Help.. want to buy a new motorhome and not sure which one?

[rsonc]

I am looking at 2 motorhomes and I am not sure which would be the better one. They are both the same price and both have the bunkbeds

One is the Thor (four winds) Hurricane 34B (34ft long) with triple slide outs this one is brand new but was a 2007 model.

The other one is a Itasca (winnebago) Sunstar 32K (32ft long) with double slide out and this is a 2008 model.

I am having a hard time finding a bunk model in our surrounding states and these are the best options that I have found.

The Hurricane looks nicer and more plush then the Sunstar but it is a year old (but never left the lot so it is new) and it has an extra slide out.

Does anyone own or looked into one of these models that can give me some insight to what might be the better deal.

Also what is the rule of thumb on what a good price is (10,20,30% off the sticker price)?

TIA

Susan

 

[lprstn]

Have you considered renting one of each before you purchase? That may give you a better idea on what you like over the one or the other.

 

[Carol C]

I have an idea...buy the most gas efficient one!

 

[ownsmany]

have one - don't use it

I bought a new motorhome in 2001(?). I was looking at the four winds and coachman. Everyone recommonded the Coachman over the four winds. I guess at that time four winds didn't have a great name (things would break, come loose, etc). I really wanted the four winds because I like the layout and design better.

We got the coachman. We got a 30ft bunkhouse. The kids love the bunkhouse as it has it's own table (fold down dinette in back) & door. It also has a dinette in front, along with couch, etc. Sleeps 10.

We don't use it much at all anymore. I got totally spoiled with timeshares and can't see staying in a motorhome when we can stay in a timeshare.

Also with the price of fuel - it is just as cheap to fly and save time (and aggrevation on driving).

I think unless Four Winds improved, you might want to consider a "name brand".

JMO.

 

[geekette]

One extra thing to watch out for is formaldehyde (sp?) There's a bit of a stink (pun intended) about how much is in the motor homes after the flap over mobile homes in NOLA. Check it out, too much of that stuff can make you sick.

 

[ricoba]

I don't know anything about motor homes, other than it looks like it would be fun to try sometime.

But I do imagine with the new prediction this morning from Goldman Sachs (the same guys who predicted $100/barrel) that the price per barrel may go up to $200 within two years. you should be able to get some really really good deals

 

[JudyH]

Have you researched the purchase on http://www.rv.net/forum/ ?

I have a 97 Itasca Suncruiser. I purchased this after owning a really poorly made motor home from a company no longer in business. The Chevy engine ran great, but the unit leaked terrible. So I bought the Suncruiser, thinking I would have Winnebago behind me. The unit's been ok. We have had numerous brake problems, and Autopark issues. This has to do with the P-30 chassis, which has now been replaced by Workhorse which now has its own issues.

It still seemed to be better made than the 4 Winds, which I think is a Fleetwood ?? product.

I really reccommend the above site as the RV equivalent of TUG.

 

[cgeidl]

Buy used with low mileage

We bought a 32 ft Mimmie Winnie at the end of 2004 and it was a 2003 with 2500 miles.We bought it for 52000 with no sales tax. A new one off the lot with the same features would have been $90,000 minus about 20% off.Net $72000 + $7000 tax.
We are happy with our savings and will use it along with timeshares.I found 20% off was pretty standard when I looked. The higher priced had 25% or so which is probably higher now. Depreciation unless you go many miles is a bigger cost than
gas. I figure $400 gas for each 1000 miles so a 2000 mile RT is $800 .Altogether we go 3000 or so a year. Unless you are a real TRAVELER the diesel will never pay for itself although some will get 700,000 miles on the engine. My friend got one for this reason and traded it in after two years for one with more gadgets.

 

[ricoba]

We bought a 32 ft Mimmie Winnie at the end of 2004 and it was a 2003 with 2500 miles.We bought it for 52000 with no sales tax. A new one off the lot with the same features would have been $90,000 minus about 20% off.Net $72000 + $7000 tax.

May I ask how you were able to get away with not paying the tax? That's obviously a big plus that must have made you very happy.

 

[rsonc]

We go quading over at the coast at least 10 times a year plus my husband goes away for a hunting trip once a year and at least one or two fishing trips...

We decided we would keep the timesharing for me and him but it does get expensive taking the kids and soon the grandkids with us so we want to upgrade out motorhome (which we use a lot) and get something that we can take the whole gang in and do closer vacations for the kids in the long run this would save us a lot on the air, hotel, food and everything else and they love being at the Dunes or the Lake during the summer.

I told my husband I would not give up timesharing and we still need to go to mexico at least once a year.. I really need that and it has been so much fun and he loves our "away time" too.

In a few weeks we are driving down to Disneyland for 11 days with 2 teenages and 2 -10 year olds so the slide out will be a big plus for us.

I will check out that RV website and see if I can find anything over there.

Renting would be a good idea but there are not many companies that I know of in this area and we are having a hard time finding anything in our price range most of them are selling out fast which really surprised me with the gas prices.

The 2007 Hurricane 34B they are asking 78k
The 2008 Sunstar I am working on them but they are around 70k
The Daydreamer (daybreaker??) is around $67k but it is a older model.

The Hurricane and Sunstar is below NADA low book so I think that either would be a good deal? right ??

I am not sure on the Daydreamer (or is it daybreaker??) I have to book that one still.

how do you find out how much formaldehyde is in a unit?

Thanks again for everyones help.

Susan

 

[Gramma5]

How we found our RV (LONG)

We are new to RVing too. We own a home in SW Fl where we spend the winters and sold our MN home and decided to get an RV. We plan to live in it in the summers in MN so we can enjoy being near the grandkids and take them on trips. We looked for an RV for about a year. First we had to decide between a 5th wheel and a MH. that took us a couple of months of online reading, visiting MH shows and talking to lots of MH travelers. Once we made the decision to go with a MH. Then we had to decide about a diesel or gas. then we narrowed it down by price range, style, amenities and chassis. We had a certain price in mind and started looked online, ebay, craig's list and dealers. We knew we want new because it was too expensive, lost their value quickly, and are notorious for problems that require many trips to the dealer(under warrenty tho, but a hassel). My husband became a student of "motorhomes!" We narrowed it down(our price range) eventually to a 2000 Fleetwood Discovery diesel and 2003-2004 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37'. We decided on the newer model, three slides, upgraded cherry cabinets and stainless appliances. More space, better resale (altho, these are NOT an investment, they do lose their value). Then we started a SERIOUS 5 months of looking everywhere. We eventallly found ours online in NC in RV Trader.com. The MD we bought it from needed to get rid of it(he had it on the market for 9 mos) and we got a steal. He even owed money on it after we purchased it!
We love it and will live in it for 4+ months every summer. But,ask me next fall what I really think of it!!! Good luck in your search.
Sherry