Community Forums

Wingrydr57 · 11-26-2015, 07:20 AM

As we search for that perfect motorhome for us we determined we will be ordering a Newmar canyon star 3712 next summer. Love the floor plan. It was between that or the 2016 Winnebago sightseer 33c.
I downloaded the order form for the Newmar and found the cabinet stiles and rails are vinyl wrapped, the Winnebago is wood vineer I could get the Newmar with the wood vineer but at the extra cost of$2,476 ! The Newmar has single pain Windows didn't see an up grade on the list, the Winnebago comes withdouble pain Windows.i like the Mcd type shades standard in the Winnebago if I want them in the Newmar it's $ 1,674 other wise it comes with the pleated day nite shades. The Winnebago comes with a walk on fiberglass roof it's $ 1,758 extra on the Newmar.That's $5,908 extra just to get what the Winnebago already has! Kinda feels like a bate and switch, if we didn't like the Newmar floor plan so much I think we would go with the Winnebago .
Maybe I'm just being anal but vinyl wrapped cabinets......really??? You know like the book cases at biglots , that really surprised me. If you get a scratch on the vinyl there's nothing you can do with it, wood vineer you can at least sand it and refinish .
Sorry about the rant but sometimes do you really get what ya pay for?

A little miffed, Steve W.

vsheetz · 11-26-2015, 07:48 AM

I hear you. Just need to compare apples to apples price wise, as you are. Then factor in service, quality, etc. And remembering floorplan is always way up there in selection criteria.

Wingrydr57 · 11-26-2015, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I hear you. Just need to compare apples to apples price wise, as you are. Then factor in service, quality, etc. And remembering floorplan is always way up there in selection criteria.

For sure! The dealer is only about 150 miles away and gets good reviews, so that helps a lot in the decision making process . I guess there will always be some give and take.
It's gonna be a long winter, waiting until July to order then getting it the end of sept. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to build.

sbahrns · 11-26-2015, 08:13 AM

I know what you are saying. If we could have, we would have liked to mix and match from manufacturers on what was standard and what were options. I agree that the floor plan should be top priority and then fill in around that with your priorities.

All I can say is that on our Ventana we are glad we paid the premium for cabinets and other items. I believe their craftmanship ranks up there with the highest quality in the industry.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/52mdx5iqe...5YqhQFIOa?dl=0

JMonroe · 11-26-2015, 08:16 AM

You've listed what isn't standard in the Newmar vs the Winnebago, but not what the price difference would be once you added those options to the Newmar.

Wingrydr57 · 11-26-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

You've listed what isn't standard in the Newmar vs the Winnebago, but not what the price difference would be once you added those options to the Newmar.

If we were to add the upgrades I mentioned plus the upgrades we are going to order like washer dryer , washer dryer prep, free standing table with desk,rear ladder,& side cameras, all those things added together would add over 10 k to the Newmar price which is about 20k more than the Winnebago .

harleyjt · 11-26-2015, 09:20 AM

Actually double pane frameless windows are standard according to the website and the Canyon Star brochure. Thats the reason you don't see an upgrade option.

I do agree that Newmars pricing seems to be high when compared to competition. I believe Newmar is furnishing a quality product, but as I've been shopping, I'm finding them to be higher than comparables. I do like a couple of the Canyon Star floor plans though. The Newmar I have now has the vinyl wrapped cabinet frames. They are ok, but as you mention, if it gets damaged, then there isn't a whole lot you can do. Doors and drawer fronts are real however. Several other manufacturers have gone to fiberglass roof and MCD shades. Maybe Newmar will follow, however, I'm afraid they would hike the prices even more. I think the price differential is even more obvious when comparing diesel pushers. No way could I afford even a Ventana. However, looking at some of the competitors, there are some very nice diesels out there at a much more affordable price point. Are they equals? Not sure. One has to decide that for themselves.
jt

Wingrydr57 · 11-26-2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Actually double pane frameless windows are standard according to the website and the Canyon Star brochure. Thats the reason you don't see an upgrade option.

I do agree that Newmars pricing seems to be high when compared to competition. I believe Newmar is furnishing a quality product, but as I've been shopping, I'm finding them to be higher than comparables. I do like a couple of the Canyon Star floor plans though. The Newmar I have now has the vinyl wrapped cabinet frames. They are ok, but as you mention, if it gets damaged, then there isn't a whole lot you can do. Doors and drawer fronts are real however. Several other manufacturers have gone to fiberglass roof and MCD shades. Maybe Newmar will follow, however, I'm afraid they would hike the prices even more. I think the price differential is even more obvious when comparing diesel pushers. No way could I afford even a Ventana. However, looking at some of the competitors, there are some very nice diesels out there at a much more affordable price point. Are they equals? Not sure. One has to decide that for themselves.
jt

Thanks for your input! And thanks for the info on the Windows too.
Yeah if we could afford it we would go for the Dutch star pusher !

bsinmich · 11-26-2015, 09:34 AM

I had my 03 Mountain Aire with a Brite-Tek roof and never had a problem while owning it. I just sold it last May. After reading of some of Winnebago roof problems I would really be glad to have the Brite-Tek. The warranty is 12 or 13 years.

harleyjt · 11-26-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsinmich

I had my 03 Mountain Aire with a Brite-Tek roof and never had a problem while owning it. I just sold it last May. After reading of some of Winnebago roof problems I would really be glad to have the Brite-Tek. The warranty is 12 or 13 years.

My Kountry Star has the Brite-Tek roof also and it appears to still be in great condition at 10 yr old (however somewhat dirty). I guess in my mind however the fiberglass roof is preferable. But that just may be me.
jt

Gordon Dewald · 11-26-2015, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

No way could I afford even a Ventana. However, looking at some of the competitors, there are some very nice diesels out there at a much more affordable price point. Are they equals? Not sure. One has to decide that for themselves.
jt

We looked at a number of coaches prior to buying ours. It was tough in some cases to tell the difference, fairly easy in others to see a difference.

The differences seemed to be consistent from model to model in each manufacturer.

IMO the big reason for price difference in Newmar is the configurability they offer during construction. They seem to be very accommodating. To be able to offer the customization on an assembly line will add cost to each and every coach on the line.

DGBPokes · 11-26-2015, 09:42 AM

Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck, fun times, and safe travel. Having never purchased a new coach, we have not been faced with those choices.

However, let me say this: Years ago we bought a three year old Winnebago Brave 3 years old, 2,800 miles. Loved it, and had many good miles. 6 years later sold it.

One year later decided we wanted another motorhome. Knew nothing about Newmar, found a nice one, 3 years old 22,000 miles. The salesman was over the top about Newmar, so we went home and I spend about two weeks doing homework on Newmar. Was impressed so we bought it.

To make a long story short; we just bought our second Newmar. And while looking for it, I refused to seriously consider any other brand (since Prevost, Newell, etc. are out of our price range). The Brave was fine, but the Newmar was head and shoulders better In terms of quality, and craftsmanship.

twojayhawks · 11-26-2015, 11:10 AM

We almost got a Winne over the Newmar. There was plenty we liked BETTER about the Winne over the Newmar. Either would have been awesome it just came down to which items were more important and some had to be dismissed. Don't think you could go wrong with either manufacturer.

Dutchstar08 · 11-26-2015, 11:46 AM

Our new to us Dutch Star has the Brite-Tek roof. I know for a fact this coach spent it life in the Desert. The roof it still in like new condition. One thing I really like about it is in a heavy rain it mush quieter than the fiberglass roof in the Gulf Stream we had.
The fiber glass roof in the rain would drive us nuts could not even sleep in heavy rain.