Emory Stora suggested I post this personal story.
Shopping for motorhomes long-distance has it's pitfalls. I am "looking at"
a Birchaven in Oklahoma and another in Washington State. Either coach is a
long way from Bozeman. I try and keep in mind my "moose story" when
imagining these coaches.
********************************************
I have also admired Cortez motorhomes for quite some time and I almost
bought one about 4 years ago. It was located in western Montana and my
knowledge of this Cortez was through several extensive phone conversations
with the owner. It had been in Alaska and had extra insulation and
baseboard heaters which I think Cortez called the "Alaska Package".
I had asked about body condition and rust ("good, maybe a scratch here and
there"), engine condition ("rebuilt it a few thousand miles back"), whether
the owners smoked( no, not for a long time now"). The price was about
$2K and after asking a "hundred questions" over the phone I set off with
a certified check in my pocket.
Arriving at the Cortez, the owner greeted me smoking a cigarette, his hands
were filthy because he had been digging out an ancient clog in the toilet
"Haven't used that toilet for a while." Half the windows were cracked and
missing gaskets. The body was rusted and had been hacked up for an
aftermarket air conditioner, a propane furnace that didn't fit (tanks were
wired to the back bumper). The front end was caved in and the owner told
me "Oh, I forgot to tell you, when I was in Alaska, I ran into a moose."
The engine was dripping oil and the CV joints clunked and the brakes were
questionable. I knew after the first two minutes that this was not the
Cortez I had imagined. I chided myself all the way home for being so
gullible. It wasn't the owner's fault; I did it to myself!
I try and remember this when shopping long-distance for GMC's.
Charless Fowlkes
Bozeman, Montana
Shopping for motorhomes long-distance has it's pitfalls. I am "looking at"
a Birchaven in Oklahoma and another in Washington State. Either coach is a
long way from Bozeman. I try and keep in mind my "moose story" when
imagining these coaches.
********************************************
I have also admired Cortez motorhomes for quite some time and I almost
bought one about 4 years ago. It was located in western Montana and my
knowledge of this Cortez was through several extensive phone conversations
with the owner. It had been in Alaska and had extra insulation and
baseboard heaters which I think Cortez called the "Alaska Package".
I had asked about body condition and rust ("good, maybe a scratch here and
there"), engine condition ("rebuilt it a few thousand miles back"), whether
the owners smoked( no, not for a long time now"). The price was about
$2K and after asking a "hundred questions" over the phone I set off with
a certified check in my pocket.
Arriving at the Cortez, the owner greeted me smoking a cigarette, his hands
were filthy because he had been digging out an ancient clog in the toilet
"Haven't used that toilet for a while." Half the windows were cracked and
missing gaskets. The body was rusted and had been hacked up for an
aftermarket air conditioner, a propane furnace that didn't fit (tanks were
wired to the back bumper). The front end was caved in and the owner told
me "Oh, I forgot to tell you, when I was in Alaska, I ran into a moose."
The engine was dripping oil and the CV joints clunked and the brakes were
questionable. I knew after the first two minutes that this was not the
Cortez I had imagined. I chided myself all the way home for being so
gullible. It wasn't the owner's fault; I did it to myself!
I try and remember this when shopping long-distance for GMC's.
Charless Fowlkes
Bozeman, Montana
