Making an offer on a 2363?

[Wannabes-SUN]

Today we looked at a '03 Sunline Solaris 2363 at a consignment lot owned by an RV service center. Asking price, $8500; NADA average value w/ full options, $5980. This unit was in very good condition for its age. All mechanical systems working; no apparent leaks or water damage in walls or flooring; wear on cabinets and furniture good; exterior good including roof.

Major problems: tires need replaced (owner knows this and will replace when she agrees on a deal); levelling jack bent (service center will fix this); awning has tears in the plastic/vinyl layer and pinholes (buyer's problem); and, the border in the bedroom has water stains (these stains are not on the wall behind the border and the walls in those areas are solid).

Minor problems: carpet was fairly dirty/worn; one exterior outlet and exterior light above it does not work; spare tire cover ripped at bottom; bumper missing one end cap; decals peeling off.

We offered $6500 with us replacing the tires; we upped it to $6700. The owner does not want to go lower than $7200. We were told that someone has made an offer of $7500 but did not put any money down, which is why we could make an offer. Ours is the second highest bid the owner has gotten and she has turned down offers of $6000 and $6500. This is the first 2363 we've looked at and we really liked its layout but don't want to get carried away by that. Being new to this, we would REALLY appreciate any feedback so let us know what you think! Thanks!

(Side question: When we went to check the propane detector we found that the bayonet-mount fuse had been removed. The fuse was laying in the bottom of the converter and when installed the detector did work properly. Is the removal of that fuse something that is normally done when a TT is winterized or does it indicate a problem with the detector or the propane system in general? Thanks!)

 

[Tweety]

How exciting that you've found a trailer and floorplan that will work for you! When purchasing we always think about what it's worth to us to have it (within reason), and our budget, as opposed to NADA. Since you plan to keep it for a good long time the resale value really isn't going to be much when it comes time to trade up - if that time ever comes. So looking at the NADA becomes IMO less significant. Not that you want to get ripped off, but you see what I mean?
Tires are a significant issue, but you say the owners is willing to replace them. Just about anything used is going to need new tires, being that the newest Sunlines around are from 2007, and the recommended age of tires before replacing them is 4-5 years. So, this is a $400 value that I think you can take into account and add to the NADA.
Also, if the hitch is included that is a significant dollar savings for you.
Did the dealer tell you the cost to replace the awning fabric? You don't have to replace all the hardware, and it's alot less to just do the fabric than to buy a whole new awning.
Bent sissors jack is not an issue if it's being replaced, unless it caused damaged to the trailer itself when they bent it. Because they sit low, it's common for these trailers to drag on something like the driveway apron. We actually had Tweety raised 4" to prevent this.
The propane detector has a little light on it that blinks. Maybe the owner pulled the fuse because it annoyed them at night? I always sat our trash can in front of it because it IS really bright and the blinking is annoying. I think if it blinks it means it's working.
The minor problems, besides the electrical ones, are common ones. Will the dealer fix that plug and light? If you go somewhere at night, it's really nice to have that porch light.
Bumper end caps are notorious for falling off. Hopefully the carpet can be cleaned. Steve fixed our tire cover with duct tape in the appropriate color and you couldn't even tell.
We looked for a 2363 for months before we found the Tweety (2753) and couldn't find one in good enough shape. You're doing well to have found 2 in the past couple weeks! I see that the "never used" one is still on Craigslist. Maybe give them another email just to make sure their sale went through, and they aren't sitting around wondering what they did with your previous inquiry

 

[Wannabes-SUN]

Tweety,
Thanks for the helpful reply. From what you describe, considering the cost of tires and hitch added to NADA value, our offer of $6700 on the 2363 is fair. As you pointed out, the unknown for us is what we are willing/comfortable paying for it versus what it's "worth" so I guess that translates into "what it's worth to us". That will take some thinking, in which time it may sell to someone else... sigh! (We do have to consider resale value a bit given that, if we don't enjoy the lifestyle, we would probably sell it in 2-3 years.) If we made a higher offer we'd want to be given assurances that the tires put on it were new - and not "newer" like some used car dealers do - and that, in addition to repairing the jack, the outside outlet and light be fixed. We'd also want to know what kind of WD hitch it has. We might offer in the high $6000 range but not $7200; we have to consider $500 for taxes, tags, etc. and also other expenses, like adding sway control to the hitch. It's a little daunting so we appreciate your feedback. We did call the guy in MD with the '06 never-used 2363 again yesterday and left a message saying, if he still had it, we were very interested but, so far, no answer so we assume he did get it sold.

 

[Tweety]

Have you seen this one in Easton? It doesn't say what the year is, but the front window opens which is awesome, but means it was made before they eliminated that feature and went with sold glass. (whenever that was)
23ft camper sunline model T-2363
If the hitch they're giving you with the one at Miller's is a Reese Dual Cam set up, that has the anti sway built in.

