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Old 01-29-2011, 03:19 PM   #1
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Question NEWBIE researching first RV purchase - need some help

Hello all,
My wife and I are leaning toward buying a motorcoach this year (2011) and I'm kinda in love with the Country Coach. However, budget considerations require the purchase of an older (92-98)coach. I drove a 95 Magna two weekends ago and absolutely fell in love.

The first thing is - I don't even know what I don't know yet. I've been lurking on all kinds of sites / forums for the past 3 weeks learning everything I can absorb.

I approach things from an engineer's perspective (NO, I'm not an engineer, I'm just wired that way) and would rather buy a used high-quality item (e.g. Country Coach) than a newer something else of lesser quality.

Ideally, I am searching for info on model lineup, standard and options etc. I
haven't found any sales brochures online for older coaches. Interested in specs (how big, what type of brakes, trans, engine, capacity etc.)

Within a couple of years we think we may hit the road full-time for a year or two, so the FT lifestyle is a huge consideration. Hence the desire for quality. THANKS ALL!!
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Old 01-29-2011, 03:42 PM   #2
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We drove that 95 Magna in 2002 and bought it.

I have the sales brochure for that rig if you would like it emailed to you.

Our 38' is built on a Gillig Bus Chassis (Hayward, Ca) and weighs 31000 pounds as loaded.

It has the 300hp C8.3L mechanical Cummins and Allison 3060 six speed tranny.

We use the rig about 3 months total time each year spread through-out the year.

Most folks who want to full time would probably like at least one slide in the Salon area. CC did not build slides until about the 1998 models.

We have really enjoyed our coach for 9 years.

Its cargo carrying capacity is somewhat limited. The uphill power is low but we have always arrived at the top. The ride is sweet, but we do not ride in any other coaches so have no comparison. The air leveling and side radiator is on our must have list. We tow a Grand Cherokee or speedboat with no problems.

If we were to spend money on another rig (not likely), we would add a salon slide, bigger engine, engine compression brake, and Aqua Hot type furnace and hot water system.

Have fun with your search.
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Old 01-30-2011, 05:46 AM   #3
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Hello Jay and and to the Country Coach Owners Forum. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.
Be sure to check out the classified section. My dad may be able to send you info on his 99 Magna. Enjoy the hunt!
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Old 01-30-2011, 06:16 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaYams View Post
Hello all,
My wife and I are leaning toward buying a motorcoach this year (2011) and I'm kinda in love with the Country Coach. However, budget considerations require the purchase of an older (92-98)coach. I drove a 95 Magna two weekends ago and absolutely fell in love.

The first thing is - I don't even know what I don't know yet. I've been lurking on all kinds of sites / forums for the past 3 weeks learning everything I can absorb.

I approach things from an engineer's perspective (NO, I'm not an engineer, I'm just wired that way) and would rather buy a used high-quality item (e.g. Country Coach) than a newer something else of lesser quality.

Ideally, I am searching for info on model lineup, standard and options etc. I
haven't found any sales brochures online for older coaches. Interested in specs (how big, what type of brakes, trans, engine, capacity etc.)

Within a couple of years we think we may hit the road full-time for a year or two, so the FT lifestyle is a huge consideration. Hence the desire for quality. THANKS ALL!!
Welcome!

You all sound like us, two months ago.

I keep hearing good things about Newmar, whose sole downside (amongst the 1990's models) is interior styling in retirement home chic. But, they are known for being a quality product.

In our own case, a Fleetwood all but fell into our laps when we least expected it. I think they are a quality product; but, as a neophyte myself, would be reluctant to compare the two brands.

One kernel of wisdom for new buyers that stands out above all others: seek private party sales, if possible. I found some terrible traps lurking inside dealers' offerings, like headlamps mounted in hidden mounds of duct tape, massive corrosion layered over with undercoating, expired rubber, concealed leaks, etc.
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Old 01-30-2011, 06:51 AM   #5
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You may want to consider a rental unit for at least one or two extended trips. I have no idea of your money situation but you will learn an awfull lot about living in a coach(and your partner) that way.
Once you have confirmed you and your partner can live that way, then and only then consider a purchase.
Keep in mind the economy is changing and some of those barn burner deals you have read about may have gone by.
Continue researching everything you can about the coach and manufacturer of your choice. DW will usually gravitate to the decor and floor plan while you may be looking at CCC, GVW, HP and other spec's.
Keep asking questions on this site. There is a wealth of customer-user knowledge here.

