BAC Forum
General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kevin Patchen on August 10, 2020, 11:12:28 PM
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All
My wife and I have owned our 2008 Beaver Patriot Thunder 40' with tag has all the bells and whistles just missing a few things. We've put 40 thousand mile on it and have enjoyed it completely, we started 2 years ago as full time RV's. We go back and forth saying we want to buy a new Newmar Mountain Air 45'. Do you think I should continue to dump money into our older coach or buy a 2018 or 2019 coach. Let me know you opinion.???
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How can I say this diplomatically; You're gonna take a bath either way, so do what you want, not what some number cruncher says. Life is short, a 45' coach may be just what your heart desires. At this stage in life, lead with your heart!!
Enjoy and let us know what you decide! Once you make the decision, either way, you will feel better!!
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I am not a number cruncher, but I would look at repair bills versus depreciation. How much will.the new coach depreciate in the first year? Others might chime in about how they now enjoy their new coach now that they have had it on the road for awhile. We have had a few friends say they wish they had kept the old Beaver.
Roy Warren
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Kevin,
I pretty much agree with Bill. From a more critical standpoint, as Roy noted, the depreciation on the Newmar will be significant. Insurance costs will be considerably higher. You'll have to start at the bottom of the learning curve again. (Not sure what type of or the quality of any Newmar owners forum). The Mountainaire is a beautiful coach with a great layout IMHO. But it doesn't seem to have the cabinetry quality of the Beaver. You'll switch from a CAT C13 525 HP to a Cummins 500 HP engine. While I know next to nothing about the Cummins units, the C13 is based on the C12 and reportably a very trouble-free OTR engine. If your Beaver has been basically trouble free and you enjoy it, consider keeping something you know. You can always sell it if it starts costing you repair $. As an 08, it has passed its significant depreciation period so a few years won't make a lot of difference financially.
Steve
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Hello Kevin,
Having made the commitment to full timing, I understand the desire to want to move into something new and exciting with all the current technology. From a former luxury coach technician point of view here are a few considerations. I think you understand it is not an investment but a lifestyle. I am not sure how old you and your bride are, and how graceful you can embrace learning all that Newmar has to offer. The biggest issue you will face is getting all the bugs out of it. The selling dealer doesn't mind fixing your punch list because they made the deal and the profit. It is not unusual for you to have a 60 to 80 item punch list from your maiden voyage. Most dealers won't let you stay in the coach while it is being repaired, so ask them up front how they address that. Other Newmar dealers along your travels may not be so kind. They will honor your warranty needs but their customers always come first. The technicians are the guys who take a beating doing warranty repairs because of all the hoops they have to jump thru and the manufacturer wants you to fix it at the rate they are willing to pay. The first year will be fun and aggravating at the same time. Happy Trails what ever your decision. Fred
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The OP said he was looking at coaches from 2018-2019, so depreciation should have taken its biggest hit already on a 2-3 year old coach (Smart!). Also, most bugs should have gone thru the warranty process in those first few years.
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Bill, You are correct, I incorrectly read his post, I thought he was looking to buy a new coach. Fred
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Another thing you might want to research is that Winnebago is buying Newmar, so what will happen to Newmars support channel and warranty. I have heard stories for and against Winnebago, never had any dealings with them.
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All
My wife and I have owned our 2008 Beaver Patriot Thunder 40' with tag has all the bells and whistles just missing a few things.
Kevin, is your Cat C13 the one with the ARD head and DPF (engine serial starting with "LEE")? If it is, I would recommend selling now before the ARD head fails (and/or any of the other issues/failures of the emissions on this engine). If your Coach has the older C13 (KCB serial) then it is one of the best.
Note that even though the "LEE" engines came out in 2006 many Coaches (2006-2008 model year) were still getting the pre-2006 engine. So don't go by Coach year alone.