Hello, we are looking to purchase a Montana 3465sa in the very near future. We don't want to "eat" the depreciation so we feel a coach about 2-3 years old is best but we are open to opinion. We are paying cash or near cash at the time of sale. We live near Seattle Washington as full-timers in an Itasca 33' motorhome. We love our motorhome but are ready to enjoy the greater living space of a 5th wheel and less expensive cost. We are full-time working professionals so we need a good sized coach like the 3465sa. We just love the floorplan.
So a few questions are coming up as we prepare for our purchase that I would like your thoughts on:
1) I am having difficulty in the valuation when comparing coaches since some have the "Moving to Montana" and the "Hickory Edition" package. If some of you wouldn't mind giving me a ball park figure as to what you feel the extra packages cost you when new it would be a big help.
2) There is a coach we are interested in out in Buffalo New York but getting it back here is a challenge. I have done some research and found that Rail Freight is out due to the cost and the damage often done with rigs that are shaken to pieces this way literally. Putting it on the back of an extra low flatbe truck is another but I'm just not sure yet. I have asked Keystone for their opinion on this.
3) Best time to buy. This is a much discusseed question in forums. I have ready many. In the case of a Montana specifically though it will be a very popular coach for snobirds. I am thinking end of summer for most people in term of buying advantage since many rigs come in from summer vacation for their last trip and get sold. The end of summer also ushers in "new model year" advantage but that may really be an advantage limited to New coach purchases.
4) Who to buy from. I am not really interested in rewarding some lame salesman for selling me something I have done so much research on, nor do I want to pay the overhead for a dealership if I can find it by private party on craig's list or something similar. Any creative ideas are welcome here.
5) We have worked with a very good local RV repair shop who I will have check out the coach if it is bought locally.
6) This one is going to sound lame. One person who claims they were a former Montana Dealer says their is a "West Coast" and "East
Coast" editions according to Montana. I have written to Montana to confirm get confirmation of this but if any of you know this to be true please speak up.
7. Dual Pane windows. Out here near Seattle the dealers tend to order their rigs WITHOUT dual pane windows. We have them in our Itasc and they really seem to help with condensation. Do any of you who are full-timers have thoughts on this? I may be placing too high a priority on getting dual-pane windows.
Okay, wow what a long post but WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO OWN A 3465SA Montana.
"The Caravellis"
Keith & Elaine and Ben(Our Rottie)
Seattle, WA
Keith@caravelli.com
Tags: Montana 3465sa, Full-Timers, Purchasing a 5th Wheel, Montana Package, Hickory Package, Dual Pane windows,Best time to buy, Shipping an RV.