Two Jayhawks wrote:
. . . Maybe you should share what coach you are looking at and let others weigh in on other aspects that are important also.
I didn't want to say what coach it was, because I wanted feedback on the C12, not other aspects of the coach. I didn't want to highjack my own thread. :)
Given the small number of responses, I suppose the C12 is not a terribly common engine in RVs. Seems like most mentions of it came from owners of Safaris or Beavers, both here and in the extensive internet searching I've done.
Ivylog -- Mileage can matter at lot. In my searching, I came across several people reporting mileage in the neighborhood of 5 mpg. I think those may have been post-EPA changes C12s. The owner of the coach we're considering says he gets 10+ mpg. (I should note that he claims that mileage on the "flat and level" and he makes no mention of his speed.)
The the fuel cost difference between 5 mpg and 10 mpg over 7500 miles per year times 5 or 10 years would be considerable. The other coach high on our list will return 7.5 to 8 mpg. Since it is a close decision on which one we like best, a significant difference in operating costs over the time we expect to use it could be the deciding factor.
BTW, the coach we're considering is a 1999 Safari Continental 425 Panther. I do worry a bit about the age of the coach, not so much regarding the running gear, but with respect to the house and its mechanical systems.
Wayne
