[360]

Fantastic writeup as usual!

First I'd like to say I agree with and second Richard's assessment along with having similar reasoning beyond the fact that I prefer the aesthetic of my XLII over the mid 2000's Newell. When we get up into the P50's my heart starts to flutter a bit as I think that design is truly a work of art and the best looking non-stainless steel coach made...period, but I've not driven a P50 as I was afraid to fall in love and I can't bring myself to spend that kind of dough when in 10 years they might be down to something I may swallow.

For someone not as mechanically inclined, but interested in learning the value of schematics and parts along with stellar parts pricing as Richard and Jack have stated. I swapped out all of my shocks and a tag bag about as fast as I could pull off the wheels.

One thing Richard didn't touch on that for me has been fun to experience is the turning radius of my 07 XLII vs 03 Newell. It's not really in the same realm in the real world. I try to get myself in and out of some pretty tight spots on top of my driveway which is an interesting experience. On this last trip it became even more evident in the real world as I was looking for a rest stop spot at night and this was one of the rest stops that one stop is for both sides of the road so you entered from a side road. I pulled all the way through and after doing so wished I had taken an awkward spot that would have worked purely for a quick bit to eat. Pulling my toad I purely whipped a u-turn and had LOADS of room to spare. Even Susann was like "what are you doing...followed by a holy crap how did we just do that". I had a similar move I almost attempted in the Newell, but mid turn I aborted and I knew I was screwed. It's just super impressive. I wish I had measured the Newell in a parking lot, but I did not. I read somewhere that there is 3' of difference, but that is not accurate, it's considerably more for a non-steerable tag Newell with IFS vs. a Prevost with IFS.

I'm also someone who misses the visits to Miami. I was only 4 hours away and I only went three times in 4 years, but it's a fun trip. I love the staff, the way I was treated and it's just pretty cool to be able to stay in your coach inside a shop and nobody cares. Wanna watch guys work so you can learn or maybe you just like killing time that way, nobody cares. It just felt like a home away from home and I felt more like a part of a family than a customer. Similar to how this group feels with the camaraderie among the members.