| Author | Message | ||
| Geoff (Overand)
Rating: N/A |
Hey, all! This is my first post, though I've been active on some mailing lists and other boards (see: skoolie.net) for a while. I was getting nice and comfortable with the thought of getting a school bus, but I recently had some interesting stuff dropped in my lap. Here's a copy of what I posted over on skoolie.net: --- My friend just called me up- he met a guy who's selling ex-Greyhound bus, 1978, Diesel, 10,000 miles on the motor (not a type-o), probably a detroit diesel, 2 AC units, grey water tank already installed, probably a standard. Air brakes. $5,000 - also not a type-o. I don't know what kind of condition it's in, so I'll probably be checking it out. $5000! Apparently it's a case of "yeah, i started to convert it, but..." Advice? I know I haven't provided a lot of info about the bus, not even length, etc, but figuring it's a late 70s ex-greyhound... ---- So, the consensus over there was that it was probably an MCI, though that was made before I posted this (admittedly low quality) pic. So- I'm more or less a bus noob, and any help at all anyone could offer as to what this bus may be, and what I may need to look out for, if the price is 'reasonable,' etc... would be great. I won't buy this thing sight unseen, of course, and I'll probably be coming back with more info in the future.  | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Rating: N/A |
Most definitely an MCI. But it looks more like an MC7 than an MC8 (tail lights and back panel louvers). If it's an MC7, the year model is wrong (that model was built from '68 - '73). Yes, it MIGHT be a good deal... OR you might be inheriting someone else's problems. If the engine was truly re-built (with papers as proof), then that alone is worth the $5k. I'd go check it out and bring a highway busnut along to make sure things are as they seem. Check this site's archives for more than enough info on what to look for in a used bus candidate. Good luck, Brian Brown PD4106-1175 Longmont, CO | ||
| Doug Wotring
Rating: N/A |
most definitley a MC-7 Can't give any go or pass based on your photo. | ||
| JW Smythe (Jwsmythe)
Rating: N/A |
I'm not terribly familiar with MCI's, but... 1) Is the bumper missing? How much is this to replace? 2) Is that discoloring over and under the windows rust damage? 3) You say 2 AC's, but I only see one. Is the other not mounted yet, or just not visible in the picture? Brian is right. Verify the miles on the engine. That rebuild probably cost him over $5k. If there's rust and leaks, you may be looking at a bus just for the engine, rather than a bus for conversion. Others will have better advice for where to look for rust and leaks. Look for reasons the owner may have not finished the conversion, and ignore their "lost interest" reason. He may have just lost interest, or he may have run into a very expensive problem. | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Too much for too little. That thing looks like it carried the Kurds through Saddam's Iraq. If the outside looks that poor, what's the engine and drivetrain like? Good grief. The initial price isn't the only thing you should be looking at, because it's not the "final price". The "final price" you'll be paying, is something you won't know until you get there. A very thorough professional inspection may give you a better hint at what it might be.. and what the bus isn't. Do not be lured by a low price tag, or... a shiny bus; There's more to it, than that. Used buses, newer and in better condition, have been bought for less than that one. I'd steer clear. | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Rating: N/A |
I would agree it is definitely a MC-7. One problem all side radiator MCI buses have is overheating. This is especially true of the MC-7 because it has smaller radiators than later models. If it has an automatic plan on going rather slowly uphill. You will run out of cooling capacity long before you run out of go. Find out where the bus was in service. If it was in the west or the south rust may not be an issue. If it saw service in the rust belt, look out. Regardless of where it saw service look for rust on the suspension connection points. Rust in those locations are very expensive to repair. Getting back to your original question, what will you be using your bus to do? Where will you be going? If you plan to do a lot of miles a coach may be a good choice. If you plan on doing a lot of back roading or off pavement, a coach would be a poor choice. Remember, a coach with three axles is going to be a lot more expensive to maintain than a school bus that has only two axles. Good luck. Mark O. | ||
| Geoff (Overand)
Rating: N/A |
Hey, first off- the 2nd AC is just not installed, from what I've heard. The bumper isn't missing, it had been removed when that photo was taken because he was repairing something, if I remember correctly. I personally have *not* laid eyes on this bus in person, a friend of mine back in my old town is the only one who's seen it. As for the rebuild, apparently the current owner/seller is a diesel tech, so with luck he'll have paperwork/docs/reciepts. I'm curious about everyone saying it's an MC-7 and not an MC-8, making the supposed "1978" date incorrect- I'll need to verify this, find out if my friend just mangled the date. Also, in reading about 'RV,' 'Commercial,' 'CDL' etc- Apparently in some states, if the vehicle is over 40 feet long it requires a CDL? That may just be california. I'm based out of CT at least now, (living in the Hudson Valley, NY, really, but my address, license, etc. are all CT, and I'm moving back soon) - and I've found no bus nuts on skoolie.net or really elsewhere from CT. The bus is currently registered in texas, though living in CT. *Supposedly* the title says the thing is an RV, as some conversion work was already done to it- again, this is a detail I'll have to verify, but if it's already an RV on the title, that makes my life easier in terms of licensing, insurance, etc. I still have all the typical questions, of course, all the usual stuff that comes up in the forums, like "CDL needed? Airbrake certs?" etc, but that's stuff for another day. The only thing that would be too bad would be if the state of Connecticut makes this difficult-if-not-impossible. Still trying to get more info on the bus, and will post. -Overand. |