The Scottsdale is one of the least-expensive ways to get Newmar quality in a Class A coach. That’s not our opinion – the family-owned, Nappanee, Indiana, coach-builder won the 2003 Quality Circle Award in the RV industry’s annual Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) survey for the fifth time in the last six years. “A fine example of that build quality is the
Scottsdale 3456, which is the best-selling model of the nine floorplans we offer in the
entry-level Scottsdale line,” said Phil Miller, Newmar’s director of marketing.
The 3456 is a fully appointed, 35-foot gas-powered Class A motorhome with residential ambiance and a finance-friendly msrp of $98,123. Miller noted that even though the Scottsdale line is its entry-level model, the price doesn’t reflect the high level of quality found throughout. In fact, it’s built on the same assembly line – and has the same floorplan – as Newmar’s $188,000-plus Dutchstar diesel-pusher. “All our coaches are built one behind the other on the assembly line, from the premier Essex and American Star to the Scottsdale,” he pointed out. “Every person involved in the ‘team’ building process within Newmar takes great pride in their particular craft and has a personal commitment in seeing that each coach is built accordingly. It’s just part of the Amish/Mennonite work ethic that surrounds us.” As an example, the cabinets are handbuilt by second-generation Amish cabinetmakers. All of the cabinets are screwed and glued together, then painted as a finished unit before installation. The oak-faced cabinets are found throughout the 35-foot floorplan, from the overhead TV storage unit above the driver/passenger seats all the way back to the storage cabinet that stretches across the back wall of the slideout bedroom. In fact, a wealth of storage and a floorplan designed for easy access to everything is a Scottsdale trademark.
New features added to the 2004 models include a Corian countertop and an undermount acrylic sink with flush covers in the galley. This is designed to enhance the interior look and
make kitchen cleanup much easier. Atypical of this price range, the 3456 is built on a
228-inch wheelbase chassis for better ride comfort and handling compared to a 208-inch
wheelbase chassis. And a new option for the Scottsdale is the fiberglass roof, a feature
the company says is not usually found on entry-level coaches. The majority of Scottsdale
buyers, according to Miller, will upgrade from the standard 310-hp Ford F-53 chassis to the
GM-powered Workhorse 22 chassis. Although this $3,800 upgrade may lower payload slightly, it offers more power and an extra gear; other standards include a 145-amp alternator, hydraulic leveling jacks and a 5,000-pound-capacity Class III hitch receiver. With 4,000 pounds of cargo-carrying capacity and a 75-gallon fuel tank, a Scottsdale should provide adequate dinghy and payload ability. Newmar Corporation, (574) 773-7791, newmarcorp.com
