But, that hasn't stopped us from stopping into RV dealers, perusing various RV websites and learning about motorhomes that have become available for one reason or another. Our research over the past few months has helped us narrow down the manufacturer (Tiffin or Newmar), engine (diesel), length (38-40'), year, colors (garnet/gold), slides (2-on the driver side), floorplan, fit-and-finish, and budget.
We have several friends who have coaches, motorhomes, fifth-wheels or campers and everyone has been extremely generous with suggestions, tips, feedback, and ideas. We know the proverbial "garage-kept, driven-by-a-little-old-lady-to-church-and-back, cream-puff" is out there and it's just a matter of time before we connect with it.
One evening, about two weeks ago, just for grins, I checked Ebay and Craigslist. I was curious to see if any of the brands we were looking for might be for sale. (We've found that especially for the Tiffins, they are sold before they even make it to the dealer for a trade-in.)
I couldn't believe it! There was a 2003 Newmar MountainAire, gold with garnet exterior/neutral interior, 19K miles, diesel engine, 40'! Was it too good to be true??? Oh yeah, it was in Pompano to boot!
Frank jumped on it right away and contacted the seller. We headed south the next day to take a look at the coach.
Holy cow! The interior was s-p-o-t-l-e-s-s! The engine and basement were sparkly clean! Had someone even used it? We searched and searched to find any signs of previous occupation. (The ice cube trays were still hermetically sealed!) It even had the entertainment center outside we'd been talking about "needing".
We pinched ourselves. We picked our jaws off the floor. Could this be the creampuff we've been looking for? Yes, it was!
Frank found an engine guy to check it out. He was bowled over by the condition! Frank found another guy (Happy) to come inspect the "house" part. He too was impressed by the 8 year-old coach!
Each time we see it, we keep thinking, "When's the other shoe going to fall?" "It can't really be that clean." But it hasn't and it is!
Today was the day. We returned to Pompano and took possession of our new-to-us coach!
We are very excited about this next chapter in the Crazy Travelers Adventures! We are looking forward to a "shake-down" trip (which will be somewhere local on the east coast). And we are already making plans with friends for our first "road trip" to the space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral.
We've got to get it stocked and into a routine within the next few months because, before you know it, football season will be here! Weekends in Tallahassee (and at away games) are going to be a whole new experience for us!
By the way, if you know anyone looking for a townhouse in Tallahassee, we are VERY motivated to sell!
