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Topic: Buying a LD - a couple of questions (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Yahoo Message Number: 105541
Hi, I hope you can give me some badly-needed advice.   I looked at a 91 LD (26ft rear couch) on ebay where the owner had a buy-it-now of $8000.  The owner is not wiling to budge on price.  Carb need rebuild, and the mileage is 95,000.
 I understand spending more for the LD motorhome construction, but does the Ford engine at nearly 100,000 miles hold up well enough to justify this purchase?  I am on the east coast, the vehicle is in Wisconsin, and my budget is tight.
 Also, we are a family of five, so I would need to pull out the barrel chairs in the rear and replace with a jackknife sofa.  What sofas do LDs contain?   Am I at all likely to find a match (this is the pink-red colorway)?

I appreciate any advice you can give me.   Dawn Davies
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105545
wrote:
 I hope you can give me some badly-needed advice.   I looked at a 91 LD (26ft rear couch) on ebay where the owner had a buy-it-now of $8000.  The owner is not wiling to budge on price.  Carb need rebuild, and the mileage is 95,000.
 I understand spending more for the LD motorhome construction, but does the Ford engine at nearly 100,000 miles hold up well enough to justify this purchase?  I am on the east coast, the vehicle is in Wisconsin, and my budget is tight.
 Also, we are a family of five, so I would need to pull out the barrel chairs in the rear and replace with a jackknife sofa.  What sofas do LDs contain?   Am I at all likely to find a match (this is the pink-red colorway)? --- This particular LD is advertised in the "For Sale" section of the Files, and was also listed on Craig's List; that listing is now expired. There was also a fairly recent thread on checking out this motorhome and why the person who was considering the purchase didn't go through with it. A quick search of the board didn't bring up the thread (and the searchable archives' last update was prior to the thread's appearance, I think), so perhaps the person who considered the purchase (and decided against it) and the people who advised against buying it will re-post?

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105547
Hello. See if you can have the owner verify past oil changes, tune ups etc. Mileage is a given on some vehicles but if properly cared for should be alright, IMHO. One of my good friends has an 04 ford f150 and has put over 200 thousand miles on it. Just keep in mind their are other deals out there, just takes time. Good Luck! John in the 85'. (only 32000!).
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105548
A 91 should be fuel injected?  My 89 is anyway.  I'm not sure about the Chevy Chassis though.  I'd be a little hesitant on the mileage, just because you can find LD's out there of similar vintage with much fewer miles, which isn't always a good thing, the main thing is to make sure the maintenance has been done on a regular basis.  See if you can find that out, with some sort of backup, like receipts.  The price isn't bad really though, I paid 12,500 for my 89 Rear Bath with 25,000 miles on it.  I think before I bought any motor home sight unseen, I would hire a local mechanic or shop or someone to inspect it.  There is just way to many things that you'd never see in photos that could be lurking disasters.
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105550
Quote from: diezildaze
Also, we are a family of five, so I would need to pull out the barrel chairs in the rear and replace with a jackknife sofa.  What sofas do LDs contain?  Am I at all likely to find a match (this is the pink-red colorway)? ==============================
1) Our '94 has over 110,000 miles and shows no signs of weakening.

2) Several people we know replaced the barrel chairs with couches and/or desks with great success.

3) Pink-red colorway is "not" a LazyDaze color scheme. The prior owner must have been color blind.

Anne Johnson

Lovely (hot, smokey) La Verne, CA
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105554
"What sofas do LDs contain?"

The sofa/beds in all LDs are custom-built at the factory.
 I agree with those who said "Keep looking." And for sure get an RV mechanic to inspect any coach thoroughly before you buy, especially if a limited budget restricts you to older coaches. In our website's Files > Buying & Selling folder you'll find several very helpful documents:

How do I shop for a used LD?

How to find a Lazy Daze online

Buying a Lazy Daze on eBay

I recommend reading all three.

Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: Buying a LD - a couple of questions
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105562
Quote
, does the Ford engine at nearly 100,000 miles hold up well enough to justify this purchase?  I am on the east coast, the vehicle is in Wisconsin, and my budget is tight.
My 1994 Ford-based LD has 140,000 miles.  "Worth it" is in the eye of the beholder.  My LD has required  a couple of significant repairs over the years, but compared to the depreciation  or cost for a newer LD, it's still "Cost effective" when you compare dollars per mile of enjoyment.

Quote
Also, we are a family of five, so I would need to pull out the barrel chairs in the rear and replace with a jackknife sofa.  What sofas do LDs contain?  Am I at all likely to find a match (this is the pink-red colorway)?
Regardless of color scheme, there is zero chance of finding a match for your LD sofa.  An LD "sofa" is a plywood box with a mattress and bolster pillow set on them.  If you have a 4x8 sheet of 5/8 inch plywood you can build an LD sofa. The moment you see one and lift up the mattress, the construction is transparent. The top surface is two layers of plywood that slide against each other when you "pull out the sofa" to make it expand from 30 inches to 48.
 Our Northeast group once contained a family with five kids who got along in their Midbath; they left the rear sofas in place and put the bolsters in the floor between them, making three narrow beds.

Joanne in Boston NE-44 1944 TK