2021 Anthem vs 2021 Aspire

[lands]

Trying to decide between these two coaches. Looks like almost 100k difference and I don't see alot of difference. Is the quality of interior materials better in Anthem. I see some differences but would love to get opinions of people who know the product.

[wnytaxman]

We had a similar decision when we bought our Aspire. There were some things that we liked on the Anthem that weren’t on the Aspire, but overall, we couldn’t justify the price difference.

[brobox]

Take the list for the Anthem, next to it, the list for the Aspire. Put a check mark next to the "must haves". The one with the most check marks should be clear. A lot will depend on how you will use the coach and the number of miles driven.

[buddy110]

What Chuck said.
There is a compare models option. They list everything in drop down form. That's a great way to help with your decision.

[LWBAZ]

One way to think about this question is to compare a 2021 Aspire to an earlier model year Anthem. I suspect you wouldn't have to go back all that many model years before a 2021 Aspire would be all an Anthem was back then, if not more.

There used to be some really significant differences between the Aspire and the Anthem - propane vs. diesel Aqua-Hot, solid front axle versus independent front suspension, 100 gallon fuel tank versus 150 gallon fuel tank, etc. These day, not so much.

To be clear, I'm not knocking the Anthem and there are indeed some significant differences between a 2021 Aspire and a 2021 Anthem. As others have recommended, make yourself of a list of anything & everything you like on an Anthem that isn't available on an Aspire. Then ask yourself if the those items are important enough to justify the price difference. Be sure to compare discounted numbers rather than MSRP numbers.

Also think about how long you plan to keep the coach. If your anticipated time frame is relatively short, an Anthem will have a noticeably higher resale value than an Aspire. The farther out you go, the less significant that differential will become.

Short version: Whatever works for you is the right decision!

[LWBAZ]

As a follow-on to my previous post, I'm not sure the price differential is as big as the "almost $100K" you stated.

Checking the Entegra web site, a 2021 Aspire 44B (one of Entegra's most popular floor plans) starts at $484,530 MSRP, while a 2021 Anthem 44B starts at $576,105 MSRP, a difference of $91,575.

As you probably know, nobody pays MSRP and the generally accepted conventional wisdom is that it isn't overly difficult to get at 30% or more off of MSRP.

At 30% off, the base price of an Aspire 44B is $339,171 and the base price of an Anthem 44B is $403,274, a difference of $64,103. Still not chump change, but better than "almost $100K."

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

As a follow-on to my previous post, I'm not sure the price differential is as big as the "almost $100K" you stated.

Checking the Entegra web site, a 2021 Aspire 44B (one of Entegra's most popular floor plans) starts at $484,530 MSRP, while a 2021 Anthem 44B starts at $576,105 MSRP, a difference of $91,575.

As you probably know, nobody pays MSRP and the generally accepted conventional wisdom is that it isn't overly difficult to get at 30% or more off of MSRP.

At 30% off, the base price of an Aspire 44B is $339,171 and the base price of an Anthem 44B is $403,274, a difference of $64,103. Still not chump change, but better than "almost $100K."

Wow, I paid ~320 for my 18 Anthem

[LWBAZ]

Originally Posted by buddy110

Wow, I paid ~320 for my 18 Anthem

Bruce, that was back in the good ol' days!

[Butte64]

I opted for 2018 Aspire because I felt the price differential was too much for an Anthem. But now looking at things like the upgraded front axle and other standard features on the Anthem I would go that direction if I could afford it. To answer an OPs question, the materials and build quality are the same.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by lands

Trying to decide between these two coaches. Looks like almost 100k difference and I don't see alot of difference. Is the quality of interior materials better in Anthem. I see some differences but would love to get opinions of people who know the product.

Originally Posted by Butte64

I opted for 2018 Aspire because I felt the price differential was too much for an Anthem. But now looking at things like the upgraded front axle and other standard features on the Anthem I would go that direction if I could afford it. To answer an OPs question, the materials and build quality are the same.

