Newmar Dutch Star v Entegra Aspire v Forest River Charleston

wnytaxman wrote:
For us the issues with Tiffin and the need (desire?) of many Tiffin owners to seem to have to visit the factory in Alabama for repairs turns us away from considering a Tiffin.

This is a very bizarre statement. What is bad about owners wanting to visit the factory for repairs? You don't HAVE to visit the factory for repairs. I have owned a Tiffin since 2008 and I have never gone to the factory. But, I sure would like to one day! All of my repairs were paid for by Tiffin. Even though I was long out of warranty on a few of them. Just things that went bad, so they sent me a new one. No charge. And I could install the items myself, or Tiffin would pay anybody I wanted to install them. I did not have to go to a Tiffin dealer. And everybody I spoke with loved doing Tiffin warranty work. They were paid a fair price and they were paid within a week of submitting the invoice.

For me, when I upgrade, it will be a Newmar (because of CD) or a Tiffin. Probably an Allegro Bus. But, I doubt I will get a new one. I will look for a really nice used one. And then go visit the factory in Alabama for repairs! ;)

Add the Tiffin Allegro Bus to your list and drop the Charleston. You will be comparing the top three manufacturers in that price range if you do that. BTW, Tiffin sells more Allegro Buses than the other two combined.

Well, I continue to look and I keep finding myself coming back to the Newmar Dutch Star. That coach would leave me feeling like I made no compromises, and I think it is a good value. I'm probably still 9 to 12 months away from making a deal, so hopefully I'll be making a deal on a leftover 2016 when the time comes. At that time I may still consider a Ventana.

DSDP Don wrote:
I will tell you that when you test drive the Newmar with Comfort Drive, it definitely will not blow your skirt up and many may not even feel the difference. It's not until you've driven all day that you realize the value of Comfort Drive. Suddenly, you realize that you're not exhausted.

Exactly.

Were were fortunate, I'd say, when we test drove CD for the first time. It was '07 and the dealer had (2) otherwise identical units in stock, (1) an '07 without it, (1) an '08 with it, and it was a very gusty, windy day. The '07 was very nice to drive, much like the '03 we owned at the time. The '08 was :E better that day. We ordered one.

When it came in we drove our '03 the 3 hours to the dealer and picked up the new one. On the way home I wasn't getting the same warm and fuzzy we did on the test drive. I actually started to question myself.

About 2,000 miles later it hit me, I needed to, and had, "unlearned" all my old driving practices and started to trust that CD really was that good.

30,000+ miles later I can safely say Comfort Drive IS a game changer and something I never want to be without. It really is that good.

You should do yourself a favor and look at the American Coach line, Revolution LE or Tradition.

Definitely get a side radiator...less problems...less dirt. We loved our Newmar.

Big Baldy wrote:
Is the side radiator an access issue? I know it is preferred, but I'm not sure of the reasoning. I'm trying to decide if the $50k price difference is justified.

The side radiator is not in the way to access the engine for maintenance, etc. That is the main benefit.

I will tell you that when you test drive the Newmar with Comfort Drive, it definitely will not blow your skirt up and many may not even feel the difference. It's not until you've driven all day that you realize the value of Comfort Drive. Suddenly, you realize that you're not exhausted.

We were about to sign the papers on a Ventana, when I decided, why am I compromising on what may be our last coach. There were some things I really wanted. Those included side radiator since I do my own maintenance, IFS, I wanted a tag in a 40', power bay locks, Oasis Hydronic heating and a few other items that separate the two. We got up from the sales desk, walked outside and selected between the two identical Dutch Stars (different paint jobs) and drove it home.

Just so you know, the Ventana comes with the ISL 400 in a rear radiator. The Dutch Star comes with a ISL 450 in a side radiator, but some of that extra horse power is used to turn the side radiator fan drive. I'm guessing in a drag race, it would be pretty even.

We are always looking at something bigger and better even though we are not planning to upgrade just yet. It is nice to hear everyone's thoughts on the coaches.

It seems that 2016 models have a lot of new things in the Newmar Dutch Star. Love the idea of all tile on the slides and the slides flush with the main flooring.

However, we like the Entegra 600HP and the Spartan chassis better. As a former OTR trucker, it is nice to have the power if needed! The Entegra floor plan fits our needs better and seems to be roomier.

We also have millionaire's taste on a pauper's pocketbook!

The 2015 Ventana and Ventana LE do indeed have a smaller engine than the Dutchstar, but they do have the independent front suspension and the Comfort Drive. Our 2013 does not, but the newer ones do.

Ed Headington