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1997 Bluebird 43'
07-22-2006, 05:09
Post: #1
1997 Bluebird 43'
Jay, ask Paul Lazar- he has one of those coaches.

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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07-22-2006, 08:45
Post: #2
1997 Bluebird 43'
Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?

What have these been selling for $$$ ?

Have researched asking prices on several www sites...

Appreciate all information...

Thanks
Jay Darst
85PT40
Springfield, IL
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07-22-2006, 09:15
Post: #3
1997 Bluebird 43'
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
wrote:
>
> Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?

Jay,

I can only tell you why I looked for a LOOOOOOOONG time to find my 97
and I am sure others will have other reasons.

I wanted a "classic" bird and with researching, I found that the 97
chassis is basicly the same as the 93 (last of the LX series). This
chassis major difference was the lower rear floor which allowed for a
walk in closet and east-west bed.

Other than slides, there is almost no difference between the
mechanicals (series 60 etc) and the 93. Since no two birds are alike,
every time a 97 came up for sale we looked at it, no matter where in
the country. We saw this one and we were sunk.

Another reason I wanted a 97, this is the last year of riveted birds
and big headlights ( I can *REALLY* see at night while driving).

To us this was the ultimate crossover model, all the goodies of a 93,
all the looks of a 97 and a whole lot less money.

You asked about prices, as we bought ours 3 years ago with only 25k
miles and traded our much newer Monaco in on it.

I'd be pleased to discuss more with you, just e-mail me, spambate at
whata dot com.

One caveat, make sure ALL recalls are or have been performed, some
were very important.

I guess I never answered your original question. No cons only pros IMHO.

Paul
97wb43
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07-22-2006, 09:21
Post: #4
1997 Bluebird 43'
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst" wrote:
>
> Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
>
> What have these been selling for $$$ ?
>
> Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
>
> Appreciate all information...
>
> Thanks
> Jay Darst
> 85PT40
> Springfield, IL

one con is it won't have the sound system you have now!!
=guy smalley
>
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07-22-2006, 09:54
Post: #5
1997 Bluebird 43'
Jay,

When I was searching for my purchase, I was looking at '97 and '98
units at the top end of those that I was considering. Ultimately,
George's coach became available through eBay (from Mr. Oliver's) at a
very good price. While there are some interior appearance issues, the
coach had many advantages -- so I made my purchase. Here's some of
the thoughts I had about the newer units -

Pro -
Newer, potentially less wear and tear.
More modern systems, such as DD Series 60 engine instead of the 8v92
possibly only had one owner (a con, if the owner didn't take good
care of it).
Parts are probably less difficult to find.
Interior more likely to be in good condition.
Uses standard home-style plastic plumbing. (While this might be
considered a con, I understand that the previous copper plumbing was
a non-standard size that was difficult to get parts for.)

Con -
'97s are generally priced at around $200K -- there's quite a bit of
depreciation yet to come out. For example, my '95 was more than $70K
less than the asking price of most '97s and is essentially the same.
Might just be at the age where stuff (that has an age-related wear
pattern) is likely to fail.
Over 40' in most states requires getting a non commercial class B
driver's license. (Incredibly, they want you to demonstrate parallel
parking the beast for the license.)


Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA




On Jul 22, 2006, at 1:45 PM, Jay Darst wrote:

> Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
>
> What have these been selling for $$$ ?
>
> Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
>
> Appreciate all information...
>
> Thanks
> Jay Darst
> 85PT40
> Springfield, IL
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Quote this message in a reply
07-22-2006, 10:32
Post: #6
1997 Bluebird 43'
Pete,

Didn't your test involve backing up off a street turning to a loading
dock? Mine did. I asked the examiner why and he said it was part of
the commercial test so I had to do it.

Tommy 'Two Shoes' McCarthy
'95 PT42 WBSA
Poway, CA (first housecar 40'+ test for commercial class B in
Econdido DMV)


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> Jay,
>
> When I was searching for my purchase, I was looking at '97 and '98
> units at the top end of those that I was considering. Ultimately,
> George's coach became available through eBay (from Mr. Oliver's) at
a
> very good price. While there are some interior appearance issues,
the
> coach had many advantages -- so I made my purchase. Here's some of
> the thoughts I had about the newer units -
>
> Pro -
> Newer, potentially less wear and tear.
> More modern systems, such as DD Series 60 engine instead of the 8v92
> possibly only had one owner (a con, if the owner didn't take good
> care of it).
> Parts are probably less difficult to find.
> Interior more likely to be in good condition.
> Uses standard home-style plastic plumbing. (While this might be
> considered a con, I understand that the previous copper plumbing
was
> a non-standard size that was difficult to get parts for.)
>
> Con -
> '97s are generally priced at around $200K -- there's quite a bit
of
> depreciation yet to come out. For example, my '95 was more than
$70K
> less than the asking price of most '97s and is essentially the same.
> Might just be at the age where stuff (that has an age-related wear
> pattern) is likely to fail.
> Over 40' in most states requires getting a non commercial class B
> driver's license. (Incredibly, they want you to demonstrate
parallel
> parking the beast for the license.)
>
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 22, 2006, at 1:45 PM, Jay Darst wrote:
>
> > Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
> >
> > What have these been selling for $$$ ?
> >
> > Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
> >
> > Appreciate all information...
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jay Darst
> > 85PT40
> > Springfield, IL
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Quote this message in a reply
07-22-2006, 10:32
Post: #7
1997 Bluebird 43'
Paul, when did the '"steerable tag" come into play?

