To buy or not to buy?

[erniecarpet@...]

RW, the best thing that I did was buy my first bird. i have had the
Southwinds, Allegros, Foretravels, Executives. Nothing compares. Maintenance is
always an issue- but you will be the safest one on the road with your family.
That's why I was one of the first presidents of the 2 bird club. !!!

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


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

[littlehouseonprairie1]

I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
much work.

Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

RW

[Leroy Eckert]

I do not own an FC. I purchased a coach that was well maintained with a
boat load of records. I have been very pleased. If someone has remodeled,
paint, new genset, etc. and it was done properly you should be good for a
while. My thinking is, you get what you pay for and that has proven to be
true in my case. I cannot speak for others, but I am happy with my unit.
These things become part of the family.

If you need an inspection, there are folks on this forum who do that.

Where are you located? Your e address suggest midwest.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL

-------Original Message-------

From: littlehouseonprairie1
Date: 04/11/07 06:24:07 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?

I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
much work.

Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

RW



I

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

[Scott Forman]

I have an 82 FC, and yes, there is a lot of maintenance and plenty of
things that can break. But that is true of any motorhome, and BB's are
MUCH more reliable than the rest. Has mine required a good bit of work
and cash? Yes. Do I regret it? Not for a moment.

It almost sounds like you need to decide 100% that you want to do the
motorhome "thing" at all first...but if you are sure that you do, my
opinion is that a BB is the way to go. I had two motorhomes before my
BB, and have many friends with various other coaches that I have been
exposed to, and I will NEVER own anything but a BB from here on out.

Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "littlehouseonprairie1"
<murphy4@...> wrote:
>
> I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
> excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
> generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
> I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
> teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
> question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
> one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
> eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
> a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
> I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
> much work.
>
> Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.
>
> RW
>

[Dan]

Any thoughts? 1) I think a 33 is too short for four people. It is enough for a
couple or small kids but you may wish for more room. 2) an oil sample is
important to rule out hidden engine problems 3) I think you should set aside
10-20% of the purchase price for repairs and unexpected expenses 4) a good
mechanic and fair electrician should have no trouble keeping it running.

Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: littlehouseonprairie1
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:07 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?


I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
much work.

Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

RW






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

[davidkerryedwards]

I bought my 82 Fc 35 a little over a year ago. At the time, I read a posting on
this board or
the FC board that the learning curve on the coach was about one year. After a
year you will
be familiar enough with the systems to have a fair degree of confidence that you
can
maintain the coach if you have a modicum of mechanical ability. A wise analysis
in my view.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver
Getting comfortable with the coach systems.

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

I agree with Ernie;
I am on my third BIRD, had four "plastic" models before the BIRDS
over the years.
Never knew what I was missing until I got my first BIRD, which I
was, at first, a bit apprehensive about buying; old, big , faded
paint, big tires and greasy underneath.
I bought it and put a few grand in it; tires, bearings etc. and
really enjoyed the BIRD and meeting all the wonderful BIRD owners,
especially at my first rally in the valley. That was six years ago.
My first Bird was a 77FC33, I also owned an 80FC31 and now own a
beautiful 1990SP36.
Owning a BIRD is so far beyond owning anything "plastic" that one
would never go back. It is more than just owning a bird, it is a
new life experience on another plane in another dimension. How's
that for an answer????? Darn that beer is good!!
LOL
Hank Hannigan..still chillin in Vegas
90SP36
former President of two bird club..TWICE









--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> RW, the best thing that I did was buy my first bird. i have had
the
> Southwinds, Allegros, Foretravels, Executives. Nothing compares.
Maintenance is
> always an issue- but you will be the safest one on the road with
your family.
> That's why I was one of the first presidents of the 2 bird
club. !!!
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Mt
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Don Bradner]

While there are always exceptions, I think that you can expect
moderate-to-significant operational maintenance costs with any motor home that
is driven significantly. I know my new-to-me '90 will have steady ongoing costs
and maintenance issues, but I doubt they will be any more than they were with
our '03 Safari, driven 63,000 miles in a bit under 4 years. Bounce any house
down the road 15K miles per year and there will be costs and headaches; the only
way to avoid it is to give up on the idea of actually travelling.

On 4/11/2007 at 11:07 PM littlehouseonprairie1 wrote:

>I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
>excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
>generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
> I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
>teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
>question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
>one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
>eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
>a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
>I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
>much work.
>
>Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

[Troy Tikalsky]

My first coach was a 1983 FC33SB with a single couch and 2 barrel chairs in
front and a queen bed in the rear. I have 2 daughters that were not happy
sleeping in the same bed and were not shy telling us repeatedly. The lack of
closet space and the side bathroom really makes the coach feel cramped inside
with 4 people. There is not much outside storage either. I was searching for a
35 foot rear bath model with the intention of making bunks above the rear beds.
I ended buying a Newell 40' wide body with dual couches in the front and now the
family tells me how much more they like this coach on every trip and no more
fighting about sharing a bed! I took the whole family with when buying the
Newell and before buying asked each of them if they would be happy with the
sleeping arrangements and layout. A happy family makes traveling and vacations
much more enjoyable.

Troy Tikalsky
Waconia, MN
1986 Newell


----- Original Message -----
From: Dan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?


Any thoughts? 1) I think a 33 is too short for four people. It is enough for a
couple or small kids but you may wish for more room. 2) an oil sample is
important to rule out hidden engine problems 3) I think you should set aside
10-20% of the purchase price for repairs and unexpected expenses 4) a good
mechanic and fair electrician should have no trouble keeping it running.

Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: littlehouseonprairie1
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:07 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?

I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
much work.

Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

RW

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





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

[Dan]

That is interesting, Newell had a wide body in 1986 and Wanderlodge waited until
1988.
Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: Troy Tikalsky
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:08 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?


My first coach was a 1983 FC33SB with a single couch and 2 barrel chairs in
front and a queen bed in the rear. I have 2 daughters that were not happy
sleeping in the same bed and were not shy telling us repeatedly. The lack of
closet space and the side bathroom really makes the coach feel cramped inside
with 4 people. There is not much outside storage either. I was searching for a
35 foot rear bath model with the intention of making bunks above the rear beds.
I ended buying a Newell 40' wide body with dual couches in the front and now the
family tells me how much more they like this coach on every trip and no more
fighting about sharing a bed! I took the whole family with when buying the
Newell and before buying asked each of them if they would be happy with the
sleeping arrangements and layout. A happy family makes traveling and vacations
much more enjoyable.

Troy Tikalsky
Waconia, MN
1986 Newell

----- Original Message -----
From: Dan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?

Any thoughts? 1) I think a 33 is too short for four people. It is enough for a
couple or small kids but you may wish for more room. 2) an oil sample is
important to rule out hidden engine problems 3) I think you should set aside
10-20% of the purchase price for repairs and unexpected expenses 4) a good
mechanic and fair electrician should have no trouble keeping it running.

Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: littlehouseonprairie1
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:07 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?

I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
much work.

Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.

RW

----------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/756 - Release Date: 4/10/2007 10:44
PM

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

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






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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/756 - Release Date: 4/10/2007 10:44
PM


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