 

[clueless campers]

Have you seen this one in Easton? It doesn't say what the year is, but the front window opens which is awesome, but means it was made before they eliminated that feature and went with sold glass. (whenever that was)
23ft camper sunline model T-2363
If the hitch they're giving you with the one at Miller's is a Reese Dual Cam set up, that has the anti sway built in.

The striping and windows look like our 1997. Our curtains are colored though not white. I think older models have white curtains so I'm guessing '96 or '95? (Where is Jon?) The ad says 2 beds - I'd think that means 2 twins in bedroom, but maybe he's counting the jack knife couch.

 

[Sunline Fan]

The striping and windows look like our 1997. Our curtains are colored though not white. I think older models have white curtains so I'm guessing '96 or '95? (Where is Jon?) The ad says 2 beds - I'd think that means 2 twins in bedroom, but maybe he's counting the jack knife couch.

It looks like a '97 but with white fenderskirts, so it's a '98.

It has the two doors, so it's the standard plan 2363.

I looks like it has the Black Cherry Tapestry interior based on the corner of the one interior picture. Since Craigslist allows 8 pictures now, I'd say this one needs to be looked at closely with small pictures and just one interior picture. May be nothing, but at the same time, they could be trying to hide something.

 

[clueless campers]

It looks like a '97 but with white fenderskirts, so it's a '98.

It has the two doors, so it's the standard plan 2363.

I looks like it has the Black Cherry Tapestry interior based on the corner of the one interior picture. Since Craigslist allows 8 pictures now, I'd say this one needs to be looked at closely with small pictures and just one interior picture. May be nothing, but at the same time, they could be trying to hide something.

Thanks Jon. I knew you'd be able to ID it from the pictures. After I posted, I was looking at the brochures in the files section. '96 & '95 had squared windows, so it had to be '97 or newer.

I was looking for interior choices with white curtains when my computer froze.

I really goofed thinking it might have twins - the second door wouldn't be there, so the seller is counting the couch as a bed.

I'm watching the going prices for the T-2363 because as much as I hate to, it looks like we may need to sell ours . We would include wd hitch and anti-sway bar, brake controller (choice of two), large patio mat, and everything needed to camp other than the truck to pull it.

 

[Sunline Fan]

Thanks Jon. I knew you'd be able to ID it from the pictures. After I posted, I was looking at the brochures in the files section. '96 & '95 had squared windows, so it had to be '97 or newer.

I was looking for interior choices with white curtains when my computer froze.

I really goofed thinking it might have twins - the second door wouldn't be there, so the seller is counting the couch as a bed.

I'm watching the going prices for the T-2363 because as much as I hate to, it looks like we may need to sell ours . We would include wd hitch and anti-sway bar, brake controller (choice of two), large patio mat, and everything needed to camp other than the truck to pull it.

'95-'96 didn't all have square windows. The 2362 and above (all Solaris models) had the radius corner. The models with a big window (2363, 2553, 2653, 3060) are easy because '96 and older had a jalousie style in the bottom half of the big front side window, where '97 and up has a full height slider.

Also, I'm pretty sure the '95-'96 stripe end on each side, front, is more of a straight/angled thing instead of the curve for '97-'98.

That's a shame you'll have to sell yours. I can say this, say you aren't interested in trades in the ad. I'm trying to sell my black Excursion now and the only people who have seriously been interested so far are ones who want to trade something.

 

[Wannabes-SUN]

Thanks for all this info. We had seen the ad for the 2363 in Easton but wondered what year it is - now we know! One of us thinks that newer is better and the other thinks that "well-cared-for-and-maintained" can trump newer so... we'll wait a bit to see what happens with the 2363 we saw on Friday.

Tweety, you had mentioned about the Reese WD dual-cam hitch. The salesperson told us that the hitch was a WD hitch but didn't think it had sway control - the hitch is in the owner's garage and not with the trailer. She also said that hauling a short trailer like a 2363, we wouldn't need sway control - that's not the way we're thinking. We do want to find out what type of WD hitch it is; if it was a Reese dual-cam we would not mind upping our offer b/c we know how much it would cost us to have a new one put on. Boy, we are getting an education here!

If anyone wants to weigh in on this, please don't hesitate. Thanks!

 

[Sunline Fan]

Thanks for all this info. We had seen the ad for the 2363 in Easton but wondered what year it is - now we know! One of us thinks that newer is better and the other thinks that "well-cared-for-and-maintained" can trump newer so... we'll wait a bit to see what happens with the 2363 we saw on Friday.

