Buying an older Country Coach

[Seabee Chief]

I find several "older" Country Coaches for sale in the $150k - $180k range. Year models offered are in the 2006 - 2008 range. My question is: are the coaches worth that kind of investment when they are that old? What are the main advantages of buying one that old? What are the main disadvantages?

Chief

[Burfman]

What's the old saying? "Buyer beware"...Saying that I have a '99 CC Allure pushing 187,000 pretty much trouble free miles. IMHO i feel when the Howard brothers were running CC quality went downhill. I have talked to many people over the years that had nothing but problems with their '05 thru '08 coaches but also talked to some that were very happy. From my experience i would opt for a unit in the '00 to '04 years. But then again I don't have a clue what you are looking at as far as what model. Bottom line is I still believe CC built the best motor coach ever for the money. Good luck in your search..

[dons2346]

I agree with Burfman

[bneukam]

Main advantage is your easily getting over a half million dollar coach , in today's dollars, for 150k.

Main disadvantage is I have heard that quality went down somewhat in these years. But I would have no problem owning one. You would think most issues would be resolved by now. They are arguably built on one of the best chassis. Besides that you may have to do some updating on electronics, or otherwise personal taste.

Personally I don't consider 2006-08 to be old. A quality built coach at 10 years is just getting started.

[Smitty77]

Our search was easier, as I was shopping 9 or so years ago, and wanted Pre Heavy Smog changes diesels. I tagged 2004 engines (Which included some 2005 models with 04 smog engines.). And by good fortune, many who knew CC's suggested 2000-2004 model years at the cream of the CC crop.

Now I take that with somewhat of grain of salt. As personally inspecting, and now knowing many owners of 2005 and beyond CC's - I find them to remain equal, often superior, to most other manufacturers competing models for those years.

So hard to go wrong.

If shopping to day, and wanting one of the better built coaches from that era, I'd personally shop for a 2000-2004 (2005 with 04 engine) coach from:

-Country Coach (Affinity, Magna, Intrigue, Allure (And look at Lexa too.)
-Foretravel U295/U320
-Monaco Executive and Signature
-Newmar Mountain Aire and above models
-Travel Supreme
-Wanderlodge
-Prevost two slide conversions (I like the Marathon's, but the others are good too)

Finding one in good mechanical condition. And priced to allow modifications of interior to meet your personal needs, and likes, and budget - would yield a fine coach to enjoy for decades ahead. If feel 'Quality lasts', and a solid good coach from the get go, is a great foundation to build off of into the coach of your preference.

$.02... Opinions will vary on this!
Best,
Smitty

[smlranger]

I also don't consider a CC from the 2005-2008 era 'old'. Our 07 is a great coach. In addition to its solid construction, it has features that rival new coaches selling for $500K+. We've had few issues and those we've had were generally not related to anything that CC did or did not do. We've had a couple of issues with the Cummins engine (our's is a first generation 'clean diesel'), one of the AC units quit, the inverter died, and we had a couple of self-inflicted issues.

Coach rides and handles wonderfully and has no squeaks or rattles at 68,000 miles. It is just a wonderful coach. We have upgraded the TV's and some of the furniture, replaced carpet, LED lighting upgrades, replaced all the shiny brass with brushed nickel.

Shop for a well maintained coach....that is the ticket.

[Seabee Chief]

Thanks, guys, for all your responses. I'm not in a rush, so I have plenty of time to do some more research. But I do appreciate all the input.

Chief

[smlranger]

Just to add (just my personal preference since I am 'old school') is that CC's, even the older ones, have a classic and sturdy look to them. They avoided flashy and gaudy exterior styling and color schemes. The newer coaches with all the swirly paint jobs just don't do anything for me. At 10 years of age, my CC still looks new and never fails to get compliments from folks who see it.

[CarlAda]

Very pleased with our 07 ... We just bought it last year and would do it again. From all of the coaches we looked at, few could compare.

[cruzbill]

Keep your eye out for a one-owner Beaver, 2006-2007 vintage. We bought our 2005 in '15 and love it. 525 hp doesn't hurt either (except when fueling!$).
2007 coaches will have 2006 year engines, before DPF and DEF.
Good luck with your hunt!

[Mr_D]

I really like my '09 Magna, but could have done without the design problems that the 650 ISX came with. Very costly and really soured my late wife on a CC. But I've never driven a better handling rig and with the liftable tag and 58° wheel cut it's as easy to maneuver as my previous 40' Dutch Star without tag.

[becks]

I very much agree with Smitty. Buying a well built coach from a high end builder is always a good choice. That is exactly what we chose to do when buying in 2012, and it has proven to be a good decision for us.

[apatz]

We love our 2000 CC Intrigue.

[37driver]

We had decided on a Country Coach over the other manufacturers because of the build quality and also for the interior's old school, classic looks. We didn't care for the look of the rolling palace or the rolling bordello looks of the newer coaches.