rfsod48 Report post Posted March 26, 2017 As many of you know I am in the process of finding and purchasing a new to me motorhome. I have narrowed down my choice to a Newmar Dutch Star or Newmar Mountain Aire, both of which have the floor plan we want. A question comes to mind, I am looking at 2006 or 2007 models which satisfy our wants and have an engine without all of the pollution devices added on. We are 69 years old and hope to do this for several more years. As you may remember we have a disabled son who lives with us and an older married son. My older son will use the mh now and take it over when we are done. I anticipate that will be 10 years from now or so which would make the mh 20 years old, at that point he would probably be stuck with having to get a newer unit from the 2017 or 2018 class. I maintain my coachs to the letter but can't imagine a 20 year old coach not needing a lot of work. What are your thoughts on this, would this be a reason to consider something newer now? Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 26, 2017 Roland. Stay with what you and DW want now! It's your life, future and trip...in due time your son's will find their own future and trips! Besides, you will probably downsize, long before you look at roots from the underside! Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 26, 2017 Always the sage! Thanks Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blakeloke Report post Posted March 26, 2017 Roland, You pose a good question and will probably get some sage advice from others here. My take is that with constant care, maintenance and updating a coach in the class you are looking at should last a long time. We bought our coach new 12 years ago and it is actually in better condition now than it was the day we bought it. Of course, like our home, we are always working on it and fixing things when it breaks or needs minor maintenance. With a rolling home.....things just break more often than our stationary home. Most recently we have new engineered wood flooring to replace worn carpet and broken tiles, residential refrigerator and have had the seats and sofas reupholstered. We have a couple of windows that are fogged up. The replacement glass is waiting for us at RV Fog DR so the next time we are up in Searcy AR will have them replace those for us. Repairs and updates can be major or minor......just keep after them. I get caught up with the newer bigger coaches with features we don't currently have. But get a dose of reality when looking at $$$'s. So, I'm sure our coach would last us another 12 years if we keep it. Blake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks Blake, That dose of reality is a big factor! Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Roland, It is easy to sit back and give advice. I am going to back up what Carl and Black said. If you take care of your coach it will outlast you. GET WHAT YOU WANT. Let the kids trade it on what they want when the time comes. Well better advise is get one the wife likes. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks Bill, In the end I guess it has to be what my wife and I want, the older well taken care of coach has what we want and is at a price that is much more doable. Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Roland, Blake hit the nail on the head! Great advice!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Roland witch of the 2 ? Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Carl, We are in the process of making our current coach ready for sale. I like both the Mountain Aire and Dutch Star, when our coach is sold we will see what is available. Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Roland, on any older coach, the roof is the major concern. Which one of the two has the best roof on it now if everything else in within your desires, would be my choice. After purchase, the roof remains of the utmost of my concerns. Water damage to the inside of the coach is one of the hardest to deal with now and in the future. Of course everything else on the check list is of utmost concern also, they must all be kept up, but the roof is still #1 on my list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 27, 2017 I believe that both units have a fiberglass one piece roof. Right now there are 7 units for sale in the model we like and according to Newmar dealer in our area the next 2 months should bring several more. Just won't give enough for my trade so I am going to sell it. I plan to price it around $58,000.00 to leave a little room for negotiations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Fiberglass is certainly better than rubber as far as I am concerned, but fiberglass can have issues also. For that reason, a roof inspection would be on my list to help decide which coach to purchase. Inspection of roof includes caulking, no dry or peeling of same, paying special attention to any and all protrusions through the roof, as well as looking for possible repairs. Check the inside for any discoloration of the ceiling material around all of the same. I had a friend that owned a Mountainaire, that was a fine coach with few miles on it before he passed away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 27, 2017 Thank you to all who have helped to educate me and helped me make a better choice. As Blake said, the glamour of new is attractive but not made