Do you all have any sense as to quality, dependability, customer service as it relates to these two used coaches? I’m too far away from retirement and really being able to use a higher end and or new coach but realized one option might be to pick up a very clean used diesel coach in the 37-39 foot class for $60-80k. While not a drop in the bucket, not 250-300k either. On the surface, I like both but wonder what your thoughts are. Have located one of each nearby, both in excellent condition and priced similarly.Or, is there a different coach in a similar price range that is distinctly better?

Not sure about the reliability and quality of one compared to the other. Just be aware that 2003-2008 coaches are at risk for paint checking - a condition for which nothing can be done without great expense.

You are comparing Chevy(Bounder) to a Buick/Oldsmobile(KS). Doug

Newmar is a very well built quality Class A MH.

IMO, they both hit the mark of what the manufactures were trying to achieve within their line ups. Assuming by your statement, that you were referring to DP's?For Fleetwood, this was their entry level DP. Typically had a smaller Cummins engine in it. For Newmar, this was I believe also their entry level DP (Could be wrong on this, but believe it was slotted below the Dutch Star DP's(?).). In some years it could be found with a Spartan Mountain Master chassis, and the ISL.I would rate the Kountry Star a notch above the Bounder in quality and components. Here is an example of one Kountry Star in the range you mentioned. https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2006-Newmar-KOUNTRY-STAR-3910-5000406192As I read your post. This would be a go use it now coach, and then closer to retirement, you might be buying a retirement rig(?). I think your logic is sound, and probably either one of these units would do what you wanted them to do. Layout and condition in relation to price, would be the main deciding factor. Another consideration, is to stay within your budget and drop years and purchase a higher up the food chain coach. Say in the 2000-2005 range. Best of luck on your decision,Smitty

Bounder vs kountry Star, 05-08 vintage | Good Sam Community

Smitty77
Explorer
Jan 30, 2018
Bruce Brown wrote:
fuzzyface wrote:
My wife and I have owned 2 diesel MHs....First one was a Bounder 39Z, the second (and current) one is a Kountry Star 3916. No contest....pick the Kountry Star. While we loved our Bounder, the Kountry Star is much higher build quality than the Bounder. Examples: side radiator, hung wall construction (no delamination), more solid cabinetry, slide mechanism is more robust.

I would also add full pass through basement, IFS suspension (depending on year), ISL available, Comfort Drive if it's a 2008 or newer, and more.

We're on our 3rd Newmar, if we ever buy again it will be another Newmar. We owned Fleetwoods before going to Newmar but that was a long time ago.

Good point about the Comfort Drive being available in one of these coaches in window of years mentioned. I missed that. And while I did not jump out and say it, I'm always a fan of 'larger is better' when it comes to engines. Not just for the extra power, which could be advantageous for enhanced acceleration if needed. But also because high displacement equates to higher Braking Horsepower, which is a safety edge for mountain driving.

Smitty
tropical36
Explorer
Jan 30, 2018
tealboy wrote:
Do you all have any sense as to quality, dependability, customer service as it relates to these two used coaches? I’m too far away from retirement and really being able to use a higher end and or new coach but realized one option might be to pick up a very clean used diesel coach in the 37-39 foot class for $60-80k. While not a drop in the bucket, not 250-300k either.

On the surface, I like both but wonder what your thoughts are. Have located one of each nearby, both in excellent condition and priced similarly.

Or, is there a different coach in a similar price range that is distinctly better?

After years of researching the best bang for the buck in a DP that would meet our budget and without any real thought of ever buying one, we settled on the Rev in my signature below and once we got the bug for actually pulling the trigger.
You should be able to do the same in an 06, but if an 05, just make sure it's the later LE. If you should go for an 07, just make sure it has an 06 engine. If you look at other brands, then consider a side radiator for comparing apples to apples. Then check the leather inside for comparing oranges to oranges.

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Bounder vs kountry Star, 05-08 vintage

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