88' 8v92 NC 50grand

[Leroy Eckert]

Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your questions.

But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for because all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby taking my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got it. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.

The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.

As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one day? If
so, you should think a little more. If you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.

I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.

I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

J R Saunders wrote:

John,

I think you said, what needed to be said here. As a buyer, the wife & I have been
looking for 3+ months. And with the current high diesel prices and economy today.
Not knowing how LOW it's going to go, why would we pay $60K for a 20+ year old PT.

I know.....because it's Bluebird Wanderlodge! NOT!

Sorry that just does not cut it in this economy. Their our 1000's of other, newer coaches for sale
for that amount money, that will do the same job. We just do not have to have a 20+ year old BB.
Would we spend $40K on a 20+ year old Wanderlodge??? Yes, maybe, but that would be our upper
limit and I would want to be able to eat off the floors in that unit for $40K.
LOL. We looked a very
nice 40' Bus Conversion, (82 bus, pro converted 86) the seller has lowered the price 3
times so far, well below $40k. Come this August, we will give this some serious consideration.

Another think that needs to be considered in todays market is the buyer. Who is the buyer? Today I think
it's OK to say we have.......People that have lot's of money and all the other folks that do not. The middle
class, are not longer middle class, money wise. They are now down a few rungs on the economy's ladder.
My wife and I are the other folks and not by choice. The economy got us a few years ago, big time, right
after 911. The wife works as a flight attendant (37 years) for a major airline, that went into bankruptcy. We
no longer have any room to make any mistakes, money wise....Using retirement monies and the tax consequences
need to be considered, as well.

Why we are looking for coach. We want a 35' to 40' coach
to live in while we sell our house, the wife will then
take an early retirement and we will go south to look for land or something in NM. We are not going to be full
times, as I will be setting up a small Powder Coating business. We currently own an 84 22' Class A SOB, that
is just to small for the amount of time we will be living in it.

As buyers we have 1000's of choices to consider. For us it comes down to getting a coach that will serve our needs
at a price we can live with. How much is that mid to late 80's PT going to be worth in 5 years, 10 years???
For us right now, that is not a big deal, as this will be our last coach purchase. However it does need to be considered.

Thanks again for your time.

Best Regards,

J R & Deane
(84 22' A SOB)
Kent, WA



bubblerboy64 wrote:

Having sold a 5th
wheel in January after seven months on the market
and taking a loss of 50% a fellow can hardly laugh at any offer in
todays market. And the market is a lot worse off now then in
January. Not telling any one something they don't know. I think the
market is a lot less then $60K. FC's are not selling at $20 and there
are a bunch of PT's listed at $60 and not moving. I think $15 for an
FC and $40 for a PT is the market today. Makes a person feel ill.
(So I hope there are a bunch of guys that tell me I'm full of you
know what and can support their opinion)

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC

[erniecarpet@...]

You are correct, John. I guess in the young person's eyes, sex, glitz, and bloody slideouts are all the rage these days.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

2 slide outs- one for my toolbox, the other is a Joey bed

---

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Don Bradner]

I'm not one (as other posts of mine will attest) to try to overinflate the value
of a Blue Bird or anything else. Having said that, I think it would be a
terrible mistake for a BB owner to think that they are in strong competition
with the thousands of SOBs out there in the same price range. We own a niche
product that is highly desired by a small number of people, period.

When I was looking, I was looking for a Blue Bird. No Monaco, Fleetwood, or
Winnebago was considered, at any price. When was the last time you saw someone
actually looking for a 1990 Winnie, specifically?

Those who would be swayed by a 10-year newer SOB with the same price have missed
the point of the Blue Bird, and probably can't be convinced otherwise. I'm one
of many who have experienced the newer stuff, and in our case dropped back 13
years to get what we really wanted.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Posting today by satellite from the Puyallup, WA fairgrounds

On 5/14/2008 at 1:30 PM J R Saunders wrote:

