WinterStorm
08-17-2020, 08:37 PM
Re: 2003 Prevost XLII Liberty Classic (non-slide) 30th Anniversary Edition - Coach #536
My wife (Deb) and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and conducting a PPI survey of this coach with Gil Johnson last week. Now, before any forum comical comments...no, we did not just happen to luck into catching Gil on a “good day” - as we worked together over the course of four days and Gil was the consummate gentleman throughout. 😄
Gil’s reputation for thoroughness and a knowledgeable expertise in evaluating the overall condition of a Prevost coach is well-deserved!
In particular, what we liked about Gil was that he didn’t try to “impress” us with bravos claims of his knowledge of all things Prevost. But, rather that after a cordial introduction...he just dove right in and we got to work. Admittedly, we did find some major items (e.g., a disassembled Cruisair unit that will need total replacement; A-arms and bushings that although recently replaced will need re-done as wherever did them failed to have Prevost follow-up with a front end alignment; Auxiliary Air bleed down due to leaks; factory installed chassis charger needs replacing, the beginning of delamination on one skin panel, etc.). But, overall - it is a very sound coach, particularly for its age.
Although it may seem strange, something else we found great comfort in was Gil’s working relationship with Austin Hicks (General Manager/Partner of Olympia Luxury Coaches). Over the last couple months and certainly after spending six days last week with Austin and most of Olympia’s exceptional technical and mechanical teams and witnessing the absolute perfection of several coaches just released for delivery...we have built a high degree of trust and appreciation for their skill sets; and their commitment to ensuring each coach is extremely re-conditioned to “as new” safety standards before the new owners drive off!
FYI - Gil fully disclosed that he frequently performs PPI’s for Olympia’s Re-sale/Consignment coach inventory. The fact that Austin entrusts Gil with the evaluation of their fleet speaks volumes, as Austin truly is knowledgeable of all things Prevost, if anyone is! 😎
In deference to Gil’s detailed survey, and even though Olympia had just received this coach back from the paint shop last Saturday and, therefore, not had an opportunity to thoroughly review it...Olympia was already aware and committed to fixing/replacing many of the items that Gil and I discovered during the PPI. Additionally, Austin agreed to care for the items from the final PPI results and several (mostly cosmetic) items we identified after spending most of five work days onboard.
We found Gil to be very friendly, honest, approachable, extremely professional; humorous and fun to work with...reassuring, patient, pro-active in sharing mechanical and Maintenance aspects of Prevost ownership to stay current with; Insurance, roadside service, fuel savings and where else to find help.
Bottom line: While Olympia takes in some of the finest Prevost coaches available, it was thrice reassuring to have our findings verified by Gil and Olympia ownership/technicians who are committed to seeing that we are 100% satisfied with our purchase, its value and safety!
Additionally, after rebuilding the front Independent suspension, Olympia will be taking our “new to us” coach to Prevost for a wheel alignment, DMI and the delamination check. Detroit Diesel and Allison Transmission historical Computer reports will also be printed out for us. In addition to all their Prep work...new tires and new batteries will be installed, full Level III services on the engine, generator and Webasto, etc. will be completed before we return to “camp out” while testing every system on 50 Amp shore power, on Inverters and finally using just the 20KW Kohler generator.
Thanks to Gil (and, Olympia’s) exceptional high standards, we are so reassured of this being the “right for us” coach that we made the purchase!
Can’t wait to return to Olympia and bring this beauty home!
Both Gil and Austin/Olympia have made new lifelong friends in us.
My wife (Deb) and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and conducting a PPI survey of this coach with Gil Johnson last week. Now, before any forum comical comments...no, we did not just happen to luck into catching Gil on a “good day” - as we worked together over the course of four days and Gil was the consummate gentleman throughout. 😄
Gil’s reputation for thoroughness and a knowledgeable expertise in evaluating the overall condition of a Prevost coach is well-deserved!
In particular, what we liked about Gil was that he didn’t try to “impress” us with bravos claims of his knowledge of all things Prevost. But, rather that after a cordial introduction...he just dove right in and we got to work. Admittedly, we did find some major items (e.g., a disassembled Cruisair unit that will need total replacement; A-arms and bushings that although recently replaced will need re-done as wherever did them failed to have Prevost follow-up with a front end alignment; Auxiliary Air bleed down due to leaks; factory installed chassis charger needs replacing, the beginning of delamination on one skin panel, etc.). But, overall - it is a very sound coach, particularly for its age.
Although it may seem strange, something else we found great comfort in was Gil’s working relationship with Austin Hicks (General Manager/Partner of Olympia Luxury Coaches). Over the last couple months and certainly after spending six days last week with Austin and most of Olympia’s exceptional technical and mechanical teams and witnessing the absolute perfection of several coaches just released for delivery...we have built a high degree of trust and appreciation for their skill sets; and their commitment to ensuring each coach is extremely re-conditioned to “as new” safety standards before the new owners drive off!
FYI - Gil fully disclosed that he frequently performs PPI’s for Olympia’s Re-sale/Consignment coach inventory. The fact that Austin entrusts Gil with the evaluation of their fleet speaks volumes, as Austin truly is knowledgeable of all things Prevost, if anyone is! 😎
In deference to Gil’s detailed survey, and even though Olympia had just received this coach back from the paint shop last Saturday and, therefore, not had an opportunity to thoroughly review it...Olympia was already aware and committed to fixing/replacing many of the items that Gil and I discovered during the PPI. Additionally, Austin agreed to care for the items from the final PPI results and several (mostly cosmetic) items we identified after spending most of five work days onboard.
We found Gil to be very friendly, honest, approachable, extremely professional; humorous and fun to work with...reassuring, patient, pro-active in sharing mechanical and Maintenance aspects of Prevost ownership to stay current with; Insurance, roadside service, fuel savings and where else to find help.
Bottom line: While Olympia takes in some of the finest Prevost coaches available, it was thrice reassuring to have our findings verified by Gil and Olympia ownership/technicians who are committed to seeing that we are 100% satisfied with our purchase, its value and safety!
Additionally, after rebuilding the front Independent suspension, Olympia will be taking our “new to us” coach to Prevost for a wheel alignment, DMI and the delamination check. Detroit Diesel and Allison Transmission historical Computer reports will also be printed out for us. In addition to all their Prep work...new tires and new batteries will be installed, full Level III services on the engine, generator and Webasto, etc. will be completed before we return to “camp out” while testing every system on 50 Amp shore power, on Inverters and finally using just the 20KW Kohler generator.
Thanks to Gil (and, Olympia’s) exceptional high standards, we are so reassured of this being the “right for us” coach that we made the purchase!
Can’t wait to return to Olympia and bring this beauty home!
Both Gil and Austin/Olympia have made new lifelong friends in us.