Pros and Cons

[Rlbbahill]

My wife and I are purchasing our Class A this week. We are choosing between a 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42GD, and a 2014 Entegra Aspire 42DEQ. They both have under 50,000 miles on them, both have tag axles which we love and both are very clean and well maintained. Both have great living areas. We would love peoples input from their experiences as we try and determine which one to buy. Thanks

[Ray,IN]

If you aren't fond of a floorplan now you never will be, other than that I think the Entegra is better quality.

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by Rlbbahill

My wife and I are purchasing our Class A this week. We are choosing between a 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42GD, and a 2014 Entegra Aspire 42DEQ. They both have under 50,000 miles on them, both have tag axles which we love and both are very clean and well maintained. Both have great living areas. We would love peoples input from their experiences as we try and determine which one to buy. Thanks

We at one time looked at those and similar coaches, but not that same floor plan. If I remember, both have the 450hp motor, but the Entegra has a side radiator. Also, we didn't like how the baggage doors were set up on the Winnebago, which is the same as the Itasca. Seems like you had to open two doors to access one space.

[PDR John]

Back when I looked into both coaches, the Entrega had vastly better insulation (in fact they were the top for insulation). But Winnie had a better floor plan.

Ultimately it should come down to which floor plan fits you better. As stated earlier, if you're not happy with it now you will hate it even more after living in it.

[Rlbbahill]

Agreed about the floor plan, we have made that a main focus through this whole process. We like both floor plans, we just wish either had a bath and a half. I was just comparing the two as far as quality. I know Entegra has the better insulation, but I would have to travel down to Dallas TX from Ohio to get it, as where the Itasca is close to home. Now we just had another Itasca Ellipse enter the mix, a 2012 Ellipse but it only has 13,000 miles on it. Too many choices, lol. Which I guess is a good thing.
From everything I am reading the rear radiator placement is not that huge of an issue and actually quiets engine noise out the back.

[TurtleKent]

Where will you get factory service? Both coaches are rear radiator, so those service considerations are the same. The Entegra is on a Spartan chassis, while the Itasca is on a Freightliner. Spartan has long been 'said' to have the superior ride. Factory service for Spartan is in Michigan, while Freightliner factory service is in Gaffney, SC(convenient for driving OH to FL).

Of greater concern for me is chassis rust, a common problem with northern coaches, whereas the Dallas coach likely has never seen road salt. I've had a few used 'northern' coaches, and would never have one again for that very reason.

But hurry, both coaches will likely be gone in 1-2 weeks!

[twogypsies]

The Itasca has a rear radiator & Freightliner chassis; Entegra a side radiator and Spartan chassis which is superior.

The Itasca has a front kitchen and no window along the whole wall. The living room is in the center. That would cut down on your sometimes awesome views (mountains, streams, lakes) from the front window. We even had two moose looking in the window when in Alaska! Neat to watch them.

The Itasca has a wheelbase of 279"; Entegra is 296". A longer wheelbase is better for handling and doing those swinging turns.

The Itasca has an all-in-one bath so not condusive for 2 people using it at same time. The Entegra is a split bath so someone could be using the vanity if other is showering.

The Itasca has 85 gal fresh; 71 gray; 51 black
The Entegra has 80 fresh; 50 grey; 50 black

The Itasca has 40,500 BTU AC
The Entegra has 45,000 BTH AC

Also, compare in person the height of the sliding storage area. It seemed, when looking at the videos, that the Itasca wasn't very high so storing some things or even a large plastic tub might be difficult.

Of course, there could be many extra options on each so that you'd have to compare.

Personally, I'm in favor of the Entegra.

[Rlbbahill]

Thanks Twogypsies, that is great insight!

[Cat320]

If the choice is Entegra and Tiffin, I'd go with Tiffin.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by Rlbbahill

My wife and I are purchasing our Class A this week. We are choosing between a 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42GD, and a 2014 Entegra Aspire 42DEQ. They both have under 50,000 miles on them, both have tag axles which we love and both are very clean and well maintained. Both have great living areas. We would love peoples input from their experiences as we try and determine which one to buy. Thanks

Those are both nice. I like the way the Itasca Ellipse exterior looks. I think it has better lines. But you won’t go wrong. May want to consider things like tires, batteries, hoses and belts, oil change interval records, etc.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

If you aren't fond of a floorplan now you never will be, other than that I think the Entegra is better quality.

I agree!