(11-23-2018, 09:16 AM)encantotom Wrote: the ad says the air conditioners and fridge dont work. so there is another 2-3k just for those items.
fluid samples are a great idea. challenge is they take a few days or more so you would need to have your son go do them if he is closeby before you go there. that would be a great start to know if it was worth the trip. you should also read reviews on the 555 or 903 engines to see if the performance is up to what you would expect.
fluid samples can be done easily with a fluid extraction pump. so no tools required (except maybe a pliers to open the drains for the radiators). the cat lab i use even gave me one and even if you have to pay for one it is like 15-20 bucks. then 20-30 bucks for each sample to be tested. so...engine oil, coolant, tranny, plus genny oil, coolant. so you are looking at about 200 bucks for sample analysis. it is a good thing to do and seldom gives any indication of issues, but the one time there is issues (and there are a few folks here on the forum that can comment on those times) it can be more than you paid for the coach to fix if it is the coach engine or tranny that has problems.
i will be intrigued by what a ppi does for you on a coach this old. you can already expect to fix or replace alot of coach systems and the rest would be driving and how it handles. i hired an inspector to look at a wanderlodge for me before i bought my first newell. cost me over 300 bucks. after describing what i was wanting him to do, he went to the dealership, made one look at it and called me and said it would not meet my expectations. like a walk around look. that turned out to be worth 300 bucks, but he did nothing you couldnt talk your son through.
i have looked at many newells for my self and for others. common things are this....
1. pictures almost always look better than in person
2. comments from either the owner or dealer are to be taken with a grain of salt. (not always but usually)
3. often hard to check things completely out coach wise....genny may not start, no power, air issues, cant find switches....etc
4. you dont want to get underneath it to look at anything....hard to tell what shape airbags are in
5. it worked last time are famous last words
6. with no water in the tank, hard to check for water leaks.
that said, i am not trying to scare you. neither is anyone else. just go into it with eyes wide open and realize that even if the coach was free, there can be some pretty big bucks to be spent if alot of things need fixing. if you like that....and i do....good stuff.
if you are paying a shop to do it....then do some kind of personal roi on it because it will be expensive.
let us know how things turn out.
tom i also pm'd you my personal contact info
Agreed!
