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Looking to buy

Yahoo Message Number: 77116
Hello all, I'm new to your group. We're currently vising Palm Desert in our 1999 Holiday Rambler. Our heads have been turned to a 2005 Country Coach Inspire 40' offered at McMahon's RV on I-10. I've owned the Holiday Rambler for a long time and feel comfortable looking one over. Not so much with the Country Coach so I have a few questions:

1. Is there a way to find the original specs or build sheet?
2. Does a price of $110,000 seem a good starting point for a coach with 58k miles and well maintained?
3. Anyone have an opinion on McMahon RV after sale service?
4. Are there known issues and should have been upgraded or recalled I should look for?
5. There is a 6 inch crack in the exterior radiating out from the lower corner of the bedroom slide opening. The dealer says it's common and they will fix it. Is it common and repairable?
6. Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Jim Coshow

1999 Holiday Rambler but looking to upgrade

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77119
The cracks are fairly common and can be a recurring issue. It seems the corners on the cutouts for slides and windows have no radii to alleviate stress and stress cracks can form. Also some of the panels in the slides can develop cracks that look like hairs in the glass layup that can spread. I have a couple that started years ago and I was able to stop them from spreading by putting a plaiable epoxy much like (shoe goo) on it. I would imagine that even if the crack is fixed that it will reocurr unless the stress is relieved from the sharp corner of the window somehow. The one in my bedroom slide has not spread in the 3 years since I bought the coach. I have also talked to people that drilled out the crack and fixed it cosmeticly so it will not spread. Other issues as many state are aluminum Radiator replacement, wet kit for pto if needed, and if you have square flush mount windows (magna and affinity) they are expensive to repair and virtually irreplaceable. Also se-gi windows are prone to fogging, we have learned to live with it.
Hope that helps, Our coach has been almost trouble free other than the few cosmetic issues that all coaches seem to incurr and we are more than pleased with it after fulltiming for three years now.
Marc Sommer

05 affinity #6429

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77121
I have an opinion and a recommendation for you concerning McMahon ---- RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77122
The very best recommendation I could give you would be to go to California Coach in Costa Mesa - they are on line, you can see what they have on their website ---- talk to Steve Bennett....... jan gould
714 307 9171

06 Inspire Davinci 51898

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77123
Marc's points are very good especially the Aluminum Radiator and the "Wet Kit" for the transmission power takeoff.

John

05 Inspire #51399
10 Ford Escape toad

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77126
I second her opinion. Don't believe anything they say. Dennis Clayton, 2006 Inspire #51581



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From: Janice Gould

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 2:05 PM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Looking to buy

I have an opinion and a recommendation for you concerning McMahon ---- RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

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Re: Looking to buy

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77129
I have firsthand experience with buying a coach from McMahon's and did purchase my current coach from them in 2010. Based upon my experience you can expect minimal to no after sell support from them. I know McMahon's are wheeler dealers and unless you are very knowledgeable about what to look for you might want to get a professional third party inspection and make sure all repairs have been made before you take delivery.

Just my own personnel opinion.

Larry

08 Inspire FE #52159

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77132
I have had no dealings with McMahon so won't comment on them. However, we have purchased a 2000 Magna and a 2003 Intrigue within the past year, and paid a lot less than them that what you were quoted for the Inspire. I would suggest you keep shopping!!

Jurhee

2003 Intrigue

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77133
  • McMahon's? Be cautious and do your homework!
  • Crack common in Inspires? No. I have an 04' and I follow the Inspire info carefully.
  • $110,000 good starting place? No. $90,000 if in great condition, and settle for nothing more than $110,000. The damage you mentioned is not good. I would start at $70,000 if I were interested. However, with that damage I would keep looking.4. Recalls? Not sure on the 05', only 3 on the 04' (steering box support, cooktop and side marker lights)

    Steve Brown

    04' Inspire 51168 --- On Sun, 1/29/12, Jurhee Ivy wrote: From: Jurhee Ivy Subject: RE: [Country-Coach-Owners] Looking to buyTo: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.comDate: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 3:17 PM
I have had no dealings with McMahon so won't comment on them. However, we have purchased a 2000 Magna and a 2003 Intrigue within the past year, and paid a lot less than them that what you were quoted for the Inspire. I would suggest you keep shopping!!

Jurhee

2003 Intrigue

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77134
I not only had my own nightmare at this horrible dealership, but I have heard countless horror stories far worse even than my own.......
--- On Sun, 1/29/12, thomas w insall jr wrote: From: thomas w insall jr Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Looking to buyTo: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.comDate: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 2:51 PM

And don't stop.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77136
Jim:

There seems to be a consensus against McMahon's RV. I bought my coach from them and almost everything they said was a lie. As far as service after the purchase there was NONE.. Look elsewhere >

Steve

06 Allure 31299

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77137
In 2009 I purchased a late 04 Inspire 51166 for 89K from a dealer. Bill



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From: Jim

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 10:13 AM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Looking to buy

