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Is it possible to find a reliable older coach?
As a first time want to be Prevost buyer, is it possible to find an older coach that is reliable? We are thinking about using it locally at kids soccer tournaments for a place hang out between games or possible tail gaits at football etc., or at concerts, with an occasional trip. I have seen many older, early 90’s models with around 120,000 miles for $60,000 to $100,000. I have also seen some Newell coach and wondered how they compare? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
Brent Scott
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8 Replies
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It can be done. We bought a ’99 Marathon with 152,000 miles and had no major unexpected issues the last 2 years and 12,000 miles. We did have to replace the house bank ($3k) after purchase. My fault, I should have caught that during the inspection. Suggest you stretch to the mid to late 90’s to get a Series 60 engine. Better fuel economy and support than the earlier 2 cycle engines.Take the time and run/test all systems before you hand over the $s.
Good luck, Gerald
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Brent,
Have you looked in our Coaches for Sale, there are a number of coaches in your price range.
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A word of caution……….If you are looking for a cheap coach be aware it is likely you are going to get an underloved coach with maintenance needs. You can spend some serious money for things like air bags, tires, batteries, brake chambers, etc so you need to do your research. I seriously doubt an owner is going to sell a coach cheap, and then take care of those things for you.
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Buying a coach is just the price of admission.
Kind of like paying the initiation fee at a golf country club. Yes the initial cost is significant but the ongoing green fees, equipment, clothing, and bar tab will really add up.
We always tell newbies that want to buy an older, “cheap” luxury car that anything that is expensive new and expensive to maintain, may become cheaper to buy as it get old, but remains expensive to maintain forever.
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Brent…
Welcome to PC… this is the place to do your homework… we love sharing our experiences.
It is possible to find a good coach at a good price if you have time on your side and do your homework.
We have owned several Newells and are on our second Prevost… Newell is a great coach but it isn’t a Prevost… not apples to apples…. more like Jaguar is to Rolls Royce… but still good. My opinion only !!
We purchased our first Prevost a few years ago … we knew NOTHING about them only that Larry wanted one and so the search began… we saw many that were “pristine” and maintenance done as should have been… our limit was $250K at the time and we wanted more for our money…as we still owned a 2005 4 slide Navigator…. we finally found one that we loved and the price was right… so we thought…. anyway long story short we knew nothing of any Prevost sites where we could gain info on them or get any input from owners…we purchased a 1998 H3-45 Vantare with 2 slides in great condition and we liked everything about it…. after a short time we found out more about ownership and the maintenance involved so we started getting things done… replacing batteries, tires,airbags, brake chambers, norgren valves, brakes, air filters, water filters, fuel filters,re-doing all the A/Cs and the list goes on and on… the final result was a great enjoyable older bus now in really good condition at the cost of an additional $60+K… I’m not trying to scare you… just make you aware and watch out for the obvious things you will have to do. One can enjoy an older bus as much as a brand new one.. just be prepared… we had NO idea.
I hope you find what you want and have safe travels.
Cheers, Diane
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Brent it’s like everything else I guess. Bought my 1991 XL off a gentleman my company had done work, business to business. I knew the coach since new as he hit my yard when he first brought it home. A sight to see as I had class A’s motorhomes. He had owned a large oilfeild trucking company with full mantenance facilites. He had it built for the wife and have the original sticker at $487,000 bucks. Today that wouldn’t even buy the prevost bus ready to be converted. He died and coach had been stored in climate controled bus barn for about 7 years with 52,000 miles on 8V92TA and 25 hours on 15 KW gen set. The washer/dryer, shower and electic cook top had never been used. These old folks went from hotel to hotel and never slept in it. An very expensive car. He hadn’t driven it much and very few nights spent outside. Got all that info off the 90 year old wife. Bought it over 3 years ago and the thing still looks like it came out of a time warp as it still shines like new. Paid $57,000 for it and that’s where the fun started with updates and repairs. Things a sitting ain’t good. We haven’t cared much about the cost as the coach this looks like new. Expect, if you buy a older coach, to wrap lots of money in one and looks like you will on the newer models also. Nothing runs for free. One thing abut the older coaches they are simple machines compared to all the new complex computer goodies and some times you can fix things yourself. Have about another $30,000 in mine. But it still looks new and rides like a dream. No trouble out of the drivetrain and 76,000 miles on it now but everything else has needed something, LOL! Headed to Houston Prevost next week for service and these puppies aren’t cheap for level 3 service. As you will find out most rv dealers no nothing about these coaches and will tear up more than they fix.
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Glens…
If you are going to be in Houston next week with your bus you should stop by Kemah for a night or two if you can…. there will be a few PC folks there from Jan 4-10th… so give us a shout !!
Cheers, Diane
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Thanks Diane. Was gonna head down after service to Surfside so wife can see sister. Usually hook up 50 amp plug to beach house for a night or two. If raining all bets are off after service. Have 25 head of cows heading out the 5 or 6 of January and if I get though will come down. Will call or holler before I do. Thanks again.
glen s.
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