Cost of ownership

[gcyeaw]

Thanks John,
I need answers like yours to keep a realistic outlook. I also
agree that any motorcoach will be in the same ballpark as far as on
going cost. One thing that I keep returning to is the cost of fuel. I
inquired into an FC 35 for sale and was told it got 5.5 mpg with a
3208 NA engine. That is lower than I had expected. It may be a sign
of engine problems, I am not sure.

Gardner


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, John Suter
wrote:
>
> Hi Gardner,
>
> > Would it be reasonable to estimate $700/year for
> > routine
> > maintenance and $1000/year for unplanned maintenance
> > averaged over a
> > ten year time span? (assuming I don't need an engine
> > rebuild)
>
> Perhaps we can first mention the routine maintenance
> costs of virtually any model coach or age, total OVER
> A FIVE YEAR SPAN, then divide by 5 for annual cost.
> Virtually all of the following will be
> touched/replaced in that 5 yr span.
>
> Annual engine, transmission, generator: air, fuel,
> filters and fluids (oils and coolants) change, belts,
> approx $4,000, if done by a reputable shop.
>
> New tires every 4-5 years - How many tires does
> coach have, what load range and model do you want? -
> 2,000 to 4,000.
>
> Batteries approx every 5 years - how many and what
> type?? - 1,000 to 2,000
>
> Our motorhome ownership experience began in 1966,
> and we've had Bluebirds since 1986. Anyway we have
> tried to hold the costs, these 3 very basic
> necessities have always been 1,400 to 2,000 per year,
> but they hit in about 5 year chunks of $7-$10,000.
>
> As for your hope/prayer of "unplanned maintenance"
> of $10,000 for each 10 years? We've never been close
> to that lucky or even several times that lucky. Go in
> with your eyes wide open (and your wallet). Every
> coach is an expensive toy to own, operate, and
> maintain; but the enjoyment is well worth it. Just
> count on something always needing to be fixed,
> replaced, and/or upgraded.
>
> John Suter
> 2000 LXi (prior 86PT40 91PT40 and many other brands)
>
>
> --- gcyeaw wrote:
>
> > I have asked other questions on this forum and I
> > do appreciate the
> > responses I have received. I have been building a
> > spreadsheet to try
> > to estimate the real cost of owning a vintage
> > Bluebird. I love the
> > look and would enjoy repairing/restoring the systems
> > at my leisure
> > prior to retirement.
> > The price range I am looking at is under $30,000
> > for a 1984 or
> > older FC 33 TO 35. Given that price range I would
> > expect to have
> > lots of small things to fix. Also given the age, I
> > would expect
> > higher incidence of failure in in basic
> > engine/transmit ion/chassis
> > systems over say, a 10 year time span..
> >
> >
> > I am really trying to determine the value as the
> > clock ticks on
> > 20 to 25 year old coaches. They may be well built,
> > but so was I 40
> > years ago!
> >
> > Gardner
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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