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Hello group! (from a new member)
Hey Group, just wanted to say hello. We’re possibly considering an older Prevost purchase. Just wanted to say thank you for the site and the ability to read through the old threads that have answers to a lot of my questions and concerns.
I was a little surprised that there isn’t a specific group category for new member introductions and to share photos of your coach though. A theme that I gathered from reading the old threads is that coach owning is a very small segment of the market for RV ownership, and that most people are generally outgoing and friendly. So a group category to support that comradery seams logical to me, especially to promote and help prospective new coach owners feel like they fit in right away. And since no 2 coaches are identical, sharing pics with fellow owners seams like a fun way to show off your particular style. But maybe people prefer privacy though and don’t want to share pics that much.(?)
Anyways, many of my questions have been answered. Still a little concerned about it being a money pit or ending up stranded on the side of a busy highway 800 miles from home with no clue who to call for roadside assistance…or the safety of my family during this type of event. I want this to be an enjoyable experience, not a worrysome experience. FWIW, I did own a classic mahogany Chris Craft once, and although it was a beautiful boat, it was more hassle than it was worth. One of my biggest concern is how these things seam to need an engine rebuild after so few miles (100-150k many times).
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32 Replies
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OSBMXER, Welcome aboard. As you continue to read and research a possible puchase, keep in mind that these are the best engineered and robust of this type of vehicle on the planet. The support network from Prevost itself to the converters and repair and maintainance providers and the mfr’s and service companies that provide much of the onboard equipment is second to none. The help from members on this site is unmatched. You will not be stranded and very few of us have ever been towed. Owners of plastic are the ones without a network for the most part and frquently hung out to dry. I have no idea where you got the impression that these things need major engine work in 100-150K. Absolutely not true and major engine problems on a Detroit Series 60 are extremely rare. Probably 95-98% of these shells are turned into seated busses and Entertainers and they frequently rack up miles to a million or more. Most engine failures can be traced to poor maintainance(especially cooling system) or out and out abuse or neglect. That is one reason that you will see stressed over and over on this site to get records or have a PDI done and after puchase zero everything out. Keep reading and asking questions, as Jon says….you might even get a correct answer once in a while. Good luckon your search. Geo.
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Osbmixer, Most of these folks are in the witness protection program so they are reluctant to post photos that haven’t already been hanging in the post office. But hang in there, read the posts, ask questions, and it won’t be very long before you will know all there is to know. Most of what we post here we make up, but on certain rare occasions we actually provide a correct answer.
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One of my biggest concern is how these things seam to need an engine rebuild after so few miles (100-150k many times).
Where did this above engine rebuild come from ? That’s a new one.
How about a picture of that Chris Craft ? I’ve owned 13 boats over 35 years. Selling the last one was a sad day.
After buying a plastic RV and thank god I did’nt have more then one of those finally saw the light. There is nothing better, Prevost it’s the best, top of the pile.
Using the list of advertisers here many of there buses might of been taken in on trade. So the dealer owns it and offers a warranty to the next owner. Something to think about.
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OSB,
A Prevost IS a money pit. But let’s put that in context.
If you are looking for a new Prevost conversion you will spend serious money and depreciation can approach $1000 per day (not a typo). On that new conversion you still have to have insurance, buy fuel, do routine service such as oil changes, lube, etc.
Or you greatly minimize depreciation by purchasing an old coach. The older the coach the less depreciation. But you still have to have insurance, buy fuel, and do routine service. But in addition and older coach that has not been well maintained is goig t otake serious money to undo the damage from poor maintenance. But it will still be less expensive than a new oe.
Set a budget. Be realistic because you are not ging to find a perfect used coach. If you find a great used coach that is almost perfect you will spend some money taking care of the few glitches, but on any coach you are still going to buy tires, batteries and depending on age, air bags, and other items that age out. You can figure these costs based on your tolerance level for risk.
But don’t think a Prevost is going to go a million miles without spending a lot of money on routine, planned maintenance. Except for unusual circumstances most owners will never have to buy or repair an engine.
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Thanks, guys.
My 100-150k rebuild concern is based on the number of listings for used coaches that describe having been rebuilt recently at that low mileage. There is an old thread on this site where someone else brings up that concern as well (with replies to reasons why, such as poor maintenance or overheating or babying the accelerator).
What’s a “PDI and zero everything out”? How would I coordinate an inspection before purchase in a different city/state where the coach is located? Just any nearest diesel repair facility?
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Welcome OSBMixer,
I joined this site in April and have learned something new almost everyday as I plan to purchase a Prevost no later than Jan. ’16, mabye sooner if the right coach comes along. I’ve looked and done other SOB factory tours and I’m simply impressed by the chassis/structure of the Prevost, bar none.
However, I probably comprehend less than 5% of what’s being said without actually having a coach, but I still enjoy reading the various posts in hopes I’ll retain some of what’s posted.
I’m in the “older coach” realm around 2000-2002 and will set aside a good amount to zero out the coach, especially if the maintenance records aren’t there.
What I’ve learned: PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection (Definitely a Must Do); Zero Out = replace “everything” i.e., airbags, norgren valves, and a many other mechanical items to get the coach back to “like new.”
The more seasoned vets on this site can elaborate with real world experience in zeroing out a coach … like Jon & Peter.
Cheers!
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Buyers need to approach a purchase as they would the purchase of a pieceof machinery, and leave the emotional aspect of purchasing the coach in the background.
Set a budget. For the same aount of money your can buy a great older coach, or a newer coach that needs work. Remember one very important thing. No matter what the age or value the coach has, the cost to repair it is going to be the same so if your budget is on the low end you absolutely don’t want a “project”. Paying slightly less than a realistic value, then pouring tens of thousands to zero out a coach and make sure everything works can make the total acquisition cost way out of line for the age of coach.
