BIRD WANTED!

[Scott]

George, great post. You absolutly deserve the information you demand
within reason. It is YOUR money. I know about selling boats (I have
sold ALOT OF EM) but there are some sales guys that will "qualify
you" (being realistic or not) and will make assumptions. Well shame
on them, I have sold several six figure boats to guys in dirty
overalls. (making a point NOT inferring)

But you seem to have a definative idea of what you are looking for,
maybe they do not have that. FOR EXAMPLE: It is my opinion (I know
that joke) that many of the coaches do not have a maintenance log
that goes back to the beginning. I do not. I have one from the time
we bought the coach. So does that kick me out? Is that reasonable, to
expect the current owner to have records from say the first owner??
You have to make that decision. RUBY is no where near the condition
it was when we bought it. We have spent almost as much for
repairs,upgrades, maintenance as the purchase price (documented). It
is much more road worthy today than the day we bought it.

I have seen plenty of pristine coaches out there, the problem is the
owners are STILL ENJOYING THEM. They have a lot of sweat, money,
grief tied up getting and keeping them that way. I have been told
many times that our coach is beautiful, nicest for the year, model
etc,etc..but it still has some flaws. If you know old ChrisCrafts, or
an old Grand Banks, they can be beautiful, but someone brought them
to that level, or is keeping them that way. Why would someone sell
their coach if they love it, there are reasons I know.

In so far as "helping you find" a great bird, whew open the flood
gates buddy. Everyone's coach is pristine, maybe got a little classic
brown, but still top notch. Then the question why did you, or better
yet, why are you selling. Those must be some interesting
answers. "Stringent survey" careful here, there are only a FEW that
could administer that..most techs do not even know what they are
looking at when they look at a BB, and even less insurance guys can
fathom the redundancy of systems, complexity etc....make sure you
employ a person qualified to administer such a survey. I see you are
from Mich. there is 1 guy in Mich. that is exceptional. Most owners
watch the tech while working on their coach, I do, if I can't well my
money is green and I will find one that understands. For example
recently, while having the "underside" (air bags, u-joints, king
pins, panhard bolts etc) checked the power steering pump made a noise
while trying to get it on the alignment rack. They suggested that the
pump was failing, sorry guys, it is known that the pump is somewhat
undersized on an FC and will make a noise, hell it is 20 yrs old and
is trying to move almost 14,000 pounds around while sitting still..I
would groan too. You get my point.

Good luck in your search. You will not be disappointed. These vintage
coaches are second to none. Enjoy the experience of looking. Now if
you would like to send the finders fee for some "help" ...JUST KIDDIN.

Scott B
86FC35 "RUBY"
Murrells Inlet SC "right next to heaven"


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
wrote:
>
> Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are newbies
> moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
> unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
expect
> buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based on
> little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
> detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
> trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
front
> and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what we
want
> just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after all).
> We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without the
> walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too low)
> miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no rust,
> and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar if
the
> rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
reuphostering
> and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is
this a
> realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
>