Re: Older vs. Newer
Reply #9 –
Newer or older is like going to Vagas, you may or may not be lucky, My brand new Suburban three years ago was so bad, I traded it after three months and 2900 miles.
I have had an equal mix of new and older rigs and I have spent money on them all within months of buying.
We bought a 99 U270 last April that was in good mechanical shape, but with 50,000 miles had suffered somewhat from not been driven.
Some folks would have been really happy with it and probably never done anything to it but drive off happy going from campground to campground. But I like my stuff to be in perfect working order and we have now spent $1000 on servicing engine because I don't know what the PO really did, $5000 on mechanicals shocks, airbags etc etc that I think is better spent up front, $4000 on things that really needed repairing because it's an old coach. This does not include things I have replaced because of looks, window seals, upholstery, captains chairs, insulation, replaced all the brass for a more modern look, added lighting, TV,'s etc etc and don't forget fuel line replacement and fuel tank cleaning.
It's now heading in for a headlight conversion and roof paint and stripe replacement.
Before buying we had read in the forum that you needed 20CB in reserve, had it and now don't.
Are we unhappy? no! It is what we thought it would cost us, we love the simplicity of the coach, the accessibility of the infrastructure, the retro looks.
We toured the FT factory and were awed by the features and mammoth size of the new rigs, but were happier stepping into our cozy, simple coach that does not scream you got money (even if you don't)
We think this is a much better coach than the 6 year old one we just sold that had stripes deteriorating, fiberglass delaminating, underpowered, smaller tanks all round. All this Foretravel for less than a new Forest River 24' class C !!
Good luck, the hunt for your new coach is as much fun as owning it.
David