Opinions on Newmar Dutch Star

You have heard of Newmar haven't you?

Reputation of Newmar, Spartan, Cummins and Allison are all excellent. At this point with any coach that old, it is more about condition and how it was maintained. If it is in good condition, there is evidence of proper maintenance over the years, and it meets your needs, it might be a great coach for you. I would think you could get it for a great price.

Check tire age, batteries. RV tires age out before they wear out. Most folks will want to replace motorhome tires that are 7 or so years old.

Even though Newmar coaches were made well and had good bones, all the appliances (TV's, fridge, AC units, water heater, furnace) wear out with use. If they full timed, all of the systems got a work out so make sure you consider the cost of replacing things that just wear out. A motorhome is just like a house....something always needs fixing.

FULL time use for 18 years is BAD, regardless of mileage, That type RV is almost worthless as far as a fair resale value. The chassis is extremely worn and the Interior Coach RV systems are probably ALL worn out. Think about it. You buy a 18 year old house. Do you not think most of the interior and appliances and roof and such would need to be replaced because they are all at their end of service life cycles. RV's are NOT designed for full time use. While you can use them for that, they are not designed for it. As Winnebago's older owners manual stated "This is a Recreational Vehicle, and not designed for 24/7-365 use. Systems are designed for recreational use". So, I would take what value it has and drop it over 50 percent. Just because it is a 1 owner does not mean that it is not worn out. The fact that they drove over 10k a year shows the wear and tear from being on the road. Doug

dougrainer wrote:
FULL time use for 18 years is BAD, regardless of mileage, That type RV is almost worthless as far as a fair resale value. The chassis is extremely worn and the Interior Coach RV systems are probably ALL worn out. Think about it. You buy a 18 year old house. Do you not think most of the interior and appliances and roof and such would need to be replaced because they are all at their end of service life cycles. RV's are NOT designed for full time use. While you can use them for that, they are not designed for it. As Winnebago's older owners manual stated "This is a Recreational Vehicle, and not designed for 24/7-365 use. Systems are designed for recreational use". So, I would take what value it has and drop it over 50 percent. Just because it is a 1 owner does not mean that it is not worn out. The fact that they drove over 10k a year shows the wear and tear from being on the road. Doug

X2 X3 and X4. My home is now 18 years old and has much more sq ft., than an RV. Many things are getting worn out. This house sits on a slab foundation too, not tires, shocks, etc. Full time use.

Unless those people were absolute perfectionists and have literally changed out a plethora of stuff and have a huge envelope full of receipts to prove it, I'd walk. Remember shocks, suspension, airbags, etc. Even then be careful.

Seriously I'd probably walk anyway.

rowekmr wrote:
...have continually started it and operated its systems.
How are Spartan chassis? What about the reputation of the Cummins/Allison combo?...

Spartan, Cummins and Allison are tops. However, he did more harm than good by just starting it. If you start a diesel it needs to be taken out and driven...it will never even get warm at an idle.

Bottom line...too old and too many miles. The miles are okay for the engine/trans, but too many for the coach.

I don't know why the problem buying an old coach if it been looked after, most were better built than the new stuff today, I wouldn't think twice about heading out in mine to anywhere and it's even older and lived in quite a bit but also like those people I keep on top of it.Like your new house you won't find fridge's and such lasting 20 yrs but there are older stuff still out there lasting a lot longer, Me I would check it over and buy it, I don't have half a million to buy a new one either. Just my thoughts.

I agree 100% with what Doug says.

crasster wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
FULL time use for 18 years is BAD, regardless of mileage, That type RV is almost worthless as far as a fair resale value. The chassis is extremely worn and the Interior Coach RV systems are probably ALL worn out. Think about it. You buy a 18 year old house. Do you not think most of the interior and appliances and roof and such would need to be replaced because they are all at their end of service life cycles. RV's are NOT designed for full time use. While you can use them for that, they are not designed for it. As Winnebago's older owners manual stated "This is a Recreational Vehicle, and not designed for 24/7-365 use. Systems are designed for recreational use". So, I would take what value it has and drop it over 50 percent. Just because it is a 1 owner does not mean that it is not worn out. The fact that they drove over 10k a year shows the wear and tear from being on the road. Doug

X2 X3 and X4. My home is now 18 years old and has much more sq ft., than an RV. Many things are getting worn out. This house sits on a slab foundation too, not tires, shocks, etc. Full time use.

Unless those people were absolute perfectionists and have literally changed out a plethora of stuff and have a huge envelope full of receipts to prove it, I'd walk. Remember shocks, suspension, airbags, etc. Even then be careful.

Seriously I'd probably walk anyway.

I rarely agree with a certain poster and this is another example.

There is not enough information posted to make the statements being made. Other than its age, there is really nothing here to go on.

We have a 17 yr old coach and have been full-time 6 yrs. There is nothing wrong with our carpet, frig, stove, water heater, etc. It depends on if you do regular maintenance and fix the small things when they happen. We are never concerned if we will make it to our destination, and in the 7 yrs we have owned the coach have never had a break down. These older ones are built much much better than the newer ones. I'd consider it seriously, but have it inspected and checked over by a professional. Just because it's new doesn't mean trouble free, sorry to say - they have more problems than we do.

doxiemom11 wrote:
We have a 17 yr old coach and have been full-time 6 yrs. There is nothing wrong with our carpet, frig, stove, water heater, etc. It depends on if you do regular maintenance and fix the small things when they happen. We are never concerned if we will make it to our destination, and in the 7 yrs we have owned the coach have never had a break down. These older ones are built much much better than the newer ones. I'd consider it seriously, but have it inspected and checked over by a professional. Just because it's new doesn't mean trouble free, sorry to say - they have more problems than we do.

I have been in the RV Service business (still active) for 38 years. IN the RV business for 44 years. We SOLD Newmar from 1993 to 2008. MY statement is based on MY seeing what older RV's are and have to be done to keep them going. As to the statement "Older RV's were built better". NO WAY. They have all been built about the same for at least 25 years. People get emotional when it comes to THEIR RV's. When they take their beloved RV in to trade, they just cannot believe how their beautiful, well maintained RV could be worth so little. Then they try to sell themselves and are shocked at how little that baby is worth. yes, a new RV will have problems, NEW houses have problems. But, if you are looking at used, you need to stay under the 5 to 8 years to buy. IF you are capable of doing all the repairs, then purchase a 18 year old 150k motorhome. But, the fact the OP is asking the question shows he is not capable of doing all the repairs that will need to be done. I would buy that RV, but NOT for anything close to what the seller is probably asking. Hopefully the OP will report back with an asking price. Doug

PS, you REALLY think you would be happy in a 18 year old house with 18 year old carpet??????????????????