With the very newest Sunline turning six years old this November, well cared for and maintained certainly trumps. For the first couple years, all the used '06/'07 Sunlines I saw looks pretty good and like new. Then I started seeing more and more that were doctored up and/or had major problems going on. When abused, they go downhill quickly... If a '98 were in the same condition as an '03, I wouldn't hesitate at all. Yes, maybe the roof will need to be replaced a few years down the road (if the rubber has deteriorated), but if maintained enough, that shouldn't be a problem and it should still have life left. The only concern I have is the refrigerator. Depending on how many times it was turned on/off during the years, it may go bad, but I think that would happen with the '98 or '03 anyway. You could still buy an older one for a lot less money, replace the refrigerator with a new Dometic one, and still be ahead of buying the newer one.

If I hadn't had the chance to get the brand new '07, I would probably have a '97 right now. In fact, I may have both some day too...

 

[Tweety]

If anyone wants to weigh in on this, please don't hesitate. Thanks!

Usually posts in the "Sunline Community" section get the most responses. Maybe a similar but different post (since we aren't supposed to duplicate) there will get you more responses.

 

[poppyandnana]

OR she could ask a monitor to move the post over to the general Sunline Community!

 

[campbugjan1]

That definitely looks like a '98 to me also..I had the same upholstery in our '98 2753!! I would not hesitate to get a '98 well maintained!! I have an '02 2363 and I think it was the last year that the front window opened!! I love the air coming in the front..We spent three months in ours in Fl. last winter when we sold our permanent place down there, and it worked out just great! We did put a rod in the shower to hold extra hanging clothes and a hanging shoe rack...also a large 'underbed' plastic storage bin under the sofa to make it easier to get to seldom used items. Now I am considering a cabinet door at the foot of the bed...love mods.....

 

[Tweety]

Janalee ....you've had quite a variety off models. Do you have a favorite floorplan?

 

[campbugjan1]

Tweety..I have had two 2653's that I really loved..however in 1999 they turned the bed and made it a queen..north@south configuration...MUCH nicer. It has a ton of storage and is perfect for someone spending 5-6 months in it like we did..that is IF you don't want a slide. Our 2363 is great for shorter terms. My Wildwood 26fls was truly my fave....but I really cant handle the maintenance by myself..smaller is called for now..As of this date O have had 13 trailers and 6 motorhomes..loved all but the 2553--small sofa!

 

[Gene-SUN]

.... She also said that hauling a short trailer like a 2363, we wouldn't need sway control - that's not the way we're thinking.....

I have a '02 2363 and I have the dual cam. I don't think I would want to tow without it. There have been trips on windy days that I could notice the winds effect. With the dual cam I could "feel" the wind but was never moved. I think on those days if I didn't have the dual cam I would have been slowed and crawling to the next rest stop waiting for the wind to cease. Maybe with a heavy enough truck it would not be an issue.

 

[Wannabes-SUN]

We agree with Tweety and Janalee that would be nice to open the front window, as in the earlier models. We did notice in the '03 we looked at that the front window is solid glass so that eliminates it as ventilation; from what was said on this thread that was the first year that the front window was solid.

Gene, Thanks for your reply about the dual cam sway control, which is something we've looked into and definitely think we want. Both of us want to drive while towing so... While we have a '12 F-150, don't think that it's a heavy enough truck to eliminate wind sway w/o a dual cam system. We appreciate your feedback on this.

[Moderators: Thanks for moving this thread to where it will get more exposure. Those who have replied to this thread have been great and it is helping us a lot.]

 

[Wannabes-SUN]

An Update on the 2363

After a week passing without hearing about the 2363 we made an offer on, yesterday we called the RV service center where it's consigned and asked if it was still for sale. We were told that it was and that the owner had been told about our offer but was still waiting on the people who offered $7500, without a deposit. We were told that those people were still very interested. We raised our offer to $6800 and said we could go no higher but that we would put 20% down on it immediately if the offer was accepted. No reply so far so... what to think? :-?

 

[Tweety]

It sounds like the owner is using the $7500 offer to try to get you to raise yours to match it. If someone needs financing the bank will use the NADA as a guide, which could be the hold up with the original offerer. Who really knows though. I think I'd keep shopping. If you've made it clear that this is your final offer, and offered the 20% deposit, there's not much else you can do.

 

[Sunline Fan]

It sounds like the owner is using the $7500 offer to try to get you to raise yours to match it. If someone needs financing the bank will use the NADA as a guide, which could be the hold up with the original offerer. Who really knows though. I think I'd keep shopping. If you've made it clear that this is your final offer, and offered the 20% deposit, there's not much else you can do.

I agree. I wonder if the $7500 offer is even legit? It may be their way of getting you to pay more. I'd be tempted to ask the first names of these $7500 people. If they are so interested, they must know their names, and if they hesitate/can't come up with the names, chances are they aren't real.