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Advice/Strategy
I’ve come to the conclusion that I currently can’t afford the Prevost H3 I want. I have an ’04 Allegro Bus and it works ok for our needs, really could use more space. I want to move up to a Prevost for the many reasons that everyone already knows. I’ve narrowed it down to two options, sell mine & get a 2000ish now then trade/sell for a 2008ish Liberty in about 5 years or wait the 5 years and get the Liberty then.
I am trying to figure out which one makes the most financial sense. As you know, my Allegro Bus is loosing value fast and in 5 years may be worth next to nothing. If I sell it now (stop the bleeding) and move to a bus with most of the depreciation already realized maybe I will not loose so much on the older Prevost when I make the next move. Besides, in 5 years an ’08 Liberty should cost significantly less than today. I guess the real question is “over the next 5 years which one is going to loose the most value?”
Welcome all feedback.
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38 Replies
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MK,
I know that you probably want to be in a Prevost, like, yesterday.
The 2004 Tiffin Allegro Bus would retail today for about $50,000-$55,000 (depending on condition). In five years, in 2023, maybe $25,000.
A 2000 Prevost today, would be in the $189,000-$250,000 depending on the coach. In five years, in 2023, maybe $90,000-$130,000 (comparing used coaches that are 23 yrs. old today).
You might do better to keep what you have and save for the 2008.
In five years with the Tiffin, you will lose $25,000, with the Prevost, $120,000. (All estimates of course).
Just a thought.
Good luck,
Mark
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MK,
Mark furnished excellent numbers. What you have to ask yourself is if you want to continue to travel in a Tiffin vs. Prevost over the next five years. As long as you’re sticking with a Class A, I believe a Prevost is the only way to go!
I don’t want to start any fights on the forum, but don’t overlook Marathon … they are the largest of the quality converters currently operating, with three excellent service centers nationwide.
Bite the bullet and, if you sell your Tiffin, I currently have an ’01 Marathon H-3 for sale. An ’08 Liberty H-3 will be around $500,000 more than mine, give or take a few thousand 🙂 An ’01 Marathon or other converter has much of its depreciation already taken out of it!
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I neglected to mention, there certainly is value in having the Prevost for the 5 years that is hard to put a value on. I will be full timing so, the ultimate goal is to have one that I am happy with and enjoy. I don’t want to feel like I settled so, this would have to be a step to the next one. The only reason that got me thinking about this was seeing a 1999 that Premium Coach has that might work for $140K. Of course, I haven’t seen it in person or know what it needs but, now that the thought is in my head, I can look for a good buy. From what I’ve seen the ’95-99s are in the same price range, depending on upgrades performed. I’m a geek and I would continue to update the electronics and other items in hopes of offsetting any more depreciation.
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Do it while you can and enjoy it….
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MK,
If you can sell the Allegro, go for it. You’re then in a much better position buying a Prevost out right vs any kind of trade deal. My H3 would sell today for about the same money I paid for it as a private sale almost 4 years ago. If you buy right, you’ll be fine.
By the way, welcome to the forum.
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That was my thought, just needed a sanity check. The key of course is buying it right. Without going back to find differences between years, what are some of the big things a ’99 will not have besides the upgraded front axle/365 and 4 pane windshield.
Truk, I have been a member for about 7 months mostly reading and educating myself. I have actually taken the time to go back and read EVERY post on all of the forums. I have only been able to provide valuable replies on a couple of questions. BTW, I met you, Jon & Jeff in West Palm. Seeing that many buses at West Palm was very valuable and lead me to my conclusion, prior to then I had seen only 4.
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MKeithT
I recently bought a 2000 Marathon. I am going through it with the help of some experts ….AutoNetwork, CoachPro LLC, TEC Enterprises, and Kaiser Brake in Eugene Oregon. These guys are independent Marathon experts in Eugene.
Here is what I learned from this forum:
1. Buy as much Prevost as you can afford.
2. Buy one that will not cost you too much to get as close to Zero’d out as possible. You want to be able to drive it without the rudder falling off on your first trip. So maintenance records and history of what has been done is a must.
3. Do not overlook Prevost with higher milelage. North of 200K. Because they are and can be a great value. It means that they were rolling and not just parked.
4. When you roll for the first time you want to be under the market value with corrections so wait for the right one and do not blink.
5. Rivets are your friend if you start thinking about polished stainless.
6. You have two choices Marathon and Liberty. They are not Orphan coaches. Their house systems can be complicated. So you must be able to do some work on what ever you buy after you buy it. Have in your budget dollars to let a few experts work on coach to get close to Zero’d.
7. This forum rocks with information… you have a community of experience and experts for advice.
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Unless there is something in a newer model Prevost that you just cannot do without an older model is going to do just fine.
We take a huge financial beating every time we trade up and in the case of our three moves to a newer coach we went from a 40 footer to a 45 which was a huge difference in liveability and then we went to a 45 footer with 2 slides.
Getting a newer Prevost to replace an older one is not necessarily a step up unless the newer model you want has something of significance not available in the older model. Just be prepared for the financial hit.
BTW certain things like the latest front windshields and cap or a IFS front axle compared to a solid front axle may give you bragging rights or make you feel you have stepped up, but the reality is they have almost zero tangible benefit. The important things are the coach’s history and mechanical condition, slides (if you want them), and certain features that might be important for how you use the coach, such as a private toilet or 2 sofas or a dining room table instead of a J booth.
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I was just using the front axle as an example, soliciting more examples. I realize some of them may not be very important. However, 2 slides and a private toilet are hard requirements and limit my options in older models.
To me, the new ones with the roof mounted awnings, new end caps and interior look much sexier. Remember, I am selling my stick house in 5 years to buy my new “home” and while it has to be mechanically sound, it’s look is a huge factor. The last thing I want to have happen is to be stuck with the older model, that’s why I never considered going this route before.
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MK,
Two slides in your current budget would be a challenge but a private toilet is easily attainable in your year group.
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MK, my 2cents worth, (probably not worth that much). If you could do without slides until you go fulltime your options open up considerably.
Tim’s bus is as close to new as you’re going to find out there, it is literally a get in and drive it away bus. My guess is money spent on it for the next 5 years is going to be minimal and it’s still going to bring good money at that time.
I’ll charge Tim the 2 cents for the free advertisement…….
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The problem is I live in mine now, as I work out of town, and slides are a must. My wife comes up to visit often and when we travel we entertain and stay for periods of time. We have 3 slides now and 5 years with no slides is not an option otherwise, his would be a great choice. I will keep an eye out for a good buy and worst case, I wait until I sell my house.
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Anyone know anything about:
http://b9b.592.myftpupload.com/product/1999-prevost-featherlite-vogue-h3-45/
Offered by Premium Coach Group
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Rats…………there went my commission….(-:
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Before any move, be sure to do a Carfax to see at least where this bus may have lived if dealer hasn’t told you. We are seeing “flood cars” from our recent hurricanes pouring into the car auctions. Also recently had an employee buy a suv without checking a Carfax and we found it loaded with silt. RVS aren’t immune to natural disasters. Buyer Beware!
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