Newmar Mountain Aire - is this a quality coach, quality company?

[Doug427]

This just tonight dropped in my lap - a friend of a friend of a friend type of thing. He needs to move this RV out, is downsizing and would like it sold.



It's a 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 4303. It's a 43 ft with a tag axle. I've seen some photos and it's gorgeous. It has a Cummins 400HP in it. About 55000 miles on it. No firm price discussed yet, just a sort of "neighborhood" talk. It'll surely be more than I have been considering, but probably worth it if it's a high quality coach.



What can you guys tell me about this coach and this company? I will need to move quickly on it if I do this.

[flamebuster]

Newmar builds top of the line coaches and is still in business. The Mountain Aire is one it's top of the line models. I think the King Aire and London Aire were a little higher. The 400 cummins is a little on the small side for that big of rig but it will still do the job just fine. If the floor plan is what you like and everything works you will have a very good motorhome..
They come loaded with lots of bells and whistles so if you do purchase go thru everything and how it operates with the owner and use a tape recorder or video tape the walk thru because it will be way to much to remember it all...Good luck Doug

[Nomads]

Newmar is one of the best. I owned a 2004 Dutch Star for 9 years and put over 100,000 miles on it. I replaced it last year with a 2008 Mountain Aire 4528.
Love our Newmar!

[Steve N Sal]

Top Notch! We don't have a DP. Ours is a gas but just the same we love our Mountain Aire. Fit and finish is excellent. I believe in 05 the Essex model was the top of the line and yes Newmar is still in business but Winnebago purchased them a couple months ago. Good luck with your decision.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Doug427

This just tonight dropped in my lap - a friend of a friend of a friend type of thing. He needs to move this RV out, is downsizing and would like it sold.



It's a 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 4303. It's a 43 ft with a tag axle. I've seen some photos and it's gorgeous. It has a Cummins 400HP in it. About 55000 miles on it. No firm price discussed yet, just a sort of "neighborhood" talk. It'll surely be more than I have been considering, but probably worth it if it's a high quality coach.



What can you guys tell me about this coach and this company? I will need to move quickly on it if I do this.

I think the MA may have been the top of Newmar line in 2005, and is most likely on a top of the line Spartan chassis. I agree with the others- you can’t find a better built coach for the same money than a Newmar from that era. That said, even the best will have some age-related issues after 15 years. Expect to replace some things to upgrade to modern standards, but if it has been well maintained and the price is right AND if your wife likes the floor plan and colors, you could do a LOT worse than a Newmar MADP.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by Doug427

….. It'll surely be more than I have been considering, but probably worth it if it's a high quality coach.



What can you guys tell me about this coach and this company? I will need to move quickly on it if I do this.

I understand from time to time we get an opportunity that is almost too good to be true. This may or may not be one of those times. It's always time to slow down a little when you end up over your budget and feel like you need to move quickly IMO.

[Doug427]

Thanks to all, sounds like it's a top line coach and company. Budget wise, it'll be about $10-$15K more than the Vectra/Horizon models I was looking at. That's a bit over what I wanted to spend, but not an issue at all as to what I can actually spend.



I am a bit concerned about the one comment that perhaps the 400HP Cummins is under powered in this coach. I didn't realize that another 2' in length and an extra axle that this coach brings to the table would make that big a difference. Everyone told me that the 400HP Cummins, with over 1200 ft. lbs. of torque, was way overkill for the 40' models I was looking at. I assumed it would be sufficient for this model as well, so I am certainly bit concerned when I hear this comment.



I plan on doing a lot of travel in the mountains out West. Is this coach with this engine, while towing a Jeep Liberty, going to be a problem climbing the grades out there?

[Doug427]

Originally Posted by edgray

I think the MA may have been the top of Newmar line in 2005, and is most likely on a top of the line Spartan chassis. I agree with the others- you can’t find a better built coach for the same money than a Newmar from that era. That said, even the best will have some age-related issues after 15 years. Expect to replace some things to upgrade to modern standards, but if it has been well maintained and the price is right AND if your wife likes the floor plan and colors, you could do a LOT worse than a Newmar MADP.

All the coaches I had looked at prior to this one were on Freightliner chassis'. How does the Spartan compare to the Freightliners? I assume from what I have read the tag axle will be a large upgrade in ride quality ?

[wingtrike]

Spartan chassis is a good thing to have.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Doug427

All the coaches I had looked at prior to this one were on Freightliner chassis'. How does the Spartan compare to the Freightliners? I assume from what I have read the tag axle will be a large upgrade in ride quality ?

Not wanting to start another brand war, just sayin "most" think the Spartan Mountain Master chassis was superior to the FCCC of that era. At one time Newmar used ONLY Spartan under their DPs. I doubt you will be disappointed with the 400 Cummins, even at 43 ' and a tag. YES, the tag adds a HUGE difference in ride quality and stability.