>John,
>
> I think you said, what needed to be said here. As a buyer, the wife & I
>have been
> looking for 3+ months. And with the current high diesel prices and
>economy today.
> Not knowing how LOW it's going to go, why would we pay $60K for a 20+
>year old PT.
>
> I know.....because it's Bluebird Wanderlodge! NOT!
>
> Sorry that just does not cut it in this economy. Their our 1000's of
>other, newer coaches for sale
> for that amount money, that will do the same job. We just do not have to
>have a 20+ year old BB.
> Would we spend $40K on a 20+ year old Wanderlodge??? Yes, maybe, but that
>would be our upper
> limit and I would want to be able to eat off the floors in that unit for
>$40K. LOL. We looked a very
> nice 40' Bus Conversion, (82 bus, pro converted 86) the seller has
>lowered the price 3
> times so far, well below $40k. Come this August, we will give this some
>serious consideration.
>
> Another think that needs to be considered in todays market is the buyer.
>Who is the buyer? Today I think
> it's OK to say we have.......People that have lot's of money and all the
>other folks that do not. The middle
> class, are not longer middle class, money wise. They are now down a few
>rungs on the economy's ladder.
> My wife and I are the other folks and not by choice. The economy got us a
>few years ago, big time, right
> after 911. The wife works as a flight attendant (37 years) for a major
>airline, that went into bankruptcy. We
> no longer have any room to make any mistakes, money wise....Using
>retirement monies and the tax consequences
> need to be considered, as well.
>
> Why we are looking for coach. We want a 35' to 40' coach to live in while
>we sell our house, the wife will then
> take an early retirement and we will go south to look for land or
>something in NM. We are not going to be full
> times, as I will be setting up a small Powder Coating business. We
>currently own an 84 22' Class A SOB, that
> is just to small for the amount of time we will be living in it.
>
> As buyers we have 1000's of choices to consider. For us it comes down to
>getting a coach that will serve our needs
> at a price we can live with. How much is that mid to late 80's PT going
>to be worth in 5 years, 10 years???
> For us right now, that is not a big deal, as this will be our last coach
>purchase. However it does need to be considered.
>
> Thanks again for your time.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> J R & Deane
> (84 22' A SOB)
> Kent, WA
>
>
>
> bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
>Having sold a 5th wheel in January after seven months on the market
> and taking a loss of 50% a fellow can hardly laugh at any offer in
> todays market. And the market is a lot worse off now then in
> January. Not telling any one something they don't know. I think the
> market is a lot less then $60K. FC's are not selling at $20 and there
> are a bunch of PT's listed at $60 and not moving. I think $15 for an
> FC and $40 for a PT is the market today. Makes a person feel ill.
> (So I hope there are a bunch of guys that tell me I'm full of you
> know what and can support their opinion)
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[rogerwwebb@...]

you guys hit the nail on the head .. it is nothing but lust....

Ever since I moved on from backpacking, I lusted for an RV, not just any RV, but one of with all the thrills of a new adventure. I started with a pop-up and then rented plastic RV's a number of times, but I wanted a real motor coach, not a run-of-the mill RV.... one with automatic leveling, the tag axle (shows you're a heavy duty type), billowing black smoke when you step on the throttle, cruising with the semis and not getting blown off the road, etc.....

Telling people ... 'yep, takes 300 gallons of diesel ... yep, $1200 today .. but hey, I didn't buy it for the mileage ...' I bought it because it is more than an RV, ... it is a hobby, a past time and it keeps me out of bars ... well most of the time. They look at me and either think I'm nuts our rich ...... not sure myself ....

It is much like having a very special looking girl by your side (makes old guys look much better). This is so evident whentailgating at the Hawkeye games with many, many SOB's and I tell you, my 91 WL is better looking and more formidable (in terms of a mechanical device, not a woman) that any of the others.

I find myself constantly talking about it and even showing pictures of it, like you would a trophywife ...

yes,lust ....... no sexthough, as I doubt the wife would approve .....