(Yes, Newmar makes a wonderful product)
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Old 01-30-2011, 06:59 AM   #6
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If you are considering FT you will want at lease 2 slides. That can be had in the 98-2000 year models. Don't know your budget. So, I agree you should try renting first and you will see why you need 2 slides.

Dave
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Old 01-30-2011, 08:19 AM   #7
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The guy is interested in a used C.C. and you offer up a Fleetwood. Are you actually serious? Maybe you should stick to the Fleetwood owners forum where you can be more productive to those owners with your astute observations.
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:15 AM   #8
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For a used high-quality coach it is tough to beat a CC unless you go the Prevost route.

We are very happy with ours (bought new) and the only problems we've had have been with non-CC components.

When we were looking we felt that the CC was not only the highest quality coach for the money but was built to last with very heavy frame, etc. All wiring is clearly labelled and if you get the original books from the prior owner electrical, plumbing, etc is easy as everything was very well labelled and laid out.

The other thing that we liked was driveability (we have been averaging about 9,000 mi/year) as we were abel to get a tag axle in a 40' coach which makes a very big difference in the ride.

Once of the problems that you'll run into during your research is that within each model (i.e. an Allure) there are different series/option sets (in the Allure there was a 430 & a 470) and many times one series was updated either through upgrades ordered or due to mid-production changes to include the options available in the next level up.

At the time we were looking, most of the models had the same construction and the differences were in options and decor.

The best thing that I could recommend is to identify the size of coach desired, number of slides, age of coach, $$$ you want to part with, etc'; and then go out and test drive the ones that fit that criteria.
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:23 AM   #9
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For your interest here are a few CC's to look at.
Here is a link for RECALLS & here is a link forPDI LISTS.
So with that you have a good start, good luck in your quest, enjoy the forums and Welcome to irv2.
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:26 AM   #10
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Hi Jay and WELCOME!!!

Look forward to reading what coach you purchase. When you have your new four-wheel (or more) baby, please post photo's. I love to drool over them (LOL!!).

Since I am now searching for my perfect MH, I enjoy reading of others adventures in their search.

Have fun!

Sheila
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Old 01-31-2011, 07:47 AM   #11
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WOW!!! Thank you everyone for the warm greeting and wonderful info / resources. That's the kind of thing I appreciate about owner forums such as this one.

In the past 3 weeks I have probably spent 30 hours online searching for info, researching various brands, learning about peoples' experience (good and bad) with their rigs. I've come to the conclusion that I want a rig with a purpose-built chassis (not a truck chassis) like the CC so that limits the number of motorcoach brands to choose from.

DEANDEC - I would LOVE IT if you would email me the brochure on the '95 Magna. Interestingly, the one we drove was the same color scheme on the outside. I took a photo of the build-sheet (yay iPhone) and found it's a 36' Decorum model.

EVERYONE - A slide (or two) would be really nice but (as pointed out) CC didn't do those until late 90s and our budget doesn't allow for the bump in price.

Renting a rig has already been discussed and we are thinking about it. I doubt that there are any CCs for rent out there, and certainly not likely to be one of the vintage we are looking at. Even if it's not a CC, we will certainly learn a lot about what we like and don't like, how it all works and whether this (owning a motor coach) is a decision that is right for us.

Thanks again.
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Old 01-31-2011, 08:28 AM   #12
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Hi PapaYams,
Welcome to iRV2. If you'd like to see the brochures on Newmar coaches go to Resource Center > Brochures Archive | Newmar RV . They go all the way back to 1983! Who knows, after you get comfortable with the Newmar Brand, I may be able to welcome you to the Newmar family.

Newmar coaches are always available, but there aren't many. When a pre-owned Newmar is made available on a dealer's lot, it is usually gone very quickly. Some are sold before they show up for the owner to pick up the new coach.
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Old 01-31-2011, 12:27 PM   #13
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Jay, check your private messages.

I cannot send the brochure using the forum tools because its file size is too large.

Dean
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Old 02-02-2011, 04:25 PM   #14
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Try the Yahoo Country Coach Forum

Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaYams View Post
Hello all,
My wife and I are leaning toward buying a motorcoach this year (2011) and I'm kinda in love with the Country Coach. However, budget considerations require the purchase of an older (92-98)coach. I drove a 95 Magna two weekends ago and absolutely fell in love.
I hear you. Until I bought my Newmar, I was definitely considering buying a used CC. They are great coaches.

However, the iRV2 forums are more of a hangout for Winnebago, Newmar, and Monaco users -- just check the messages in each forum.

You should also join the Yahoo CC forum:
Country-Coach-Owners : Country Coach Owners Association

Lots of owners there.

Good luck.
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