Community Forums

Nick-B · 03-21-2010, 11:16 AM

The wife & I have been watching and looking for the "right" coach to come along and I think we may have found it.
It is a 1995 Coachmen Santara w/slide. 460 Ford. Overall it seems to have been well cared for.

Is there anyone out there who has any thoughts, experiences and comments about this brand of coach? I realize that Coachmen is not Newmar or even Winnebago quality but at this age, any coach that has had good care can be a decent buy.
Thanks in advance for any and all comments!

JoeandMarcia · 03-21-2010, 02:53 PM

We have a 1999 Santara, 37' we went full time in it in 2007 and enjoyed the Santara with very few problems. We bought a Newmar in Feb to replace the Santara because we messed up and took the Santara to the wrong shopS to have the rubber roof replaced because I hit a tree branch.

Nick-B · 03-21-2010, 09:25 PM

Joe & Marcia - Thanks for your response. Yeah, I noticed this Santara has a rubber roof too. Like anything else, there are good and bad aspects to it. The Newmar coaches are what I dream of but too pricey for my wallet.

Anyone else have other comments on Coachmen motorhomes and the Santara in particular?

Our first look at this MH was brief (about 45 mins.) so I really need to go back and do a closer inspection - run the fridge, generator, A/Cs etc. and do a test drive but so far this is the best coach I have found in our modest price range (<$20K).

doc · 03-22-2010, 08:37 AM

We had a Santara with the Cummins. I believe it was a 94 (CRS moment) This was our first coach. It did not have a lot of storage and certainly not a lot of power, but it was a great coach for a beginning. We had as much fun in that coach as those who drive the high dollar coaches. We had no leaks, but did find one small area about the size of a dinner plate near the refrigerator access on the outside.

Nick-B · 03-22-2010, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the comments, DOC.

So far it sounds like the Santara is a decent coach and nothing to shy away from.

If I end up buying this one maybe I could repaint it like the one in your avatar pic!

RVee'r · 03-22-2010, 04:46 PM

Hey Nick,

Being in the budget end of RV'ing myself, here's how I see it. Most important is the drive train (engine, trans, rear axle, brakes, TIRES, etc). These are most important because they will get you where you are going and back again. Next is the coach (house) part; the roof exterior, windows, doors, etc. You want the roof to be watertight because leaks can cost big bucks if left unrepaired, doors/windows/sides for appearance and security sake. Lastly would be systems, fridge, furnace, water, stove, converter, A/C, etc. None of which would (hopefully) ruin a trip, worst case is make it less convenient or comfortable. Things you could get by without, for a time. So, I would worry about things in that order.

You can count on things needing attention & maintenance. It's part of RVing; even the newest rigs have issues with slides, brakes, leaks, etc. Just check all the posts

Enjoy... that rig looks sweet to me.
Bob

Nick-B · 03-23-2010, 02:38 PM

Hey Bob, you make some good points that I totally agree with.

Like I said, I still need to do a more complete inspection of that motorhome, but if nothing bad shows up I will likely buy it. If so, look for a "New Owner" post from me.

I like your Fleetwood 'C'. We had a 24' Fleetwood Jamboree a few years back and did a fabulous "coast-to-coast" family trip in it. It was more memorable in that we arrived on the East Coast (Buffalo, NY) on 9/11 - Yes, THAT 9/11.

Easyrider · 03-24-2010, 05:05 PM

My father and I both owned Coachman class C motorhomes. His was a Ford and mine a Chevy. We both liked both of the rigs and never had any serious problems with either one. I would buy another if the right rig came along at the right time.