Hi, I don't know if this is the right forum to be asking this question so please bear with me. I am negotiating the purchase of a '93 rear bath with 73,000 miles. The owner identified some of the issues that will need further attention.
1. The onboard generator has not been serviced in a long time and is currently not working - Onan 4000
2. The coach a/c is on the old R-12 system and does not cool and will need to be converted to the R134A
3. For some reason they applied Flex Seal on the seams all around the roof. There's no evidence of a leak on the inside of the coach but the flex seal looks ugly
4. The low pressure power steering hose leaks
5. The floater of the fuel pump was installed backward? not sure, but the fuel gauge on the instrument panel registers Full all the time
6. Back window has a crack on the outside pane, not the inside
7. A couple of other minor aesthetic details
Has new front brakes, new tires, recent oil change, etc. - paint is in very good shape - registered until 2022 - Negotiated price is $15,000
My husband can handle most of the repairs but there still will be a few thousand $ investing in parts and other replacement items which I'm ok with. I would like some input whether this is a worthy investment...Thank you for your time and consideration.
Walk away.....keep saving qnd buy a 2004 or newer. These older units will.nickel and dime you into the poor house. If you are not mechanically inclined and able to do the work yourself......walk away.
15K is well over twice what it's worth. For 2-3K it MIGHT be worth fixing up.
An RV of any age, brand, or type is never an "investment" except in terms of lifestyle, and from the brief "wart" description provided, I suspect that any "lifestyle" associated with this rig will consist of significant outward cash flow and a whole lot of frustrating down time.
I agree with the others; pass.
2. I wouldn't care what the roof looks like.
5. Bad fuel damaged fuel sensor.
"I wouldn't care what the roof looks like."
----
I sure would! The condition of the roof is usually a big "tell" on the condition of the rest of the rig.
short answer - too high asking price.
long answer - A 28 year old RV is full of hidden money 'traps'. Keep in mind it's a house on wheels ie house that has been in an ongoing 'earth quark'. My guess it's worth $5000 to $7000. And you'll be putting $10,000 easy in repairs and upgrades.
We on this forum have watch too many, too many folks buy older LD's and sink slowly in depression with they become aware of the cost and time needed to bring their LD back to operating condition.
glen
"I wouldn't care what the roof looks like."
----
I sure would! The condition of the roof is usually a big "tell" on the condition of the rest of the rig.
I had a similar "problem" where the previous owner added eternabond tape to all the seams. It seems like they did it, but not because there was a leak, only to prevent any issues from happening.
It doesn't look beautiful, but it works. As long as it works, and roof is in good shape that's what matters
"I wouldn't care what the roof looks like."
----
I sure would! The condition of the roof is usually a big "tell" on the condition of the rest of the rig.
I would care about it's ability to do it's job, but not if it looked pretty.
15k would be the price if there were no issues at all. And note that even then, you will find issues later, or would want to spend some to renovate it a bit.
I would get a quote for each of the things listed, some of the must be fixed there is the fuel stuff for sure! Wouldn't want to drive around not knowing how much fuel is left.
Mention the price to fix those things and start lowering the price.
Hi, you guys are amazing, I appreciate all the thoughtful and helpful feedback. I concur with you and decided not to make the purchase. I would have jumped on Chris' 31' for sale in a heartbeat but unfortunately it is too large for us. It looks so beautiful though. I'll keep on trotting... have a wonderful day.
Safe travels...
"I would have jumped on Chris' 31' for sale in a heartbeat but unfortunately it is too large for us."
Another four (4) feet does not make it 'large'. The tail follows the head!
At this moment my Daughter, LazyBones2, is somewhere in Colorado or Utah in my 30'IB (a twin of Chris Horst's rig) and enjoying it immensely. It's only a state of mind, you missed a good bet. ::)
I’m actually a few miles from 4 corners. Tomorrow I’ll start out on Colorado, dip into New Mexico, pass through Arizona and end up in Utah. 4 states one day!
Having the time of my life in a 30’IB. 😃😁🥰
Jump on Chris’s rig Sassy1. He has taking very good care of his LD. You won’t go wrong. 😊
Have a Great Trip, we were just in the four corners area this April - May. We love that part of the country!
Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA
Lazy Bones, I've actually been searching for a 24' which are next to impossible to find...I did consider the 31' and researched inside
storage in my area since I would not be on the road full time and can't accommodate that size on my lot...the monthly/annual fees
to store are more than my current monthly mortgage...hahaha