See if you can picture them – the 2004 Saharas lined up outside, gleaming in the Oregon sun (it honestly has been shining). They’re just rolling off the line, mostly gold as a base color this year, with all new paint schemes and interior designs, and a host of other changes. It’s a pleasure to see and it’s a pleasure to give you a sneak peek, an appetizer for the imagination, if you will.
I’ll hit you with a big theme for the new Saharas right away: more choices. This will be especially apparent when you see that the number of floorplans has expanded from three to 12. The variety of layout options is astounding. You can choose between side and front entry, showers and toilets in the same room or separate, two bathrooms or one, kitchen counters that are L-shaped or those with softer angles; the list goes on.
Choosy about your furniture? I’ve got to believe that you’ll be able to find the right combination with 15 new furniture options as opposed to about five last year. Remember that grade school math problem about how many arrangements of three things you can make if you have a list of around 15 to choose from? Well, I’ve forgotten the answer, but it’s a bunch, and that’s how many different furniture choices are available to you in the 2004 Sahara.
“As for the interior decoration of the new Sahara, expect four new designs and two new cabinet wood options, expect more mirrors and charming details like raised panel cabinets with woven wood insets.”
As for the interior decoration of the new Sahara, expect four new designs and two new cabinet wood options, expect more mirrors and charming details like raised panel cabinets with woven wood insets. Overall, the decorative theme of adventure and exotic locations is continued, though perhaps more subtle than last year.
The changes you will see in this coach are not just cosmetic. It now has smooth gel coat fiberglass sidewalls instead of laminated aluminum, a built-in 15-amp chassis battery charger, new pull-out kitchen faucet and the new option of automatic power cord and water hose reels. Although the standard drive train package is the same, (Cummins ISC 350 diesel engine and Allison 3000 transmission) the 2004 Sahara has a more powerful alternator, an engine block heater and automatic traction control.
The engineers at Safari are constantly taking customer feedback and tweaking their designs based on how owners actually use the coaches, not on how they assume the owners will use their coaches. An example of this in the ’04 Safari is the reallocation of space in the plumbing system. Gray tank capacity has increased by four gallons, black tank capacity decreased by 16, fresh water up one gallon and the LP tank up ten gallons. This redistribution is not only meant to more closely match owner use, but also allows for things like increased storage space.
“Also new this year is the Sirius Satellite Radio System. For a subscription of $12.95 a month, you can have access to over 100 channels, which offer uninterrupted service from coast to coast.”
Inside the coach, you will find a lot of changes to the details of the standards and options list – things like wall-mounted, flexible map lights for the pilot and co-pilot, new Burlwood dash, built-in clothes hamper, pull-out faucet as well as a four compartment drawer organizer, ceramic tile and special wastebasket storage in the kitchen.
Also new this year is the Sirius Satellite Radio System. For a subscription of $12.95 a month, you can have access to over 100 channels, which offer uninterrupted service from coast to coast.
If this fleeting glimpse of the ’04 Sahara isn’t enough for you, if the appetizer has you hungry for the main course, keep an eye out for future issues of Safari Adventures magazine. We’ll be exploring this coach in even greater detail and providing you with a functional review soon. Or you can always visit your nearest Safari dealer. |
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