RetiredRealtorRick
Gulf Shores, AL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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ArchHoagland wrote:When they start importing RV's made in Japan things will get better just like they did 50 years ago when Japanese cars entered the market.
Until then expect the same old junk and poor service.
You are absolutely correct!
. . . never confuse education with intelligence, nor motion with progress
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Ponderosa
Western US
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Joined: 06/24/2003
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You just have to go in with the knowledge that you are going to have to be a handy"man". It is always something, but most things are within the capabilities of an owner who is not afraid to dig into it.
One thing that has improved over the years is the chassis. Engines, transmissions, fueling, cooling - all of it is pretty reliable these days. Things like refrigerators, stoves, AC units, are not likely to give much trouble either. So that leaves the poor attention to assembly details. It's not that bad, but it is a constant nuisance.
2015 Thor Windsport 32N
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ferndaleflyer
everywhere
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Joined: 03/31/2011
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The answer to the OPs question is-----NO.
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Joined: 10/05/2018
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The OP did say he was looking at a Thor ACE. Nothing against them, I owned one myself when they first came out, but it is the lowest end offering from the lowest quality manufacturer. I knew that going in as I was on a budget and just wanted a cheap weekender. The key is realistic expectations. You can't buy a Yugo and expect Bentley quality.
2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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DaveRVman
Texas
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Joined: 06/20/2020
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way2roll wrote:The OP did say he was looking at a Thor ACE. Nothing against them, I owned one myself when they first came out, but it is the lowest end offering from the lowest quality manufacturer. I knew that going in as I was on a budget and just wanted a cheap weekender. The key is realistic expectations. You can't buy a Yugo and expect Bentley quality.
I agree.
But I'd rather not spend 100 grand on something that was tossed together and will fall apart. I know RV'ing to have definitely an aristocratic type class (upper middle class) folk sometimes. But for me, 100 grand is a bunch of money for a toy. I'm not wasting 100 grand on a Yugo.
In some RV worlds I'm too poor for the "great prestige" of a nice new Prevost. Pinky's out folks, but sorry, my pinky has callouses.
In my world I'd rather let the Thor ACE sit on a lot, and do something else with my money than purchase a "Yugo" type quality coach. 100 grand is not trash...
So I'm looking for some kind of alternative. Because I'm too poor for the Bentley (which isn't great reliability BTW), but still value my 100 grand of hard earned money more than to throw it away on something of rough quality.
So if there are really no REAL options that's fine. A nice used Cessna sounds fun too. I won't be subsidizing companies that produce things that fall apart. It only encourages them.
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Typically RV's depreciate - but most things you buy do too. And RV's don't just arbitrarily fall apart. Sure there are some quality issues, but materials are light and engineered in a way to minimize weight and maximize functionality. That sometimes is a trade off. And While a Prevost might be the best coach in terms of quality, it's the largest and heaviest too. The chassis alone on a Prevost is half the cost - it's commercial bus. But of all the production RV's manufactured in the past decade, most are still on the road relatively problem free. They do take some attention and care for the owner, or have deep pockets to have someone else do the work. But it's not all doom and gloom. Most small issues get sorted out in the first few months and then then care is minimal - just like with a house. But Rv'ing is a lifestyle, not a financial investment. And most of us don't view them as toys but rather the most comfortable way to travel with your own food, clothes, gear etc. A rolling apartment with all the luxuries of home while on the road. But most RV'ers are hardly aristocratic. Most are practical folks who just enjoy travelling and being self sufficient.
Of course you could buy and keep a condo everywhere you want to travel, which would hardly be cost effective and you certainly wouldn't escape issues and maintenance - it would be exponential for each condo you own.
To each his own, but maybe Rv'ing isn't for you.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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We've owned (3) new Newmars, all 3 have been as trouble free as you could ask for.
