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Topic: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice) (Read 10 times) previous topic - next topic
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1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice)
Yahoo Message Number: 152773
I am considering purchasing  a Lazy Daze with 200K miles on it.  This is a small LD  with two couches in the back.  I have not seen it, but I'm told its in great condition.  I like your thoughts on this?  How much would you put aside for repairs, how would price the purchase?
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice)
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152780
I would not pay over blue book if it even goes to that milage and I would want to be able to spend 10k for failures. That would cover a motor and trans and maybe leave a couple of thousand for other failures. Also be prepared to be stranded at any point. And yes I am foolish enough I might buy it if the price is right. If blue book doesn't go to 200k then I would think about 50 percent of book value at 100 k and wouldn't even consider it if I couldn't get there and drive it before a serious offer. That being said it might run another 100 k without problens.
Only my opinion and worth what I am charging.
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice)
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152784
"I am considering purchasing  a Lazy Daze with 200K miles on it.    How much would you put aside for repairs, how would price the purchase?"

Seriously, there is no good answer to this question without more information.
What someone "thinks' about the shape it's in, is irrelevant unless they really know what they are talking about.
It needs to be inspected by an experienced RV tech AND a good mechanic.
This easily can turn into a huge money pit, we have seen it here time and time again.

Remember it's a motor-home...two parts, each capable of costing you a small fortune to repair.
At 200,000 miles, it has reached the end of it's mechanical life and will need all sorts of repairs and replacements. The coach is the same, stuff wears out....And none of it is cheap.
It's very likely some components have already been replaced once or more.
Can't say I have ever meet anyone whose LD exceeded 200,000 miles without major repairs..
That's a lot of miles.

Get it checked out and good luck.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K Advise . Spark Plug blow
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152788
Thank you for all of your feedback.  These are excellent points and it is appreciated.

NADArv. prices this LD at around $9300-11000.  But it does not have a place to put in the miles.
What is the average miles/year on an RV?

Also is the spark plug blow a consideration? or it does not happened that often?  Is this something I need to worry about since all the failures if any will take place either on the way or coming back from camping and out of town?  Is there a preventive fix? or just buy a chevy LD?

Sorry about too many questions? I have always had a trailer so miles and powertrain was never a factor.
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K Advise . Spark Plug blow
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152790
In my experience, we averaged about 6000 miles per year with our LD. That's an average of 500 miles a month (as full-timers).  So, our 1998 LD MB (17 years old) has about 105,000 miles.  We added new spark plugs at the 100,000 mile mark plus transmission upgrade.  At 200,000 miles you might need to do both to keep it running without problems ($3000-$6000). Obviously, the price is a huge factor.  Our asking price is $16,900 for the 1998 MB with a bit over 100,000 miles. For the 200,000 mile mark it would be about half that or $8500 or so in my opinion.  Save lots of cash for improvements and/or breakdowns along the way.  But...a new one costs about $98,000.  You could save yourself about $90,000 in the process and rebuild your LD as you go along.  Just thinking of possibilities...

David
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K Advise . Spark Plug blow
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152791
We purchased a '92  a year ago and paid way more than NADA retail. I watched Craigslist and other sites for close to a year so I was pretty up on the asking prices and sales prices of the early 90's LD's.

Our miles were around 72,000. Ours is a Chevy, 22 ft, rear bath. Pretty original with some upgrades done over the years. Love the size for us two.

We purchased from a private party. Put several thousands into it--maybe about $3500. It was in pretty good condition and we had 9 weeks over several trips. Wonderful times.

LD's hold their value. I think Nada is way low, IMO. We're in California.
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice)
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152835
Unless you do the work yourself, I suspect it would cost a lot more than $8000 to repair/replace the engine and transmission. We were quoted $18,000 or so for our 1998 SOB (24' with the E350 chassis) with 190,000 miles (3 blown spark plugs in 10,000 miles). We decided to spend the money on a newer rig, and got similar 25' SOB (2005 with 9,000 miles on a E450 chassis) for $37,000, selling the old one for $5000. The 2005 SOB is superior in many ways to the 1998 unit, and we do not regret spending the extra money at all.

Eric Greenwell
 Garry Foster  [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote on 5/13/2015 6:50 PM:
2005 Jayco 24SS
 
Re: 1997 Lazy Daze with 200K miles, (need your advice)
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152836
I can understand your reluctance - when we bought it from the original owners, we were hesitant, but they had taken such good care of it - and we were neighbors. We did replace the transmission, and brakes, and for the 2 years we had it we never had any problems - just routine maintenance. If my husband's health hadn't changed, we'd still be on the road. hugs, Judy