How glad we are that we forecast at the beginning: There is neither a "perfect" coach, nor is their one which would be the "right choice" for everyone. What's crucial is to identify the product that will best match one's RVing lifestyle.
With hindsight we're confident we did at least one thing right -- in identifying Alpine, Country Coach and Monaco as the three products we'd focus on. Important to us, each has a manufacturing presence in the Northwest. We found each of these coaches has its own set of advantages. But taken collectively, we now feel they're all "winners". In fact we believe that three different couples going through the process we've just completed might well come to three different conclusions. The tradeoffs between price, layout, owner satisfaction, interior "fit and finish", customer support, and other factors are almost endless.
But now we're at the end of the path, and at some point a decision must be made. We do so with these comments:
To Present and Prospective Alpine Owners: Our past experience as owners of three Western RV products led us to include the new Alpine coach in our final selection process. There's nothing like personal experience to evaluate a company's commitment to standing behind its products. And our experience with Western RV has been entirely positive. We think they've scored a major success with the development of their new Alpine chassis. For those who think a diesel pusher is likely to be too intimidating to drive comfortably we'd say -- test drive an Alpine. We think you'll find it much like driving a luxury car. We look for great things to come for Alpine in future years.
To Present and Prospective Monaco Owners: We now understand why we've had so many reader comments favoring the Monaco coach. This new, modern plant in Coburg Oregon is a "must see" for those considering a high line coach. Many features that are options on other coaches are "standard" with a Monaco. In the Dynasty class we were evaluating, the 2000 model is a sensational upgrade in terms of cockpit layout and new interior detail. This company is obviously listening to its customers, and responding to what they want. Small touches such as a well designed solar package and a quality monitor for the battery bank reveal a commitment to providing an excellent product.
To Present and Prospective Country Coach Owners: It will be our privilege to join you with our new 2000 model Intrigue 36 FDS. We have spoken extensively with many of you in RV parks this past winter. And we've visited with several of you who were at the factory in Junction City for service. Your opinions about both this product and the company which makes them were persuasive in helping us to make a difficult choice. We were especially fortunate in getting to know Country Coach (the Company) as well as Country Coach (the product). And we were impressed with those who work for Country Coach at all levels. These are quality people. And quality people make quality products. We're completely comfortable that we've made a choice which well best suit our RVing lifestyle.
We would also have to say, looking back, that we've learned much from this process. We'll be preparing one final article -- a sort of "epilogue" -- which details our impressions on both our choice of dealers and product. We hope it will be helpful to all RVers who have an RV purchase in their future.
NEXT (and final): Reflections on the Buying Process