the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Roland, walk the roof of the Newmar (and for that matter any coach and look at) for soft spots. If the interior has a vinyl ceiling water damage can be hard to spot. Newmar uses or used a proprietary roof compound that was fiberglass and Kevlar layers that is bonded somehow....anyway we looked at a few while we were shopping and two had problems with the bonding separating. The roof has soft spots and if you stood on the ladder and looked down toward the front of the coach it was wavy. I have no idea how it happened but it was a concern, I called Newmar inquiring about it since we loved the unit so much. It was a 2003 Dutch Star and they were aware of the problem and told me the roof needed to be replaced, they have a staff that was familiar with the concern and could fix it for $12,000 if we brought the coach to them in Indiana. While the dealer knocked $30,000 off the selling price we decided to walk from it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Thanks Joe, depending where I buy I am going to try to get someone to help with the inspection, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indyspecracer Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Roland, I just purchased a 2007 Mountain Aire 4528. Make sure you look at the engine, chassis and transmission changes between 2006 and 2007. 2007 was an upgrade year and comfort drive was also introduced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Indy, Is your coach a 2006 engine without DPF? Did you purchase from dealer or private seller? Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 28, 2017 2 minutes ago, rfsod48 said: Thanks Joe, depending where I buy I am going to try to get someone to help with the inspection, good idea!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Is there a list or video giving ideas for mh inspection before purchase? Not being a mechanic I am not well versed in such things, I have learned much from the forum but still not qualified. I have very little faith in dealers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Roland, do a web search for RV inspection video. A few popped up that could give you a baseline on what's covered. Having little faith in dealers IS A GOOD THOUGHT! While I want to believe there are some good ones out there somewhere when you do a lot of reading it tells a different story. Coming from the automobile business I can remember recommending work to a used car manager, critical items long past due for maintenance and them telling me only do the minimum. I'm certain its the same other than I believe the mechanic's probably miss 50% of it on top of what's declined by management. Technician quality has severely dropped in the last 10 years. One thing to remember about sales people, (speaking from experience) 50% have no idea what they are selling (in detail) and the vast majority of them are good talkers not product specialists. I actually sold cars for two years, I was the only guy that read our Source books front to back, I wanted the knowledge so when asked I didn't feel lost, or worse the customer knew more than me would be an embarrassment. We joked about it when I worked for a national truck leasing co....he scooped ice cream yesterday, sells Freightliner tractors today, if you ever were on the other side of the fence and had an opportunity to speak to them with their sales hat off....well lets just say they probably couldn't scoop ice cream very well either....... its scary. I am sure there are good ones, but they are far and few between, they just want you in something, not what you want or need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indyspecracer Report post Posted March 28, 2017 59 minutes ago, rfsod48 said: Indy, Is your coach a 2006 engine without DPF? Did you purchase from dealer or private seller? Roland My coach is a 2007 and does not have a DPF, chassis may well have been produced in 2006. It is built on a Spartan K2, Cummins ISM 450 that is software upgradeable to 500 with 1550 lb ft of torque also has comfort steer. Based on my research and my needs, 2007 was the absolute sweet spot. The 2008's have frameless windows, but that is about the only difference besides less depreciation. Mine was a private sale, I had the coach in dependently inspected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 2005 - 2007 is the time frame I am looking at. We are looking for bath and 1/2 with king bed and dish washer for the boss. Really would like to find one close to Michigan but would travel if I had to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indyspecracer Report post Posted March 28, 2017 You should check out the 4528 floor plan. It is a split bath and a half. The full bath is behind the bedroom, half bath between the kitchen and bedroom. The Essex has the identical floor plan in a 4508. I decided against the Essex because of the Eplex system which is dated and will require updating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 My older son brought to my attention a new 2017 HR Endevor at our local dealer that he really likes, I know it isn't what we have been talking about. I have made him aware that not apples to apples with older Newmar but he is willing to add a significant down payment if we go this way. Model is HR Endevor 40E. Am I crazy! Roland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
