Bob, If you have a budget for the bus purchase, just make sure you hold some money back in reserve. The condition of the bus and the completeness of the maintenance records will be a guide.

It is unrealistic to think anything as complex and capable as these buses are will go forever without repairs or maintenance. Yet there should not be a penny's worth of difference in maintenance between one of these and a plastic palace. If you buy a conventional motorhome with a diesel engine and air brakes that is about the same size as you are contemplating you will still need to buy tires and batteries, do oil changes, deal with air suspension issues, etc.

If you buy a Prevost, and as Paul says you insure certain things are taken care of, you aren't going to worry about them again. On a bus that was built in 1994 for example if it hasn't been done, it needs air bags, brake chambers, suspension system valves, and probably shocks for example. Get that done (or do it yourself) and from that point on your maintenance is oil changes and the routine replacement of batteries and tires. Along the way you may replace a relay or two, have some AC issues, or need to fix the Webasto, but none of those will break the bank.

If you cannot afford to maintain the coach don't think for a minute that getting a conventional motorhome shields you from similar issues. The only thing you can count on with a conventional motorhome is that it may be newer for the same dollars, but it will not be more reliable, and it will not outlive you.