[Richard]

JEB,

You said Allegro Bus. New MSRP is somewhere between 380 and 425 depending on options. So let's say you could buy it for 325.
Yes, you will have a warranty for a year or two. So let's assume in buying a used Newell you put aside 25k for fixing what may go wrong in the first two years. That gives you 300 k to play with. Go look, physically look, at a couple of Newells at that price point. Drive the Allegro Bus and drive the Newell. Your hands on inspection and road test will reveal the answer that is right for you.

The big fallacy that is conventional wisdom is that new equates to less trouble. That is NOT the case with motorhomes. The RV industry comes no where close to approximating the quality and engineering of the car industry. A motorhome is a pretty sophisticated chassis and engine to which is added three separate but connected electrical systems, two separate but connected water systems, fancier electronics than what most have at home, that sits in all kinds of weather, and is subjected to a minor earthquake each time we drive it.

If you have a motorhome, you or someone you hire, WILL work on it. The more hands on and technically savvy that you are will proportionally influence the joy in owning a motorhome. Most of us on the forum made a living as some sort of techie. Naturally, we look at the design, construction, and serviceability of things we buy cause it's usually warranty by your's truly.

You don't have to tell us, but consider your disposition on material things. Do you have to have the brightest and shiniest new toy, or are you more satisfied knowing you have the best value for the dollar?

And my last, and probably most telling litmus test is this. Go look at a ten year old Allegro or Newmar, and then go look at a ten year old Newell. That will give you a fair indication of how the unit stands the test of time.

I have posted on a popular RV forum, that people should stop recommending used Newells and Foretravels as the smart buy in today's market. It's a secret club for those in the know. We should lock the clubhouse doors and not let anyone else in. Of course that is tongue in cheek sarcasm, but the point is that we can assist you with any technical question or challenge you may have with a Newell, but we are NOT Newell salesmen, and don't spend a lot of time chest thumping about the brand. Obviously, members of this forum went through some of the same decision points that you are considering and ended up here. You can go to Allegro and Newmar forums and find other's who decided differently.


Good luck in your search. The hunt can be a lot of run. Plus I bet Nacogdoches, and Miami OK are a lot warmer than Sioux Falls this time of year. Take a trip!