Monaco Cayman 34' or Newmar Kountry Star 3353, Can't decide

[gschob]

I'm a first time DP buyer and have reduced my search down to two used coaches both of which are 2004 year models. I would welcome the opinion of folks who know more about these manufacturers.

The Newmar 3353 has 2 slides, 62K miles, full body paint, upgraded cherry wood cabinets, new batteries, king dome and two year old tires. The window sticker shows $40K in options for a total sticker price of $182K in 2004. It has a Cummins ISB engine. Overall condition is very good for it's age. Final negotiated price $50K

The Monaco Cayman has 4 slides, 8K miles (Yes only 8K), NO full body paint, 3 point leveling system (instead of 4), 6 new tires, new batteries, all the basic features without a lot of others options. Overall condition is good. Also a Cummins 300 engine, not sure if it's an ISB or C. Final negotiated price $56K

I see the Newmar as the nicer coach all the way around but the 4 slides and low miles are attractive. WHAT WOULD YOU DO??

[PastorCharlie]

Newmar

[Tom_Barb]

2gypsies wrote:
For a 2004 diesel it's better to have more miles on it than the Cayman's 8,000 miles. It's rarely been driven which isn't good for diesels. How many hours on the generator? They should be run under load for at least an hour a month.

We're also prejudiced. 🙂 Choose the Newmar. Our 2004 has 84,000 miles on it.

OLD WIVES TALES

diesel heavy equipment set for years and fire right up and go to work.

My Newmar/cummins 350 sat for 9 years, after a new battery, fuel, and oil change it fire right up and has ran fine for 30,000 miles.

my Onan generator has 48 hours in 14 years, starts and runs great. It has a Kobota diesel in it.

[eheading]

Having owned a Monaco in years past, and now owning a Newmar Ventana, I can definitely say that the engineering is much better in the Newmar. When you get inside it to do any kind of work this quickly becomes apparent. I would definitely choose the Newmar over the Monaco providing all other things are equal.

Ed Headington

[imgoin4it]

For me there would be no question. The Kountry Star is a great coach.

[2gypsies1]

For a 2004 diesel it's better to have more miles on it than the Cayman's 8,000 miles. It's rarely been driven which isn't good for diesels. How many hours on the generator? They should be run under load for at least an hour a month.

We're also prejudiced. 🙂 Choose the Newmar. Our 2004 has 84,000 miles on it.

[DSDP_Don]

We previously had a Monaco Diplomat and loved it. If Monaco was still around and making MONACO coaches, not the new ASV facsimile, we may have bought another Monaco.

With that said....the Cayman on the R4R chassis is a ROUGH riding coach. Our friends have an 07 Cayman and I've adjusted the ride height, put Koni shocks on and adjusted the tire pressure and it STILL rides rough.

[robatthelake]

Newmar!

[Tom_Barb]

gschob wrote:
I'm a first time DP buyer and have reduced my search down to two used coaches both of which are 2004 year models. I would welcome the opinion of folks who know more about these manufacturers.

The Newmar 3353 has 2 slides, 62K miles, full body paint, upgraded cherry wood cabinets, new batteries, king dome and two year old tires. The window sticker shows $40K in options for a total sticker price of $182K in 2004. It has a Cummins ISB engine. Overall condition is very good for it's age. Final negotiated price $50K

The Monaco Cayman has 4 slides, 8K miles (Yes only 8K), NO full body paint, 3 point leveling system (instead of 4), 6 new tires, new batteries, all the basic features without a lot of others options. Overall condition is good. Also a Cummins 300 engine, not sure if it's an ISB or C. Final negotiated price $56K

I see the Newmar as the nicer coach all the way around but the 4 slides and low miles are attractive. WHAT WOULD YOU DO??

Buy the one which is still supported by its manufacturer. (Newmar)

[obgraham]

The Cayman might have only 8k on the chassis, but what about the House side -- did it get a lot of use, or was it park in a shed most of the time? Both rigs are off warranty, of course, but some are more beat up than others.

[lanerd]

Actually, it's the R4R or RR4R chassis and yes the 2004 Cayman does have this chassis. However, this particular mh may already have this problem fixed (most have).

If fixed it will have THIS done to it. If this defect has been fixed, the Monaco is a very good coach and I think I might be more inclined to select it over the Newmar. However, that said, you have to remember that Newmar is still in business and thriving. Monaco on the other hand has been bankrupt and sold twice in the past few years. I would think that you would be better off with the Newmar for service than the Monaco....but maybe not.

Four slides sure open up the inside of a coach...makes a huge difference. You would also have two more slides to have problems with too.

Ron

[John_S_]

Does the cayman have the RR 4 chassis. There are issues with that. I would go with the mounted star. It was the mist gang for the buck in the Newmar lineup.

[Ro646a]

I recently bought the coach in my signature. I was not sure I liked the diesel at first, but after a couple of trips I love it. I paid $60000 for mine with 40000 miles and I would definitely do it again. I have no experience with Monaco, but this is my 2nd Newmar. They make a good product.