2002 Dutch Star 3891 or 2003 Kountry Star 3904

[ccalhoun71]

Hey All,

My wife and I are looking at our first rig. We have a line on two different Newmars. From what we can gather, Newmar is one of the finest coaches made. So, here are my questions.....

The 2002 Dutch Star 3891 is a little older, only has 2 slides, no full body paint, 77,000 miles, looks like it has been babied, has all the records and is about $23,500.

The 2003/4 is a Kountry Star 3904. It has 3 slides, full body paint, 42,000 miles. LOVE the 3 slides, but this one does not have all the maintenance. I can get it for $38,000

BOTH are one owner rigs. I know Dutch Star is a more premium model, but we love the full body paint (Doesn't look dated) love the 3 slides.

1. Is there that big of difference between the Dutch and Kountry?

2. What should I look out for on either model?

3. Honest opinion.......which would be a better rig?

Any other opinions or experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Charlie

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by ccalhoun71

....The 2002 Dutch Star 3891 is a little older, only has 2 slides, no full body paint, 77,000 miles, looks like it has been babied, has all the records and is about $23,500.
The 2003/4 is a Kountry Star 3904. It has 3 slides, full body paint, 42,000 miles. LOVE the 3 slides, but this one does not have all the maintenance. I can get it for $38,000
BOTH are one owner rigs...... ..

1. ...Dutch v Kountry? Unknown. Never been in a Kountry, but have full timed 8 years in an ‘02 DutchStar. Love it. Well built, well insulated, reliable.
2. What should I look out for on either model?
Depends. Whose chassis? If Spartan, check ball joints/ball joint boots. Whose engine? We love our CAT, but it can sometimes be hard to find a tech that really really knows them. CAT stopped making road engines over ten years ago. In some truck shops they don’t have a soul who has ever worked on a CAT engine! If you’re trying to chase a particular problem you might be better off to go to a CAT house. .
3. Honest opinion.......which would be a better rig?
02 v 03. Negligible
38 v 40 ft No real factor
2 slides v 3slides. 3 slides
77K v 42K At this stage, negligible.
$23k v $38K. for 1 more slide.
Paint v no paint. At this stage, negligible
Mx rec v no rev. Maint records. Definitely

Question: Mfgr, age of tires? Age of chassis batts & house batteries. Material & age of roof? Where is radiator stack, behind engine or side of engine compartment. Condition of interior appliances ( partic fridge),?? Condition of gen?..

[hewebb]

II do not know all the difference between the DS & KS.
We have a 2001 DS, CAT on Freightliner chassis that works well for us. I did not want three slides because I wanted at least side of the basement that I did not have to crawl under a slide to get things.



The CAT dealer where we live gives excellent service. He also services the Freightliner chassis.


Make sure the floor plan works well for you.


I think the width of the slides may be different Our friends have a three slide DS on Saprtan chassis and the total width when the slides are deployed is only a couple of inches.


Good luck.

[Ramets]

Good advice to check the ball joints & boots if on a Spartan chassis. The boots back then rotted away and left the joints to the elements. But it can all be negotiated in the price. About a $1000 fix, since just the boots can't be replaced, the whole assembly has to be done.

["007"]

All good advise previous posts I will add this link to help you understand how somethings work and fix's if not any Newmar will work well for you if maintained properly, that only leaves you the money to spend plus you can read the COM_NET Link to find info on either coach.
Good luck on either and safe travels.

[tommar]

My elderly DS has been trouble-free mechanically so far. However, it does have its foibles. The more slides you have, the more slide issues. I have just one slide. Would love to have two but.... more problems. The Kountry Star may have less insulation... both Freightliner and Spartan have their issues but both are good chassis. Newmar, I think, is more partial to Spartan. I'm assuming that both coaches are too old to have the Comfort Drive option, but if either has it, that would hit my TILT button in favor.