Roger Webb

91 WL

Cedar Rapids, IA

In a message dated 5/14/2008 8:45:10 P.M. Central Daylight Time, erniecarpet@... writes:

You are correct, John. I guess in the young person's eyes, sex, glitz, and bloody slideouts are all the rage these days.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

2 slide outs- one for my toolbox, the other is a Joey bed

---

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

---

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[bubblerboy64]

I would like to add that I am not questioning what a PT is "worth"
to its owner. I bet Mr Hayden's coach is a beauty and "worth" twice
his asking price. Problem is we are all running scared and that
pushes the market down even more then the cost of diesel. There are
guys in the business who know the market. I am saying is that there
are bunches of PT's and FC priced fairly and not selling so what is a
guy going to do? He is going to have to hold on or take an "unfair"
offer. I will tell you what I paid for "The Big Napper" $18,500 and
I have about $30,000 in it the way it sits ( which was my target) .I
bought it a year ago. I have pictures of it posted. You will not
find one much nicer and it's not for sale but I have no unrealistic
idea that I would get much more then $15K for it if I HAD to sell.
(Don't any one offer me $15K just to make a point either) I don't
like that much but saying its different doesn't make it so. You see
FC's listed from 9K to 70K. None are moving so you tell me... Pt's
the same. Only way we'll know is if some one sells one and lets us
know the number (not going to happen). The rest is pure
speculation. It's a sorry situation but saying differently doesn't
change a thing. My coach is worth $30 to me which is in my situation
today all that matters. I hope that I don't have to find out in the
near future what its worth to the next guy. I'll let some one else
worry. Leroy's point is buy quality, because price is not cost.
That I firmly believe is a great reason to buy a BB. Factor that
into your thinking and good luck.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC





>
> Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your
questions.
>
> But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other
Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of
which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for
because all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby
taking my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got
it. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.
>
> The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do
that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained.
You see value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If
not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out
there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How
many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.
>
> As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38
will be worth zero one day? If so, you should think a little more. If
you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized
in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one
of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the
Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the
Mercedes of motor homes.
>
> I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good
fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would
be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see
the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.
>
> I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> J R Saunders
wrote: John,
>
> I think you said, what needed to be said here. As a buyer, the
wife & I have been
> looking for 3+ months. And with the current high diesel prices and
economy today.
> Not knowing how LOW it's going to go, why would we pay $60K for a
20+ year old PT.
>
> I know.....because it's Bluebird Wanderlodge! NOT!
>
> Sorry that just does not cut it in this economy. Their our 1000's
of other, newer coaches for sale
> for that amount money, that will do the same job. We just do not
have to have a 20+ year old BB.
> Would we spend $40K on a 20+ year old Wanderlodge??? Yes, maybe,
but that would be our upper
> limit and I would want to be able to eat off the floors in that
unit for $40K. LOL. We looked a very
> nice 40' Bus Conversion, (82 bus, pro converted 86) the seller has
lowered the price 3
> times so far, well below $40k. Come this August, we will give this
some serious consideration.
>
> Another think that needs to be considered in todays market is the
buyer. Who is the buyer? Today I think
> it's OK to say we have.......People that have lot's of money and
all the other folks that do not. The middle
> class, are not longer middle class, money wise. They are now down
a few rungs on the economy's ladder.
> My wife and I are the other folks and not by choice. The economy
got us a few years ago, big time, right
> after 911. The wife works as a flight attendant (37 years) for a
major airline, that went into bankruptcy. We
> no longer have any room to make any mistakes, money wise....Using
retirement monies and the tax consequences
> need to be considered, as well.
>
> Why we are looking for coach. We want a 35' to 40' coach to live
in while we sell our house, the wife will then
> take an early retirement and we will go south to look for land or
something in NM. We are not going to be full
> times, as I will be setting up a small Powder Coating business. We
currently own an 84 22' Class A SOB, that
> is just to small for the amount of time we will be living in it.
>
> As buyers we have 1000's of choices to consider. For us it comes
down to getting a coach that will serve our needs
> at a price we can live with. How much is that mid to late 80's PT
going to be worth in 5 years, 10 years???
> For us right now, that is not a big deal, as this will be our last
coach purchase. However it does need to be considered.
>
> Thanks again for your time.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> J R & Deane
> (84 22' A SOB)
> Kent, WA
>
>
>
> bubblerboy64 wrote:
> Having sold a 5th wheel in January after seven months on the
market
> and taking a loss of 50% a fellow can hardly laugh at any offer in
> todays market. And the market is a lot worse off now then in
> January. Not telling any one something they don't know. I think
the
> market is a lot less then $60K. FC's are not selling at $20 and
there
> are a bunch of PT's listed at $60 and not moving. I think $15 for
an
> FC and $40 for a PT is the market today. Makes a person feel ill.
> (So I hope there are a bunch of guys that tell me I'm full of you
> know what and can support their opinion)
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>

[J R Saunders]

Leroy,



You make some good points. I will only quote in part some of your
points.



>Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for
a BB.<

How can it not? It has to do with money and sets the amount a person
can spend. What sets the sales price of a BB, any BB, is the old supply
and demand. Right now I see a big supply and not that much demand.



>The
reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it
will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see
value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it
wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for
sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. <

Your are correct in this for the most part.

>How many of
them 20 year old babies do you see around.<

As I said, we own one. 2nd owner, 8000 miles on a new 454 engine,
30k on the new trans & rear end. New refer, roof air, floor &
carpet, toilet and other stuff. We use it mostly as an

emergence home. Winds storms, earthquake whatever. Been used for that a
few time in the 6 years we have own it, makes life easier when powder
and heat a gone for 2 weeks. LOL

>As for future value,
do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one
day?<

No I do not think I said that all. I asked a question, what will it
be worth in 5 -10 years. I have no idea what a $40 or $60K coach will
be worth. So I will go back to supply and demand.

> If so, you should think a little more. If you go out there
an grab
that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you
better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart
beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these
things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.<

Here again you are correct. Most people can not do, what I can do. I
started wenching when I was 14. Was Army trained in multi fuel (diesel)
worked some of the big stuff. Transfered in Avn. as a Helicopter
mechanic (Crew Chief) have been doing all of my maintenance for years.
So before I would buy anything, it would be gone over real good. In the
case of a bus

conversion, that would go on a dyno for sure.

>I
see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with
the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to
go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value""
because that is what you are really looking for. I wonder after you buy
it if you will think it is worth $40K?<

Yes, Dick was kind enough to send me some pictures of his coach. If
I wanted to spend that amount of money, I would sure give it a long
hard look. I wonder if Dick wants to trade for an airplane? LOL How
about it Dick? Want to learn how to fly? LOL

Leroy, thank you for bring up your good points. It never hurts to
hear others ideas or insights.

J R & Deane

(84 22' A SOB)

Kent, WA

Leroy Eckert wrote:

Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your
questions.



But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other
Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of
which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for because
all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby taking
my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got it.
Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.



The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it
will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see
value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it
wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for
sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How many of
them 20 year old babies do you see around.



As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38
will be worth zero one day? If so, you should think a little more. If
you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized
in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of
these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of
America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of
motor homes.



I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow
with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be
prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the
""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.



I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?



Leroy Eckert

1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors

Dahlonega, GA

Royale Conversion

[Scott Forman]

Don...you nailed it. One either understands Blue Birds or they
don't. If they don't, they never will.

