| Author | Message | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 101 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51  Rating: N/A |
i know, i know. If you want to keep it to yourself, that's fine. but if you don't mind sharing, please do. with the recent number of nice modern buses coming off service at amazingly low prices, I often wonder if I overpaid. | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 307 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 75.196.232.43  Rating: N/A |
Hi Peter, Hummmm, One Million Dollars?  | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51 Rating: N/A |
lol, I thought by the time I decided it was a dumb question to ask, it was too late to delete it. consider it a temporary brain f$%t and feel free to delete the question.... | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1123 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 74.4.53.29  Rating: N/A |
Peter, I can tell you we paid considerably more for our MC-8 when we bought it 9 1/2 years ago than we would today, BUT, all the really nice busnuts we have met, the places we have been, and the things we have seen in those 9 1/2 years PRICELESS!!! Jack | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 922 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.95.69  Rating: N/A |
Story time? I bought my MC9 in 2004 for $8,000. It was in charter service the day I bought it. Watta deal! And then I: Stripped the interior, of racks, seats, and the toilet with all it's components. Raised the aisle to the floor level. Took out and sealed/insulated three windows on each side. Re-fitted the roof hatches for air conditioning units. Had the (new) exterior primed and painted to match the existing bus design. Removed -all- of the OE air conditioning system. Replaced the old 8D batteries with new group 31s. Replaced 2 tires on the rear duals. Removed sign assembly Replaced right windshield I had major cancer surgery, and my wife was seriously injured as a passenger in a major accident all in the same year... Shit happens. The bus sat for quite awhile, and I ended up selling the bus As-Is in 2008 for $6,500, plus about another grand for all the extras I bought for it: OE shop manuals, 20 ton air over oil jack, 800# torque wrench, 3-way fridge, propane RV heater and more.. a long, long list that was well worth a grand to the buyer. I felt fortunate to get the $6,500, since the price of fuel continued to rise, and the value of these buses sank to new lows. When New Jersey Transit replaced their old buses a couple years ago, they flooded the market with the used ones, driving the values even lower. If it's something you want; something you've dreamed of owning and working on, forget the "value". The value is what it's worth to you alone. If you're trying to justify the purchase price by what you might be able to sell it for later.... fuggetaboutit. Either consider it your dream and forget the dollars your going to lose (because you will, regardless), or don't buy one at all. But if you like travelling and camping, a bus conversion is the way to go! And there's nothing more rewarding, than having done it yourself! Lotsa' luck. | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 256 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.164.20.23  Rating: N/A |
It doesn't matter what you paid for your bus, someone else got a better deal or, more likely, you found a better deal the next week. You just can't worry about it. | ||
| Dave (Virtual)
Registered Member Username: Virtual Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 67.186.253.131 Rating: N/A |
"you found a better deal the next week" The best deal would be a pre-existing coach, exactly how you want it, at a price you consider reasonable. For me, I like to sprinkle some parsimonious on my vehicles, so I like to pay less than scrap price. I've done that on the most recent two coaches. I believe someone recently said they figured $10K in aluminum on their GMC. I have to figure the value of my vehicles differently when the fuel tanks are full.  | ||
| Jim Gibson (River_rat)
Registered Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 106 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 75.95.96.192 Rating: N/A |
$104 converted professionally back in the mid 70's. It had a loving family for about a dozen years, then a good mechanic who did some great work, then about 10 years of occasional driving and lots of neglect and sitting. Needs deferred maintanance, interior updating and paint. Runs strong. Paid $2500, and am loving her! Jim | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 512 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.40.215.178  Rating: N/A |
Paid $9800 for our 1968 Eagle 01 in 03 and have put a lot into it since then. Stripped the old interior and still working on it. Since we are living in it we have made several changes from the original design. Still smiling! I would do it all over again, only not take so long! ;) Paul | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 219 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.56.194  Rating: N/A |
Paid 3500 for the shell, with a PILE of acessories including 2 new coleman AC units. Bus had been gutted, floor levelled, skinned, RV windows installed where I wanted them, fresh engine, new tires (now 8 years old), full set of wheel covers, 3 fantastic vent fans, and no rust. Paint was already stripped. I got LUCKY! Glenn PS - Thanks Ed Roelle! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 800 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.56.32 Rating: N/A |
