[Richard]

Much of your question has been covered a number of times in this section of the forum.

http://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=80

As far as you operable vs inoperable perspective, a lot will depend on how well the coach was maintained. As you know from owning a high end watercraft, the high end stuff has lots of bells and whistles that require attention to keep them functioning. The thing that makes a Newell/Prevost fundamentally better than say a brand new high end coach is the semi monocoque construction which is tremendously more rigid than a house bolted on top of a truck frame.

If you are talking about a 20 year old motorhome, it will require attention. You would not expect to live in a house for 20 years and not work on it.

IF your idea is to buy an older Newell Prevost and make maintaining/restoring it a hobby, then you would be happy.

IF your idea is buying an older, but highest end
motorhome is the key to less problems, you will be very unhappy.

Just my .02