Hello all, I'm new to your group. We're currently vising Palm Desert in our 1999 Holiday Rambler. Our heads have been turned to a 2005 Country Coach Inspire 40' offered at McMahon's RV on I-10. I've owned the Holiday Rambler for a long time and feel comfortable looking one over. Not so much with the Country Coach so I have a few questions:

1. Is there a way to find the original specs or build sheet?
2. Does a price of $110,000 seem a good starting point for a coach with 58k miles and well maintained?
3. Anyone have an opinion on McMahon RV after sale service?
4. Are there known issues and should have been upgraded or recalled I should look for?
5. There is a 6 inch crack in the exterior radiating out from the lower corner of the bedroom slide opening. The dealer says it's common and they will fix it. Is it common and repairable?
6. Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Jim Coshow

1999 Holiday Rambler but looking to upgrade

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Re: Looking to buy

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77138
I could give you folks an entire list of "nightmare" stories about these people --- not only my own, but probably 10 people here at my campground who just wince when you mention that dealership........ jan

Its so good that we can share our stories - helps others to avoid horrible scenarios....

06 Inspire DaVinci 51898

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77141
Definitely call Damon Rapozo at 612-865-0320. His website is www.damonrapozo.com. He has sold more Country Coaches than anyone else. He spent many hours in the manufacturing operations of CC and even had on office there so he could see what was being done on each model every day. You won't find anyone more knowledgeable about models, differences, equipment, and changes. He is a wealth of knowledge regarding CC, so don't pass up an opportunity to learn from him even if you don't buy from him. If Damon doesn't know of a coach that fits what you decide you want, he will keep looking for one and call you when he finds it.
I drove all the way from North Carolina to Premier RV Services in Junction City, OR after many emails and hours on the phone with Damon. You are much closer than I was. He has numerous contacts and the one that had the best selections of what I decided on was Premier. Louie (sales manager) and Gary (service) had many years with Country Coach and were very professional and to work with. Most important was that I found them to be honest and truthful. They were also very helpful in making corrections and changes on my coach before I left.
I don't get anything for this recommendation. This is my second CC in 12 years. When buying my first one I dealt with a salesman who did the best he could, but (I found out later) no one in the dealership really knew CC products well. I would have add/changed a number of things if I had know more before buying it. After the education I got from Damon, I changed my mind on what I wanted this time and have been more than satisfied with the product and overall buying experience.

Gene Merryman

2006 Intrigue Ovation II #12005

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77146
I know Damon's site is up and running, but is he back at Guaranty, or are they running his site ?
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77151
Very valuable input and information Gene - thank you so kindly - I have made notes for myself based on your informative email ---- thanks again
jan

06 Inspire Davinci 51898

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77220
I would absolutely second that recommendation. Steve only accepts coaches in the best shape and goes out of his way to make sure they leave in good or better shape.
You may also try Steve Wilson at Holland RV in San Marcos - another good one to deal with.

Mark

Re: Looking to buy

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77221
Gene,

Totally agree! Also, his web site includes a tab for "CC History" where you can see what changes were made, year-by-year, to each model of the CC line ~ invaluable!

Mark

Looking to Buy

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77149
You also should know that there is a world of difference among Country Coaches; for example, a 2005 Affinity would not be very comparable to a 2005 Inspire--quality of components and build should have been much different considering their wide price difference. s/Terry (2004 Allure)

Re: Looking to Buy

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77153
Terry -- not sure if this is accurate or not - but I was told with the $38K of upgrades on my 06 Inspire DaVinci Designer Series, it is the identical coach as an Allure 470.
Steve, at California Coach Company, compared the upgrades and told me I basically had the Allure 470... jan

06Inspire DaVinci 51898

Re: Looking to Buy

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77154
Depends on the buyer - as always. With all the upgrades I've done to my 04' Inspire I was offered $140,000. Not interested in selling and the buyer is very aggressive for my coach because of upgrades, care and detail I take and it's a late 04' production with the 05' upgrades. However, in reality in todays market I would not pay more than $110,000 if I were the buyer.

Steve

04' Inspire 51168 --- On Mon, 1/30/12, Janice Gould wrote: From: Janice Gould Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Looking to BuyTo: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.comDate: Monday, January 30, 2012, 1:14 PM
Terry -- not sure if this is accurate or not - but I was told with the $38K of upgrades on my 06 Inspire DaVinci Designer Series, it is the identical coach as an Allure 470.
Steve, at California Coach Company, compared the upgrades and told me I basically had the Allure 470... jan

06Inspire DaVinci 51898--- On Mon, 1/30/12, Terry Apple wrote: From: Terry Apple Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Looking to BuyTo: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.comDate: Monday, January 30, 2012, 1:07 PM
You also should know that there is a world of difference among Country Coaches; for example, a 2005 Affinity would not be very comparable to a 2005 Inspire--quality of components and build should have been much different considering their wide price difference. s/Terry (2004 Allure)
 

Re: Looking to Buy

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77156
Steve - absolutely it depends on the buyer - this is no comparison, I know, but when I rode horses and heard of a horse selling for in excess of $100,000, and I knew the horse was nowhere near worthy of a price like that, I was always told "what the buyer will pay is what the horse is worth" --- same principle applies here --