'80 35FC present parket value help needed please

[johngilmoremd@...]

Hello Doug,

I am/was one of those lurkers who was looking. Years ago I owned an 83 FC 35.
We had a lot of fun and some incredible trips with her. But we sold due to
schedule changes and a new baby on the way. Just didn't think we would be
camping much for a while.

So now that we have a spunky 2 year old daughter and 11 year old son we have
caught the camping and weekend adventure bug again. This time around I was
hunting for something smaller, a travel trailer actually, just to make it easier
to store.

Then like a lead pipe hitting me on the head...there was my coach listed on a
local site for sale! Not the same one but the same model...an 83 FC 35 in almost
perfect condition! I sent an email with 20 questions to the dealer who had
accepted it as trade in. They couldn't even answer the questions, had no idea.

Yesterday I took the gang and we had a look at it. The experience was so
nostalgic that it's hard to describe. None of the "seasoned" salespersons wanted
to assist. They knew nothing about it and in fact I believe they were
intimidated by the cockpit and the intricate workings of the coach. So I got the
newbie sales-kid and out into the rain we went. I taught him about the coach
over the next 3 hours.

This gorgeous machine has the 3208 turbo, Jake brake, new fridge, ducted air,
nice sound system....the tv over the pilot's chair works and even has a good
picture. Back up cam works great and every appliance functions properly. She has
the original paint and it looks good....orange and brown. Apparently was stored
indoors. The diamond plating on top is mint. It has a diamond plated spare tire
holder on the top at the back with a winch mechanism to load/unload the spare. I
didn't have an opportunity to pull the front panels to verify that the rad is
mod for swing out but I did see some hinges which looked like they dropped the
bumper. So I think it's got the swing out mod. Every switch, button and control
that I checked worked fine. Slide out mechanism was smooth and the genny started
right up. Doghouse has the original sound and heat proofing material. Front air
and heat works great. Even the misters on the wipers work. The interior looks
like it has had very little wear. Tires are practically new and match all the
way around.

I was stunned. I really couldn't believe how well this baby had been loved over
the years. She drove like a dream. So I took a stab at the dealership by asking
more questions. When were the injectors last replaced? (2002) Are they sure
about the mileage? (65K) etc. Well, to make a long story short, I offered them
half what they were asking. After several more go 'rounds with the sales manager
they accepted the offer.

Frankly I'm still in disbelief. Now that diesel is back down to $2.39 I'm going
to fill the tank and get ready for next weekend.

That having all been said, this particular coach needs to go to a full timer.
It's too sweet to sit and only be occasionally used. I will most likely look to
trade it for a toy hauler or outright sale to the right person. I don't see
these coaches as just commodities to be bought and sold. They are fine machines
and should be owned by individuals who understand and appreciate them.

So, keep looking. Your bird is out there.

-Jack
83 FC 35
Houston

-----Original Message-----
From: dj.long@...
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 11:51 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: '80 35FC present parket value help needed
please

And there are plenty of us lurkers out here look'n for the right bird

to pounce on. So don'tbe afraid to list. If it sells for the price

you need your happy, if it doesn't you tried and be happy you kept

her. If you want more kids I would trade one or two of mine for a

good bird.



Doug Long

Edmonton

Wanabee

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"

wrote:

>

> Hello Adria,

> I'm no guru, but I haven't observed that the market for preowned

BB's has "gone through

> the floor". The entire motorhome market, just like the house

market, is a bit soft now due

> to higher interest rates and fuel prices, but should come back in

time as people and the

> economy adjust to these new realities. The older coaches, if well

maintained, are a real

> bargain as they don't depreciate at anywhere near the rate of a new

coach and FC's are

> fairly fuel efficient as coaches go.

>

> If I were selling my coach today I would do the following:

> 1. Take a good set of interior/exterior photos

> 2. Draft a complete and accurate description of the coach

> 3. Collect and organize all available maintenance records

> 4. Scan BirdConnection, FMCA magazine, WLForum and Vintage Bird

listings for

> comparables.

> 5. Do an advanced search on Ebay for any completed comparable

sales.

> 6. Adjust my price up or down against the comparable listings for

known difficiencies or

> advantages.

> 7. Take a weekend trip somewhere in the coach with the family and

ask myself if I really

> want to sell it.

> 8. List the coach on all of the sites mentioned in step 4.

> 9. Patiently wait for the right buyer to come along.

>

> Regards, Eric in San Antonio

> 84FC35SBWL2

>

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"

<mrbeebody@> wrote:

> >

> > Gurus,

> >

> > It seems that since we bought our beloved 1980 35 FC three

summers

> > ago - the market went through the floor. It's a bummer, but it

is

> > what it is.

> >

> > We are now thinking of selling it and I'd like some help

> > establishing what a realistic price range is for what I have.

> >

> > Like I said, it's a 1980 35FC BB Wanderlodge. Rear queen bed

setup

> > and a desk in the front between the curb side closet and couch.

> > It's got 99k miles on the bus and 33k miles on a brand new

factory

> > replacement 3208 catapillar diesel and the original 4 speed

> > allison. It starts up almost instantly everytime (when the

> > batteries are charged), runs excellent, shifts perfectly and I

> > actually LOVE to drive the darn thing for some reason.

> >

> > I'm told that it has the swing out radiator, and the generator is

a

> > big Kohler diesel that also starts everytime. It has a newer

toilet

> > and a heated marble floor. As far as I know, the only thing is

> > needs is the water heater element replaced and everything else

seems

> > to work fine.

> >

> > The outside needs paint. It's lived outside and it shows. The

> > tires don't all match, but all have plenty of tread and I'd use

them

> > on a long trip tomorrow if I had to without worry. The aluminum

> > wheels could be brought back, but I'd probably spring for chome

> > liners first.

> >

> > 3 furnaces, 3 roof airs, zip-dee awning, etc. - all the typical

bone

> > stock 1980 features.

> >

> > Anyways, I know the exterior conditions are points against, but I

> > figure the new motor should help to balance that out to some

degree

> > for a true BB enthusiast.

> >

> > Anyways, I've seen where some garage queens are still up for sale

in

> > the upper 30's, so - given my description, would $32k be a

> > reasonable starting point? If not, please tell me what is.

> >

> > I hate to see it go, but it may be inevitable.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

> >

>





















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