That's a tough one. Not because I still don't like CC's - I do, great coaches with great components. I like our 04 Allure era coach very well. The High Cascade had the quality of build, as well as the largest galley we've ever found in a coach. Even coaches up to 45'. It's a non slide galley, something we wanted due to no moving pieces, and not losing the 5-6" of upper cabinet space that slide kitchen galley slides.
A few negatives, known when purchased, most important listed top down:
1) ISL vs BIG BLOCK CAT (Available in Intrigue on up.)
2) Hydro Hot has only one Electric Element, vs two elements available in higher end CC's. (Does an OK job on keeping water hot, and heating the coach, without the diesel kicking in. The double element can even support a quick navy shower
!)
3) Non slide out generator. (A PITA for service, and ongoing extra costs for labor.)
A minor area, is the micro checking in the dark paints. Minor as it is cosmetic only. And we plan to remove the dark paint and have this changed to a lighter color. (For heat gain avoidance, and lighter colors down behind the Drive/Tag will be easier to maintain fro road grime then our dark deep maroon.)
OK moving on to other CC's, I would again shop and consider:
-42' Intrigue or Manga with BIG CAT
-40' Prevost Concept CC (Yes, older and a good opportunity for ongoing fun on maintaining. But what a classic!!)
I would also again look at Foretravel's with ISM's. Monaco Signature with Detroit, or perhaps an Executive. Newmar Mountain Aire with ISM. Wander lodge LXI.
In general, 2 or 3 slide (non passenger front slide) would be great. Large Block engine with 3 stage Jake, or Retarder if Foretravel. All would be pre major engine smog change era coaches.
For now, and probably until we downsize, we're still modding the 40' Allure. It's good size for getting into many places, with very few times not getting into a spot that we wanted. We've so far:
-Road Kings all around
-Motion Control Unit
-Aero Turbine Exhaust
-Re-Flashed ISL370 to ISL400
-Three headed mirrors added in place of two (Like looking up when backing.)
-800 AH House Battery Bank
-1200W 48V Solar Panels with Classic 150
-Magnum MS2812 PSW
-Sansung residential fridge
-DirecTV Winegard Travler
-Winegard Auto OTA (Working well so far)
-Winegard hand crank up Sensar IV (A/B'd in with Auto, but bought mostly to mount WiFiRanger Mobile Billet with the larger RV antenna (not installed yet) to get up a bit higher, and put down horizontal while traveling.)
-40" Samsung 4K TV (4K was only because this was the best fitting TV for the front cabinets mod's we had made, to get rid of the Head Bumper tube cabinet... Great picture with our Oppo Bluray, but have not tried the new 4K content. From what I've read, 4K will really not be noticed until you get up to the 55-60" or above screens.)
-Replaced Bose 3-2-1 with Marantz receiver, and in ceiling 8" Martin Logan ElectroMotion R speakers. (More interested in HiFi then Surround Sound.)
-Many interior mod's of cabinets, valances, replaced window curtains with day/night screens, etc., etc.
Our 'current plans' is to keep this coach for 10-15 years of usage, so we amortized our costs over those years of smiles by the miles. I say 'current plans', as we've learned by so many of the many RV forum board members that 'life can change what you think you're going to do'
!
I strongly recommend Country Coaches, and note that I did not mention Affinity on my lists - but that is a personal choice due to us liking simpler interior designs. The Affinity is the cream of the crop, and anyone looking at Magna's, should for sure check Affinity too, even dropping a few years to stay within budget.
Hard to go wrong with a CC!!!
Best to all,
Smitty
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