Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/07/2001
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Looking into buying one from a private party and needing the help of other owners. This rig has a 250 hp diesel Cummins and Allison transmission, don't know what speed.
If anyone has personal experience with this kind of rig, maybe you could tell me about any good points like fuel economy or bad points like rubber roofs that leak. Or maybe just what kind of roofs they have.
I find it is best to ask those who know before buying and than regreting it later.
So anything you may want to share no matter how small will be appreciated.
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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Les Curren wrote:Looking into buying one from a private party and needing the help of other owners. This rig has a 250 hp diesel Cummins and Allison transmission, don't know what speed.
If anyone has personal experience with this kind of rig, maybe you could tell me about any good points like fuel economy or bad points like rubber roofs that leak. Or maybe just what kind of roofs they have.
I find it is best to ask those who know before buying and than regreting it later.
So anything you may want to share no matter how small will be appreciated.
The roof is fiberglass. Check the caulking at front and rear caps. Caps are also fiberglass. Sides are aluminum. Eterna-Bond tape is great for sealing that roof/cap joint.
Your engine is a 5.9L not sure which transmission. It has mechanical injectors.
Interior is probably very similar to mine (a '96) but engine is different. I believe that the full-pass through basement started with the '94.
It has a spring suspension. Excellent build quality, but at that age mainenance by previous owner(s) is critical.
For the right price this could be an excellent buy. I would look at $25K or south of there.
Hope this helps.
Ken
96 Safari Sahara- 3530, 35', CAT 300
UltraKen
Ex - 1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Model 3530 - Cat 300
Pictures of my Coach
A $93 Rear Camera System
My take on replacing tires
Used MH Checklist
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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It may have Velvet Ride which is very good and requires little maintenance. Also, the Velvet Ride was considered way back then to be a lifetime suspension, but way down the road today, we know better. But still a excellent spring suspension and fairly comparable to air bags.
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Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Well, thank you,gentlemen. Only two responses but both quite helpfull. There must not have been many of them sold in that year or model.
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JohnQ
Port Angeles, Wa., (Freshwater Bay)
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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The Safari Owners website is a Yahoo User group, go there for an excellent Used Motorhome Checklist. I used it to look at and reject about 6 coaches, and the one we brought. A lot of other Good Safari Infor there, and the folks are friendly and extremely helpful. The website -- http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Safarifriends/?yguid=114853819
1997 Safari Serengeti M-4040 Cat 300 &
2002 Jetti TDI Toad
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UltraKen
Ohio
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JohnQ wrote:The Safari Owners website is a Yahoo User group, go there for an excellent Used Motorhome Checklist. I used it to look at and reject about 6 coaches, and the one we brought. A lot of other Good Safari Infor there, and the folks are friendly and extremely helpful. The website -- http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Safarifriends/?yguid=114853819
I now have a link to that checklist on my signature. Look above to my first post.
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gwolfer
usa
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Joined: 03/14/2010
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I have a 94 Safari Sahara I have owned it since 2001. I have only used it occasionally but am now retired and it needs alot of work but I am working on it now. I could use some friends with similar coaches to discuss issues and I have a full set of books that came with it. I am willing to share info either by e-mail or posting. I just joined this forum today. My name is Gary and my e-mail address is buyers@peak.org by the way mine is green and gray as well. I live in Oregon.Not far from the factory.
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grldst
Dallas, GA
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Joined: 12/10/2003
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I had a '95 Sahara. It had a 5.9 cummins 230hp and a 6 speed MD3060 Allison. Mine had a fiberglass roof, alluminum painted sides and a stainless steel bottom. Leaf spring suspension and hydraulic brakes. Mine was also equiped with a 2000 watt invertor, solar panel and propane generator. It was a very well built coach, nice interior and everything you need to enjoy rving. Most will get 10mpg with this type of rig. I was very happy with it and it remains as one of the better motorhomes I've had the pleasure of owning.
A good amount of people will tell you to stay away from propane generators. I never had a problem with mine and seen no problem with it. I attended nascar races, boondock and have spend considerable time in the desert at Quartzsite. The propane generator worked fine and propane use was never a problem.
Main problem I had was a sticky brake caliper. Had the brakes redone and that took care of the problem. Its a great RV and you will be hard pressed to get anything better for the money.
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gwolfer
usa
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I signed up for the Yahoo Safari Site again. I was there a few years ago but was disappointed at that time because it was all trek owners. Seems now all Safaris are there. I would like to post there but I never got an invitation back in my e-mail. Seems like that has happened before. I had to open a new yahoo account and then sign up for the site but nothing has happened.
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Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/07/2001
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Well I guess I should have waited around for a couple days longer to hear from more people. Although I see that only about half put out any info.
But it matters not because I will not be buying that particular coach anyway. It was a 600 mile round trip to look at it and so I asked for more pictures. When they showed up what I seen was a joke. This is the most barren coach I have ever seen. Not even a curtain on any of the windows and a short queen bed that is actually nothing more than a overwidth full size. A queen is 60W.by 80L A full size is 54W by 75L this bed was 60W by 75L. I'm longer than that. Plus the couch did not make up into any bed. Just a plain coach.
No oven just a plain three burner hot plate with a plain microwave. Try baking a pie or a turkey in a microwave. No carpet on the floors just inlaid tile and wood. It had 142,671 miles and when I commented on that his response was "Diesels are good for nearly a million miles."
Yeah thats true, but the rest of the coach is not a diesel.
When the guy bought it he went the cheapest posible way but now that he wants to unload it he is asking $10,000 over book.
I thank you all for your info but I believe I'll pass on the Safari Sahara. At least this time.
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