| Author | Message | ||
| Michael Sheldon (Msheldon)
Registered Member Username: Msheldon Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 68.230.115.166 Rating: N/A |
I'm noticing that a large number of MCI-12 buses are available, retired from Greyhound. They seem to be much newer than the 102 series buses being retired by them. Does anyone know why they seem to be retiring them early? They would seem to be a good candidate for conversion. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1084 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.163.170 Rating: |
Michael - The MC-12s are essentially 96A3s below the floor, and MC-9s above, with a slightly different roofline. They were built primarily for Greyhound, altho a few made it out of the plant to other carriers - mostly as prisoner transport vehicles. Back in it's heyday (when the Scenics ruled the road), Greyhound had one of the most respected preventative maintenance programs in the transportation industry. Not so today. Because of Greyhound's precarious financial condition over the last dozen years or so, these dogs have been run very hard and put away sopping wet. Lots of horror stories out there about shoddy workmanship, pieces of buses falling off enroute, drivers having to carry duct tape to make temporary repairs, buses being "red tagged" when caught in surprise Highway Patrol safety inspections. . . the list goes on. So much for the bad news. . . OTOH, the later production 12s were powered with Series 50s and the B500 World transmission, which is an excellent powertrain that produces decent power and good fuel economy, altho they tend to shake a little at low idle. However, TTBOMK, these have not been released for resale yet. The majority of 12s are 6V92TA/HT748 DDECs, tuned for 300 or 330 hp, IIRC. Does the 12 make a good conversion candidate? Probably no worse than some others out there, and certainly better than a few. But take note that a lot of 102 models are coming on the market, and their prices are beginning to fall. That extra six inches in width does make a difference in a conversion - ask the folk who own one. Based on where you're at, start searching among all the charter bus operators not only in your state, but the two immediately to the east and west of you. Talk to the maintenance shop foreman, and find out if he knows of one of their fleet that's going to be retired soon (and why!) - then go talk to the boss. You might be surprised at what you may find. . . FWIW & HTH,  | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 88 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.229.126 Rating: N/A |
May I suggest anyone considering a bus conversion shell check out both 96" and 102" coaches at a bus rally. You won't believe the difference. I have a good running, not too bad looking MC9, but, I may look for a 102...someday. Someday when I feel rich. A 102D3 looks about right. These buses are starting to come up for sale in numbers. As a matter of fact, Sawyers Bus Sales has 8 (or thereabouts) now. All with S60s and B500s. May have seen a Cat powered unit too. Other bus sales companies must have their share too. I have no idea where these units came from, would be interested if anyone knows. Just looking anyhow! Best, JR | ||
| Michael Sheldon (Msheldon)
Registered Member Username: Msheldon Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 68.230.115.166 Rating: N/A |
I do understand the difference between 96 and 102. My current trailer is 102". Those extra 6" do make a difference. However, I also understand the difference between $14,000 and $35,000+. The only 102" buses I've seen that approach the price of the MCI-12s is a few 102A3 models that are 5+ years older, and even most of them are pushing over $20K And yeah, I'm aware of the potential issues with recent ex-hounds. I was just curious if there was anything wrong with the MCI-12s or if they were just in a push to retire the last of the 96" or DD6v92s. It was my understanding that the MCI-12s had more stainless in them, making them more resistant to rust. | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.136.90.146 Rating: N/A |
outside the few MC-12's that are being reconditioned prior to sale every one I have seen has been a worn out piece of crap. Rode hard put away wet. The money you save onn the purchase will not be money saved in reality after you fix all the broken, abused and neglected parts. | ||
| Michael Sheldon (Msheldon)
Registered Member Username: Msheldon Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 68.230.115.166 Rating: N/A |
Ah well, I knew there had to be a reason why they were so cheap. | ||
| Jerry Campbell (Jerrync)
Registered Member Username: Jerrync Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 76.182.44.149 Rating: N/A |
Michael 102 have a 102A3 that I got @ abc bus two years ago I gave 15,000 for it then. so if you look thay can be found and it is on the road . just got back from Ga today | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 932 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 64.231.11.212 Rating: N/A |
Greyhound are the absolute MASTERS at extracting every last bit of value from a coach. In the old days, that meant maintain the vehicle. In this modern day, it means wring the crap out of it, and wring some more. As much as I would love to have an MC12, modern underpinnings with classic styling, the fact that Greyhound has owned them through many years of bankruptcy protection, and under capitalization, both at the Greyhound level, and at the parent Laidlaw.... Well, even the pins that hold the accelerator pedal will be worn out.... A Greyhound, newer MCI G model, that pulled into Toronto on the New York pool coach had a snapped front wheel stud, and the one beside it came off in the mechanics hand.... and the stories go from there.... Maybe better to spend just a few more dollars on something else, and save thousands? happy coaching! buswarrior |
