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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Older Class A
Post Info TOPIC: Older Class A
Tropikat


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Older Class A
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If you were considering a class A between a 1995 and 2000 what brands would you look at for quality? Any you would not consider at all? My thinking is that we would rather buy an older high end unit rather than a newer lower end unit. Any thoughts on that?



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SnowGypsy


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I'm wondering about your size and price range.  Fleetwood Bounder and Southwind appear to have pretty good longevity and are widely available as are Winnebago units with these being in the lower price range.   As in another discussion here, the Foretravel is nice as is the Newell Coach and then the top of the line, Prevost.  I would stay away from Thor and Forest River products since I have seen used Thors and experienced Forest River personally. 



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Tropikat


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Our price range would depend on when we buy, we have seen some in the 40 to 50K range that we could buy now and do some interior upgrades on while we wait to sell our house in a year or so. The other option would be to wait untill we sell and spend around 100K. We are looking at 38 to 40 ft to get the interior that we want. Our time table is very fluid since we are both retired form a local PD and both working second full time jobs, once our house is sold we can get on the road right away or we can stay for a while longer with my mother who has a large house by herself very close to where we live now.



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Lucky Mike


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you are looking at units that are basically in the 15 year old range ......I would be looking at the higher end units only unless I found an extreme creampuff or you planning on changing up every year or 2.......the value will be good in that range but problems will occur faster......after 10 years aftermarket warranties are tough to find so it will be an out of pocket ritual.

I live out of older units and change up every good deal I find......fix it up , enjoy it, make a profit and move it along. This might not be your thing , it also will depend on how you plan to travel whether its continuous or just snowbirding.

alot of the older american eagles....provosts....newells and later winnabago lines in that year spread are built well and have a good pricepoint

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el Rojo and Pam


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When buying an older rv I would prefer one that was being used rather than one that's just in the field or barn for an extended period.

I'm with Mike on buying a "high end" unit in that age class. If you do have to spend money fixing it up at least you'll have a "Cadillac".

Red

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Tropikat


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So the best older high end units are, Foretravel, Prevost, Newell, and Am. Eagle.......so far?



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SnowGypsy


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Tropikat wrote:

So the best older high end units are, Foretravel, Prevost, Newell, and Am. Eagle.......so far?

 That about covers the entire high end.  I cannot say that I know a lot about them but have talked to a couple of satisfied customers with the Wanderlodge (Blue Bird) and they appear to last almost forever since I have seen some listed for sale from the 70's and still looking presentable and if you do a search, there is "Vintage Birds", I believe they call it where they have some for sale and a wealth of information.



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Lucky Mike


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I guess its going to have to settle in first......do you want gas or diesel.......is there a particular floor plan you want......the budget......the budget......how far are you willing to travel for it or are you buying local .....is the season in the high price mode or discount mode...


you might want to browse thru PPL website.......MHSRV website and see what you find to your liking , it will narrow your field down quickly and give you an idea of what your money could buy...

you could literally take a trip to PPL and if you are ready to buy be exhausted after seeing 40 acres of RV's but if your ready to buy, leave with the best deal available!!!

keep your search wide open without a brand in mind......look.....visit ,learn ....look again,,,,,,see it, feel it ,sit ,lay down,kick it..(not in front of seller) imagine what its going to be like after 30 days, 6 months.....no one is ever happy with the first unit the bought without modifying it or trading up.....prepare for that and dont get stuck on the first love!!

when you finally find it look to the owner forums to see how others of that model are dealing with it.....

some out here are just as happy putting around in an old Winnie or Barth and then there are those that must trade there new Provost in every year......so its a personal decision with alot of homework

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 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
Technomadia


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On the Prevost.. there were/are several converters of those. Prevost would be the bus maker, but companies like Liberty, Custom Coach and Marathon would have been some of the high end converters.

Also agreed on Foretravel, Newell and Wanderlodge being worthy contenders in this category.

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