When I attended the Spartan Academy in June '18, one of the significant benefits of the class was the included a corner weight of each of the coaches in the class, a mix of Aspires, Anthems and one Cornerstone. Several of the coaches had overloaded front axles. Not by much and all were able to rebalance their loads to get back under the front axle limit. My Anthem was under the limit enough (about 1,500 pounds) that I didn't have to rebalance.

However, that was the first time that I had even considered an axle weight limit. The class instructor suggested that they regularly see coaches with the front axle weight limit exceeded (NEVER with a Cornerstone, but, that's a whole different story). At that time, both the Aspires and Anthems had the 17,000 pound limit axle. As Jerry noted, something as subtle as a front axle, can be sort of a big deal. Stronger axle, bigger (higher load limit) tires and bigger shocks on the Anthem.

None of those may seem like much to a buyer. I think that most owners, if they can make the $'s work, would much prefer the Anthem front end over the Aspire.

I'd expect that you'd enjoy the ride in the Anthem more than an Aspire.

The Anthem has an air leveling system which I think most would consider a significant improvement, too.

Good luck with your selection!

Take care,
Stu

P.S. The opinions expressed are my own, which I value highly. They're worth exactly half what you're paying for them.

[oneknight]

One thing I don't see here (maybe no longer an issue?) is antilock brakes and traction control.

I first found out my 2017 Aspire doesn't have these necessary safety items when I backed one rear tire off the road and ended up calling coachnet for a winchout.

I gotta say I was shocked. Our 2008 Monaco had antilock brakes and traction control. Our 2000Fleetwood PaceArrow gasser had antilock brakes and traction control.

But our 2017 Entegra Aspire does not.

These items have been standard equipment in anything automotive for 35 years. But Entegra/spartan deleted them to reduce cost!

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by oneknight

One thing I don't see here (maybe no longer an issue?) is antilock brakes and traction control.

I first found out my 2017 Aspire doesn't have these necessary safety items when I backed one rear tire off the road and ended up calling coachnet for a winchout.

I gotta say I was shocked. Our 2008 Monaco had antilock brakes and traction control. Our 2000Fleetwood PaceArrow gasser had antilock brakes and traction control.

But our 2017 Entegra Aspire does not.

These items have been standard equipment in anything automotive for 35 years. But Entegra/spartan deleted them to reduce cost!

Why do you think the Aspire does not have them?
Here is from the manual-


ABS
Every chassis is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), which is a system designed to improve driver control and vehicle stability during braking by helping to prevent wheel lock-up. DO NOT rapidly 'pump' the brakes (press and release the brake pedal) during brake application or the ABS will not respond as designed.
The ABS functions are monitored separately from the service brake functions. If the ABS warning light stays illuminated, this is an indication that there is a malfunction with the ABS. The vehicle may have lost all or part of the anti-lock functions. This does not mean that the vehicle is without braking capability. The service brakes will function independent of the ABS, but operating the vehicle without ABS may affect the operator’s ability to control the vehicle during braking on slippery surfaces or during emergency stops. If this occurs, the vehicle should be taken to a service center as soon as possible.
Automatic Traction Control (ATC)
Some vehicles may be equipped with ATC, which helps with acceleration on slippery surfaces and reduces drive wheel over-spin. For further instructions refer to the ABS driver tips pamphlet located in the component manufacture’s literature.

[Butte64]

To periodically check and exercise your ABS
With engine off, open your door so you can hear better
Put your foot on brake pedal and depress lightly
Turn key to ignition ON, not start
Listen for ABS clicking 6 times with tag axle, 4 times with no tag.

[DeWat]

Originally Posted by Butte64

I opted for 2018 Aspire because I felt the price differential was too much for an Anthem. But now looking at things like the upgraded front axle and other standard features on the Anthem I would go that direction if I could afford it. To answer an OPs question, the materials and build quality are the same.

Exactly. While we're not overweight, I do have to keep an eye on the front weight for our 17,000 pound front axle Anthem. Entegra has now bumped up the front axle on the Anthems to 20,000 pounds!