Yesterday i looked at a 1998 Chinook Premiere and fell in love. It's just me and I want a driveable motor home that's small. I don't mind an older model but i dont want to do alot of remodeling. Im 62 and female so not very handy with heavy tools. I didnt buy because the guy told one lie after another. The price was right but I don't know anything about motors. The a/c didn't blow cold air, very hot. He said it was because someone had left the a/c on hot during our recent freezing weather. So it has a freon leak obviously. I drove it and when it turns there is a jittering in the steering wheel. He told me it was the new tires.
I have no way of knowing what else is wrong sand It seems the salesperson is a shyster. It seems a very nice unit on the interior but I don't know what else is wrong with it.
There are a few scammer that collect your phone numbers or get you to wire them money if you look at craigslist. I think if you are careful and diligent, you can spot them. Safer place is to go to the RV online market, where seller needs to pay to post. You may also try to join the facebook Chinook group and see.
I think the best thing for you is to learn as much about Chinook as possible before you buy. That way, you can be familiar with the coach portion. For the chassis, you may want to bring it to a mechanics to have it checked out. This forum has many threads that you may want to look at on some of the common issue.
Good luck in your search.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Welcome and good luck with your shopping. People have searched for months (me included) to find the right Chinook for them. This one sounds pretty good for you and I wouldn't dismiss the opportunity because of a bad seller. The Ford chassis is a great product, and you can get good service at a Ford dealer (vs an RV place) for things like the air conditioner or steering stabilizing. There is a cheap easily replaced stabilizer (like a shock absorber) that may need replacing.
If you are talking about the rooftop house air conditioner, it's not really repairable, but a new one can be installed for about $1200-$1500. The good news is that almost everything can be repaired or replaced, even in these older Chinooks.
I would recommend you request an inspection of the unit from a Ford dealer, and negotiate the price of repairs, or walk away if it is too expensive.
For Sale: 2000 Chinook Concourse XL in Puyallup, Washington. We bought it new in 2000 and were lucky to tour the plant in Yakima where it was made. It's super clean, in excellent condition with only 56,087 miles. Current set of tires has 4,000 miles and Onon generator has 20 hours. It's been in our RV garage, never had pets or smokers...we don't even wear our shoes in it! It's white and brown, has a V10 Triton Engine, Ford E350 Chassis, Flexsteel Club Lounge swivel chairs. Will give you paperwork on the appliances, maintenance records, original 12 volt car vacuum, 2 Chinook travel mugs and many other extras like hoses, tire chains (never used), etc. We tow a 2009 Jeep Wrangler behind for off road adventures. Health reasons force us to sell. Will sell Chinook separately or with the Jeep and tow equipment. Asking $39,900 for Chinook. Call 253-720-1831, leave a message and we will call back.
Welcome Granjan.
I own a 1998 Premier, and like it a lot. Everything in or on it can be repaired/upgraded without extreme expense, so the decision to buy depends a lot on the asking price. A mechanic's review, and estimated cost for items to be repaired would help you decide. Some things do not need to be addressed immediately to get use out of the RV.
These vehicles are selling at appreciated prices since the pandemic arrived, for instance I bought mine in 2014, with everything working, 21,000 miles, and new tires, for $20k. That price was from a RV dealer in California. It' could sell for well over that now. Is the seller trying to cash in on that basis?
So it has a freon leak obviously. I drove it and when it turns there is a jittering in the steering wheel. He told me it was the new tires. 
