The natural instinct is to jump in and buy the first thing you like.There are many deals out there and will continue to be.Don't make an $140,000 mistake.Go slow and educate yourselves on every aspect.Good deals are really good deals only when you know more about what you are looking at and what you really want.Once again I say GO SLOW and educate yourself first. You won't regret it.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Sunday 11th of July 2010 07:45:51 PM

Nothing to add, RACERGUY said it all, G

My DH and I are also in the process of planning to full time. Over a year ago, when we went to our first show, we were checking out the Class A RVs, and I know exactly what you mean about that urge to buy! Even though we were only going to look, we found ourselves calculating possible payments in our head, and deciding whether it would fit into our budget right away instead of later. Then reason took over, and we realized we weren't ready etc. I am sure glad we waited though. As we have done more research, learning A LOT in the process, and read about other people already on the journey, we have changed and adjusted our plan for our full-timing home, so much so that we aren't even planning to buy a Class A anymore, but a fifth wheel. Since it sounds like you are also just starting your research, you may decide that some other type of RV is the best for you, if you wait on this purchase, as great as it sounds, you won't be locked into something already. JMO

have to agree with all the above... i too know nothing about rv'ing and we plan to fulltime in about 8 months... as i look over my blog i think back and wonder what i would have done in a 28-32 foot (about 50K bucks) RV that we wanted at first... we have been looking for about 6 months and now have a completely different perspective than we first did.. now we are looking at 34-36 foot RV in nearly double the cost range as we have slowly figured what we want and need to go fulltime..

I have to agree with the other posters - it doesn't seem wise to spend $140,000+ when you know "next to nothing". There are plenty of RVs out there to be purchased when you are fully informed. Take your time, do lots of research, walk thru lots of RVs & you'll have a much better chance of making a good decision.

Cindy T

Research, research, research. We are in the research phase of the RV Lifestyle and have found quite a few that we liked. However, having some time to go before retirement, we are just gathering up information, finding likes and dislikes, what models work and don't. However, until we answer most, if not all our questions, we will not jump in and make an offer. Too many things to consider. We started out looking at 5th Wheels, then looked at a few Class A's and C's. We are leaning heavily at a 5er but, over the time between now and the time that we are ready, this could change. $140,000 is a hefty sum of cash to play around with on an impulse. Especially when just getting your feet wet in the research aspect of things.

Agree with all that has been said.  There is really no reason to rush. There are lots of Motorhomes out there for sale. 

Also, low mileage is not always a good thing. It could mean that it sits a lot more than it runs and sitting is not good for anything with a motor.

We have been researching this for at least a year. We are pretty much decided on a diesel pusher as well. What we have found is that one good deal is one rig away from another good deal. There will be something out there when you are ready. Like all above, don't be hasty in your decision..

I'm with all the above folks, take your time. We have jumped into deals that although they didn't turn out awful could have been better if we had taken more time. We started with a 5er and then switched to what we thought was our last rig a Class "A". After a little more thought and a few months spent in that rig we eventually realized that it was not the best suited for what we were doing and certainly not for fulltiming, so we gave someone a wonderful opportunity to purchase a great rig while we fill a few more items on our wish list. We have been in this rig for a couple of years, fulltiming for the last 3-4 months and we THINK we have it right this time.

Needless to say all those changes cost some cash, that had we waited would be better used for fuel.....lol.

The quality of the Newmar Kountry Star is much better than the Damon. Also, check the NADA price guides, I think the KS is priced too high. Take your time, there isn't the perfect RV out there and you will have to compromise on some items but with enough patience, you'll find one that will work well for you. Best Regards!

One way to check out a real price, not an NADA (which really bears no realism) go to PPL Motor Homes in Houston website http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used_rvs_for_sale.htm They put realistic prices on consignment RVs and will deal a bit, within constraints. Good luck in the search. It is half the fun, that and the research.

Well Sherri and I have gone through 12 RVs and we are in the one that we think is the best... we were out looking last week...H E H E...So there you go...Do you ever find the one that really is the best...maybe not but you have a lot of fun looking and dreaming that is what it is all about.

Thanks to all for the great advice. We decided to so some more research (thanks in part to you wonderful folks!!). We are in a bit of a time crunch, so we will be making a decision soon, but yesterday was definitely not the time.

Thanks again!!!

-- Edited by desertnurse on Monday 12th of July 2010 08:46:29 PM