Yahoo Message Number: 68719 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68719)
Country Coach has been on our short list for several years. Last weekend we visited Guaranty RV in Junction City and drove a couple of coaches and now have our short list down to just ONE manufacturer.
Country Coach!!! Our house is for sale, and as soon as we have cash we'll be ready to start a search.
In your opinions, what years were the very best for Country Coach. When did they really make the Worlds Best Motorhome?
John & Aleda
Yahoo Message Number: 68720 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68720)
1999
Leonard
97' Magna 5418
Yahoo Message Number: 68725 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68725)
I'll "second" that Leonard... Wouldn't trade my ol' '99 Magna for a newer coach...
buck
k7wn, '99magna5653, Cat C10, Allison HD4060
Yahoo Message Number: 68730 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68730)
Just about any year prior to 2000.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 68737 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68737)
Another vote for '99
Gordon & Darlene James
'99 Intrigue #10883
Yahoo Message Number: 68741 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68741)
What did they do after 1999 that degraded quality?
George Harper
04 Allure 31093
Yahoo Message Number: 68742 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68742)
As the language used >the worlds best motor home is some claim according to a in my opinion the least desirable coach would be the last one finished off the assembly line. At least there were enough parts left to complete it before the factory closed.
AL
00 affinity #5851
Yahoo Message Number: 68745 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68745)
As I believe the commentors haven't owned newer models I take it they love what they have. Nothing wrong with that but I have been driving/owning motor homes since 1975 and our 2005 Inspire is the best coach I have ever owned regardless of brand. And that includes very repsected brands including Tiffin. FWIW we've owned a total of 6 coaches from the "Outhouse on Wheels" '75 Winniebago Indian to an 2000 Intrigue and 2005 Inspire.
Nothing made by man is perfect and CC went through some trying times but they still made the best coaches on the road. We won't be trading ours either.
My advice to Mr Newbie is get the most coach he can find and afford. Any problems have almost certainly been resolved by previous owners. My personal preference is to avoid the most complicated bells and whistles as they are the source of most problems. Have any coach you are considering buying inspected, regardless of brand.
CC is/was only responsible for what they built and there is no doubt the quality is there. Everything else was supplied to them by the sames companies that supplied every other manufcaturer.
I have had tire and chassis shops remark that no other brand comes close to the inherent quality of CC designs. Including the Monaco repair facility that used to operate near here in FL.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
Yahoo Message Number: 68746 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68746)
Just so the 'old timers' don't steal the show - my '03 Intrigue is a great coach with very few problems and nice systems and while National RV might have been starting to degrade the coaches a little, the newer drive train and systems are better than the earlier counterparts IMHO.
Greg Jones
'03 Intrigue 11571
Yahoo Message Number: 68747 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68747)
Yep.
2005 Inspire.
51457
From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Handren Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 09:55 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Another newbie in town....
As I believe the commentors haven't owned newer models I take it they love what they have. Nothing wrong with that but I have been driving/owning motor homes since 1975 and our 2005 Inspire is the best coach I have ever owned regardless of brand. And that includes very repsected brands including Tiffin. FWIW we've owned a total of 6 coaches from the "Outhouse on Wheels" '75 Winniebago Indian to an 2000 Intrigue and 2005 Inspire.
Nothing made by man is perfect and CC went through some trying times but they still made the best coaches on the road. We won't be trading ours either.
My advice to Mr Newbie is get the most coach he can find and afford. Any problems have almost certainly been resolved by previous owners. My personal preference is to avoid the most complicated bells and whistles as they are the source of most problems. Have any coach you are considering buying inspected, regardless of brand.
CC is/was only responsible for what they built and there is no doubt the quality is there. Everything else was supplied to them by the sames companies that supplied every other manufcaturer.
I have had tire and chassis shops remark that no other brand comes close to the inherent quality of CC designs. Including the Monaco repair facility that used to operate near here in FL.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
Yahoo Message Number: 68749 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68749)
I have to admit with the '99 owners. Our '99 Magna is a superbly made quality home for us, for we are fulltimers. Everytime I consider the need for opposing slides and look at a newer model, I, again, reaffirm I do not want to give up our coach. I'll just update the interior and continue to enjoy the warmth of our '99. That year was a great year for Country Coach. We have had no major problems with our coach.
Good luck with your decision.
Debbie Elster
'99 Magna #5728
Yahoo Message Number: 68751 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68751)
We are semi newbies with our new/used CC...
We did our research, came up with a list of Must Have's and Like to Have's, weighted based upon importance factor.
We ended up looking at three manufactures, and specific models of coaches. Travel Supreme (the non top of the line model, Foretravel (U295 and U320) and Country Coach (Allure/Intrigue/Magna).
We also gave extra points for 2004 and ealier engines, as the first series of smog rules kicked in during 2005. So when looking at 2005 models, we first checked the year of engine manufacturing.