Our current one came home in Aug '07 so we've had it awhile too. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/awink.gif "awink")
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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Onyrlef
Plano, Tx
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Joined: 04/03/2022
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DaveRVman wrote:way2roll wrote:The OP did say he was looking at a Thor ACE. Nothing against them, I owned one myself when they first came out, but it is the lowest end offering from the lowest quality manufacturer. I knew that going in as I was on a budget and just wanted a cheap weekender. The key is realistic expectations. You can't buy a Yugo and expect Bentley quality.
I agree.
But I'd rather not spend 100 grand on something that was tossed together and will fall apart. I know RV'ing to have definitely an aristocratic type class (upper middle class) folk sometimes. But for me, 100 grand is a bunch of money for a toy. I'm not wasting 100 grand on a Yugo.
In some RV worlds I'm too poor for the "great prestige" of a nice new Prevost. Pinky's out folks, but sorry, my pinky has callouses.
In my world I'd rather let the Thor ACE sit on a lot, and do something else with my money than purchase a "Yugo" type quality coach. 100 grand is not trash...
So I'm looking for some kind of alternative. Because I'm too poor for the Bentley (which isn't great reliability BTW), but still value my 100 grand of hard earned money more than to throw it away on something of rough quality.
So if there are really no REAL options that's fine. A nice used Cessna sounds fun too. I won't be subsidizing companies that produce things that fall apart. It only encourages them.
There are some great used DP's to be had, but if you're looking to finance, most lenders aren't going to consider anything over ~15 years old.
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willald
NC
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DaveRVman wrote:Wiscampsin wrote:Winnebago officially acquired Newmar in November of 2019. They are built in Nappanee Indiana.
That means Amish guys running around being paid by the piece slapping it together as fast as they can. If you've seen the factories, it's nuts. I guess I just don't want to drop 100k of hard earned money on something somebody else slaps together... Sorry not trying to insult others or anything.
I understand your point, as there are a lot of manufacturers around that fit this description well, that produce some cheaply built rigs.
However, I think you are painting with an awfully wide brush, to say that *all* manufacturers in Indiana are like this.
Specifically with regards to Newmar, they have a reputation for building really good quality in all their units. They are just about as good as it gets without shelling out tons more $$ for a Prevost or Foretravel.
I would not classify them as 'Amish guys running around being paid by the piece slapping it together as fast as they can'. At least, not without doing a factory tour with them and seeing for myself. Our Newmar has been rock solid since day one, is the best coach I've ever owned. And nearly everyone I've spoken to that owns a Newmar says pretty much the same thing about theirs.
I definitely can relate to your point, though, about not wanting to spend $100k on something thats going to be cheap and shoddy. I wouldn't either, but I would not give up on finding something good quality in your price range. As others have said, they are out there, you just have to be patient and look, and go in knowing that things are going to break and need fixing even on the most expensive units. When you take what is essentially a house and drive it down the road and expose it to all the bumps, etc. of the road...Things are going to break and need fixing now and then, no matter how well its built originally. That just goes with the territory of owning an RV.
It was just a few years ago, I myself swore I'd never spend 100k on any depreciating asset like an RV no matter what. Hahahahaha, man, I sure ended up eating those words! After going through numerous major life changes that made me see things very differently, ended up buying the Newmar we have now that definitely passed the 100k mark.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis ("Brook")
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK ("Wilbur")
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Tom/Barb
Oak Harbor, Wa
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Joined: 10/16/2009
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DaveRVman wrote:Tom/Barb wrote:There are several 2000 to 2008 Newmar motorhomes that are well equipped for that price range.
We have very little problems with our Newmar Maintain Aire.
to avoid the typical quality stuff you must stay above the luxury level.
Just remember there isn't a cheap motorhome.
and never buy from a dealer, , we found ours in a park and sell lot.
22 years later we think we got some divine guidance
Is Newmar by any chance owned by Thor or built in Indiana? I just want to avoid anything coming out of there. Way to many horror stories... Sorry not trying to insult anybody... ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Lots of stuff happened in 2008 starting with DEF. industry standards, company policies, and the THOR take over..
That is why I stay 2000 to 2008 are the better coaches.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.
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