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Country Coach Ownership

Yahoo Message Number: 63833
Somebody please help me get off the fence. Why should I buy an older Country Coach instead of a newer Monaco, Winnabago or Tiffen. I am on a limited budget an like the looks and equipment of CC but wonder if a few less years old would be better would be something like 2000 vs a 2004 give or take a year for either. Most posts rate the ride better on a Dynomax, its always right at the top. Assuming I will keep the coach 10 years would a five or four year newer coach be any better at 18 years. Most engines are same, as are fans, refriges, what else? Warrenty does'nt mean anything on the age of coach I'm seeking, so am I better off newer or sticking to an older better build brand. Will a coach be traveling at 18 or 20 years? Any advice will be helpful as the time to buy is getting near.

Re: Country Coach Ownership

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63836
In general, it is never hurts to drop years to get the best quality your budget will support.
An older Country Coach, Foretravel and on our short list, we looked at Travel Supreme's too - will give you a better coach 10 years out, then a lesser quality newer coach.
If this post was say on IRV2 or RV.Net, the Monaco, Newmar, Winnie and for sure Tiffen gang would be all over such an opinion. In the upper end (Dynasty/Patriot, Scepter or above, Mountain Aire, Zephyr perhaps Bus, Ultra Winnie's and Fleetwood American brand - all are solid coaches. But, CC, Foretravel and some Travel Supremes are just a cut above these. If your go far enough back in years, the Beaver line (including pre model changes while at Monaco) made some fine coaches on a fine chassis.
These are opinions... I did drop years, and feel our 04 coach was a good value. Matching our Must Haves, and Like to Haves quite well. I also believe that I would have been OK in a Foretravel (like the U295/320 series) or a Travel Supreme (Select or non Select, if optioned properly). The large non slide galley sold the wife, which sealed the deal on our Allure...:)!
One other consideration on the mech side. I gave extra points on my scale to 2004 Engines and before, as this was the last engine year before the start of the all the recent series of engine changes. 04, 06 and now...

Best of luck. Quality trumps years, in my book.
Smitty

04 Allure 40' Tag 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)
 

Re: Country Coach Ownership

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63883

We live in Leesburg, FL which used to have the east coast Monaco factory warranty/service center (Now Alliance Coach - good folks to work with BTW). This gave me a unique opportunity.
As I have my coaches serviced at several different businesses I had the opportunity to speak with techs, tire shops, service centers, etc. My last visit was at Alliance Coach where they still get a lot of Monacos.
I have heard more times than I can count, including the most recent visit, exclamations and comments from the people who work on them how much better CC is built than Monaco and since Monaco isn't exactly junk, that must mean most othes as well. From the tires installed to the suspensions used to the body and paint, cabinets, fixtures, yu name it, CC is head and shoulders above the rest.
This is not a "feeling" from a test drive or even ownership - these are comments from the professionals who work on them and see how they are designed and built. Every Cat dealer I have been to remakrs that CC provides the best layout - most coach builders could care less about who has to work on them. Not to say everything fall in your lapo but on average CC did a better job.
I've owned several Class A coaches including Winnebago, Allegro, Tradewinds and two CC's an Intrigue and Inspire. NO COMPARISON. Allegro is also a fine builder but CC is #1. I lice a LOT closer to Allegro but will not trade the CC.
As for parts - there are few parts that are unique to any coach regardless of brand. Our current coach is going on 7 years old, not had a single problem yet - but then not much is breaking either. I owned one coach for 20 years - this CC will be the next one assuming I live that long.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178