2023 Melbourne Prestige 24TP (Functionality) -- buy it or pass??

[MariJoePA]

Recently retired and decided that a small motorhome was perfect way for the 2 of us (plus our 2 y/o indoor cat) to travel. Found a great deal on a "new" MP 24TP (never owned, half price).Scheduled to pick it up on 2/21/2025, 4 hrs away. We looked at it once, but with it being a distance away, I cannot easily get in there to figure out...
1. the "SOFA" back is always "reclined", not necessarily comfortable without a foot rest. *I found a post discussing this, and that they were replacing it.
2. TABLES, are they functional? The salesman was having a time figuring them out.
3. CAT friendly? We have a sweet indoor cat. Can't leave her, won't rehome her. Where to put a small litterbox?
4. MATTRESSES -- comfy enough, or do we need to upgrade?
** need to know if this vehicle is a worthwhile purchase before we commit, especially since going into this is seems as though we'll have to upgrade at least the sofa. Seems a shame, but that is one big deal that is making me question whether or not to go through with this purchase. Thanks for your help!

 

[Grumpy]

Can't answer your questions, but

 

[MariJoePA]

Can't answer your questions, but View attachment 740795

Thanks!

 

[dvspl]

** need to know if this vehicle is a worthwhile purchase before we commit, especially since going into this is seems as though we'll have to upgrade at least the sofa. Seems a shame, but that is one big deal that is making me question whether or not to go through with this purchase. Thanks for your help!

Not sure that anyone can decide if it's the right motorhome for you except for you. The pros/cons of Mercedes Sprinter based rigs has been discussed extensively on here. I suggest you search for those threads.

 

[MariJoePA]

Not sure that anyone can decide if it's the right motorhome for you except for you. The pros/cons of Mercedes Sprinter based rigs has been discussed extensively on here. I suggest you search for those threads.

Thanks, will do!

 

[pconroy]

Yeah - I think those are those questions that only you will be able to answer. One strong suggestion is that you need to go slow when you arrive. Don't let them rush you. Kick the salesman out during your PDI (pre-delivery inspection) and try to live in it for as much time as you can pull off.

Use the bed. Figure out the table *before* you sign anything. One tip, during the PDI Walkthrough, where the salesman shows you how to operate the vehicle, one person should be video'ing the process, while the other is listening, taking notes. etc. It's overwhelming to those of us who've not owned RVs before.

If there's ANY system (water, heaters, fridge, shower...) that's not working and the salesman says "Oh it's in the manual." Stop them. Nothing's in the manual.

Some dealers are great with Service After the Sale.
But plenty of other dealers seem to be pretty poor at this.

Once you sign the papers, it's yours.
Is this your first motorhome?

 

[pconroy]

And I feel compelled to add - please don't read my response as discouraging. The things you listed: bed, table, litter box - are all easy to address. We replaced the horrible sofa in ours with recliners too. Everything you listed strikes me as 'fixable' things after you've travelled in it for awhile.

Look for the big-ticket items that might be hard or expensive to address during your PDI.

Please come back to tell us how things went for you!

 

[MariJoePA]

Yeah - I think those are those questions that only you will be able to answer. One strong suggestion is that you need to go slow when you arrive. Don't let them rush you. Kick the salesman out during your PDI (pre-delivery inspection) and try to live in it for as much time as you can pull off.

Use the bed. Figure out the table *before* you sign anything. One tip, during the PDI Walkthrough, where the salesman shows you how to operate the vehicle, one person should be video'ing the process, while the other is listening, taking notes. etc. It's overwhelming to those of us who've not owned RVs before.

If there's ANY system (water, heaters, fridge, shower...) that's not working and the salesman says "Oh it's in the manual." Stop them. Nothing's in the manual.

Some dealers are great with Service After the Sale.
But plenty of other dealers seem to be pretty poor at this.

Once you sign the papers, it's yours.
Is this your first motorhome?

Yes, first one. Fond memories of 2 childhood trips in rented motorhomes. Have already decided that the worthless "sofa" needs to go, so that's already a good size expense. My husband is a retired driver with his CDL, so he's not terribly concerned about driving and maintenance. I guess all else falls on me - organizing, planning, managing finances etc. (Yikes)

 

[MariJoePA]

And I feel compelled to add - please don't read my response as discouraging. The things you listed: bed, table, litter box - are all easy to address. We replaced the horrible sofa in ours with recliners too. Everything you listed strikes me as 'fixable' things after you've travelled in it for awhile.

Look for the big-ticket items that might be hard or expensive to address during your PDI.

Please come back to tell us how things went for you!

And thank you for your advice! Husband is geeked, I am anxious. We shall see what happened on Friday.

 

[Stavman]

I'll give u my $1.27 bit of advice

My truck, Big Red, was getting long in the tooth...to get a new one was like $60k...ya right... I can by an RV for that...lol so I did

I looked at every brand available in the PHX area
Then they had a RV show at the football stadium.
I saw the Entegra 25r... And immediately new that was what I wanted

My advice....if yer not sure...it's not the one

Look around, you'll find yers, like I did

 

[MariJoePA]

I'll give u my $1.27 bit of advice

My truck, Big Red, was getting long in the tooth...to get a new one was like $60k...ya right... I can by an RV for that...lol so I did

I looked at every brand available in the PHX area
Then they had a RV show at the football stadium.
I saw the Entegra 25r... And immediately new that was what I wanted

My advice....if yer not sure...it's not the one

Look around, you'll find yers, like I did

Okay, good advice. Thanks!

