Community Forums

jladmalone · 01-06-2011, 02:51 PM

Need some input folks. Still looking for the right unit and have come across a 2000 40' American Dream with the 350 Cummins and 64K miles. Very nice coach, well maintained. I was about to purchase a 02' 40' Monaco Diplmat with the 330 Cummins and 85K miles, but also very nice.
Both are equiped similar with the exception that the Diplomat has a dish washer, both have two slides.
If it were you, which coach would you recommend understanding that both are very nice, new tires and batteries with complete maintenance records for both.
I think I can get the Dream for about 5K less than the Diplomat.
Thanks

JC2 · 01-06-2011, 03:01 PM

After reading this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/knig...ame-81368.html it would be a no brainer for me. I believe the American Dream is a much better coach. I also have 0 tolerance for companies that don't seem to stand behind their product(s).

Fred and Bonnie · 01-06-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC2

After reading this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/knig...ame-81368.html it would be a no brainer for me. I believe the American Dream is a much better coach. I also have 0 tolerance for companies that don't seem to stand behind their product(s).

How can you expect a non-existant company to back anything?

fred

Downsizer · 01-06-2011, 09:18 PM

We picked a 2000 Monaco and love it... very well made and works beautifully... air bag suspension & chassis great!

B Bob · 01-06-2011, 09:42 PM

Without a hesitation I would buy the American Dream. The American Dream is really a level of quality higher than the Diplomat. Sort of a Buick (A Dream) vs a high end Chevy (Diplomat) - Don't get me wrong, these are both good coaches and you will likely be happy with either but new the Dream cost around 240-250 and the Diplomat around 160.

One advantage of the Monaco is that it comes with a chassis built by Monaco. An advantage of the Dream is that the parent Fleetwood when they reorganized honored all the warranty's of the existing coaches. Monaco did not. But both of the companies are now up and running and doing well. My past experience with American Dreams is that they have beautiful interiors with extremely well made custom cabinets and yacht style hardware. I am not a big fan of the "jack in the box" TV's that come with Dreams from that era. I am fond of the very high quality leather that comes with Dreams.

Papa_Jim · 01-06-2011, 10:15 PM

The Knight has a totally different suspension, chassis, and house frame design than the Diplomat or Windsor.

Specifically, for the Knight, Monaco built a chassis with a design problem, then went out of business without fixing the problem. It doesn't mean that the Knight isn't a good coach. But the Knight is not the same coach as the Diplomat or the Windsor.

I think we should make sure that we're comparing apples to apples.

I think you have to go up the Monaco food chain a little higher to compete with the American Dream. I think you have to be looking at a Dynasty, Executive, or Signature coach. At that level, I think for the most bang for the buck the Monaco coach would be the winner.

SpursMVP · 01-07-2011, 05:20 AM

Thought we were comparing a Monaco Diplomat to an American Dream.

Don't know anything about the dream; however we own an '01 HR Endeavor which is basically the Monaco Diplomat. We love our coach as it's built on the Roadmaster Raised rail system. There are no cracks as previously indicated as I believe this was on later models.

In addition...both coaches are out of warranty so the whole 'backing the product' issue seems like a non issue to me. We've had basic work done on our Rambler and have never had issues with getting parts or service.

Good luck on your decision!

FormerBoater · 01-07-2011, 05:41 AM

I do not know about the Monaco product other than by reputation. Most say good things about the Diplomat.

I own an older (1998) American Eagle which was one up from the Dream , but shares quite a few features and has the same exterior lines. The Dream rides on a Spartan MM chassis with independent front suspension. You will not feel the semi's or OTR buses when they pass you and you will only feel the strongest of sidewinds. These coaches are a lot of fun to drive and you have excellent thermal and acoustical insulation.

Factory support from American Coach and Spartan is excellent.

American Coach generally "overbuilt" their coaches during that era. You will find that everything is extremely easy to use and operate. One big "Easy Button".

Have fun making your choice.

Dave
1998 American Eagle 40 VS
Cummins C8.3 325 HP
Allison 3060 Six Speed Transmission

hardy1000 · 01-07-2011, 08:16 AM

The Knight is on a different chassis than the Diplomat. I ordered my 2007 Diplomat new and it has been and is a great coach. If you take a look at used RV sites you will see that used Diplomats sell fast because they have a good reputation for being a solid coach that stands up to full timing. Granted, Monaco let there dealers and customers down when they went BK by not honoring the warrantys, but that does not mean that they did not build great products, because they did. Alot of good companys went under, like CC for example, but Monaco's reputation for building great products was enough for Navistar to purchase and revive them. Don't be afraid to buy a well maintained Diplomat they are very solid MH's.

FormerBoater · 01-07-2011, 11:40 AM

One other thought, I think you will appreciate the big stainless steel bumpers on the American Dream.

Dave

deandec · 01-07-2011, 11:55 AM

"If it were you, which coach would you recommend understanding that both are very nice, new tires and batteries with complete maintenance records for both."

The one that pleased both of us the most. They seem to be both very good coaches and not a lot to distinguish one from the other.