wtmtnhiker
New Hampshire
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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Hi all,
I'm looking at an older 2005 motorhome. It has been meticulously cared for and is in excellent condition except for some faded and peeling decals. It has very low mileage at 14,458. For the last 3 years it has been going to Florida and Maine from New Hampshire so hasn't been sitting. Previous owners I'm told used it sparingly but that it didn't sit around for long periods of time. To those who have experience with this and giving them the benefit of the doubt as far as not sitting too long, how much if any over list does the low mileage and excellent condition add to the list price. He's also throwing in a Patriot towing system (tow bar and braking device) which has good value. Average retail is 27,800 (according to J.D. Power) and asking price is 38,000. It's an Allegro Open Road on a Workhorse Chassis. Thanks for reading
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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When a motorhome or other RV gets to be a certain age, condition of the house portion and associated systems IMO become more important than mileage or mechanical condition in terms of value. The low mileage may mean excellent mechanical condition, but many systems on an RV suffer from age rather than use. I think that a professional inspection is your best tool in determining value. Think of an RV more like a house than a car.
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2 many 2
USA
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Joined: 06/25/2015
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rjstractor wrote:When a motorhome or other RV gets to be a certain age, condition of the house portion and associated systems IMO become more important than mileage or mechanical condition in terms of value. The low mileage may mean excellent mechanical condition, but many systems on an RV suffer from age rather than use. I think that a professional inspection is your best tool in determining value. Think of an RV more like a house than a car.
This is good advice. To make an old RV completely road worthy could cost 10 to 20 thousand in the first few years. Depending on your perpensity for reliability and perfection.
Good luck.
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midnightsadie
ohio
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Joined: 01/07/2008
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good advice things like tires, hoses belts filters etc should all be changed. just my moneies worth a rv 20+ years old is not $38k of my money.I,consider $25 in great shape. they might too?
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Mommalu
Mpls. MN
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Joined: 02/03/2007
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Older is fine if you're aware everything is old, age takes its toll on many things. We love our old 07 motorhome, but much needed to be replaced, it sat in a barn much of its life, so there's plenty of unseen rust. Funny how the local inspector didn't notice it, well it was nowhere on his report.
After replacing a rusty exhaust manifold, belts, hoses and filters it drives, rides and handles wonderfully.
The leveling hoses are rubber and old so they had bulges and have all been replaced, as well as the refrigerator, 2 A/Cs, water pump, inverter, batteries, you get the idea.
Big thing is many older units had/have quality build, ours is solid going down the road, no squeaks, no leaks, can run all day at 65-70 mph. It's perfect for us once we systematically replaced the older things that time and use wore out.
Best of luck, and with tools and utube many of us become far more mechanical than we could have ever imagined!
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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Joined: 11/28/2004
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I own a 2004 Monaco with the Workhorse chassis and 8.1 gas engine. We bought it new and put 97,000 miles on it. I'm thinking of selling and asking $29,000 so $38,000 isn't too far out of line.
However let me give you some advice. Go try to find some place that will work on it first before you buy it. Actually talk to them and see what they say.
My local Workhorse dealer went out of business and getting service now is difficult.
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD
Workhorse W22 8.1 Gas Allison 1000, 7.1 mpg
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Brakes
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Ivylog
Blairsville, GA and WPB, FL.
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Have bought 4 MHs and always paid less than NADA low retail which is $21K for a 2005 Open Rd/workhorse. Keep looking as it’s no longer a sellers market.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45’...
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wtmtnhiker
New Hampshire
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Thanks to all that replied. I decided not to buy this motorhome based on price. He actually had it listed for 45,0000. Wouldn't budge off of 28,0000
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Chum lee
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 08/03/2015
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wtmtnhiker wrote:Thanks to all that replied. I decided not to buy this motorhome based on price. He actually had it listed for 45,0000. Wouldn't budge off of 28,0000
I'm not saying this is the case here, but, unfortunately, IME, a lot of sellers think their ageing "BABY" is worth a lot more than it is. Many sellers are upside down in their financing and want to sell their baby for what will (at least) pay off the balance of their loan. That's just another hidden expense of owning a motorhome and NOT your problem. (at least not right now) It's a buyers market right now. There are other fish in the sea!
Chum lee
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wtmtnhiker
New Hampshire
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Correction, wouldn't budge off of 38,000 not 28,000
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