returning to the group

[Rich]

Hi folks,
I'm back looking for my elusive 'Bird again.
Have one in mind, it is a '87 38' DP with 140K on the odometer, looks
in great shape. 475HP 8V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 4 SP trans and all
the usual 'Bird stuff.
My question(s)........what is the value of this '87, the NADA guide
only goes back to 1990, and what, if any, are the things I should be
aware of in this model that may, or may not be of concern.
I know there are plenty of well informed 'Bird owners here, and I would
appreciate your help
Thanks,Rich

[Pete Masterson]

BB WLs are thinly traded (there just aren't that many of them) so the
NADA values are very unreliable.

The best way to estimate a value is to find as many offered for sale
of the same year and model then take an average to obtain the
"asking" price. Figure that an offer price might be 70 to 80% of the
asking price. A particularly clean unit (probably reflected in the
asking price anyway) might go for 80% of asking and a less desirable
unit might be lower -- perhaps way lower depending on the asking
price compared to the average. The value of the coach does not depend
on what an owner may have invested in it e.g. "$20,000 service just
performed!!!" is a meaningless statement.

My stepfather had just put $300 in new tires on an old Buick just
before the "gas crisis" in 1972. The Honda dealer offered $100 as
trade in value -- new tires or not, a 'gas hog' wasn't very valuable
at the time. (He kept the car as a "tanker" ... would go wait in line
to full up the 28 gallon tank ... then transfer the fuel to his new
Honda for several weeks....)

Ultimately, the "value" of a coach is the amount that a willing
seller agrees to sell for to a willing buyer. You may encounter those
who are "holding out" for a particular price. You're not likely to
make a mutually fair deal with such a seller.

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




On Jul 28, 2006, at 4:28 PM, Rich wrote:

> Hi folks,
> I'm back looking for my elusive 'Bird again.
> Have one in mind, it is a '87 38' DP with 140K on the odometer, looks
> in great shape. 475HP 8V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 4 SP trans and all
> the usual 'Bird stuff.
> My question(s)........what is the value of this '87, the NADA guide
> only goes back to 1990, and what, if any, are the things I should be
> aware of in this model that may, or may not be of concern.
> I know there are plenty of well informed 'Bird owners here, and I
> would
> appreciate your help
> Thanks,Rich



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[pattypape]

I do not feel that NADA is reliable for BB's.
One could calculate the decending % change in value from 94 to 93 to
92 to 91 to 90, then continue with a % estimate thru to 1987.
This would only be one more piece of imformation, That may or may not
be relevent.

Bill 88 FC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rich" wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
> I'm back looking for my elusive 'Bird again.
> Have one in mind, it is a '87 38' DP with 140K on the odometer,
looks
> in great shape. 475HP 8V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 4 SP trans and
all
> the usual 'Bird stuff.
> My question(s)........what is the value of this '87, the NADA guide
> only goes back to 1990, and what, if any, are the things I should be
> aware of in this model that may, or may not be of concern.
> I know there are plenty of well informed 'Bird owners here, and I
would
> appreciate your help
> Thanks,Rich
>

[Jeff Miller]

As Bill mentions, NADA pricing is a straight depreciation schedule,
not tied to acual selling values. This is indicated on the back of
the brochure where it says something like: Wanderlodge resale values
are pre-determined (I can't remember the exact wording).

Research other coaches for sale, compare true condition, discount
from asking prices as many are not realistic.

The value of two same-year coaches, one can be double the other
easily just on condition.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
>
> I do not feel that NADA is reliable for BB's.
> One could calculate the decending % change in value from 94 to 93
to
> 92 to 91 to 90, then continue with a % estimate thru to 1987.
> This would only be one more piece of imformation, That may or may
not
> be relevent.
>
> Bill 88 FC
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rich" wrote:
> >
> > Hi folks,
> > I'm back looking for my elusive 'Bird again.
> > Have one in mind, it is a '87 38' DP with 140K on the odometer,
> looks
> > in great shape. 475HP 8V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 4 SP trans and
> all
> > the usual 'Bird stuff.
> > My question(s)........what is the value of this '87, the NADA
guide
> > only goes back to 1990, and what, if any, are the things I should
be
> > aware of in this model that may, or may not be of concern.
> > I know there are plenty of well informed 'Bird owners here, and I
> would
> > appreciate your help
> > Thanks,Rich
> >
>

[John Suter]

Rich,

Saw Bill Hudson of Orange Park, FL (next to
Jacksonville) yesterday and he said he plans to have
the engine rebuilt in his '93 before possible sale.
My advice was to discount/provide allowance and let
new owner choose. I don't have his tel number at my
fingertips but if you have any interest in talking to
him I'll pass your name and number along.

John Suter


--- Rich wrote:

> Hi folks,
> I'm back looking for my elusive 'Bird again.
> Have one in mind, it is a '87 38' DP with 140K on
> the odometer, looks
> in great shape. 475HP 8V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 4
> SP trans and all
> the usual 'Bird stuff.
> My question(s)........what is the value of this '87,
> the NADA guide
> only goes back to 1990, and what, if any, are the
> things I should be
> aware of in this model that may, or may not be of
> concern.
> I know there are plenty of well informed 'Bird
> owners here, and I would
> appreciate your help
> Thanks,Rich
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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[birdshill123]

NADA guides are useless for any RV. They are simply a preset % of
depreciation from new value and do not reflect actual sale prices.
Cars and trucks get their values from dealer sales info and auction
prices.

[Howard O. Truitt]

Rick,
Parked the 8V92 does quite well otherwise expect 4-6 mpg depending on
so many factors. Condition of engine, does it needs a good tuning, tire
pressure, terrian, drivers ability, clean fuel & filters, clean air filters, on
and on and on.
Howard Truitt


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]