[rafael]

Hi Clint and Tammy,

We had similar challenges when searching for our Coach (back when Covid-19 first hit). Every Coach we inquired about on Prevost Stuff, RV Trader, etc. had “just” Sold before we could make a formal offer and schedule PDI.

I drafted a semi-custom form letter and E-mailed to all the Converters (Liberty, Marathon, Millennium, etc.), and the sponsoring Dealers/resellers (Olympia, Legacy, etc.). Only Olympia and Legacy responded. Fortunately, Olympia had a few Coaches to choose from – including what ultimately became our incredible Coach!

Researching was half the fun (ok, really ownership is ALL of the fun!) and we looked at dozens before purchasing.

Jon always gives great advice – so, try what he says, too.

Happy hunting and safe travels.

[Gary]

Thanks guys. That’s good advice, a few things I hadn’t considered – especially the converter trade-in scenario.

[Jon]

Here is where you have to be cautious. Some converters and dealers do not want to keep trade ins that are outside of their range of offerings. For example a converter may only offer coaches that are their conversions or coaches that are within 10 years of age.

But the professionals in the industry are very smart and if they take in a dog as a trade they are going to dump it and the broker or dealer that buys it has to deal with it. In some cases those coaches can be made to look pretty, but may have a pneumatic system filled with water, or never had the transmission or coolant system serviced.

In a perfect world you will find out about a potential trade in, be able to talk to the owner, view its maintenance records and make an offer that is more than a dealer or converter is willing to pay. Keep your willingness to buy a coach so the owner can make a clean deal purchase on their next purchase in front of the world by any way possible, including frequent posts.

I’ll repeat….A well maintained and pristine coach with detailed maintenance logs that show a continued program and nothing deferred is going to either never hit the market, or will not stay on the market very long. You need to move fast.

[Jerry]

Remember, a potty closet coach floorplan robs storage space. Normally, an open bath/pass-thru bath have a bank of full wall closets which can include stacker washer/dryer if storage is important. Good Luck

[David]

‘potty closet’ haha … hadn’t heard that one. Yeah, I’m willing to compromise on the ‘toilet in the hall’

[Joe]

Clint you’re a savvy motorhome buyer. The lates 90’s XL whether 40′ or 45′ is IMHO the second best buy in RV’ing today. The very best buy in RV’ing today is an early 90’s XL.

Much of everything comes down the personal preference. For us private commode is must have. Two lavatory sinks is a close second (we have them either side of the shower, if one was in the private toilet room, that would probably work too).

We bought ours in 2014. Took a while looking and I think the market is more active now than back then, so it isn’t easy. But the search will be well worth it.

BTW … my first motorhome experience was in a friends early 1980’s FC Bluebird. I think it was 33′ long. After a few trips with him he upgraded to a 40 Liberty Coach.

Good luck in your search. We’re all hear to help.

[AL]

Clint and Tammy thank you for making Prevost Community an obvious stop on your way to ownership. We do have a lot of the industry leading retailers as our Partners. They as well as private owners have been listing coaches for sale almost daily in our new classified area. If you have any questions or need any direct contact info, please reach out to me personally. If I do not have the answer I am confident that I will be able to find it for you. Good luck and enjoy the search:)

To all of the Members that have posted…Thank You. It is exchanges like these that make this the Community that it is!

Bill III

[Michael]

Bump

Happy New Year, still looking.

[Tom]

I have a take on buying a coach that doesn’t get posted often.

If you buy a 96 to 2005 be prepared to spend some money for updating the coach. I bought a coach from the original owner who owned a truck company with 600 plus trucks and his coach had records of service by the truck shop and Buddy Gregg in TN.

I took the bus to my truck shop and had all fluids and filters changed to synthetic.

New brake linings on main drive as they were at 30%, since it was in shop time to get it brought up to date.

Went to Prevost Jacksonville for full alignment and they recommended A Arm replacement due to bushing deterioration, A couple of other components of front which deteriorate in age and and some noregen’s for air leaks.

Now to continue update I replaced all air bags , brake chambers, brake relays and airlines. Serviced the disk brake assemblies.

Serviced the webasto with new anti freeze had the burner unite rebuilt by an authorized service person.

I had engine coolant flushed and refilled. Installed new air dryer.

I have added an aux dryer to aux compressor line

I am in process of replacing all push in fittings with compression fittings on air systems.

Do I regret purchase of the bus no, I have a bus that I know is in top quality and ready for the road with no major events.

The point is when you buy a coach spend some money and update it no matter what records you get from seller.

It is an investment worth servicing so time on the road will be enoyed.

[DON]

Question when will the market turn from a sellers market to a buyers market? I am interested in all of your opinions. With the Fed looking to increase interest rates to kill inflation it could crash the stock market and the cost of interest on ownership increase. Any idea then the market might turn around in favor of the buyer? Thanks Michael

[Dick]

Interest rates, inflation, and LAYOFFS. Right now there are more jobs (millions) than people willing to work. We are a yr or two away before the layoffs begin. The first things to go when things get tough are the the play toys (Prevost, etc) that aren’t paid for. Then the supply demand equation will turn around like 2000 and again around 2008.

[Bob]

When will the sun shine on a dogs ass. When will the cows come home.

I don’t see it. The years mentioned 2000 and 2008 were completely different than today. People were buying things with a signature and a lie or overstated income and inflated home values.

The credit market has turned into a full doc world. I’m pretty involved with bus sales and yes some do need help to buy but generally new bus sales are all cash deals with people utilizing tax advantages and accelerated depreciation and those that don’t pay cash are solid and credit worthy.

Also the converters are well aware of the windfall that is happening right now and are I think prepared for a rainy day. Back in pre 2008 Marathon was building 50 on average per year and one year did 84. They are at 22 right now. Labor demand will not allow converters to grow without substantial costs. The skilled labor market has left the building.

The 250k and below market is one of the most sought after there is. I don’t see it coming down but what I do see is fly by nights patching 20 and 25 year old buses together and selling crap to people who just don’t have the experience to make a justified purchase without help and more importantly luck. I don’t care how good an inspector is you need information on where it’s been for most of it’s life and that is hard to find so luck comes into play.

Some are shaking their heads right now but anyone who’s been around equipment long enough knows what I mean.

Any property investor will tell you it’s impossible to predict when a market will go low or high so don’t worry about it.

Buying a depreciating asset is not a smart financial move anyway. We like most do it because we like it.

Later

bv

[Dick]

Whoever is capable of answering the above questions needs to contact me. I need some winning lottery numbers and I will split the winnings if you split the losses.

If you want a bus and found the one you want, buy it. The good ones never last on the market, and often never hit the market. If interest rates, the stock market, and other things are going to affect your decision to pull the trigger on a purchase, maybe you shouldn’t have a bus because nobody makes money owning a bus, and most spend money on a bus by the pail full.

[Tom]

Michael … if you’re like me, the market for a late 90’s $150,000 coach will rise to $210,000 as demand increases. Then when the market turns from a sellers market to a buyers market one to ten years from now that coach will be $150,000. (maybe adjust down a little for increased age)

I see no reason to wait for the market to adjust. The lost years of enjoyment, pride, and ownership aren’t worth it.

[AL]

I’m so bummed…. For 10 years all my bus purchases and expenses were paid in full by siphoning of the dues money from Jon, now I’m on my own. Maybe I can get Bernie to adopt me.