Good grief.....what does it matter... is you (are you) happy????  . What does it matter??? What did you pay for your car... house...wife...dog...boat....whatever...??? What does it matter.....? RCB | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 68.122.190.210  Rating: N/A |
I think it is a good question, lots of newbies are wondering what to pay and this could help. I paid $25,000 for a 1989 Prevost XL, DDEC, Auto trans. 8V92TA, 4 years ago, very good condition and very low milage on the engine, tranny & body. You should be able to get a better deal now, but I'm happy Ray D | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 81 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 202.45.184.68 Rating: N/A |
Nick, I swear, I was going to say that! I'm glad you beat me to it though. I probably wouldn't have bothered to find the matching graphic. +1 On the one hand there's this taboo of discussing salaries, what we paid for _______ something, etc. I was certainly taught that it is a vulgar thing to ask such a question. I've signed papers saying that I wouldn't disclose my salary to co-workers, etc. OTOH, hoarding this information probably hurts us more than it helps us. Whether to save our embarrassment if we think we don't make as much money as our colleague, or if we paid too much for something; we are giving away a collective bargaining advantage (proper knowledge of market value) for the sake of vanity, or a smaller individual advantage. Of course if you are the only one who shares, then you don't gain anything. But, you also don't really lose much either. I don't care if you know what I paid for my bus. You or anyone else won't be able to use it against me, if I don't let you. The ones hurt most by the sharing of information like this are the ones who are trying to overcharge folks anyway, and none of them ones are friends of mine. And besides, I've been watching bus auctions/sale prices for years. I already know what some of you paid. And if you're clever/lucky, you can find out what I paid without me telling you. So, without further adieu, I'll unzip my fly. $5700.00. Mine's a Neoplan AN345/3, circa 2001 DD Reliabuilt 6V92TA, Allison ATEC, A gazillion miles on it. I got it from a gov auction. I paid more than I wanted to. Some people got away cheaper at the same auction. But, I stayed within my budget. I always figured I could scrap it if I had to, and not take too bad a haircut. If I paid less than someone else, so what? If I paid more? So what? The purchase price isn't going to resemble its real value (to me anyway) for very long. Like Dave, I figure the value differently when the fuel tanks are full. Cheers, and good luck. -Cullen | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 103 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 208.54.14.7 Rating: N/A |
as expected, that's some good prices.... 10k of aluminum on a bus? is that really close to that? that's a whole another strategy right there.... | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 99 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
$4,000.00 bought-$90,000.00 later done. TomC | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 82 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 202.45.185.59 Rating: N/A |
Peter, there's miles of difference between these buses that aren't immediately apparent. When you consider a bus/heavy vehicle in the price range of 10k, the tires could make up more than 1/3 of that "value". Of course you can't sell used tires for that, but, if you buy a bus with new, good tires, that's one or more thousand dollars that you won't have to spend (my tires are fair). And my wheels, while I am happy that I got one with Aluminum wheels, my wheels are never, ever going to be pretty. They look like they've been dragged behind the bus. But, they are still round, and that's good enough for me. I don't actually know what you can scrap an average bus for (without trying to part-out the valuable parts), but my unprofessional guess that it is on order of a few k. | ||
| Bill Holstein (Billmoocow)
Registered Member Username: Billmoocow Post Number: 29 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 98.232.218.68 Rating: N/A |
I paid 4500.00 dollars but to me its worth a million! | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 833 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.216.70.120 Rating: N/A |
The shell price doesn't matter that much , but getting the "right" bus for your traveling needs does. If you don't much enjoy driving and want to stay out of town a 45 ft super wide with 5 mpg slushpump and PS will be your thing. The Blue Highways and old towns your bag? An Earlier 10 mpg coach of modest size , built for USA roads before the boring Super Slabs made the country identical. The cost of the conversion is more interesting , as folks vary in their construction abilities , or shopping abilities , and of course Desirements. I figure with good abilities a good conversion will be minimum $20,000 worth of parts and pieces. Lots of stuff can be used , like a noisemaker , lots should be new like a furnace , too much effort to rebuild. Folks sometimes feel there really getting along when they run out and purchase a huge pile of stuff. There really getting along when ANYTHING is properly installed and functioning . Sometimes a few years and 1000's of hours later. FF | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 76.69.252.68  Rating: N/A |
