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What I’m looking for in a coach!
COACH USE
• 4 months in summer out West with some boon-docking, mostly in parks. (I do however want a coach that boondocks well).
• Side trips to Midwest and Florida for a couple weeks at a time in winter/fall.
• Coach will be stored outdoors in winter for at least the first year.
• Expect to put 7000 to 8000 miles on coach per year.
• Would love to find a coach allowing us to leave by June for outwest!
BUDGET
$130,000.00 (I like what Jon said about keeping money back to deal with the unknown)!
• 1995 to 2001 model years
Must Have in our Prevost
• 45’ coach (would go 40’ for a perfect plan)
• Enclosed toilet with the ability to close off bath between salon and bedroom. (Would consider coach without enclosed toilet but closed off as described).
• Stainless steel sides.
• Roof Air conditioning (4 would be ideal).
• Sleeps 4 (6 would be ideal) Yesterday I saw a coach with two couches where the couches folded down leaving about a foot of space to walk between them. I like that configuration. (would also consider sofa and two recliners if coach sleeps 4).
• Stackable washer & dryer (settle for combo on perfect plan)
• Don’t want the H where the driver is segregated.
• Coach that’s already been upgraded. (I have no desire for a “fixer upper or one of questionable prodigy).
PREFERRED BUT NOT A DEAL BREAKER
• Passenger seat that would turn to face salon would be terrific.• Passenger seat footrest that can be used while underway a huge plus.
• “J or U” shaped dinette (does the table move back and fourth and/or up and down? Can it be used for sleeping?
Please let me know if I’ve gone off the skids? Your comments would be greatly appreciated! My wife tells me I lean too far over the ski tips sometimes. Which is really something when you consider I don’t ski!
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11 Replies
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Where is it stored in the winter? Maine, FL?
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Good Question Jon,
Initially in the southwest region of North Carolina. We have pretty mild winter with little snow and not many real cold days! Florida after that!
HJ
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HJ, I would seriously consider the ’98 Parliament…it checks all your boxes near as I can tell. I can easily check it out further for you and get an absolute price. Geo. 941 779 5018
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Hi Corey,
RE: $149,990 1998 Prevost XL 45′ Parliament Conversion
My wife and I both like the light interior of that coach. The exterior colors may not be our first choice but it’s certainly not a deal breaker. Does anyone konw any of the specifics on this coach? It’s $20,0000 over budget!
HJ
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HJ,
There is a difference between asking price and selling price. Your “reserve” is in some cases needed, and in other cases can in part be applied to the purchase price if a lot of maintenance and upgrades have been well documented.
Depending on your elevation in NC during the winter you may have no concerns with outside winter storage. Short periods of cold can likely be easily coped with but your concern is getting a coach that can handle cold temps and it means near the top of your list is a proven working heating system.
We have a number of house heating systems such as Webasto and Aquahot and you will need to make a test of them to verify they are working because the time to find out repairs are needed is not going to be on a cold night in January.
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HJ,
I will be really jealous if you find yours this fast! 🙂
Roof airs probably rule out the majority of coaches (LIberty, Marathon, and Featherlite) made in those years. I believe American, Royale, and County Coach will meet your AC criteria.
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HJ, almost 10k of that 20k is tires & batt, already done. Besides that’s the ask$. Call me, I can be eyes and ears on the ground. Geo.
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Kurt,
RE: I will be really jealous if you find yours this fast! 🙂
Roof airs probably rule out the majority of coaches (LIberty, Marathon, and Featherlite) made in those years. I believe American, Royale, and County Coach will meet your AC criteria.If I find my coach first we’ll meet in an undisclosed location and dinner is on me. If you get yours first then the same rules apply! You have Taco Bell’s in Arizona right?
HJ
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Can you guys give me some guidance on a reasonable % off asking price? I know this can vary widely but any guidance will be appreciated.HJ
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It is not how much you can negotiate off a purchase price, but what you as an educated buyer deem a coach to be worth.
If I get a coach that checks all my boxes and it is in the condition I require my greatest concern is not to beat up the seller but to be willing to pay a fair price for a coach I want. Some coaches will not be of interest to you if they are free. Others (once you get to know the market) may be so underpriced you will be better off paying the asking price so someone doesn’t slip in and buy it out from under you.
As your focus is narrowed you will very quickly learn what you should spend for a given coach and in some cases you have to negotiate to get the price down but the amount a seller might come down is all over the map.
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
GIVE ME A CALL AT 228-216-3706
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