Yahoo Message Number: 25750 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25750)
Hello Country Coach owners!
I am currently researching the purchase of a used DP and have narrowed the search after several months to Country Coach. After reading the brochures on the older models available on the CC website it shows that the 2000 Allure model has independent front suspension, where the 1999 Allure does not. I have looked at a 1999 Allure and really liked the coach...40' LaPine floor plan. Is the IFS on the 2000 a really big deal enough to limit my search to 2000 (or newer)???
Thanks in advance for any input on this or anything else you folks can add that I should consider in shopping. My budget is limited and it looks like a 2000 Allure is the "best" I can afford.
Sandy (wishing I had a coach number)
Yahoo Message Number: 25751 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25751)
Sandy
We have a 98 Intrigue with the solid front axle. It handles just fine. We have only test driven the newer model coaches and did not see a big difference, except in making very sharp slow speed turns. We thought the older coach offered greater value for our limited budget.
Good Luck.
Mike and Marg Keogh
98 Intrigue 36' #10538
Yahoo Message Number: 25752 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25752)
HI Sandy,
We had a different brand of DP without the IFS. It road quite well. The next coach was made by the same manufacturer with IFS. There was a difference, but not THAT much. Good luck on your search.
Sue
'05, 42' CC Allure quad slide #31254
Yahoo Message Number: 25753 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25753)
Sandy
I have a 1999 40' Intrigue and my only complaint is the turning radius. Unlike many of the newer coaches, the coach has been very reliable and has loads of storage, but if I were buying another solid axle coach I would definitely buy a shorter wheel base. I would definitely not buy another 40' solid axle! The latest CC models have an even shorter turning radius than the earlier IFS models.
Gene
Yahoo Message Number: 25755 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25755)
Sandy,
There is a lot to be said for the older coaches which don't have a lot of the newer computers and electronics. Most of the Cummins and Cat technicians I have spoken to, have said there are a lot of drivability problems which they can not diagnose or seem to correct.
This is similar to what the auto industry went thru in the 80's and early 90's until they were able to fine tune and develop equipment to allow the technician to run system diagnostics rather than just replacing parts and guessing. Most technicians seem to have a natural resistance to change and the willingness to understand new technology.
I have never had a situation where I or the technicians were not able to solve or fix a drive train or suspension problem. Most of the older coach electronics never seem to be a problem to fix either.
The three best things about an older coach are that most of the early production bugs have been worked, the ease of repair and the depreciation factor.
Paul Resnick
98 Intrgue 40" #10487
PAR Porsche Specialists
PAR Motorsports
PAR Seating Specialists
"Recaro" Warehouse Distributor
"Hans Device" Dealer/Distributor
"Cool Shirt" Warehouse Distributor
"ATL Fuel Cell" Warehouse Distributor
www.parcars.com
paul@... (paul@...)
Fax: 914-637-6078
Tel: 914-637-8800
Yahoo Message Number: 25762 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25762)
I did all the same research as you are doing. When I purchased I narrowed in on a used 2000 Allure because of the IFS and the electronically controlled engine and tranny. That was in 2002. The ride is great and the systems are not that complicated to troubleshoot. So far we have been happy with the performance.
Do you homework and research before you buy. Look in the files, photo and links sections for other info available.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
narrowed
the
shows
the
a
can
it
Yahoo Message Number: 25763 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25763)
Sandy,
We researched coaches that could easily pull a horse trailer (and horses!) and landed on a 2000 Allure 32'.
The maneuverability is perfect for us and it pulls the trailer like it's not even there. No problems at all.
Allure 30539
Ken/Lisa Browning
CENTRAL REALTY, Broker/Owners
972-991-7283 800-423-1373 Fax 214-292-9339 www.smartsellerplan.com
Named #25 in USA in SALES (#1 in TEXAS!) by The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS
Owners, J BAR B RANCH, Show Horses... Home of APHA World Champions BARLNKZIPCODE, SCANDALOUS ZIPCODE, and DREAMINOFPIZZAZ! www.barlnkzipcode.com
Yahoo Message Number: 25765 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25765)
Sandy I have had three CC coaches. The first was a 97 with the turning issued just mentioned. I have a 2003 Allure 36' with two slides and almost all features for sale. I also own a 2006 Allure 37' with four slides. Let me know if you would like data on my unit.
Yahoo Message Number: 25766 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25766)
I have a 2003 36' Allure. E-mail me if you are interested. I will make you a very good price.
Yahoo Message Number: 25794 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25794)
Gene, I believe there is a fix that can be done on your coach to improve on turning radius. Check with CC on this.
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 25796 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25796)
Sandy, having owned a 2000 Intrigue, I have two issues I think you should consider:1) There was a big issue with tire loading and ride height valves. Some of the 2000 models have the 12x22.5 tires which were a vast improvement over the smaller " low profile " tires. If the 2000 you are looking at has the larger tires I would go with it, everything else being equal. 2)You also need to check both models to see that the ride height valves have been re-configured to one in the front, two in the rear.
Good luck,
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811 ( still for sale at reduced price )
Yahoo Message Number: 25798 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25798)
Walt, I am not sure of what tire numbers to be looking at...I see that all DP have 22.5 wheels. THe 1999 Allure that I looked at had 275 size tires, versus the 235s I saw on coaches like Allegro bus....is the "12" another number I should be look for?
How does one check the ride height valves? are there pictures in the photo section?
Thanks everyone for all the info. I see I have alot to learn about RV's!!
Sandy
Yahoo Message Number: 25801 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25801)
Thanks Walt
I have had the turning stops adjusted to the point that tires rubed the shocks, but the change in turning radius was not that noticeable. I will touch base with CC to see if there is anything new in this arena. Freightliner has a new chassis with the solid axle that has a 60 degree angle? Sounds pretty impressive considering the fact that is 5-6 degrees better than a Magna.
Gene Clendenin
99 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 25807 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25807)
Gene, I agree the turning radius is important. One of the best things I like about my present coach is the fact that despite being a 40 footer, the turning radius is comparable to a 36' coach due to the tag axle configuration.
Walt
Yahoo Message Number: 25808 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25808)
Sandy, the 275's are the " low profile " tires they had so much trouble with. The 12x22.5 are comparable to a 295 size, all on 22.5" wheels. They are noticeably taller than the 275"s and provide more road clearance. I can't describe the ride height valves for you, but any knowledgeable dealer should be able to tell you if the alteration has been done.
I may be over-emphasizing these matters, but my 2000 Intrigue was an early one and went through the problems. Fairly soon after I bought mine, CC went to the larger tires.
Walt
Yahoo Message Number: 25840 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/25840)
You can't put 295R's on coaches that came with 275"s the largest is the 275R80, which is available from Goodyear and Michelin. Even with adjusting the ride height they will rub the tops of the wheel wells. TWI 11731 2004 In trigue