Need opinion on this RV

[etcetera]

Looking at this 2006 Isata Dynamax F-series - it's the IF-310 model that's 31' with 2 slides, the chassis is F550. PSD with 55K miles on it. 

The asking price is $66,000 and it has been listed for several months, apparently with no bites.

Talked to the dealership that represents the owner, he suggest I make an offer.

What's a good price to offer, 50K seems to low, maybe knock  $10K off the price? Offer $57,000?    It is 15 years old.   

[Kirk W]

I went to NADA to have a look and was really surprised!  They list average retail at $70,700 and low retail at $58,700! With that said, in the current market an RV is worth whatever you can get someone to pay, so with this one having been for sale for so long, I think that you are probably in about the right area for an offer, but if you really want it be sure that the salesperson knows that you would be interested to hear the seller's counter offer. The other thing that I would do is to stipulate with any offer that it is pending the passage of an inspection by a qualified RV inspector. 

[etcetera]

Good point and thanks for the reminder. 
Out of curiosity, what was the retail price on a new one (the 2006 IF-310 model as pictured above).

 

The other thing that I would do is to stipulate with any offer that it is pending the passage of an inspection by a qualified RV inspector.

 

Edited September 8, 2021 by etcetera

[etcetera]

I think my first choice would be a smaller Isata, they did make them in 26 and 28' lengths as well, the smallest one with no slides at all.  And they made one with a gas engine.  Just that you can't find any in the wild. 

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, etcetera said:

Out of curiosity, what was the retail price on a new one (the 2006 IF-310 model as pictured above).

NADA says list price was $163,071

[2gypsies]

Here's another:

https://mhsrv.com/2006-dynamax-corp-isata-f-series310-w2-slides-0-class-c-tx-i1211864

[etcetera]

I offered $57,500.

The seller countered with $61,000.

Plus said will include a RV tow dolly for a vehicle, the one where just the front wheels are on it and the dealer told me retails new for $1500.

My move?

 

 

[etcetera]

21 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

Here's another:

https://mhsrv.com/2006-dynamax-corp-isata-f-series310-w2-slides-0-class-c-tx-i1211864

Thank you. Has lower miles than the one I am looking at. 33,000 versus 54,000.

I don't know how substantial that is for the 6.0L Powerstroke.

[etcetera]

21 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

Here's another:

https://mhsrv.com/2006-dynamax-corp-isata-f-series310-w2-slides-0-class-c-tx-i1211864

Where is it located?

The dealership is in TX but that doesn't mean the RV is there..

[Kirk W]

5 minutes ago, etcetera said:

Where is it located?

Alvarado, TX is roughly 20 miles south of downtown Ft Worth and right on I-35W.

[2gypsies]

45 minutes ago, etcetera said:

Where is it located?

The dealership is in TX but that doesn't mean the RV is there..

Guess you'd have to call. I just did a Google for the one you're interested in & this came up.

[TXiceman]

Bad thing about a 2006 Power Stroke is it will be a OH, No 6.0.

Ken

 

[usbusin]

Is it my imagination or does the rear overhang look extreme on that rig?  Looks like its tail is a little bit low. 

[oscarvan]

Ask to see a picture of the yellow sticker. Many large class C's have seriously limited CCC's.

[Danandfreda]

Better look at the Ford 6.0 for those years. Lot of engine work unless it’s been bulletproofed 

[TXiceman]

10 hours ago, Danandfreda said:

Better look at the Ford 6.0 for those years. Lot of engine work unless it’s been bulletproofed 

You mean ....better NOT look at the 6.0L

 

Ken

[etcetera]

15 hours ago, TXiceman said:

Bad thing about a 2006 Power Stroke is it will be a OH, No 6.0.

Ken

 

I thought 2006 Isata PSD was a 6.0L, what other option is there? The 6.4 and 6.7L came later.

Should I avoid the 6.0L completely? This does not look too enticing.

https://www.littlepowershop.com/blogging/are-the-ford-60-powerstroke-diesels-just-junk-with-too-many-problems/

 

 

[etcetera]

I think I am going to pass on diesel altogether, just too many potential problems.

I have always been kind of a big block gas engine type person.

 

Realistically, something like this is a much better choice all around (for me):

 

It's a 25' E-based with Triton V10 6.8L. Cheaper and being compact easier to deal with. Also much easier to find than the F-series. Why, oh why can I not find an F-series with the base V10 gas engine? I do not need the more expensive and less reliable powerstroke.

 

https://www.shoppok.com/corvallis/a,38,116805,2005-Dynamax-Isata-Touring-Sedan-250SL----39995--30-small-rv--39-s-to-choose-from-.htm

[Kirk W]

That one looks pretty good and is priced to the low side of retail. Of course it still needs to pass a professional inspection. 

[Danandfreda]

We bought a 2004 f350 with our last fifth wheel it only had 72000 miles and before we started using it we had it bullet proofed and a programer for towing and never had any trouble out of it. The point is if it hasn’t been bulletproofed do it before you get stranded for 2-3 weeks. Would not have hesitated to take off in it with the trailer after it was done. 

[Darryl&Rita]

Bulletproofing usually involves removing the cab and front clip from the chassis. Any major engine work, too. Good luck with that, when the house and truck cab are married as closely as they are. Can anyone say "Leaks"?

[etcetera]

Who makes a B or a C class on the gm chassis, I have had good luck with GM motors, although Ford 7.5L was also most excellent. After reading all the diesel stories, I am getting concerned. Plus I don't really need it as ideally for me, something in the 25-28' range works. Not towing a mountain.

 

A truck front is a nice benefit but you can't have everything apparently..

[Darryl&Rita]

Don't forget, you are asking for opinions and feelings from remote eyes. I've bought several 6.0 Ford F-series pickups, and done the work needed to build a reliable tow vehicle. The trick is to make sure you don't pay too much, initially. The 6.0 engine reputation makes a great bargaining chip, but be careful of anyone advertising their engine has been "bulletproofed". That phrase has been trademarked by a single diesel shop, but has been used ad nauseum by others. Each shop has a different definition of their "bulletproof" package, and some cut some pretty serious corners.

Ford's 6.0  engines aren't for the faint of heart, but they can be a reliable powerplant. They can also turn into a money-pit for the unprepared.

If you can get it cheap enough, put some of the savings aside, to pay for the inevitable. With any luck, it won't be needed, but better to have and not need.

[palmeris]

The 6.0 had its issues, you want to make sure it has been bullet proofed , stud upgrades and such. Once done they are pretty good motors.

Avoid the 6.4 , bad design, lots of issues

 

[etcetera]

I have a feeling for me it will be the "money pit" clause.

I do light vehicle work and am pretty familiar with gas engines, can do spark plugs, water pumps, even survived a timing belt once. I never dig inside, heads are beyond me. But a PSD ... don't think so. 

 

The whole nature of RV is to go and be in the middle of nowhere. I don't stay in campgrounds near civilization.  Thus the likelyhood is something will break in the 6.0L PSD and leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.

I think I am going to back to the drawing board and will look either for the gas V10 motor or the GM alternative.

 

Edited September 10, 2021 by etcetera