We found one we are considering purchasing, but... It's a C7 CAT 350hp, with a Spartan Chassis. 18k miles, always stored inside, supposedly. 40'6", with 2 slides.I have the build sheet from Newmar, and spoke with Spartan to verify the engine.We are going to look at it tomorrow.We plan on doing a pre purchase inspection from Cat.For the Newmar owners out there, anything , other than the normal stuff ( leaks, etc ) we should look for?Also, any thoughts from others would be appreciated.Thanks for your time.Update...So, saw it today. Absolutely pristine. Perfect floorplan for us. The owner ( whos DH just passed ) is still too attached to it, which I completely understand. Unfortunately, she isn't interested in being reasonable on pricing. She is about 25k more than high retail. So, now the Nation wide search begins! :BThanks everyone for your imputSafe travels

I can't think of anything other than nice coach, enjoy. Wait...around that time frame there was the fiberglass spider cracking that just about every builder was somewhat hit by. It was usually the darker colors that saw a lot of sun. With this one being stored inside I'm thinking you should be good. It's not tragic, just something to be aware of. We're on our 3rd Newmar, if we ever buy another MH it will be another Newmar.

Spartan is a good chassis builder, but check out the ball joints as the rubber boots during that era would disintegrate. I had mine replaced recently and it was a $2100 job at the Spartan factory in MI.I have a Cummins in mine, so can't comment about the Cat.Newmars are solid coaches. Best of luck to you.

The 4010 was a popular model. If you're getting a pre-inspection from CAT you should be good to go. Do check the tire dates though. Over 6 years and that might be a bargaining tool. They'll need replacement even if they look good on the outside.Hope it works out for you. We loved our '04 Newmar Dutch Star.

Check the exterior finish. This is in the years that had sidewall checking issues. The individual fibers of fiberglass come to the surfsce. If bad enough it can crack the paint. There is no fix for it short of rrplacing the sidewalls. Very expensive and probably prohibitively expensive. It's an appearance issue. If maintained and taken care of this should be a very fine motor home.

Thought the paint checking was on the Monacos and Country Coaches from 2004 to 2006. That was the Owens Corning issue they had. Didn't think it was in the Newmars though, but will definitely check it out. This is a light colored coach too, so if there is any, shouldn't be too bad, but we'll see.Looking for for the CAT huei ( fuel pump ), fan bearing, turbo charger, premature injection failure, not to be confused with the other premature scenario..:BThanks!

2005 Newmar Dutch Star 4010- Update | Good Sam Community

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jun 10, 2016
I agree our Cat was faster off the line, but after a few hundred feet (if that) our Cummins is in another league. And I drive a lot more road miles than I do stop light to stop light.

The Cat certainly did everything well, the Cummins just seems to do it easier - and it should. More cubes, more HP and more torque should = more performance.

When we ordered our '03 the Cummins ISB (300/660) was the standard engine, we opted for the bigger Cat - same reason, more is better when it comes to MH HP.

The brand isn't the difference IMO as they're both top notch units, the HP and torque are.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
Bruce Brown wrote:
RayChez wrote:
Wow, that is low miles for an eleven year old coach. The engine is not even broken in. It takes about 60K before a Cat engine breaks in.

Cat or Cummins should not be a deal breaker. Maybe an excuse only?

While I'd agree not a deal breaker, the specs on the Cummins are better - I think.

The Cat I expect would be the 350/860 motor where the Cummins of that vintage would be 370/1050, maybe even 1200 on the torque.

We owned a 330/860 Cat and it worked very well. We now own a 400/1200 Cummins and it's just sooo much more fun to drive with the added power.

For me it wouldn't be a deal breaker, but I'd sure pony up a few extra $$$ for the bigger engine.

Exactly the way we feel. Would offer her 3k more if it had the Cummins 370. There is no " excuse ". We are not going to overpay 20k for the coach. What we offered is MORE than fair, since we offered quite a bit over high retail.
Would be more than happy for you, Ray, to graciously gift us the additional funds to give her.:B
siggyd777
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
X2 to what "imgoin4it" said, my my 2005 C7 Cat 330 was also way faster
"off the line".
Siggy
Shot-N-Az
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
They will eventually come to the conclusion that they are overpriced. Stay engaged with them if you really like the coach.
imgoin4it
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
I had a cat 330 hp engine in a 39 foot winnebago. Now have a Cummins 400 in our current 39 foot coach. The cat was quicker "off the line" with very little or no turbo lag. The lag on the Cummins was tough to get used to. I would get 8 mpg, sometimes 9 and less frequently even 10mpg with the cat. Now with the Cummins I get 7 to 7.2 mpg. Seldom varies. I have never thought I went up any hill faster with the 400 Cummins than I did with the 330 cat, but I do go up the hill in a higher gear, just not faster. I like my cummins, but liked the cat, and some things about it better,as well. I would never buy a motor home based solely on a few cubic inches and manufacturer. The biggie is floor plan and coach manufacturer.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jun 10, 2016
RayChez wrote:
Wow, that is low miles for an eleven year old coach. The engine is not even broken in. It takes about 60K before a Cat engine breaks in.

Cat or Cummins should not be a deal breaker. Maybe an excuse only?

While I'd agree not a deal breaker, the specs on the Cummins are better - I think.

The Cat I expect would be the 350/860 motor where the Cummins of that vintage would be 370/1050, maybe even 1200 on the torque.

We owned a 330/860 Cat and it worked very well. We now own a 400/1200 Cummins and it's just sooo much more fun to drive with the added power.

For me it wouldn't be a deal breaker, but I'd sure pony up a few extra $$$ for the bigger engine.
RayChez
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
Wow, that is low miles for an eleven year old coach. The engine is not even broken in. It takes about 60K before a Cat engine breaks in.

Cat or Cummins should not be a deal breaker. Maybe an excuse only?
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
Bruce Brown wrote:
$25k over high retail - yikes! Makes me.wonder if she's that upside down on it. Either way that's a long way from reasonable.

No, actually, it's been paid for, A long time ago. The daughter is the one who is being, let's say, a little difficult. She ( the daughter ) called me back today, and said she talked to her Mom about the price. Mom told me one thing, but the daughter today told me her " new " price, which is still 20k more than we are willing to give her for it, and 7k higher than Mom's. She was kind enough to reduce her price ( daughters ) by 11k.

Guess it's not meant to be. Not really happy with the 350 CAT anyway. If it had the Cummins 370, we would probably increase our offer a little bit.

I'm going to pm you, so you can tell me what you think.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jun 10, 2016
$25k over high retail - yikes! Makes me.wonder if she's that upside down on it. Either way that's a long way from reasonable.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2016
Yes, Newman had issues with paint checking along with many other manufacturers in those years. That is a nice coach. I have the same engine and while it is not a fast accelerator, it is just keeps plugging up the mountains without much complaint.