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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07-22-2006, 10:45
Post: #8
1997 Bluebird 43'
Con: replacement of the Series 60 alt. unit cost as much as gen set
Con: only chrome you get is on the flush handle
Pro: Loop shag replaced with Italian marble
Pro: still has the Goatrails? (device to grab as you slide off the roof)
Pro: Dan upgrades to a pt
Gregory O'Connor
94pt Romoland Ca
wish I had a chrome classic
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
wrote:
>
> Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
>
> What have these been selling for $$$ ?
>
> Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
>
> Appreciate all information...
>
> Thanks
> Jay Darst
> 85PT40
> Springfield, IL
>
Quote this message in a reply
07-22-2006, 10:59
Post: #9
1997 Bluebird 43'
Tom, Does California Non commercial B limit you from pulling a
trailer? Commercial class A is a upgrade to pulling a trailer From a
Commercial B. DO you get double the infraction points on a ticket?
Dmv holds Commercial drivers to a higher standard and gives us double
points towards loss of license.

Gregory O'Connor
Class A , class A driver too

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Tom McCarthy"
wrote:
>
> Pete,
>
> Didn't your test involve backing up off a street turning to a
loading
> dock? Mine did. I asked the examiner why and he said it was part
of
> the commercial test so I had to do it.
>
> Tommy 'Two Shoes' McCarthy
> '95 PT42 WBSA
> Poway, CA (first housecar 40'+ test for commercial class B in
> Econdido DMV)
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
> >
> > Jay,
> >
> > When I was searching for my purchase, I was looking at '97
and '98
> > units at the top end of those that I was considering.
Ultimately,
> > George's coach became available through eBay (from Mr. Oliver's)
at
> a
> > very good price. While there are some interior appearance issues,
> the
> > coach had many advantages -- so I made my purchase. Here's some
of
> > the thoughts I had about the newer units -
> >
> > Pro -
> > Newer, potentially less wear and tear.
> > More modern systems, such as DD Series 60 engine instead of the
8v92
> > possibly only had one owner (a con, if the owner didn't take
good
> > care of it).
> > Parts are probably less difficult to find.
> > Interior more likely to be in good condition.
> > Uses standard home-style plastic plumbing. (While this might be
> > considered a con, I understand that the previous copper plumbing
> was
> > a non-standard size that was difficult to get parts for.)
> >
> > Con -
> > '97s are generally priced at around $200K -- there's quite a bit
> of
> > depreciation yet to come out. For example, my '95 was more than
> $70K
> > less than the asking price of most '97s and is essentially the
same.
> > Might just be at the age where stuff (that has an age-related
wear
> > pattern) is likely to fail.
> > Over 40' in most states requires getting a non commercial class
B
> > driver's license. (Incredibly, they want you to demonstrate
> parallel
> > parking the beast for the license.)
> >
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > aeonix1@
> > '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> > El Sobrante, CA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Jul 22, 2006, at 1:45 PM, Jay Darst wrote:
> >
> > > Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
> > >
> > > What have these been selling for $$$ ?
> > >
> > > Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
> > >
> > > Appreciate all information...
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Jay Darst
> > > 85PT40
> > > Springfield, IL
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
Quote this message in a reply
07-22-2006, 11:27
Post: #10
1997 Bluebird 43'
Yes, there was a backing turn to a loading dock as well.

I'm going to re-license myself in Nevada next year, so I've been
reading their manual. The backing/turn isn't such a big deal. I live
on a dead-end street and must use a cross street (that also dead
ends) to turn around. It's the same maneuver as the loading dock
thing. But parallel parking? Gimme a break...

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA




On Jul 22, 2006, at 3:32 PM, Tom McCarthy wrote:

> Pete,
>
> Didn't your test involve backing up off a street turning to a loading
> dock? Mine did. I asked the examiner why and he said it was part of
> the commercial test so I had to do it.
>
> Tommy 'Two Shoes' McCarthy
> '95 PT42 WBSA
> Poway, CA (first housecar 40'+ test for commercial class B in
> Econdido DMV)
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
>>
>> Jay,
>>
>> When I was searching for my purchase, I was looking at '97 and '98
>> units at the top end of those that I was considering. Ultimately,
>> George's coach became available through eBay (from Mr. Oliver's) at
> a
>> very good price. While there are some interior appearance issues,
> the
>> coach had many advantages -- so I made my purchase. Here's some of
>> the thoughts I had about the newer units -
>>
>> Pro -
>> Newer, potentially less wear and tear.
>> More modern systems, such as DD Series 60 engine instead of the 8v92
>> possibly only had one owner (a con, if the owner didn't take good
>> care of it).
>> Parts are probably less difficult to find.
>> Interior more likely to be in good condition.
>> Uses standard home-style plastic plumbing. (While this might be
>> considered a con, I understand that the previous copper plumbing
> was
>> a non-standard size that was difficult to get parts for.)
>>
>> Con -
>> '97s are generally priced at around $200K -- there's quite a bit
> of
>> depreciation yet to come out. For example, my '95 was more than
> $70K
>> less than the asking price of most '97s and is essentially the same.
>> Might just be at the age where stuff (that has an age-related wear
>> pattern) is likely to fail.
>> Over 40' in most states requires getting a non commercial class B
>> driver's license. (Incredibly, they want you to demonstrate
> parallel
>> parking the beast for the license.)
>>
>>
>> Pete Masterson
>> aeonix1@...
>> '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
>> El Sobrante, CA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2006, at 1:45 PM, Jay Darst wrote:
>>
>>> Any pro's or con's to the 1997 43' Wanderlodge?
>>>
>>> What have these been selling for $$$ ?
>>>
>>> Have researched asking prices on several www sites...
>>>
>>> Appreciate all information...
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Jay Darst
>>> 85PT40
>>> Springfield, IL
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
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