Community Forums

Burner · 03-11-2019, 12:48 PM

I am pretty sold on this 2004 CC Magna

But this 2009 Newmar Dutch Star is 10 miles from my home

The Magna has a bigger engine, bigger tranny, 3 slides and is a country coach.
The Newmar has a smaller engine, smaller tranny, 4 slides but also has the adjustable Comfort Drive steering system.

Both are nice coaches and priced close.

My question & concerns
I am just wondering about the build quality of the 2004 Magna vs the 2009 Dutch Star.

What is your opinion?

Sunny1 · 03-11-2019, 01:56 PM

Burner,
I’ve really enjoyed your posts and following along with your search.

The CC is a beautiful coach, especially the exterior, and a beast with the C-15 engine.

The Dutch Star is also a darn nice looking rig. I don’t think you would go wrong with either.

The things I like about the Dutch star is while the ISL is smaller, I’m guessing it’s more economical to drive. I tried looking up the MPG but wasn’t having luck. I like the non carpeted floors, and that the dining is on the passenger side. The King bed is a must in my mind. The fourth slide is nicer too. The listing didn’t say, but an extra bath would be a nice feature for many.

I’d be thinking that it must be fate to find something so nice only 10 miles away.

Burner · 03-11-2019, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny1

Burner,
I’ve really enjoyed your posts and following along with your search.

The CC is a beautiful coach, especially the exterior, and a beast with the C-15 engine.

The Dutch Star is also a darn nice looking rig. I don’t think you would go wrong with either.

The things I like about the Dutch star is while the ISL is smaller, I’m guessing it’s more economical to drive. I tried looking up the MPG but wasn’t having luck. I like the non carpeted floors, and that the dining is on the passenger side. The King bed is a must in my mind. The fourth slide is nicer too. The listing didn’t say, but an extra bath would be a nice feature for many.

I’d be thinking that it must be fate to find something so nice only 10 miles away.

If anything, it is easy enough for me to run over there and check it out!

Solo_RV_Guy · 03-11-2019, 02:21 PM

The Magna exterior reminds me of the Prevost XL-II (its the chrome belly trim) and the chassis build is getting closer to the Prevost quality than Freightliner (maybe Spartan, too). The Magna interior is more 'homey' than the DS to my eye, but also needs some updating.

I agree with Sunny1 that either coach is likely a good choice. The Newmar's advantage is proximity, while the CC has that big ol' CAT and the pedigree of being a a step or 2 up from the Dutch Star to begin with.

What does your gut tell you?

Miramichi · 03-11-2019, 02:25 PM

Well this search looks familiar albeit 4 years ago for me. Funny but I was looking at very similar comparisons, in fact our DS is the exact same floor plan 4386.

I think you are looking at two very well built coaches and you will not be making a wrong decision either way (fingers crossed).

I would strongly evaluate the floor plan and amenities each coach offers as you will desire ´things’. Another thing to consider is how much use each coach had endured. IMHO the DS looks less lived in. The chassis, engine and tranny on the DS are more than adequate. I speak from driving across North America a few times in ours now while towing a CRV.

I don’t want to sway your opinion too much as I am obviously stating how happy I am with our decision. Last thing to consider is Newmar support. You can call them anytime and get a part number, manual or even some help with how things work. County Coach was bought out by Winnebago a few years ago. Don’t know if that is bad or good but it certainly makes it less personal.

Anyhow, if you have any questions I am happy to assist. Good luck and I am interested in seeing your decision!

fkloster · 03-11-2019, 02:31 PM

I love big Cat power guys, my vote goes for CC.

Burner · 03-11-2019, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

The Magna exterior reminds me of the Prevost XL-II (its the chrome belly trim) and the chassis build is getting closer to the Prevost quality than Freightliner (maybe Spartan, too). The Magna interior is more 'homey' than the DS to my eye, but also needs some updating.

I agree with Sunny1 that either coach is likely a good choice. The Newmar's advantage is proximity, while the CC has that big ol' CAT and the pedigree of being a a step or 2 up from the Dutch Star to begin with.

What does your gut tell you?

My gut says CC
I've had a crush on Country Coach for a while now, and this is a Manga with 25k miles.

If it were an Allure going against the Newmar it might be more of a fair fight, but Magna starts out in the lead to begin with.

The Newmar being a 2009 however certainly does help.

Ivylog · 03-11-2019, 04:27 PM

The ISL should give you 7 mpg, the Cat maybe 5. 10 miles away or 2000. Tile floor or carpet. Biggest negative is the NoCold in a slide but there is room above it to put in a Samsung.

Burner · 03-11-2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Biggest negative is the NoCold in a slide but there is room above it to put in a Samsung.

For the floor, we plan on redoing it with hardwood anyhow, so NBD..

NoCold?
What is that?

bruceisla · 03-11-2019, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

For the floor, we plan on redoing it with hardwood anyhow, so NBD..

NoCold?
What is that?

Norcold (think fire !!)

Jake21 · 03-11-2019, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Norcold (think fire !!)

Or think about getting the ARP controller for the Norcold. www.arprv.com. If there is not one installed.

You can also search the forums as there are many posts regarding it.

Ivylog · 03-11-2019, 06:42 PM

A Norcold 1200 struggles to keep cold because the cooling unit is from a unit half its size. It has two fans in the back, unlike any other, to increase the airflow over the coils for better cooling. Put it in a slide where you do not have a roof vent (no thermal syphoning) so two fans cannot create enough air flow when it’s hot out. Yes, a ARP controller is a much better safety device than the Norcold reversion F of the recall box.
I made a $$$ mistake of not going residential sooner because of the myth about boondocking with one. Yes, you need more batteries with a residential (2) and adding another 100A charger will actually reduce your generator run time.

Mr_D · 03-11-2019, 06:51 PM

We went from an '02 DSDP 4090 to the present '09 45' Magna in 2015. The Magna is far better built than the DSDP but in reality the late wife would have liked the DSDP we looked at literally minutes after signing the papers for the Magna. If we could have done it without losing $5,000 we'd have the 2015 DSDP. After all the engine problems I wish we had lost the $5,000 and ordered the DSDP but I have the ISX. The CAT will be thirsty but reliable.

AKIQPilot · 03-11-2019, 07:02 PM

This would be a very easy decision for me. The 5 year newer Dutch Star is much more appealing to the eye. The large 1 piece windshield and power front curtain makes the coach look very modern. A casual observer could mistake that Dutch Star for a 2014. Everything about the Dutch Star is more modern looking and better looking. It needs no updating what so ever.

The CC is a well built coach but it looks dated. A purist will know that it's a quality unit that was an upper end coach in it's time but the average observer will look at the split windshield and the drapes for front curtains and pass it off as a 20 year old coach.

The Dutch Star also has a King Sized bed.

Again, for me this would be an incredibly easy decision. Dutch Star all the way.