Community Forums

MSMatt · 07-07-2012, 08:40 PM

See this thread in the main Class A section, figured some of you might have something to add.......

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/ente...ar-129333.html

Ann n Gene · 07-07-2012, 08:44 PM

Just did Matt, thanks.

rvguy02 · 07-08-2012, 06:49 AM

My only "quibble" with the thread is it seems to try to create sides of Newmar vs. Entegra owners. Obviously most of us Entegra owners are happy with our decision

... I prefer threads that approach it differently, such as why did you buy your Entegra or Newmar and why do you think they are good? All just my opinion of course

...

Kathryn · 07-08-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvguy02

My only "quibble" with the thread is it seems to try to create sides of Newmar vs. Entegra owners. Obviously most of us Entegra owners are happy with our decision

... I prefer threads that approach it differently, such as why did you buy your Entegra or Newmar and why do you think they are good? All just my opinion of course

...

Hello. I am the OP on the Newmar vs Entegra thread, and I'm not trying to create "sides". In my original post I specifically said

Quote:

...So what's the buzz? Why is Entegra better than Dutch Star? Or why is Dutch Star better than Entegra? Or are they equal and it is just preference?

This should be a good conversation starter! LOL!

Let's hear from all of you, good or bad ...

Truly wondering what the deciding factor was/is for each. Only time I get a little testy is when someone posts an inaccurracy as a fact, like the Aspires all having 450ISL.

Kathryn

FlaSam · 07-08-2012, 10:59 AM

I can't say for certain what the Aspire had in the past, but this is from their website:

Cummins ISL turbocharged 450 HP engine 1,250 lb. ft. torque at 1,300 RPM

Kathryn · 07-08-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlaSam

I can't say for certain what the Aspire had in the past, but this is from their website:

Cummins ISL turbocharged 450 HP engine 1,250 lb. ft. torque at 1,300 RPM

LOL! You beat me buy 3 minutes!

Here is the last post I just put on the other thread - correcting MY misinformation!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvguy02

My Aspire has a 450 ISL engine and does not have IFS. To my knowledge ALL 2012 Aspires come with the 450 Cummins...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

I found out yesterday that they got a deal on some IFS chassis so put them under Aspires. I forget the exact number but I believe it was 24 or so. It's a temporary situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann n Gene

yep, some Aspires with IFS, BUT if you want one , best get with the program soon. The deal, as explained to me at least, they went to the 16,400 front axle with 315s on the Anthem because of weight problems and are using the left over 14,6oo with 295s and IFS on Aspires and is limited to what they have in stock...

My bad!

I was under the impression that this limited number of chassis were the ones with the 450 ISL engines. Not sure if or when it was changed, but the Entegra website is showing the 2013 Aspire standard with the 450 engine. Other than the customization available with Newmar, it was the engine that was the big deal breaker/maker for me. So we're back to a pretty even field!!! LOL!

Can't wait til I'm a little closer to my purchase date and can actually get out there and test drive both! Just doing all my research beforehand, cause I know when I actually get IN the units, I'll fall in love with one, and that will be all she wrote ...

Thx for all the input - yes, I'm taking notes!

Kathryn

Ann n Gene · 07-08-2012, 12:11 PM

Kathryn, we are all Entegra lovers here so take us with a grain of salt and "trust but verify" for yourself. Look very closely at both the construction and the quality of materials going into both coaches. Especially look at the floor and sub floor on the units and the chassis (Spartan is unequaled in the industry in my opinion). Then, when you inspect the coaches look at the cabinet quality, fit and finish, you WILL see some differences. A real eye opener is to visit both factories (i did this back to back on successive days) and pay very close attention to not only what is going on, but the pace it is moving, how hurried the workforce may or may not be and especially look at the differences in construction techniques and quality of materials going into the coach. Take your time, do not let them hurry you, tell them you are evaluating for a new coach purchase and you need to be sure. I am confident that when you do that you will pick the coach that best suits you.

Kathryn · 07-08-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann n Gene

... A real eye opener is to visit both factories (i did this back to back on successive days) ...

Thanks. Yes, I am planning on scheduling a visit to both factories, hopefully on successive days as well while things are still fresh in my mind. That should be informative! At least I have narrowed it down to two really great coaches!

Kathryn

wnytaxman · 07-08-2012, 07:59 PM

Kathryn,

You piqued my interest so I thought I would check out what Newmar had to offer. Now I will admit that my look was more cursory than in depth, but it appears to me that the Newmars are more expensive than a comparable Entegra. The Newmar Ventana models are closer to my entry level Berkshire than the Aspire. When you get to the Dutch Star and equip it closer to the Aspire it appears to be more expensive than the Aspire. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but when I looked at a few dealers websites, it appears to me that the Newmar is more expensive, not less.

bill2011 · 07-09-2012, 05:27 AM

I found the same thing price wise. A similarly equipped Newmar in our case was much more expensive than my Anthem. Also I am of the impression that the negotiable discount off the Entegra is higher than the Newmar. This is all based on my personal experience and I am certainly no expert in this stuff but that is how it was for us.

becks · 07-09-2012, 07:18 AM

Even if everything was 100% the same between the two coaches, the spartan chassis would tip the scale for me.

RandyP · 07-09-2012, 08:11 AM

Newmar makes a great coach, but the price point is higher on a Newmar when comparing it to an Entegra. You can't go wrong with either brand. It all comes down to how much you have/want to spend...... Me I just like the look and feel of the Entegra over the Newmar...

Kathryn · 07-10-2012, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill2011

I found the same thing price wise. A similarly equipped Newmar in our case was much more expensive than my Anthem. Also I am of the impression that the negotiable discount off the Entegra is higher than the Newmar. This is all based on my personal experience and I am certainly no expert in this stuff but that is how it was for us.

What Newmar unit were you comparing with the Anthem? I am comparing the Dutch Star against the Aspire.

And my impression on the discounting is opposite ... when you have a waiting list over 9 months long, it is very unlikely that they will have comparable discounts.

Kathryn

Nowabeachbum · 07-10-2012, 07:37 AM

I think he Mountain Aire would be comparable to the Anthem.
Yep, Kathryn, I think your impression of discounting is spot on, you don't discount when you have a product in demand! But in the wacky world of Entegra dealers, they don't agree! They continue to aggressively discount. Entegra seems to be the only company (haven’t checked lately) that dealers are discounting more than 25%. As a buyer, I certainly don’t mind the discount but now when I am looking to trade it in, I find the Newmars and Tiffins are worth quite a bit more in comparision using NADA. I don’t know if it's the newness of the Entegra name or the actual upfront discounts that are to blame but…
Gary