'80 35FC present parket value help needed please

[GLOBE1969]

Hello:
I am in Austin, Tx I would be interested if you want
to sell.
Gail Remy

--- johngilmoremd@... wrote:

> 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
>
> >
>
>
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