Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #25 – March 21, 2018, 09:28:28 pm "There have been statements in this thread about the difficulty of finding good mechanics."Please don't view the posted comments as being 'negative', that is not how they were intended. Those of us who have enjoyed the world of Lazy Daze for a number of years have got a lot of experience under our collective hats. We have seen, time and time again, newbies that rush into ownership without a care or a thought as to what problems (or joy) will come their way through ownership. Do your homework, study the subject, proceed with caution and enjoy the results. It's worth it! 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #26 – March 21, 2018, 09:31:33 pm I would rather (and did) buy an older LD than a newer something else. We have had our 94 RB for 3 years and 15K miles and LOVE it. Paid 13k, spent 5k so far, mostly on tires, a new fridge, and some brake work. The rig is way more solid than most SOBs 10 years newer. If you can budget to average 2000 a year in maintenance then you can afford an LD. Generally way cheaper than new RV depreciation. Don't bail on LD for another brand class C, except for maybe a Born Free or a Bigfoot. You will pay more over time and likely have more hassles. Quality products are usually cheaper to own and way more pleasant to use in the long run.Pete 2 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #27 – March 21, 2018, 09:37:28 pm Ty-this was my original thinking...oh oh, now I've changed my mind again. What an emotional roller coaster! I, too, would much rather a used LD than a newer "other"-I guess I will keep reading and take my move one step at a time...and apply for jobs near the LD factory! Thank you all!
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #28 – March 21, 2018, 10:04:31 pm I wouldn't hesitate on buying a used Lazy Daze just find the right one we bought our 1994 mid bath 12 years ago from the original owners and have had many fun trips with the family and with no major repairs just routine maintenance and some upgrades my wife and I hope to retire in a few years and will probally buy one final Lazy Daze to enjoy retirement in and it will be used just much newer and maybe a 30 footer so don't give up keep looking. Jody 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #29 – March 21, 2018, 11:39:19 pm "Ty-this was my original thinking...oh oh, now I've changed my mind again. What an emotional roller coaster! I, too, would much rather a used LD than a newer "other"-I guess I will keep reading and take my move one step at a time...and apply for jobs near the LD factory! Thank you all!"You have received "most excellent" advice from many of our long-term members. I will add just one little piece of information that I discovered by accident . . . if you are judging a rig's suitability by its current location, be sure to get a "background check" on it to see where it has been the rest of its life. Yes, rigs will have traveled hither and yon, but I looked at a Class B unit once that was being sold in Tempe, Arizona - but had lived there only two weeks. The previous ten years had been in New Hampshire ! Presumably someone retired, moved to Arizona and started a new RV lifestyle here.My own history is that we bought a six-year old 1985 TK and kept it for ten years. Next, we bought a four-year old 2005 RB and have had it for nine years and counting.A well-cared for Lazy Daze is an incredible bargain compared to anything else you could stack it up against. Just ask anyone who owns a different brand about their ROR (Rate of Repair) and then enjoy the integrity of the Lazy Daze components. Virtual hugs, Judie 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #30 – March 21, 2018, 11:58:59 pm Pete touches on a point I neglected to make earlier. Simply this: I can do a LOT of repair, maintenance and upgrades on an RV that I bought for $9000 before I come close to the $90,000 I would spend on a new one!! But that thinking is predicated on the principle of dealing only in cash, financing a new RV warps some people's thinking about the costs. To us, the big deal about a Lazy Daze is that when we look objectively at our 25 year old rig compared to a new one, we find the old one holds up well. The advantages we enjoy are simpler systems, narrower and shorter exterior dimensions, and the feeling that a ding or scratch is not as big of a deal. The only things I want from a new one are the V10 and the new transmission. The only other RV I can think of that holds up that well is a GMC Motor Home or a VW Westfalia. In any case, finding good mechanics is a challenge faced for used vehicle owners, as is finding good home maintenance contractors for homeowners. An RV needs both. If you stay in one area eventually you may get lucky. If you travel cross country it is downright hard! 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #31 – March 22, 2018, 07:26:49 am thank you for the info! I think I will wait until I get to CA, which should be in July, if I go through with selling my house (I'm hoping my courage lasts that long). I mean, "when" I go through with selling my house. I think that I'd thought I couldn't go as far back as the '90's, 'cos of my complete lack of mechanical skill or knowledge. I was hoping to get a 2004 or so, and along with that, taking a huge chance that things would work out well. I'd be devastated if I bought one about this age, and then found out later that there was some major structural (having to do with rot) problem. It's looking like my lack of skill in this area is mandating that I make the move, and land somewhere within driving distance of a reputable rv center for maintenance and repair. If I hadn't been to this site, I doubt very much that I would have made this rational decision alone. Some day I may be among your number! Thanks, Rita
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #32 – March 22, 2018, 07:33:04 am To Judie Ashford:Thank you! Now I will definitely ask to see history of RV! I taught in AZ-both eastern and sw--and I love your website-my heart pounds when I see these pics, and now I know I need to sell my home. I really do love seeing and being in different parts of the country, and as I'm getting ready to go about my day's duties, the fact that I am enjoying a 2 hour delay due to snow conditions only strengthens my resolve.
