Considering a Ventana 3942

[69RoadRunner]

I'm looking at some RVs to have fun with my family and haul my 69 Road Runner to some long-distance events. The open aluminum trailer weighs about 1400 pounds and the Road Runner is close to 4000 pounds.

I have a 21 month old daughter and a 4 year old son. I'm looking at bunkbed models so I can put the kids to bed, and still have the main living area available for board games, reading, etc.

I'm considering Super Cs like the Jayco Seneca and Gulf Stream Endura (International chassis). However, I've started to look at some class A models.

The Super Cs certainly cost a lot less and would get the job done, but the Class A models have a little more room. Newmar seems to have a great reputation.

Can you owners tell me why I should or should not get a Ventana 3942? Which options are worthwhile and which aren't?

Here's the closest one to me that I might look at on Saturday.

http://www.beckleysrvs.com/new_rv/21723.htm

Thanks!

[69RoadRunner]

I'm looking at some RVs to have fun with my family and haul my 69 Road Runner to some long-distance events. The open aluminum trailer weighs about 1400 pounds and the Road Runner is close to 4000 pounds.

I have a 21 month old daughter and a 4 year old son. I'm looking at bunkbed models so I can put the kids to bed, and still have the main living area available for board games, reading, etc.

I'm considering Super Cs like the Jayco Seneca and Gulf Stream Endura (International chassis). However, I've started to look at some class A models.

The Super Cs certainly cost a lot less and would get the job done, but the Class A models have a little more room. Newmar seems to have a great reputation.

Can you owners tell me why I should or should not get a Ventana 3942? Which options are worthwhile and which aren't?

Here's the closest one to me that I might look at on Saturday.

http://www.beckleysrvs.com/new_rv/21723.htm

Thanks!

[Route 66]

69RoadRunner, welcome to iRV2.

I believe you'll be much happier with the Ventana.

It has a much higher tow capacity, more room, and a larger engine, to name a few benefits.

[69RoadRunner]

There are many benefits of the Ventana over the Super Cs. I just need to decide if they're worth $60,000.

I could also look at the Grand Star 3510 on the Freightliner chassis. It could tow my Road Runner and it's a little shorter. That would help when I'm already hauling a 22' trailer.

Thanks!!!

[afrank1971]

To me, there were a lot of disadvantages to the Super C's, less cargo and towing capacity, smaller fresh water and holding tanks, smaller engine, etc... For me the Super C's or FRED's just aren't a diesel pusher, once you get used to a big Cummins or Caterpillar, it's hard to go back. But, whether or not all that's worth an extra $60k to you? I can't say. As my signature states, we've order the Kountry Star version of the Ventana you're looking at, but then, I was already spoiled with a DP in my Winnebago, so like I said, at that point, there's really no going back. Good luck!

[69RoadRunner]

Well, $50,000 to $60,000 could pay for fuel, campground fees, food and time off work (I'm an independent contractor) for many, many trips.

I am a big fan of Cummins. I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab with the CTD.

Hopefully I'll test drive both a Ventana and a Jayco Seneca HD this weekend. A local dealer quoted me a price of $109,000 with the options I want for the Jayco.

Even if I get 28% off of MSRP, a Ventana is going to run around $159,000 or more, depending on options.

[ricere]

I have a friend who owns a Jayco Seneca, so I am familiar with them, and I own a Kountry Star DP. There's no comparison. If you drive both, I know which one you will purchase.

The Seneca is good on fuel, but according to my friend, it rides like a tank. That's about it. He's wanting a diesel pusher.

[69RoadRunner]

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the Kountry Star and the Ventana? The only thing I can see right now is the Ventana has a booth dinette and the Kountry Star has the folding and fixed chairs at the dinette.

[Route 66]

The Kountry Star is a step up the model line with more features, upgraded interiors, and of course a higher price.

2008 is the last year for the Kountry Star production.

That will have no effect on the value of the existing Kountry Stars, but obviously you cannot order one anymore.

CLICK HERE to go to the Newmar web site.

Once there, you can download brochures and/or click on products to see the difference in the two models.

Both models have various floorplans to choose from.

[CSX4350]

Roadtoad , I had an '07 Seneca 34SS for 7 months before trading for my Newmar. I was wholly unhappy with the quality of the Jayco. Of course anyone can make a lemon, but I had to stop in virtually every city I passed through to buy hardware to re-attach something that had fallen off. It totally wore me out to drive it, I actually counted 100 steering wheel corrections per minute just to keep it going straight down the road. The ride and handling at times bordered on, no it actually was scary. The normal line from Jayco dealers when I had problems while traveling was "If you didn't buy it here we won't work on it".
The ride and handling can be fixed, but by spending lots of money on upgrades.

Now, with all of that being said, it got me ~10 MPG and the floorplan was great. It was very livable when parked, just a royal PITA when driving it. I think you will find the power lacking with what you want to tow also.
I understand that the Gulfstream uses a heavier duty IH chassis than the C5500 used by Jayco, I believe a Class 6 compared to the GM Class 5 used by Jayco. I also understand that Jayco is switching to IH for '09 but not for sure yet.

I'll end it by saying this: Yes the Super C's are less money, but you won't save much if you realize later that you don't like what you bought and end up, like I did, getting rid of it seven months later to buy what you should have gotten in the first place. That's what my daddy would have called a false economy.

[afrank1971]

Main differences between the KSDP and VTDP for me were independent front suspension, side radiator, and larger engine (400hp) available. As far as the dinette, it came either way, in fact, we had ours custom ordered with a U shaped dinette from the All Star line. I know there was one KSDP 3943 still available at Howard RV Center in North Carolina, http://www.rvtraderonline.com/find/listing/2008-NEWMAR-...TAR%203943-91408925, it had a booth dinette. But they're pricey, that particular one probably between $185k and $192k, plus tax/license...

[69RoadRunner]

Most of the owner comments I've read about the Seneca are positive, but I have read many times that people added sway bars, etc.

I hadn't read many complaints about stuff not being put together very well, though.

Should I start by offering 30% off of MSRP and what's a reasonable amount off to actually expect for the Ventana?

[69RoadRunner]

The dealer with the Ventana I mentioned in my first post sent me an email. He said they've had this Ventana for months and they have more coming in.

How much cheaper should I be able to get one that's been sitting on the lot compared to ordering one?

There aren't any Kountry Stars near me, so I guess I'll stick with the Ventana.

[Aridon]

I am of the belief that you can usually get a better deal ordering than buying off the lot. Dealers have carrying costs on those units and more invested in general than an ordered unit where they are pushing some paper and doing a PDI. I would walk if the dealer wouldn't give 25% off on a ordered unit and you can do better than that (we did).

I think Newmar has a 4k rebate going on right now you can also keep that in mind in your negotiations. Sometimes you can get a good deal with a hold over unit someone is trying to clear out, now just keep in mind its a year old already and has been sitting doing nothing.