Due to the interior galley size (we wanted a non slide galley as our Must Haves), the Country Coaches became the favorites of this group. Not every CC has large galley's, but certain models did. Our target coach was the Intrigue, as it had the best balance of content, without having too many 'bells and whistles' (As already commented on, the more of these, the more chance of items to repair.) We also found the Allure and Intrigue line total weights, were lower then the Magna and Affinity lines, and we felt we could be served well with a ISL engine. (Nothing wrong with the big Cat, but when you add the extra weight of the bigger block, transmission, differentials and axles to serve the big blocks, much of the added torque is consumed pulling that extra weight. By doing the math on the Allure and Intrigue per pound weight ratios, we found the were either better, or very close to the big Cat.)
We ended up with the 04 Allure High Cascade, 40' Tag model. The galley sold the wife, as it is larger then most 45' rigs. As optioned by the first 1st owner, it had all of the options we were looking for, crossing over into the Intrigue line. The mechanical and chassis were very good for the weight. (ISL, 3060 trans, two speed compression Jake, Hyro/Hot (single 120V vs the 240V available in some Intrigues and most Magna's - not a big deal, but a factor), the grey/black/water were great. The interior wood work was very good, but we do feel the fabric's of the couch were not of as good as quality as the Intrigue + lines (we prefer fabric over leather). But, we knew we would do a remodel of this coach before full timing, so this was not a major factor too.
I went thru this long winded response, to suggest you come up with your Must Have's and Like to Have's. Factor size, mechanical (side ver rear radiators, tag vs non tag, ISL vs ISM or C12+, year range, interiors, etc.) We also found Damon Rapozo's CC model history, to be a great source of info.
http://www.damonrapozo.com/model_history/index.php (http://www.damonrapozo.com/model_history/index.php)
Best of luck on your search - as many have said all CC's from the Inspire to Affinity, are a cut above... Hard to go wrong, plus you have a great support group on this board. I learn from them weekly!!! Smitty
04 Allure 40' Tag, ISL 370, High Cascade
Yahoo Message Number: 68752 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68752)
Talk to those who worked there. 99 was before new owners with new ideals. Those working in 99 took great pride in the finish product. On this forum, very rare a 99 owner is asking for help. 2000 up, more complicated=more to go wrong. Nothing wrong with any of the CC, but the question was what year was the best. 99 is the year that stands out in many many ways. But I really like my 97 and has everything we want.
Leonard 97' magna 5418
Yahoo Message Number: 68753 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68753)
From what I have seen, after Bob Lee left the company the overall quality of CC MHs deteriorated. I'm not suggesting they were not very good just not up to previous standards. Look at the quality of the 1990s Concept, Affinity and Magna. There is not a MH built today that matches them in overall quality, especially the Concept. That translates to a higher cost of course, but we are not talking cost. The 1995 CC Concept MSRP was $475K to $500K, a lot of money in those days.
Jim
Yahoo Message Number: 68754 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68754)
I think my 2000 Affinity was the best year and model ever built. But, being the very kind and generous man I am if anyone has a 2005-2010 model affinity they would want to trade for one of these works of art just let me know. I might be willing to trade if you've got something to throw in on the deal.
Kevin
00 Affinity 5865
Yahoo Message Number: 68757 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68757)
I spoke to one of the engineers that used to work at the country coach factory and he said 2003 and 2004 units for the best built I personally have no idea, because this is my very first RV , and I love it.
Jack Nichols, 2003. Intrigue11527
busblogger gharper22@...> wrote:
Yahoo Message Number: 68760 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68760)
We have a 98 Intrigue and really like it. In 2004 we looked at 1998-2000 Affinities (with no slides). At that time there were some good deals on MH's without slides. Looked at SOB's (no slides) and thought the Affinity was really the best for us(even looked at some Prevosts). Found some good ones but ultimately didn't buy one. Decided we would use the money for other endeavors. Still think the Affinity is one of the Best MH's out there, but that's just an opinion since we've never owned one.
Judy n Joe
98 Intrigue 10578
Yahoo Message Number: 68764 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68764)
The question is difficult to answer for a number of reasons.I would say it is a safe bet to claim that quality went down after National got in control. There was also the Dupont fiberglass issue ( which was not only CC but Monaco and others ) I believe that issue ran for a few years ending in 06 or 07. There is a question of budget etc. Also 99 and older only have one slide, or none. There is the question of age of engines ( and subsequent electronic engines ). I also believe, that the quality was brought back up when the Howards took out National, I have an 09 Magna, and it is by far and away the best of all the 4 other coaches I have owned since 2000. You have to get to 2001 , I believe , to get 2 slides. If you are full timing, then 4 slides would be the choice. Typically , less than 4 slides , and the resale value drops. Also values drop after 5 to 7 years, as , mortgage money is harder to get. You really should figure your own needs , before asking which year of coach is best. That will get you to the narrowest choice of years available , to meet your needs. The more bells and whistles you want, the newer your choice will be.
Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025
Yahoo Message Number: 68775 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68775)
Smitty, A very small point that will please you. You do not have a 3060 transmission in your coach you have a MH3000. Allison improved efficiencies in the 3000/4000 products over their predecessors.
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 68776 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68776)
George - Correct! I'd like to claim it was a typo, but frankly - it was a miss fire of a synapse, or two. I at least have my looks, until the wife gets lasik!! :)
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 68777 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68777)
Smitty, at least you know now that someone reads your messages.
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 68778 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68778)
Oh oh!
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178