #8 – December 02, 2015, 11:50:48 pm

I have not encountered any Foretravel that I did not like. 90 or 95 or 2006 .... Slide no slide .... Ohhhh I don't like the new ones because I can not afford it ... yet .... When I can then I will like them too :-)

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #9 – December 03, 2015, 12:29:12 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – December 02, 2015, 11:34:12 pm

Just don't let DW see a FT with the slide out, hard sell for non slide at that point, damage already done....

Kathleen witnessed an '06 FT parked close to us with serious issues that the owner may not have caused. The bill to repair these slide issues could cost the owner the price of my great, old coach. Then, that guy has a repaired '06 in good shape.

We'll talk! You know the '95 is the 911S. '67

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #10 – December 03, 2015, 12:44:03 pm

Thank you all for the responses. There are not too many FT's on the market. We have a 26' Born Free motorcoach now and there were not too many of them on the market when I was looking. I did visit Nacogdoches last month and went to FOT and MOT. I wish I had known about Bernd and Xtreme before I went down there so I could have visited them.

I did go through the thread on "How Many Miles on your coach" last night and that was encouraging.

I have talked to several owners in addition to looking at the used coaches at FOT and MOT. The slide units seem to list for about 30% more than the non-slides. There is a non-slide 2000 advertised in Vancouver, BC (RVTRader) that looks nice with only 51K miles. A 2000 U320 slide with 62K miles in California that also looks nice but the price seems high. On the other extreme, there is a 1995 U320SE advertised on Craigslist in St Louis for just under $35K or a 2000 U320 slide with 288K miles in Oregon. Does anyone have comments on these coaches with regard to history or asking price?

Do the GV's get better fuel economy than a U320 because of better aerodynamics (or maybe just because of a smaller engine)?

Thank you, Ed W

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #11 – December 03, 2015, 12:52:23 pm

After you've done your research (I looked and learned for six months) and find a coach that is right for you, but seems high $ (as ours was), check for any paperwork that the PO(s) have on board. Previous service and upgrades are well worth some serious coach bucks!

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #12 – December 03, 2015, 01:36:04 pm

Buy what you like, fuel @ 12,000 miles a year @ 6 - 8 mpg, savings are negligible Slide coaches in general sell faster, and in a narrower trading range Low use is at least as harmful as high use. Stuff breaks when sitting. A regularly used coach that was regularly maintained will serve you well Big tickets
Cosmetics
Tired
Batteries
Refrigerator
Fuel lines
Aid bags

Have a good inspection done by someone who knows FT. Check rear bulkhead condition and any signs of leakage and water damage Buy and enjoy.

Reserve 10-15 % of purchase price for any first year surprises Nada does not adjust for mileage on any diesel RV. Should tell you something

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #13 – December 03, 2015, 01:42:39 pm

I did drive a 1998 U320 that MOT had just taken in on consignment. It had full body paint and some updating inside with 111K miles. The coach was very nice in appearance (headlight and step conversions). That was the only FT I have driven and the engine idle seemed a bit rough along with rust on the edges of the Joey bed (the storage areas were wet in there also. The current moisture was possibly from a freezer in the storage bin, but not the rust). I did not have the time to stay there and get that figured out. The coach had Oklahoma plates on it. My wife did like that one but both of us were uncertain to the value (asking $72,500).

Is anyone familiar with this coach?

Thank you,

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #14 – December 03, 2015, 01:43:46 pm

[quote author=Tim Fiedler link=msg=218124 date=1449167764 Low use is at least as harmful as high use. Reserve 10-15 % of purchase price for any first year surprises Nada does not adjust for mileage on any diesel RV. Should tell you something[/quote]

I used to inspect Airstreams for would-be buyers, and in every single inspection (unless there was copious paperwork), I'd tell them to have at least $10,000 or 10 Coach Bucks at the ready. Hi-miles and paperwork get it for me.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #15 – December 03, 2015, 01:50:02 pm

Seems high price wise, but market is strong

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #16 – December 03, 2015, 01:55:04 pm

Quote from: Ed W – December 03, 2015, 01:42:39 pm

I did drive a 1998 U320 that MOT had just taken in on consignment. It had full body paint and some updating inside with 111K miles. The coach was very nice in appearance (headlight and step conversions). That was the only FT I have driven and the engine idle seemed a bit rough along with rust on the edges of the Joey bed (the storage areas were wet in there also. The current moisture was possibly from a freezer in the storage bin, but not the rust). I did not have the time to stay there and get that figured out. The coach had Oklahoma plates on it. My wife did like that one but both of us were uncertain to the value (asking $72,500).

Is anyone familiar with this coach?

Thank you,

Not familiar with the coach but my m11 idled a bit roughly.

Needed the valves adjusted, injectors set, fuel lines replaced, fuel filter upgraded, cam position sensor replaced(cheap), and the intake manifold pressurw sensor upgraded(also cheap)

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #17 – December 03, 2015, 01:59:19 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – December 03, 2015, 01:50:02 pm

but market is strong

Except for Country Coach.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #18 – December 03, 2015, 02:01:49 pm

Maybe I just need to be patient and wait. Until I retire in about 3 years I will only be able to use it on weekends anyway. Will the market get stronger or weaker? Only God knows.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #19 – December 03, 2015, 02:09:29 pm

Quote from: Ed W – December 03, 2015, 02:01:49 pm

Maybe I just need to be patient and wait. Until I retire in about 3 years I will only be able to use it on weekends anyway. Will the market get stronger or weaker? Only God knows.

We did the same thing when I was still working, but got to know the coach and do whatever was needed. When I retired, we hit it with problems zero, 'cause we were prepared.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #20 – December 03, 2015, 02:40:52 pm

Ed,
"Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT" Stories ... does it have a story , can it tell its own stories, can you meet with its owner and can he/she tell you its stories ... stories told here on the form ... That is how you can determine. Go out and meet with FT owners ... Almost everyone will show you their FT, tell you their stories, take you for a ride ... come on down to TX I'll be happy to show you two of them. I read stories here for 3 years before i purchased my first one.
Good luck, you are in great company.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #21 – December 03, 2015, 03:26:43 pm

Life is short.....

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #22 – December 03, 2015, 03:44:51 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – December 03, 2015, 03:26:43 pm

Life is short.....

"And miles to go before we sleep".

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #23 – December 03, 2015, 05:03:22 pm

Quote from: mike leary – December 03, 2015, 02:09:29 pm

We did the same thing when I was still working, but got to know the coach and do whatever was needed. When I retired, we hit it with problems zero, 'cause we were prepared.

We also did the same thing, and enjoyed having our coaches to use when ever we could, hoping some day to travel move. We fixed, upgraded and toyed with things as we could. Long projects, short ones, did not mater when they might be completed. Lots of fun without a rushed schedule. Then as some of you know, we got some very poor medical news, that took all our attentions away for 8 months. We were able to only occasionally get to the coach or out of town. When we could we escaped, to enjoy all we can, as long as we can. Things change, so have fun.

Re: Best way to determine a fair price for a used FT

Reply #24 – December 03, 2015, 08:05:06 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – December 03, 2015, 03:26:43 pm

Life is short.....

Ed, if the right coach comes along, don't put off buying it for "sensible" reasons...Dave & Dolly are right....and none of us are promised tomorrow...life should be lived and life in a Foretravel is better all the way around.

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