 

[pconroy]

I guess the other advice I'd add, after now about 10 years of owning an RV (we're on #2) is to not worry about so many things you forget to enjoy the journey. I'm sure you've been reading the forums.

Stuff breaks. Stuff gets annoying.
Stuff can add unexpected expense.
It happens. Others have described an RV as a "house in a perpetual earthquake".

My wife looks at these situations as an opportunity to Build Memories together.
Some memories are redecorating, adding curtains or changing the sofa to recliners.
Other memories are her and I under the beast with wrenches and a flashlight inventing new cuss words.

 

[MariJoePA]

I guess the other advice I'd add, after now about 10 years of owning an RV (we're on #2) is to not worry about so many things you forget to enjoy the journey. I'm sure you've been reading the forums.

Stuff breaks. Stuff gets annoying.
Stuff can add unexpected expense.
It happens. Others have described an RV as a "house in a perpetual earthquake".

My wife looks at these situations as an opportunity to Build Memories together.
Some memories are redecorating, adding curtains or changing the sofa to recliners.
Other memories are her and I under the beast with wrenches and a flashlight inventing new cuss words.

Thank you!

 

[dvspl]

One strong suggestion is that you need to go slow when you arrive. Don't let them rush you. Kick the salesman out during your PDI (pre-delivery inspection) and try to live in it for as much time as you can pull off.

This is the technique that also worked the best for us. Spend some time inside trying to imagine how you'll live in it. Where will you sit to watch TV and to eat? Where will you put your shoes when you come inside? Where will you hang your towels? Is there enough space (and weight capacity) for your "stuff"? Then my wife would always ask, "How will we feel in here after three days of steady rain?"

Choosing your first RV is not easy, and maintaining it after you've got it is even harder! But, as others have said, it's worth the effort. My wife and I have spent 40-50% of our time on the road in the last 5 years. The memories are incredible! We thought it would be fun...it's way better than we expected. Of course, there are still times...

 

[MariJoePA]

This is the technique that also worked the best for us. Spend some time inside trying to imagine how you'll live in it. Where will you sit to watch TV and to eat? Where will you put your shoes when you come inside? Where will you hang your towels? Is there enough space (and weight capacity) for your "stuff"? Then my wife would always ask, "How will we feel in here after three days of steady rain?"

Choosing your first RV is not easy, and maintaining it after you've got it is even harder! But, as others have said, it's worth the effort. My wife and I have spent 40-50% of our time on the road in the last 5 years. The memories are incredible! We thought it would be fun...it's way better than we expected. Of course, there are still times...

We had a 4 hr drive to look at it, so of course there wasn't nearly enough time to check it out thoroughly. We're supposed to pick it up in 3 days, and I'm just not feeling it. The floorplan just doesn't seem practical for us. I want a table to sit at, and later comfy seating to watch TV. This model has neither of those. (I might have to check out the prestige RT. That seems to check the boxes) So, probably not picking it up. Hopefully someday we'll find the right one, then have zero regrets.
Thanks for the encouragement! (Now to make that phone call)

 

[MariJoePA]

Okay, pulled the plug. Just didn't feel like the right fit for us....and even with a great deal, it was a ton of $$! Feeling better already
My disappointed husband kept suggesting that the dealers would probably try and charge us for prep etc. I was guessing they'd keep my $500 deposit. Yes, a loss, but still rather insignificant compared to the $$$ we almost plunked down getting the wrong RV. Have to say, the sales Mgr couldn't have been nicer AND they'll be returning my deposit! Lessons learned -- and very thankful for the encouragement to hold off if it didn't feel right. ***thanks for that!!

 

[pconroy]

You made the right call for you two. The last thing you need is to drop that kind of $$ and be disappointed with it. Keep your eyes open, walk into all of the RVs on the lot. Pretty soon you'll know exactly what you want to buy.

 

[Stavman]

Congratulations on NOT buying it

Yer few points that it didn't have are very very important
A table, though not so comfortable, is very needed I think
And chilling to watch TV in comfort...well is at the top of my book as a football junkie

Keep looking, you'll find yer RV

Glad yer not miserable with a $100k decision

 

[MariJoePA]

Feeling so much better now -- thanks!
AND I *think* I've come across a different model with the best floorplan for us...even my husband agrees (*gasp*!). Now to go and visit a few of them!
Looking at the Prestige RP, which has a dinette and a sofa/Murphy bed. Interesting that I also came across the Entegra Qwest R last night. Also made by Jayco, same floorplan -- and I've found a new one for the same price as the one I passed on?? (It's in FL, so I can't exactly rush right down there to buy it anytime soon) Thanks again for your 2 cents

 

[pconroy]

It's in FL, so I can't exactly rush right down there to buy it anytime soon

Again - very happy you made the right call. But this does bring up an additional question for you to ask about. And that's "Where will I bring this motorhome back for service under warranty?"

Just something to think about.

Oh - and unless things have changed - Jayco's Factory warranty was not transferrable. We bought a lightly used 2016 Jayco in 2016 and discovered the factory warranty didn't come to us. It stays (or stayed back then) with the original owner.