Cost of ownership

[pattypape]

Plan on at least 5,000 each year for the first three years.
If you do most of the work yourself.
This does not include major breakdowns or drive train problems.
After the urgent repairs and a full routine maintenance, then piece
of mind repairs, then upgrades.
It will take as much $ as you want to spend.
But when your Bird is at a level you are comfortable with, you will
have a great motorhome.
I think the 3208 should get 7/8 mpg.

Bill 88 FC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw" wrote:
>
> 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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>