Conversely, buying a perfect coach that has been well maintained and has detailed records to document everything may cost more than the average market valueof a coach its age, but can actually be the least expensive option.
A person new to Prevost ownership is definitely going to require someone to assist with the evaluation. Every owner’s coach is always “well maintained”, or “maintained by Prevost” or “maintained by the converter”, none of which reveals the actual condition. Only a detailed inspection and review of the maintenance records will reveal the actual condition.
But long before a buyer reaches that point, the buyer needs to determine how much is in the budget, how the coach will be used, how it is to be equipped, what model will be the best, etc. There is no substitute for the process because a coach that fails to meet the real needs is just an expensive lesson.
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Welcome to the site , I have had three Prevost two I totally redid and no problems after that , but it can be overwhelming at first if you do not know what to look for I drive 50,000 to 60,000 miles a year and once in 30 years was I ever stranded on side of road, do your home work and you will be ok
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Yep … it’s always a tough financial decision to decide how much money to throw at a depreciating asset, but luckily, I’m in the lower age range where much of the depreciation has already occurred, although I guess I could throw more money into it than it’s worth … but hopefully not.
If I can locate a good used coach at $200K & keep $50K on the side for zeroing out, I would hope those numbers work, but like Jon says, it will depend on the coach, the PDI performed and, of course, “you’alls input.”
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In 12 years of bus ownership and 6 different coaches, I don’t remember any that had to have a rebuild due to mileage in the 100 – 150 range and that’s with thousands of post by various forums. Rebuilds because of operator abuse or error, sure there have been some of those, but even then not many. It doesn’t get much better than a series 60.
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Good info.
Couple other personal issues I have to work through is:
1. Wife says she will absolutely not drive something this big. So any travel plans we make would require it becomming a longer trip, since right now we have a very good tag-team system in our personal vehicle. Keep in mind we are middle-aged and not retired, so extending our weekend jaunts that are already on very tight-fitting schedules with work is a major factor. Our primary travel purpose includes an organized tight timeline of sanctioned competitive events, so it’s not like we’re talking about just heading on vacation to the beach. Do any of your wive’s drive your coaches?
2. Storage. We are looking at “well-maintained” coaches, and would want to be the next good stewards to the vehicle as well. But heated, secure, clean storage for a vehicle that big up north with winters is not easy or inexpensive. Not trying to be a tightwad here, but it is a monthly expense that needs to be factored. I have a couple accessory properties, but none that would permit inside storage with the existing buildings as configured.
Since I mentioned that we are middle-aged, I wonder if that’s what’s lacking in the Prevost community: more middle-age first-time buyers interested in these <$150k coaches. I've seen quite a few very nice looking coaches that have been on the market for a very long time. Makes me wonder why, and also makes me pause to consider that maybe I'm still missing something.
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These days, “middle-aged” can vary depending on the company you’re with. I would call myself “middle-age” at the age of 56. What’s your definition?
My wife grew up on a farm and ran large tractors, but we’ll see if she’s inclinded to drive. I love to drive and she loves to navigate (although I don’t always listen to her 🙂 so no worries on my part.
I plan to full-time so I cannot answer your storage questions or quick get-away weekends.
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OSBMXR, I think you will find that owners of motorhome of all types skew older, so that’s not much of a surprise. A Prevost in the price range you are talking about will definitely be older, and may have 100k miles or more, which scares off a lot of buyers even though it probably should not. Older buses are very hard to finance, which also limits the number of available buyers. For the $150k you mention, one could buy a much newer “plastic” coach with 50k or fewer miles that can be financed and maybe even covered by a warranty, so that route is attractive for a lot of people. Also, the maintenance on a Prevost is more than a regular motorhome, primarily due to the greater complexity and Prevost owners’ desire to keep the luxury appointments working and looking great. Scares off even more folks. So there are just a limited number of intrepid folks who want to take this path, and consequently the older buses sometimes take a long time to sell.
I’m middle aged (assuming I live to 100, which is my plan), not retired, and bought my first Prevost 10 years ago at around around the price you mention. For me it was a no brainer and it worked out great, but I certainly understand why its not right choice for everyone. I’m the only driver in my family. Luckily I don’t mind 10+ hour driving days, but you do need to consider that if you have a strict schedule to keep and sitting behind the wheel for long stretches is not your idea of enjoying your bus. You are thinking about the right stuff and you found a good resource here. Good luck with your decision.
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Makes sense.
We’re not interested in a plastic RV whatsoever. We live in a character home with architectural value in the city, by choice, rather than new construction out in the suburbs. I have a passion for vintage-industrial style also, so an older well-maintained Prevost is my preference regardless of the cost issue. We view this as a lifestyle decision, not much different than our home. Although our kids activities is what makes the tight schedules that we currently have, we hope that having a coach would encourage us to use it for more relaxing purposes as a family as well.
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The first Prevost I bought I was 25 years old and now I am middle age ( much younger than Jon and Tom) but I don’t think age has anything to do with owning a Prevost , it’s the interest in having one I have redone two from top to bottom and the first one I sold had 800,000 miles on it and no motor troubles and the bus is still going in fact both bus I sold are still running strong because I cared how it was and all things worked on it the buyers did not have to zero out anything it was all new from top to bottom , expect on Dave’s bus I had planned on putting in two new inverters just to have new ones and three new roof airs and told Dave I would do it but I would be raising the price ,they all worked he said it would be fine the way it was , you can buy cheap and pay later on side of road or pay more from the right guy and just enjoy the coach for at least five years until battery’s and tires need to be replaced , people’s choice
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