[Richard]

Michael brings up a great point. Perhaps it would help if you could tell us your wish list and intended purpose. I appreciate that you are early in your learning curve relative to Newells and there is scant literature and information available. The guys, and gals, on the forum can help you best if we understand your needs.

As you do your homework, and it is very smart of you to do your homework, we are most happy to answer any of your questions. Many of us looked at Prevosts, Bluebirds, Country Coach, Foretravel, and other high end rigs, and for our own reasons ended up in the Newell camp.

Harry, do you mind telling us a little about you? What is your background? Have you owned RVs before? How mechanically or electrically inclined are you? What are you going to use the coach for?

I am going to throw out my own two cents here, and it's worth exactly what you paid for it.

One, whatever you buy, buy a coach with a monocoque or monocoque like structure. Meaning there is a complete cage as the superstructure of the coach and the walls are bonded to the superstructure forming part of the superstructure. Why? It's stronger and lasts much longer. When you get the opportunity to ride or drive in such a coach you will be amazed at how quiet it is compared to a coach built on a raised rail chassis.

Two, the running gear such as axles, suspensions, transmissions, and engines for all of those coaches are from specialty companies like Ridewell, Dana, and ZF. Most in the vintage you are looking at will have Aquahot heating. Some Newells have basement air, some have roof air. None of the Newells will have OTR air con. Some Prevosts have it and some don't. OTR air is air con for the whole coach that is powered solely by the engine. If you want total coach air for a Newell you run the genny. Do your own research on the OTR air. My take was it takes deep pockets to keep it going.

Three, styling is an individual thing. We shouldn't tell you what you like interior or exterior.

Four, the mid door setup is loved by those who have it, and widely criticized by folks who have not owned a mid door coach.

Five, the custom bridge chassis of a Newell provides a tremendous amount of basement storage.

Six, and this is my own opinion. Prevosts ride slightly better than Newells, and Newells drive slightly better than Prevosts. Huh? I say the closest analogy is Mercedes and BMW. Mercedes cars usually ride extremely well, and Bimmers usually handle a little better with some sacrifice to comfort. Neither are what you would say are undesirable choices.

Seven, as Steve Bare said in another thread. Please don't read this forum and think that all we have is trouble. Far from it, but keep in mind the primary purpose of the forum was to help one another fix things, and we are a greasy fingers crowd. It is only natural that the majority of the posts are relative to solving a problem.

Eight, you are asking great questions. Keep them coming.

Nine, you might want to privately talk with Doug Matz, who has owned a number of Prevosts and recently took possession of his first Newell.