Help deciding between 2 motorhomes

[Plumber101010]

New to RVing. First time buyer. Choosing between 2 diesel pushers.

2002 Newmar Dutchstar. 52,000 miles. 40 ft $65k out the door. 2 slides. Upgraded with wood floors and new tile in kitchen. LOTS storage in and out. Newmar has an impeccable name hard to ignore. 350 cat. Freight liner chassis.

2003 Fleetwood Excursion 46,000 miles 38 ft. $56k out the door. 2 slides, Price including ripping up old carpet and installing wood floors. Brand new fridge. 330 cat. Freight liner chassis.

I am TORN. So far my research says Newmar all the way for quality. Fleetwood iffy at best. Both units in top shape. Excellent condition. Like the extra slide depth on excursion, it goes WAY out and opens up the floor plan. Also, Really, really really want a king size bed and the Excursions slide out wide enough to accommodate. The Dutchstar slide out not an inch to spare so no go.

Any opinions?

[Mr_Mark1]

Plumber, thank you for the pic links. First, both look very clean in the pics. I can tell you right now I like the Newmar better for the pass-through storage alone. I don't care for the bay storage bays that come out with the slide like on the Fleetwood.

We rented a 2005 Fleetwood Expedition (in 2005) and damaged a bay door (slight minor dent) as the bay door hit the water spigot and broke it. My co-pilot didn't notice the bay storage sliding out with the living room slide. Also, the Newmar will have pass-through storage whereas the sliding bay compartments don't allow that.

I'm leaning towards the Newmar for sure. Also, it looks like the Newmar has the newer TV's.

MM.

[Plumber101010]

Well again. I have researched enough to know these are not soaker prices. Yes, I have seen MANY that were cheaper AND with less miles. In ARIZONA or TEXAS or wherever. I live in SC. It costs MONEY to travel and see those units. Just the truth. I may not leave saying "wow, what a deal I got". But, I won't leave either spewing "man, they STUCK IT TO ME". These prices are "ok" prices and I'm "ok" with that. Knowing these guys will be with me for life (not just sales talk, they really will) is worth a premium to me. Everyone has a better and a cheaper coach somewhere OTHER than where I live, and then You get there and it's NOT what you thought. And private parties don't go through the thing from bumper to bumper fixing and checking the entire coach out either. Cheaper? Maybe. Better? I personally don't think so 🙂

[mockturtle]

My two cents worth: If you can't choose between them, you probably haven't found the right one yet. You will know when it happens. BTDT several times.

[cbigham]

Everyone has their own methods, price and tolerance for the negotiation game. To each his own, but keep in mind, some of the highest dollar per hour labor you will ever do is in negotiations. You might take a look at nada for these models and get a better feel for the spread.

Good luck

[mike_brez]

Excursion

Dutch Star

[Valkyriebush]

My Excursion has served me very well in the 11 years I've owned it. Good price.

[Plumber101010]

Well, that I know. But I don't have what it takes to chase. Too much work. Plus, this dealer gives WORLD CLASS SERVICE like I have NEVER seen, I mean that. Never will you see people go out of their way to please more than these guys. This comes from hands on. I feel more comfortable knowing I can call them a year from now knowing they will spend 30 mins on the phone with me trying to help. They are that kind of good. That helps when you're new to all this. Yes I could get cheaper and maybe better, but I'd have to travel all over the dang US to do it and I put a price to that search.

[cbigham]

Seen many high mileage Fleetwoods. Reroof when needed is 5-7k. (Been there) so subtract that from your numar price or add it to your fleetwood.Side radiator is nice if offered..

Me- not option 1, or 2, but three. I'd not be wedded to this deal and this dealer now. Patience. You can find bother coaches cheaper if patient private party, or possibly grind for a better deal. That's just me, but I mostly negotiate from a strength of knowledge that there's more out there. (And there are)

Good luck, enjoy the chase.

[Plumber101010]

I have already been approved so all I need to do is pick one out first thing in the AM. 85% chance will get the Newmar and skip on the king size bed. I just think there is such a diff in quality between these two it's a no brainier, but than again, I am a newbie and have no brains when it comes to used RVs. Just research, no hands on. Even though the fleetwood is one year newer and has 6000 less miles and is $9,000 cheaper and has king size bed and its wider and it's....HMMMMM,, talking myself into it AGAIN.

[Plumber101010]

Excursion
http://www.palmettorv.com/used-2003-fleetwood-excursion-39s-diesel-price-drop-free-koa-camping-driving-school-charleston-sc_vid_2575673.html

Dutchstar
http://www.palmettorv.com/used-2002-newmar-dutchstar-4094-full-body-paint-diesel-charleston-sc_vid_2674353.html

[ncrowley]

I would go for the Newmar.

[Mr_Mark1]

First, I would pick the one with a fiberglass roof and a side radiator like mentioned above. Secondly, the condition of the coach would make me lean one way or the other for the one in better condition.

You know, a queen bed is not that much smaller than a king. If you need your space, putting pillows between you and your significant other will make a big difference (as they say, never mix love with sleep).

Do you have links to the coaches so that we can see what you are looking at?

Mark

[Plumber101010]

So one for Newmar. One for fleetwood. And others for, well depending on options, not brand.

So, split right down the middle?? I AM ALREADY SPLIT. Didn't help YET 🙂 keep the replies coming. We have thousands of members. Need that many replies 🙂

[mike_brez]

I would get the one with the side radiator.

[Plumber101010]

It's VERY hard for me. Come tomorrow am I have to decide. Guess the thing is this. I have to assume that any quirks with the excursion or inferior work has been fixed or repaired by now, so should be good to go, is that safe thinking? Conversely, if the Dutchstar is a much superior unit, doesn't this mean LESS ISSUES with problems arising while on the road?