$1950.00 for a 1953 4104, full seventies conversion all mod cons, brand new propane stove, older fridge all that stuff,had couch, matresses etc all in decent dated condition, no mold or mildew, basically everything but a generator. I gave another $3.00 to make it a dollar for every year since JC. Has cost me much more since then, worth every penny, my friends think I'm crazy and that this time I have gone over the edge, basically the bus boards are the only place that anyone gets it, 'cept my son who is totally on board. | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 332 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226  Rating: N/A |
We paid $6,000 for our 1960 4104. We purchased it from our good friend Mr Crane in 2006 and he had it since 1984. He did all the work inside back in 1986 to make it what it is today. He took very good care of this bus so we knew we were getting a great bus. We are only the 4th owners of this bus. . | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 207 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.7.186  Rating: N/A |
I like to say "I got my bus for nothing", but in reality... The previous owner had broken down and decided the fix wasn't worth the effort or cost. The bus sat for over a year when he made an offer that if someone would pay to ship his personal effects in the bus from Rapid City, SD to Anchorage, AK He would give them the bus. I paid for the shipping, paid for and had a mechanic install a new radiator and get it somewhat roadworthy. Then I and a good freind (who is also a mechanic) went on an adventure and drove it home from SD to WI. Total cost with the trip home about 5K but in reality I didn't pay anything for the bus! As most of you know though, getting the bus is the least expensive part of a conversion. | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 183 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160  Rating: N/A |
Paid too, much , but I'm happy so far. Going to be heading out on our first real trip in a coupel of weeks. I'll tell you how happy I am in a month, haha | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 364 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
$10,500 already converted but freshwater system had been removed. put 6 tires on it replaced the carpet and wall coverings. Installed new freshwater tank, pump, hot water heater. Ran the rack and rebuilt the blower. Have a totoal of $17,000 in her at this point | ||
| john degemis (Degemis)
Registered Member Username: Degemis Post Number: 63 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 71.92.155.232  Rating: N/A |
Paid $20,000 for my 92 Prevost XL 8v92ta ddec2 put close to 20,000 in it so far have $20,000 more to go. But when shes done what a rig. Sounds like a lot but I have seen van size RVs going for that. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 525 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.155.14  Rating: N/A |
Some of you guys ought to be ashamed of yourselfs. Stealing is against the law but if no one says anything, then you can't say you stole it can you? I paid 3500 for 1974 gmc 4905 site unseen, drove it home from South Carolina at 45 mph because it wouldn"t go in High gear [vs2-8] fortunatly it was a tornada watch that day and NO ONE was driving over 50 lol that was good. Now it is worth 5000,00 with about 3-5,000 more in her. | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 387 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47  Rating: N/A |
I paid $5500 for a 82 Prevost seated coach in 2003 It had spent it's life in California (no rust) $90 K later ... | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 200 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.82  Rating: N/A |
RCB you mean a wife cost money to acquire, I though such companionship only cost after they picked us, much like bus maintenance. hum that explains things. My MC-8 was purchased at for around $5,000. Add another $20,000 parts & labour since, & it still would not sell for more than $5,000 | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 31 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 76.247.14.170  Rating: N/A |
We got our '57 4104 from a very good friend for a most excellent price,[we are still good friends]spent almost three years refurbishing an 1980 conversion and have been living in it for two years. We wouldn't go back to a house for almost any amount of money. I don't think the cost is as important as pleasure of living and traveling in your own [bus]home. The problem is that buses can become money pits. | ||
| Moe Hollow (Moehollow)
Registered Member Username: Moehollow Post Number: 97 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.102.27.164 Rating: N/A |
Wasn't it J.P. Morgan that was asked this same question and answered, "If you can ask that question, you can't afford it." Or was that about maintaining his yacht? | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 804 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.210.248.140 Rating: N/A |
I got a bus for sale...not cheap like those above..........,any takers... ...also a bridge in AZ... Clint...you got the best deal....(sure) Oh, and NICK...great picture of YOU? )))) RCB (Message edited by chuckllb on June 12, 2009) | ||
| Mel La Plante (Mel_4104)
Registered Member Username: Mel_4104 Post Number: 123 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 99.199.162.25 Rating: N/A |