My personal opinion is that a whole lot of BB's don't sell because
the sellers do not market them effectively. If I could think of a
viable way to market coaches for other owners, I would do it...but I
can't figure out how I can know enough about their coaches to do it
right. Only an owner can really know the coach. I sold my FC last
year in 9 days for exactly the price I wanted.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> I'm not one (as other posts of mine will attest) to try to
overinflate the value of a Blue Bird or anything else. Having said
that, I think it would be a terrible mistake for a BB owner to think
that they are in strong competition with the thousands of SOBs out
there in the same price range. We own a niche product that is highly
desired by a small number of people, period.
>
> When I was looking, I was looking for a Blue Bird. No Monaco,
Fleetwood, or Winnebago was considered, at any price. When was the
last time you saw someone actually looking for a 1990 Winnie,
specifically?
>
> Those who would be swayed by a 10-year newer SOB with the same
price have missed the point of the Blue Bird, and probably can't be
convinced otherwise. I'm one of many who have experienced the newer
stuff, and in our case dropped back 13 years to get what we really
wanted.
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> Posting today by satellite from the Puyallup, WA fairgrounds
>
> On 5/14/2008 at 1:30 PM J R Saunders wrote:
>
> >John,
> >
> > I think you said, what needed to be said here. As a buyer, the
wife & I
> >have been
> > looking for 3+ months. And with the current high diesel prices and
> >economy today.
> > Not knowing how LOW it's going to go, why would we pay $60K for a
20+
> >year old PT.
> >
> > I know.....because it's Bluebird Wanderlodge! NOT!
> >
> > Sorry that just does not cut it in this economy. Their our 1000's
of
> >other, newer coaches for sale
> > for that amount money, that will do the same job. We just do not
have to
> >have a 20+ year old BB.
> > Would we spend $40K on a 20+ year old Wanderlodge??? Yes, maybe,
but that
> >would be our upper
> > limit and I would want to be able to eat off the floors in that
unit for
> >$40K. LOL. We looked a very
> > nice 40' Bus Conversion, (82 bus, pro converted 86) the seller has
> >lowered the price 3
> > times so far, well below $40k. Come this August, we will give
this some
> >serious consideration.
> >
> > Another think that needs to be considered in todays market is the
buyer.
> >Who is the buyer? Today I think
> > it's OK to say we have.......People that have lot's of money and
all the
> >other folks that do not. The middle
> > class, are not longer middle class, money wise. They are now down
a few
> >rungs on the economy's ladder.
> > My wife and I are the other folks and not by choice. The economy
got us a
> >few years ago, big time, right
> > after 911. The wife works as a flight attendant (37 years) for a
major
> >airline, that went into bankruptcy. We
> > no longer have any room to make any mistakes, money wise....Using
> >retirement monies and the tax consequences
> > need to be considered, as well.
> >
> > Why we are looking for coach. We want a 35' to 40' coach to live
in while
> >we sell our house, the wife will then
> > take an early retirement and we will go south to look for land or
> >something in NM. We are not going to be full
> > times, as I will be setting up a small Powder Coating business. We
> >currently own an 84 22' Class A SOB, that
> > is just to small for the amount of time we will be living in it.
> >
> > As buyers we have 1000's of choices to consider. For us it comes
down to
> >getting a coach that will serve our needs
> > at a price we can live with. How much is that mid to late 80's PT
going
> >to be worth in 5 years, 10 years???
> > For us right now, that is not a big deal, as this will be our
last coach
> >purchase. However it does need to be considered.
> >
> > Thanks again for your time.
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > J R & Deane
> > (84 22' A SOB)
> > Kent, WA
> >
> >
> >
> > bubblerboy64 wrote:
> >
> >Having sold a 5th wheel in January after seven months on the
market
> > and taking a loss of 50% a fellow can hardly laugh at any offer
in
> > todays market. And the market is a lot worse off now then in
> > January. Not telling any one something they don't know. I think
the
> > market is a lot less then $60K. FC's are not selling at $20 and
there
> > are a bunch of PT's listed at $60 and not moving. I think $15 for
an
> > FC and $40 for a PT is the market today. Makes a person feel ill.
> > (So I hope there are a bunch of guys that tell me I'm full of you
> > know what and can support their opinion)
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Leroy Eckert]

I think Dick lives on an airport.

You are correct, what sets the price is an agreement between a buyer and seller. For a number of reasons there are few buyers for anything these days at any price. So if a person does not have to sell, let it sit.

Good luck in your search. Get the best one you can find.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

J R Saunders wrote:

Leroy,

You make some good points. I will only quote in part some of your points.

>Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.<

How can it not? It has to do with money and sets the amount a person can spend. What sets the sales price of a BB, any BB, is the old supply and demand. Right now I see a big supply and not that much demand.

>The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. <

Your are correct in this for the most part.

>How many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.<

As I said, we own one. 2nd owner, 8000 miles on a new 454 engine, 30k on the new trans & rear end. New refer, roof air, floor & carpet,
toilet and other stuff. We use it mostly as an
emergence home. Winds storms, earthquake whatever. Been used for that a few time in the 6 years we have own it, makes life easier when powder and heat a gone for 2 weeks. LOL

>As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one day?<

No I do not think I said that all. I asked a question, what will it be worth in 5 -10 years. I have no idea what a $40 or $60K coach will be worth. So I will go back to supply and demand.

