I found one close to home. It's in decent shape with 75,000 miles on it. Everything seems to work. The fella wants 25,000 for it. I wouldn't pay that but would like to make him a decent offer. What would be decent?
I know you have a feel for prices. NADA only goes back to 86. How about it?
Turbo-desiel 28 ft Excella, 75000, 600 on gen, everything I checked works. Decent shape, twin beds, rear bath. I don't think he will get anywhere near the 25k he is asking, but would like to make him an offer. Help .
Condition, condition, condition......what is your feel for how much you will put into it to get it where you want it? Consider both mechanical and coach refurbishment. Anticipate certain things will require replacement, and do not underestimate the cost of Repair/Replacement (it's always more costly than what you initially think). 75,000 miles - keep some bucks in reserve for engine, transmission, and brakes.
Set a more or less most likely price range you would like to stay in, and look around as to what you could buy staying within that price range.
I got into the 345 at a right price, but during the last year I have put more into it than what I paid for it....will I get the money back if I tried to sell it now?....no way, but I now own a unit very close to "ideal" for me.
I would suggest tracking as many of the MoHo's as you can find (both for sale now, and as many historical sales as you can find). Graph on a year vs cost or cost vs size/condition scale. Remember, the asking price is usually not the final sales price, but the discount would be close to a comparable priced auto negotiation.
Fred Hinds site was invaluable for me and some other purchasers for historical data.
Do your homework, don't get in a hurry, but be prepared to act quickly with cash in hand should a real bargain appear.
Luck
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Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
I think there is another 1982 28' TD unit that has been for sale for some time at $19,800. The gas 82 28's go for 10-13k depending on.....condition.
I do agree with Dennis regarding condition. I could see a 1982 28' TD going for that price but in near showroom condition. You also have to think about resale if you should ever need to do that. Something will always need to be replaced. Who knows, the engine could die on your return trip costing you another $5,000 to $7,000. Just read all the posts about that fun event and there are several.
I appreciate the replies. I think I'll pass on this one. I did inspect it thoroughly. It's in "good" shape, not pristine, and certainly not showroom. It is located approx. 10 miles west of McKinney, TX, on Highway 380. Parked in the lot of a self-storage place. Gated. Phone number of owner: 972-668-1355. Only talked to the owner once. He said "25 thousand". I said "goodbye". If someone else wants to dicker for it, please let me know how you do. This would be "the one" at 12 thousand. But the owner would probably just call me names, and hang up, if I offered him that. He must have some gold thread in the cloth seats. Or, maybe I don't know the value of what I looked at. Either way, back to the hunt. I've only got two years to find one, and tempus fugits.
I wouldn't give up totally. Let him sweat it out. I think they'll come to their senses if they really want to sell it. Time is on your side. Besides, that gives you more time to watch the market and determine what YOU think is a fair price. Try this, tell him you're interested but not at that price. Give him your number and ask him to call you if he decides to lower the price. Put the ball back in his court.
Another tactic would be to ask him to justify the price. I'll bet he can't show you one unit that sold for that price. Maybe that would soften him up.
Of course he could be a greedy scoundrel trying to make a bunch of money off some poor unsuspecting soul.
Bill,
I second Fred's approach. We looked at/test drove five AS MH's (two 280's, one 310 & two 345's) before purchasing our 345. I called on or exhanged email on about ten more. It took almost a year from the beginning of our search to purchase day...but we got exactly what we wanted (which was bigger than we originally planned but a better fit for all five of us) for a better price than we had planned for.
Kicking tires and walking through floorplans is the best way to get a feel for pricing. Once you are in the unit that is "the one" you'll know right away and won't hesitate to make a fair offer. You are lucky in that you are in a state where I there always seem to be one of two posted on RVTraderOnline for sale.
[quote=1985air345]I think there is another 1982 28' TD unit that has been for sale for some time at $19,800. The gas 82 28's go for 10-13k depending on.....condition.
QUOTE]
You would be very hard pressed to find a 280 for 13000 or less in good shape. I know I have watched the ads, and collected print outs in a binder for 3+ years. Anything nice will be 15-19,000, and I would think for the diesel 18-20000 on a nice one is top dollar right now.
I looked at a great diesel for 17,500 almost three years ago, and lost it to another buyer. Anything in a 280, 270, 290 under 15,000 I have seen has been pretty rough. Once in a great while you will find one for that range though, its a rarity.
Its like 345's that go from 16000-39000...quite a spread...but the ones at the bottom end will take thousands of dollars to get up to an acceptable level.
Sure there are exceptions, but a 280 under 13,000...I don't think so.
Only the older Argosy 28 is bringing 10,000 or less, and those usually are rare.Even nice Argosy will be higher. See the Argosy 24 on this site thats 6995...great price....
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
I've been watching both. My price range is between 10 and 12k. I know there is one out there for that. Anybody near Monroe, LA, and could go by and look at the one in West Monroe?
You may indeed find one, but add in the repairs and redo you will have to make and it will soon become quite a bit more than that. But with the Forum folks to help, it saves a lot on labor and mistakes.
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
I get really nervous when I see engines replaced at 56,000 miles. To late to be a factory problem, too early to be worn out. I would have to really go through one like this well before bidding.
I have an Airstream 280 Classic turbo Diesel that is in the process of getting an engine replacement. I am asking 5000.00 before the work is started and 13,000.00 plus after. If interested in a great opportunity contact me at rmauch@zoomtown.com or 513-503-6446. It is currently in California.
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Hey Smiley....
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Something will always need to be replaced. Who knows, the engine could die on your return trip costing you another $5,000 to $7,000. Just read all the posts about that fun event and there are several.
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