And, FWIW, there is no comparison to the build quality of Newmar's "hung wall" construction and batt-type insulation to the WBGO you were considering.

[Cincy Steve]

That's a nice rig. We looked very hard @ Newmar before an American Coach "dropped into our lap." Shopping again, we'd still be looking @ American Coach & Newmar.

There are 5 Newmars in our garage complex & ALL swear by Newmar factory service.

The tag adds weight & expense to the coach but greatly improves ride & handling. Supports the single heaviest item in the coach - drive assembly. Resists "porpoising" & wandering down the road. Top of our list when shopping. (Pay no attention to your "friends" who say "it's too big for most campgrounds!")

Good luck!

[HJLowell]

Hello Doug
Newmars have always been first class.
When you say the owners needs to move it on ?
Is this a dealer or private owner ?
I may have missed that.

Is it a side radiator? I assume it is.

Go and carefully inspect the unit.
And do all the things everyone always recommends when looking to buy a unit.

A 43 ft with tag ? Did I read that correctly?
Having a 400 hp engine will limit the
Potential market for many.

Its doable for many.
But mountain's?
Towing a vehicle
Towing a Trailer?

There is a reason more hp cost more $$$s

You get more Bones all the way around.
Not just Bling Bling.

Radiator capacity
Transmission

And when new out the door your looking at a 30 to 50 thousand dollars increase for the larger HP. Unit.

Your smart to ask good questions and go look.
Get reliable Seasond inspector 's

Yes
Many will say they are very happy with that very coach, HP and model.
You may be also.

Go look carefully, nobody has purchased it yet ? I assume.
And why haven't they ? Its only fair to know.

Good luck Doug

[Crasher]

The 400 hp is, as you stated, is more than enough for many 40' coaches. But, when you get into the higher quality coaches like the MA, they are also heavier because of their frame and construction. My 43' Allegro Bus weighs in at 40,000+# loaded for a trip. My sons 2016 45' Mountain Aire weighed close to 47,000#. We both pulled 12,000# enclosed trailers. He had 500 HP but I could pull away from him with my 450 Cummins going up to the 11,000' pass west of Denver. He had 250# more torque, but he was also 7,000# heavier. His current Newell weighs 60,000# and he tows a 14,000# enclosed trailer. @ 74,000#, he needs all of his 605 Hp and 2,000# of torque.

From your questions asked, you need to do considerably more research to gain understanding of all of the aspects that go into making the correct choice for your needs/wants. Good luck

[Doug427]

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Hello Doug
Newmars have always been first class.
When you say the owners needs to move it on ?
Is this a dealer or private owner ?
I may have missed that.

HJ, It's a private owner. I have not met him yet. He's a friend of a friend of a friend. Word got around that I'm seriously going to buy and he asked intermediaries to have me look at his coach. From what I have seen on line they're beautiful coaches. He sent some photos and it's beautiful. It's certainly been babied. It's a '05 Mountain Aire 43" with a tag axle, 400HP Cummins, 57000 miles. Residential fridge already installed. 1 year old Michelins.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Is it a side radiator? I assume it is.

I don't know. I've been told that side radiators are strongly preferred, given the level of this coach on a lineup like Newell I can't imagine that they'd skimp out on something like that? Can anyone with knowledge on that chime in here on that issue?

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Go and carefully inspect the unit.
And do all the things everyone always recommends when looking to buy a unit.

Absolutely. I was going to do that before. I also plan on having a pro inspector go over it thoroughly. How do I find a good guy for that? The coach is west of Austin, TX.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

A 43 ft with tag ? Did I read that correctly?
Having a 400 hp engine will limit the
Potential market for many.

Why is that? When I look on line at 2004-2007 era similar Mountain Aire 43's, they almost all have the 400HP Cummins. This one is no different?

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Its doable for many.
But mountain's?
Towing a vehicle
Towing a Trailer?

We're only planning on towing a small Jeep Liberty. No trailers planned. It's just my wife and I so we're not planning on being at max weight. Even though it's just us we do love the idea of all that space available to us.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Radiator capacity
Transmission

Don't know yet. What am I looking to avoid or looking for in a good way? Like with the engine, I can't imagine that there were a whole number of different transmissions offered. They're probably mostly the same.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Your smart to ask good questions and go look.
Get reliable Seasond inspector's

I try to learn as much as I can. You guys have all been a huge help. I'll absolutely go look at it. More importantly, I need to fnd a pro to go look at it after I do.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Yes
Many will say they are very happy with that very coach, HP and model.
You may be also.

That's the idea!

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Go look carefully, nobody has purchased it yet ? I assume.
And why haven't they ? Its only fair to know.

It's not on the market yet. I think hearing about me from friends and those who know me, he figured it's as good a time as any to sell. I suppose he's been on the fence about selling it, and hearing about me he figured now is as good a time as any.

Originally Posted by HJLowell

Good luck Doug

Thanks so much! We'll see how it goes. Like any transaction it has to work well for both him and for me.