over the years i have dismantled ovr 50 GM transits and let me say that i never found one that had that much AL. in it. al. price right now is less than 80 cents /lb so do the math. shells are worth less than $1,000,if you are lucky. now as to what i paid for the HAPPY VALLEY, it was converted so 15 years ago i paid $40,000 for it and have got many times over that in return including the money spent on upgrades and repairs. if yiu are happy with it the money is well spent so enjoy. | ||
| Bob Shafer (Michigander_bob)
Registered Member Username: Michigander_bob Post Number: 64 Registered: 2-2005 Posted From: 76.221.70.171  Rating: N/A |
Bought my 65 MC5-A at an estate auction almost 2 years ago. Paid $3,750.00 and put it on my credit card of all things....New tires and drive gear for the air compressor and it was good to go. pics here http://s734.photobucket.com/albums/ww347/Michigander_Bob/My%20Bus%20Conversion/ My first bus was a 1957 4104 that I paid 3500 for....worked my a$$ off on that one plus another 10k and I sold it last summer for $8000. pics of that are on my photobucket page too. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 810 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.72.10 Rating: N/A |
NICE coach, Bob...congratulations! RCB | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 812 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.72.10 Rating: N/A |
NICE coach, Bob...congratulations! RCB | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 813 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.72.10 Rating: N/A |
Huh????? RCB | ||
| Kasse Weikel (More_s_than_as)
Registered Member Username: More_s_than_as Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 32.149.204.82 Rating: N/A |
$2500 - 82 gillig phantom with a 6v92T(last year they ever made non-ddec detroits, she's all mechanical/air). 360k total miles 56k on rebuild. Bought from PO who got it from yosemite park CA. and she purrs! I AM the labor...most building supplies were mega discount(backlot sheet vinyl) or recycled(all the screws, wood, angle steel for partitions). Only thing bought new was glue and silicone. Ontop of it all, PO checks in every now and then (like the other kind of PO) asking about the work progress and if I'm having fun. I agree with bishop...no regrets bro. You may be at the "what the hell was I thinking" stage right now. It's important to hold onto your dream and don't look back. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 532 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.155.14 Rating: N/A |
THIEF THIEF THIEF Call the law. Ain't there a law about that?? I WILL check it out and advise as what can be done about that. Hummm. LOL Great job!!! Gomer | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 476 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.4.185.176  Rating: N/A |
4 were 'free', the other 2 were over priced ;). BTW, there ain't no such thing as free, somewhere its gonna cost you. The real questions are : - do you look back at it every time you walk away from it? - are you happy? If yes to both, then it was a bargain! | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 165 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.58.201.132  Rating: N/A |
I paid $ 7500. was it to much? dont know, dont care! It is a model of MCI that I had been looking for for quite a while, I herd about this one from a budy went took a look and bought it. It has 6 new tires and 2 fresh recaps on the tag. also came with a 2 boiler primus heat system, plus the 2 roof ac's It has 4 inches spray foam in the roof 2 inches on the side walls and 2 inches on the underside of the floor in all the bays. it had a simple rv interior but my wonderful ex wife left all the windows open it when i was in Afghanistan it got wet and had animals in it all winter so I have tore out the interior. So i dont think it was a bad deal. Dave L | ||
| Wayne Ellenburg (Wlnburg)
Registered Member Username: Wlnburg Post Number: 55 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 128.158.1.163  Rating: N/A |
Just buy one and the deals will start flooding in. I bought a '72 Eagle and went to talk to some one to find out how to drive the crazy thing and bought his dads '64 Eagle. I tried to talk my wife into letting be buy an '84 on E-bay but she said no!! Thought I needed one from every decade. Just figure out what you want and get the best deal and don't look back. | ||
| Craig Campbell (Craig_4104012)
Registered Member Username: Craig_4104012 Post Number: 59 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 68.247.251.251 Rating: N/A |
I was the one that got quoted 10 k by a scrapper but i wont chop mine up. Mel, thanks for the heads up if i did get to thinking of chopping my second home i would be really sad if i got a grand after all the labor spent in chopping my bus. but OTOH, i hope sims does not read this site. So as to how much i paid for my bus $4 grand, and the seller lied about all that was wrong with it. just he lied in the other way. made it sound alot worse off than it was so i made out on the bus and now i have a friend in the guy that sold me the bus also. Also as i took it apart to make it have a bedroom and a bath room i was suprised to discover how well this coach was converted originally. All furniture grade .75" oak ply wood (my guess but it is so nice i cant believe it would be pine) it took 8 hours to remove two sides of bunks. To add to my good fortune, my girlfriend who was looking for work got a job at a cabinet shop in the complex where the bus is parked so we have all kinds of materials available to us. This bus has brought me so much good fortune that i hope to share it with all 4104 owners. I will put in a new thread. |