Yahoo Message Number: 92428 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92428)
Hi all,
I am looking for opinions and known troubles with the 2010 Allure 480 Veranda units. I am looking at a used one that has low mileage and looks nice. Currently we have an '04 40 Beaver Santiam PDQ model and we looking to go back to a Bath and 1/2 unit. We had one in a previous gas coach but wanted a diesel.
I realize everyone has an opinion of different units but the concerns I have is since CC went through a financial crunch and reorg as Monaco did, what was the fallout on the 2010 models? Has there been any major concerns/problems with the veranda "Slide" or any other issues other than the normal maintenance and wearing out problems that are experienced with most any coach.
I appreciate any comments and opinions that will further the decision on this purchase.
Thanks,
Jim R
04 Beaver Santiam 40 PDQ
05 Traverse Toad
Yahoo Message Number: 92437 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92437)
I'd walk!
Best - Scott
2006 Allure 430 40' #31349
(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html (http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html)
Yahoo Message Number: 92438 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92438)
Jim
You lose a lot of cabinet space so that you can look at your neighbors sewer hose. I have been told that the sliding glass doors have to be safety glass and are very heavy.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9
Yahoo Message Number: 92440 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92440)
Yahoo Message Number: 92441 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92441)
Jim,
I've talked to three owners of Verandas, and all were happy with their rigs. As I recall, CC had three different Veranda models, and two owners had the middle unit, and the other the top dog one. I just don't recall the model numbers in relation to the Allure, but I'd assume that was the entry Veranda?
One owner, the mid level unit, had a disabled daughter and they bought the Veranda so she could get out on the deck to be outside. The owner said they had very few stays in RV parks, so the looking over your own patio and or the next door sewer hook up was not a factor. They bought a few acres on a lake in Montana, and that was the primary place they went. But he said they also made and extended trip Boondocking most of the way. His daughter still talked about the stars at the Badlands, so much so, that was where we met them on their return visit. So for them, it was a unique coach for a special need.
The second owner bought his higher end Veranda primarily for home games:)! We ran into them in Zion, and both he and his wife really liked their coach. He said when travelling, and saying in RV parks, they would make reservations well in advance and try to obtain end sites that provided a less crowded RV park experience. Not always able to get it, but they both said it was never a problem for them the few times they were side by side in a park.
The third owner, middle level Veranda, was in Custer SD on their way to a car auction in Nebraska (Think that is where it was, the gent that had been a dealer and had new and low mile trade in cars parked all over the family farm.). Did not talk much with them, but they sure seemed to enjoy sitting on the veranda and watching college ball games. And the park we were in, had a spot that they were looking down on the top of our coach from the passenger side veranda, we were a good 40' away. So lots of privacy and great views on that one time observation. The owner said he had had a 40' Intrigue before, and noted that this unit was heavier, and thus a bit slower climbing the hills. (All that side slide and windows would add up on the weight.) We were down in the low 20's the night before, and when I asked how did it handle the cold weather, he said not a problem at all, very similar to his Intrigue. His wife did say she really liked the layout of the Veranda, more so then their Intrigue.
IMO, the Veranda is a unique coach. If the bottom had not fallen out of the overall market, this niche coach may have had a chance. Sure, not for everyone, but sure could see it being a good rig for people with unique needs, or that are not always in RV Park to RV Park. I do not have any opinions or knowledge on problems unique to the Veranda. I think I would call Oregon Motor Coach and ask for some opinions on things to be aware of, if any.
Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 92444 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92444)
As I remember the top unit was a variation of the Magna. The middle unit with a mid bath and my favorite was an Intrigue and the bottom unit was an Allure. But then As I think about it there may have been a 4th unit which was a variation of the Inspire. They all had bigger engines. tires, axles, than the normal units, except the Magna which had the 600 or 650. I have literature in my Coach somewhere if not on this computer. The reason I preferred the 500m series veranda was the bath and bed room were conventional and the storage was ample and easy to get to. Magnas and Allures with the rear bath meant getting access to the rear side closet was a lost cause. I liked the island in the Magna as food could be served across it to the outdoors. and you didn't loose so much seating area indoors as on the other units, but sill have stuck with the 500 series, Intrigue unit. The units were never a serious consideration for us as there were so many compromises made as compared to the original units and the issues at the plant..
