Yesterday morning I did a search to see if a Chalet Takena was for sale in our neighborhood, and managed to track one down in Fife. After Angela’s class, we took a trip down to Tacoma to get her some new wet-resistant shoes at REI, some lunch at Ivar’s (the House Account never ceases to feed us), and see this Takena in the flesh.
Lunch was delicious, the shoes fit nicely (proven at a lakeside park that the GPS took us to in God Knows Where) and our tour of RV’s was educational. We did get to tour a used Takena (as well as many other new and used models and brands), and we were mostly content on settling for it, as it had all the basic features we were looking for. Sadly, I don’t think it was love at first sight. The major nag Angela and I felt touring these new and used units in Fife, was an overall lack of quality and workmanship, and the Takena was no different. Interior features were generally flimsy and cheap. We just figured we were going to have to treat our new home like a scrape that had just scabbed over. Cocktail hour may be out as a careless inebriated step may take out a wall, or a cabinet. Was this our only choice if we wanted small and light? It looked like it wa, and it did make us nervous.
Angela continued reading our RV for Idiots guide as I made my way back to I-5. The book came to a paragraph where the author stressed the importance of touring many units and dealerships, and I thought out loud (as I have a tendency to do) “let’s go tour some more”.
Tacoma traffic is a bowl of oatmeal with half the recommended water during the late afternoon, so we got back over the Narrows Bridge, and back into the quiet of Kitsap Peninsula. I knew of a large RV lot in Gig Harbor that I had been admiring as we passed by…ironically called Fife RV.
Armando (a Latin version of Robin Williams on speed) greeted us promptly, found out precisely what our needs were in a rig, and marched us right up to a covered area to check out the RV Cruiser Fun Finder X 189 FBS (I can’t believe I’ve already memorized that title). With the energy of a young Jack Russell Terrier, he gave us a detailed low down on every aspect of the exterior, showed us every feature, and was so thorough with his descriptions and demonstrations that we were left with few questions.
We were quite smitten and impressed with the unit upon the outside walk around, but now it was time for the great disappointment: we had to see the inside.
We hung out on the inside for about a half hour or so. We didn’t want to leave. It is perfect. The cabinets are real wood, the upholstery is rugged and attractive, the appliances stainless steel and durable. Armando hooked the unit up to the juice so we could play with all the electrical features (including the one slide-out…yes, we are actually convinced on the one slide out!). The queen bed has an upper bunk that folds up into a beautiful cabinet...so smart!
And then, out of nowhere, the crazed Armando punches with full force and closed fists the insides of the unit, to zero damage. Shock and awe. I am sure this is clever sales antics, but it is quite telling at the same time. This unit is built well and Angela and I have (I think…I’m pretty darn sure) found our home. And yes, it is well within our budget…just a few more shekels than the Takena.
And we can even (as Armando advised) have Corona’s and margaritas without concern.
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