Newbie here. I am looking at an 84 Barth Regency. My friend, who is a retired truck driver, said I would not be happy with this engine as it was some type of cross breed with a gasoline block.
This is an 84 coach going for around $8500 I'm mainly looking for some inexpensive place to live with my wife and do a little touring. We lost most everything, in one of the forest fires in N cal and am slowly getting my life back together which is difficult at 74 and I can't afford to make any purchase mistakes at my age.

Sorry for your loss . In your situation , i might would consider a travel trailer or fifth wheel . I don't believe there is anything "inexpensive" about owning a motorhome . Some cost less than others to maintain , but they will all need work sooner or later .
Travel trailers and fifth wheels are generally less expensive to maintain . You will need a truck to pull it , but that too should cost less to maintain than a coach . If you are living in it and have a mechanical failure that can't be fixed on site , towing is expensive . Also , while it is in the shop , you don't have your house . Just something to think about .
Not trying to talk you out of buying a coach by any means .
We probably averaged between $2k to $3k a year on maintaining our coach . No major repairs , just tires and maintenance .

As to the 8.2 diesel , maybe someone with experience of that engine will come along soon .

quote:

Originally posted by Harold,Cat&Sam:
Sorry for your loss . In your situation , i might would consider a travel trailer or fifth wheel . I don't believe there is anything "inexpensive" about owning a motorhome . Some cost less than others to maintain , but they will all need work sooner or later .
Travel trailers and fifth wheels are generally less expensive to maintain . You will need a truck to pull it , but that too should cost less to maintain than a coach . If you are living in it and have a mechanical failure that can't be fixed on site , towing is expensive . Also , while it is in the shop , you don't have your house . Just something to think about .
Not trying to talk you out of buying a coach by any means .
We probably averaged between $2k to $3k a year on maintaining our coach . No major repairs , just tires and maintenance .

As to the 8.2 diesel , maybe someone with experience of that engine will come along soon .

Great advice. There is absolutely nothing inexpensive about a motor home--any motor home.

Jim

As much as I love our Barths, I would discourage this purchase.

The early Regencies were built on a chassis derived from the MCC coach. This chassis had independent torsion bar suspension and a reputation for a very good ride. Unfortunately, they are long ago out of production and critical parts are not available.

The 8.2 liter Detroit Diesel had a bad reputation and was very sensitive to overheating. Even mild overheating resulted in warped heads and major engine damage. Later models had larger head bolts and other mods but they remained very sensitive to heat. These engines have also been obsolete for some time but are still being rebuilt at a few locations.

So we have an orphan coach (Barth) with an orphan chassis and an orphan engine.

That being said, these coaches were very well built, the interiors were very nice and the ride was very nice.

I would be tempted to look into a trailer, etc. unless you plan to roam around.

My first thought would be an Avion travel trailer , very well built .

Good luck with you search and i hope it all works out ok .

Thanks guys. I really liked this one overall but was mainly worried about the engine and SteveVW confirmed what my trucker friend said about the engine. But maybe that guy Elf will post some pictures of his or who knows . But thanks for all the replies and advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Harold,Cat&Sam:
My first thought would be an Avion travel trailer , very well built .

Good luck with you search and i hope it all works out ok .

You're SO right!
too few people realize how good the Avion's (and Cayo's) were made -- considerably better than Airstream or Streamline.
I've owned both a 16'Airstream "Bubble" and a 19' Avion.