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #33 – March 22, 2018, 11:40:30 am Good luck Rita,That spring snow can be a heartbreaker!Rural services for anything are less accessible than those near LA or the Bay Area. (We just waited three weeks for a refrigerator to be installed), and businesses come and go frequently, so good luck locating the place you want to live that has affordable housing and a good RV mechanic! We move an average of once every two years, coast to coast and in Europe. Our hard and fast rule is that wherever we consider living next must be a place where we will be happy all year if for some reason we can’t travel. This has stood us in good stead, as we look forward to coming home after each trip, and being home when events prevent leaving. Ammendment- I see in another thread that you are planning to full time. Do check into Escapees and camping memberships like Thousand Trails. Good luck! 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #34 – March 22, 2018, 11:54:13 am "We move an average of once every two years, coast to coast and in Europe. Our hard and fast rule is that wherever we consider living next must be a place where we will be happy all year if for some reason we can't travel. This has stood us in good stead, as we look forward to coming home after each trip, and being home when events prevent leaving."An interesting take! We enjoyed fulltiming for many years, and were always on the look out for "a place to call home" that might be different from where we live in SE Arizona. As time went on, we fell in love with, and looked for permanent housing in, Santa Fe and Sequim mostly, but illness cut the hunt short.Fast forward to a few days ago . . . when we got home from our first adventure in over five years . . . I surprised myself by blurting out "Why would anyone want to live anywhere but here?". We still lust to visit this place and that, but have definitely found a comfortable homebase at last. Since we have lived here (mostly) since 1997, this was a great relief! ;-> Virtual hugs, Judie 1 Likes
Re: older models' life expectancy Reply #35 – March 22, 2018, 01:55:10 pm I'm a single retired woman, and I knew after looking for "quite some time" that I wanted a Born Free or a Lazy Daze. Previously, I had Toyota mini-motorhomes - something that I could travel around in mainly during summer vacation. My Lazy Daze is a 1998 26.5 mid-bath with 78,315 miles, so it is twenty years old. I tend to travel to places and stay put for a time. I'm currently on the beach in Puerto Penasco, Mexico where I've been since the first week of December. Virtually anything you purchase used will eventually need maintenance and work - just like owning a home.Since I didn't get the mechanic "fix-it" gene, I depend on an RV facility in Las Cruces to do check-ups and scheduled maintenance and a mobile RV repair person to fix anything needed on the coach. I gladly pay for this, in order to keep my "investment" running properly. I've spent some money revamping the interior with "pleather" upholstery for the sofas, dinette, and driver and passenger seats (here in Mexico). I did a "Smart Tile" back-splash in my kitchen area. In my opinion, older RV's can be lovingly cared for and provide many years of service. I didn't want to go into debt for a motor-home and paid cash for mine three or four years ago. There's a popular YouTube channel called Panda Monium. This person bought a 1989 22-foot Lazy Daze in 2014 and drives all around the country. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwaGC6GC3yS48u-D4vTcv0g/videosSo, I'm confident with proper care, my 1998 Lazy Daze will serve me well - and for a long, long, time... 5 Likes
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