[customfab]

Greetings.  I am not a Newell owner but hope to become one.   I am considering buying a 1988 Newell Classic that has been stored inside its entire life when not in use and is still owned by original owner with 120K miles.  Very well kept coach for a 1988.  Has the Silver Detroit 8V92 rated at 475 HP at 2100 rpm.  

I am a very handy person, build many motors, suspensions, and enjoy fabicating as an engineer.  We are replacing a 5th wheel toy hauler after a hail claim.  And getting away from our toys (dirt bikes mainly). We have owned many RVs from toy haulers to various class Cs up to a 2002 Country Coach. 

Is there anything special about the mid to late 1980s Classic models?  Basically, why would you want to own one versus buying a 2002-2008 Monaco/Beaver/HR/Safari w 3 slides?  

Any special or rare options that I should try to identify?

We own a custom furniture business and I have always loved the idea of doing a custom interior within a coach build on very, very, very good bones.  However, I am not retired and do not have tons of freetime so I would need to overall the interior over time.

[encantotom]

welcome to gurus. an 88 should be a wide body that is 6 inches wider than a few years earlier. you can tell if their is a glass strip between the two front windshields.

if it is as you say, as long as it was maintained regularly it should be a nice coach for you. there really is not a comparison between the classic newell and the other coaches you are comparing it too. if you want the room from slides you need to step up to a 97 and newer newell that will have a detroit series 60.

the 8v92 was a workhorse in so many things for a long time. but overheating it is tough on it. the direct drive fanned rear radiator is not as robust as the side mount on the newer coachs. i have had one newell with the 8v92 and 2 with the series 60.

since engine rebuilds are so expensive and hard to find someone who still works on the 2 stroke detroits i would get engine oil samples and transmission fluid samples tested.

the 88 will have a rv fridge whereas the other ones you are looking at probably have regular house fridges.

the driive and ride of the newell will likely be better.

the newell will be much simpler to work on and maintain than the ones you are comparing too. really much different coaches.

there are so many differences it is hard to list them all.

a 2008 beaver will be completely different than a classic newell and probably 2 to 3 times as expensive as well.

my two cents worth. all of us have had other brands of coaches in the past.

happy searching

tom

[HoosierDaddy]

One of the key points that drew me to Newell over the other RV brands is the basic construction techniques. I gather that you are mechanically adept. If you compare the materials and method of construction I think you will find the Newell superior to the other brands you mentioned.

[Johnnyboy]

Classic Newell are good coaches. The only down side is the fact they are getting older and can be hard to find 8v92 mechanics. I would call around your local area and ask if they would work on it, seems a lot of shops don’t want to work on them. Also I don’t know if Newell ever put DDEC 1 in the Newell but you want to stay away from that, need DDEC II or higher. Also consider power steering and fuel line replacement. Look over the radiator well make sure it’s clean. You probably will have to watch water temperatures when pulling big hills in the summer. 8v92 can be a good engine, just have to watch it very closely. They drive well and are quiet coaches. They seem to have a big turning radius. 5.5-6.5 mpg.

You mentioned what differences with newer other brands. I’ve owned a variety of other brands. To me you have to want a classic for what it is. Newer ones will have more modern interiors, more room, slides, 4 stroke engine, better mpg. It comes down to what features are most important to you. I have learned they all can get you from point A to point B. Interior live ability and chassis service are big points. 

If you want to talk message me. I’ve owned a few.

[Richard]

All good points above.

One not mentioned is interior aesthetics. The Newell will have laminate. It is not changeable, so if you can’t live with the color, reconsider. The other coaches you mentioned, especially the Beaver will have ornate cabinetry. Not saying one is better than the other, but the interior aesthetics are going to be very different.

It may boil down to Do you want to semi restore and maintain a rare and classic motor coach, that will be the only one you see on the road? OR do you want a more modern and less rare production coach? The years you mention and the brands are the GOLDEN years for production coaches.