> If so, you should think a little more. If you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.<

Here again you are correct. Most people can not
do, what I can do. I started wenching when I was 14. Was Army trained in multi fuel (diesel) worked some of the big stuff. Transfered in Avn. as a Helicopter mechanic (Crew Chief) have been doing all of my maintenance for years. So before I would buy anything, it would be gone over real good. In the case of a bus
conversion, that would go on a dyno for sure.

>I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for. I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?<

Yes, Dick was kind enough to send me some pictures of his coach. If I wanted to spend that amount of money, I would sure give it a long hard look. I wonder if Dick wants to trade for an airplane? LOL How about it Dick? Want to learn how to fly? LOL

Leroy, thank you for bring up your good points. It never hurts to hear others ideas or insights.

J R & Deane
(84 22' A SOB)
Kent, WA

Leroy Eckert wrote:

Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your questions.

But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for because all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby taking my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got it. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.

The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see value. If
properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.

As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one day? If so, you should think a little more. If you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.

I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.

I wonder after you
buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

[jvredden@...]

nope. My son in law has a 97 BMC and is 29. At 29 I was not able to afford BB...probably cant now but you cant take it with you

john redden

91PT NC

In a message dated 5/14/2008 10:13:38 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, sforman@... writes:

Careful guys...I am only 33. I have often wondered if I am the
youngest BB owner in the nation. And I wouldn't own a fiberglass
box, period...don't care how many slides or fancy gadgets it has.

Scott Forman
verx sexy 86 PT38
Memphis

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> You are correct, John. I guess in the young person's eyes, sex,
glitz, and
> bloody slideouts are all the rage these days.
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Montana
>
> 2 slide outs- one for my toolbox, the other is a Joey bed
>
>
>
> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists
on family
> favorites at AOL Food.
> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
>

---

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Pete Masterson]

Leroy, you make some good points.

We also need to understand that, like the early 70s, we're in a "fuel price shock" -- and as the realization that fuel prices may be at a new and higher level for some time, people will have to adjust their personal budget to absorb the 'hit' to their pocket books.

Obviously, this kind of a transition period is not when folks are going out to look for expensive toys that use a lot of fuel. SUVs, large pick-up trucks, and RVs of every type have stopped selling in any quantity. It happened in the last two "fuel shocks" as well. But after a period of time, people adjust.

The good news is that about 1/2 the _increase_ in fuel cost is due to the relative value of the dollar tanking on the world market. This is because the Federal Reserve has cut our interest rates to low levels (relative to other currencies) to 'help' with our current financial system crisis. What is the good news? Well, eventually other countries will have to make similar fiscal interest rate adjustments as their economies become stressed by the ripples caused by the US economy (after all, we're still about 50% of the world market). And, the Fed will eventually bring up our interest rates -- and the dollar's value will recover. This may take a year or 18 months or 24 months (I sure have no handle on that), but it will come. Oil will drop $30 per barrel (or so). 

Also, high prices _do_ call forth more supply. That old law of supply and demand will eventually kick in. Oil companies and alternate/substitute fuel producers are fearful of an oil price crash (they've happened before), so they're reluctant to invest -- until the market starts to show some stability. If prices stay comfortably above (say) $70 per barrel, then higher cost sources become economic to exploit. Once some new supply enters the market, it will drop prices, and shake out the speculators, further dropping prices. (How do I know this? Because it's what's happened at least twice before.)

So, while RVs, and SUV, and other "fuel guzzlers" are suddenly very unpopular, it's unlikely that situation will remain for more than a couple of years. Once people become accustomed to the higher prices (and/or if prices fade a bit from their peak), then people will start getting and buying the vehicles they want to buy. After all, when fuel was $3.00 per gallon (more or less) people were buying heavy fuel using cars, suvs and trucks -- even though there are and were plenty of very economical choices out there -- but there wasn't the demand.

So, my feeling is that there is an opportunity to get a 20 year old WL at one heck of a bargain. It's value may not increase, should fuel prices eventually pull back -- but it will very probably hold its value for quite some time with very little downward drift for several years.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On May 14, 2008, at 2:23 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your questions.

But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for because all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby taking my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got it. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.

The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.

As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one day? If so, you should think a little more. If you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.

I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.

I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?

<snip>