02-27-2013, 08:00 AM
a slightly different perspective. it just depends on price, what you are willing to do and live with and how much time (and $) you are willing to put into it. i bought my 02 at the right price for me to put alot of TLC into it. and i am still putting tlc into it. granted i go overboard on things, but i ended up with quite a nice coach. not as perfect as many others i have seen, but using steves 5 foot and ten foot rule, good enough for darlene and i. but i am probably on the extreme edge of what i am willing to take on as a project. when i am totally done, i will have a very fine newell and not be broke financially.
i am not one to be turned off to a coach because of mileage and genny hours. my 02 has 200k miles and 9000 hours on the genny. (it was a race coach). but i did have all the brakes and axles done as needed. meaning making sure all calipers worked right, brake pads where needed, a bearing or two and seals. i have tried to make sure that as much as possible, the things that can wear out are either inspected, serviced or i am aware of them.
most prospective newell owners want to get a coach that needs next to nothing for work and just worry about batteries, tires and AV upgrades. I was perfectly fine with needing to do much more than that. (and i didnt know all i would need to do, but it all turned out ok so far). those that have seen my 02 know it is nice, but not perfect. but it is "ours" meaning darlene and i have put our personality into it. doing a little upholstery here and new gadgets there and the custom bed we made (thanks to my buddy garry) and such. still things to be done.
but....to make all that work, you cant pay top dollar and then have to do tons of work. it all should correlate to each other.
my 90 didnt really need much when i bought it over 5 years ago, but i spent a ton of time doing upgrades and such that were not required but i wanted to do. i ended up with something that is quite amazing for a 23 year old coach.
but if you have followed my adventures on both my newells, you will know i am not afraid to tackle anything. but i do know my limitations and pay a top notch diesel/bus mechanic where needed.
i also realize that not everyone is comfortable doing all of this and you need to get something that is in line with what you have the time and willingness to do.
the great thing is that we all help each other when the call or email or posting comes. whether it be on buying a coach or fixing something that has come up (and it will).
my last comment is that looking is half the fun. looking and dreaming about the next coach is a blast and i loved doing it. enjoy the search
later
tom
i am not one to be turned off to a coach because of mileage and genny hours. my 02 has 200k miles and 9000 hours on the genny. (it was a race coach). but i did have all the brakes and axles done as needed. meaning making sure all calipers worked right, brake pads where needed, a bearing or two and seals. i have tried to make sure that as much as possible, the things that can wear out are either inspected, serviced or i am aware of them.
most prospective newell owners want to get a coach that needs next to nothing for work and just worry about batteries, tires and AV upgrades. I was perfectly fine with needing to do much more than that. (and i didnt know all i would need to do, but it all turned out ok so far). those that have seen my 02 know it is nice, but not perfect. but it is "ours" meaning darlene and i have put our personality into it. doing a little upholstery here and new gadgets there and the custom bed we made (thanks to my buddy garry) and such. still things to be done.
but....to make all that work, you cant pay top dollar and then have to do tons of work. it all should correlate to each other.
my 90 didnt really need much when i bought it over 5 years ago, but i spent a ton of time doing upgrades and such that were not required but i wanted to do. i ended up with something that is quite amazing for a 23 year old coach.
but if you have followed my adventures on both my newells, you will know i am not afraid to tackle anything. but i do know my limitations and pay a top notch diesel/bus mechanic where needed.
i also realize that not everyone is comfortable doing all of this and you need to get something that is in line with what you have the time and willingness to do.
the great thing is that we all help each other when the call or email or posting comes. whether it be on buying a coach or fixing something that has come up (and it will).
my last comment is that looking is half the fun. looking and dreaming about the next coach is a blast and i loved doing it. enjoy the search
later
tom
2002 45'8" Newell Coach 608 Series 60 DDEC4/Allison World 6 Speed HD4000MH