Community Forums

Tsronco · 02-17-2012, 06:00 PM

Yea like I said we are within 6 mos but still not sure if its gonna be the aspire 42 RBq or the anthem 42 rbq . I'm not worried about wait time and since We want the table chairs option we would have to order one. We are willing to wait and make a correct/informed decision

bill2011 · 02-17-2012, 06:42 PM

Yes we also went with the table and chairs option and like you we were undecided between the Anthem and the Aspire. They are both great motorhomes and the support from Entegra is fantastic (just our opinion) For us it was the IFS and the Spartan chassis plus a bunch of other differences that led us to buy the Anthem. Either way they are 2 great coaches. I should mention that while we were looking we did manage to find a couple of coaches on dealer lots that did have the table and chairs option (although we couldn't find one that had everything we wanted so had to order).

Tsronco · 02-17-2012, 07:54 PM

We are both kinda large(and in charge!!! Lol) so the booth and the j couch doesnt give us the comfort when sitting

texaspenny · 02-18-2012, 06:57 AM

the Aspire is on a Spartan chasis in 2012 they made many upgrades to the Aspire and the Spartan Chasis was one of the others was the 450 Cummins....

Cruzer · 02-20-2012, 01:54 PM

Both the Aspire and Anthem are now on Spartan chassis. They both have 450 ISL engines and side radiators. The only real difference between the two as far as chassis goes is that the Aspire has a solid front axle while the Anthem has IFS and the Anthem gets a 150 gal fuel tank versus the 100 gal tank in the Aspire. Of course there's lots of other differences in the cabin between the two but the front axle and fuel tank is about it for the chassis.

wnytaxman · 02-20-2012, 06:56 PM

Mark, does the independent front suspension create that much of a difference in ride quality or handling?

Sorry if that seems like a dumb question, but I'm a bean counter not an engineer.

Ann n Gene · 02-20-2012, 07:37 PM

In my opinion, it IFS makes a HUGE difference in ride and handling. It is like daylight and dark. Having said that, the Aspire that I drove rode very nice and IF you had not had the IFS before you would likely not miss it and would appreciate the ride and handling of the Aspire. It is not harsh nor hard to drive, just not as good as the Anthem, all just my experience and opinion.

Cruzer · 02-21-2012, 06:19 AM

When driving down a normal interstate you won't see any difference. However, it's during those more extreme situations when IFS makes a difference. Here's a few examples:

1) Potholes - When you encounter a pothole the shock is transmitted acrossd the entire axle. One wheels dips into the hole and changes the angle of the axle, then bounces back up out of the hole. This, plus the additional unsprung weight of the heavy front axle mean that you will feel a bigger jolt when driving through potholes or over a bump.

2) Driveway approaches - Face it, you don't enter a driveway dead on square. Your coach is always at an angle as you turn into the driveweay. This means that first one wheel negotiates the ramp, then the other. The end result is that the coach rocks from one side to the other. With IFS the wheels are free to independantly lift so you don't get as much rocking action as with a solid axle.

3) Speed bumps - Same as above. If the speed bumps are at an angle you get the rocking effext with a solid axle but no so much with the IFS.

4) Front tire blowouts - These can be deadly and will throw your coach into the ditch in short order if you can't keep it on the road. Then things really get ugly. With IFS you have a much better chance of maintaining control than with a solid front axle. A solid axle requires a course in Charles Atlas course in weight lifting to prepare your arms for that task.

However, in 90% of your driving you won't find much difference between a good, well designed solid front axle (like the Spartan) and IFS.

Ann n Gene · 02-21-2012, 09:36 PM

Great explanation Mark, I agree entirely with what you said.

wnytaxman · 02-22-2012, 06:35 AM

Thanks Mark. That answers my question.

Ed

bigdomino · 02-22-2012, 09:08 AM

Texaspenny,

Did you talk to the factory when you ordered your rig? Are the colors the same? We were thinking about the bath and half model but my wife does not like the fridg up more in the front. Is it there with the 2013?

Thanks for Ny feed back.

Steve

Ann n Gene · 02-22-2012, 08:47 PM

Yes, in the bath and a half the fridge is still up front for 2013 (at least it is in the 2013 Anthem).

texaspenny · 02-23-2012, 06:51 AM

Your wife might like the reason the fridge is up front, bigger closet in back ....she might like the Dutch Star by Newmar....I looked at that one long a hard it has lots of kewl features....the Aspire was the one we always went back to....so we decided to go for it...according to several dealers the Entegra Coach line is the hottest seller!!!! I am sure just like us many other people are impressed with the Factory Warranty and Coach net included....and what that says to us is that there are very few problems with them...one dealer told us that of all the other coaches they sell 1 in 5 come back with problems but with Entegra Coaches only 1 in 30...pretty impressive statistics...Now we all know that there will be some problems that is part of the RV life...gives the fellows something to fix, and discuss....