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
Yahoo Message Number: 92445 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92445)
Jim,
"http://www.rvingplanet.com/manufacturers/country-coach/" (http://www.rvingplanet.com/manufacturers/country-coach/) has info on the Veranda models. Apparently they were made in Inspire (300), Allure(400), Intrigue(500), Magna(600), and Affinity(700) trims. They are heavier than their non-veranda counterpart, and you would need to determine whether the veranda concept is somehing you want. We do not like the high windows, where you can't see out that side with the veranda, and also you lose space inside, since the sliding glass doors take about a foot of interior space, but for each their own. If the main reason you are attracted to the Veranda models is the bath and a half, Country Coach made bath and a half models without the veranda with four slides. Several advertised on line.
Per
Affinity 5259
Yahoo Message Number: 92454 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92454)
Hi Jim,
I own a 2009 Veranda 300. I could have bought a Veranda 400 but preferred the 300 floor plan. Things my wife and I thoroughly enjoy about our Veranda include the following. In sunny weather we open the sliding doors and enjoy the openness of the plan. With the doors open we can comfortably entertain 10-12 people complete with seating, wine, music or TV. Our first year we went to MCC a very posh park. Mostly Newels and Prevosts. We were the talk of the park especially after being seen eating chili on my Veranda as I watched the Super Bowl and having coffee ever morning on my Veranda in the sunshine not inside under artificial light. We have enjoyed when in the desert sitting at night and watching the stars from the security of our coach. In the rain which we try hard to avoid we put out our awning and still enjoy our Veranda. We do try to get an end site and probably have less than 5 times been parked where we saw our neighbors sewer hose and even then that has never been a problem for us. Also our dog, a Great Pyrenees enjoys laying on his Veranda, which is a clean and safe environment, and he can be outside without us having to be there and having him leashed. Big plus if you have a dog. We are full-time and this coach has more storage than we need. Yes the doors are heavy but they slide very easily and are totally sound proof when closed. The large doors allow extra sunlight inside the coach even when closed which is important to my wife and I. There is simply more fresh air in this coach compared to others.
Bottom line is we love this coach. When parked for any length of time we move our dining room table out on the Veranda and at that point I dare say we have more inside room than most coaches. We barbecue alot but will eat outside on our Veranda in comfortable padded chairs at our own table and enjoy that as a special experience that for us that beats eating at the tables and benches provided by even very nice RV parks. One downside-be ready to talk with people. For example, at 7 Feathers the shuttles go out of their way to show people our coach and many then come by to talk. At Wine Country RV we were such an attraction that the park apologized to us. Attention, attention and more attention. Own a Veranda and that will happen. We enjoy it for the most part. Can't tell you how many people call our coach their dream coach.
One last thought we bought our coach new in 2010 and this last summer we were offered $95000 more than we paid for it. How many Country Coach or other motorhome owners can say they have owned their coaches for 3 years, put 25000 miles on it and made a profit of at least $95000!!! We weren't interested because we are still enjoying our coach but when I am ready to sell I know because of the rarity of my coach (only 3 others like it in the entire US and no new ones being built) I will make money. So, Verandas aren't for everyone but talk to actual owners and without an exception I know of they love their coach. Thus, I would say get a good price and go for it. If you want to talk to me personally send me an e-mail at DrKirkendall@... (DrKirkendall@...).
Al Kirkendall
2009 Veranda 300
Serail # 52197
Yahoo Message Number: 92455 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/92455)
You passed on $95,000 profit ??? What kind of wine are you drinking ?