| Author | Message | ||
| John D'Amato (Crazydog)
Registered Member Username: Crazydog Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 142.32.208.234 Rating: N/A |
Hi, Just starting to catch the bug, and planning on creating yet another hole through which I can pour time and money  One quesion, (i'm sure there will be many more in the future), can anyone offer any advice on finding a used bus in Canada. If I could buy here and avoid the hassles of importing, I would prefer to. Any advice. Cheers | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 878 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5  Rating: N/A |
From what I understand, salt corrosion is a bigger issue up there. Really be careful about the condition of the framing on one. | ||
| John D'Amato (Crazydog)
Registered Member Username: Crazydog Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 142.32.208.234 Rating: N/A |
Thanks John, Our northern roads tend to be salted and sanded heavily in some areas. It can take the body right out of a vehicle in very few years. Sometimes even more important is the potential damage to trannies and running gear from spinning and lugging on nasty roads. | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 112 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239  Rating: N/A |
What Part of Canada are you? I know of a bus here in Saskatchewan that might be still for sale. If I wasn't so far along with mine I might have taken it. Ian Also has buses listed on this sight not sure any are in Canada or not. Sorry Crazy dog I looked at your profile after I posted I see your in Dawson Creek. Dah (Message edited by paso_1 on February 18, 2008) | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 2037 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.85.14 Rating: N/A |
I understand it is very difficult to import buses into Canada. Find out what all the rules are before you go looking. Richard | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1191 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.123.43  Rating: N/A |
Here's the poop: http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html Do NOT talk to the government asking naive questions. If you do, you are done. If you can't figure out the difference between black/white and gray, get some help from someone who has done this before or you will have a perfectly good bus denied. They (the gubbermint)don't know what they are doing either.... You have been warned. happy coaching! buswarrior (Message edited by buswarrior on February 18, 2008) | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1071 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 24.239.7.250  Rating: N/A |
Hi John, The glut of them are going to be found in Ontario, though I am sure you should be able to find something in Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver. Buswarrior is connected to a fellow out here in Ontario who is selling off complete frame/engine overhauls of GO Transit buses. Though these buses have had a pretty hard life, his shop completely refurbs. I've visited the shop and it's excellent work being done there. Every piece of metal is shiny new before they're put out to work again. I was about to buy one a couple of years ago myself and wouldn't hesitate to, now. BW will likely see this and come on here to answer. Can-Ar Coach is another pretty good place to buy a bus. Again, they have a refurb facility that strips them down to bones and rebuilds them next door at SN Diesel. Can-Ar is at http://www.can-arcoach.com/forsale.html and SN Diesel is at http://www.sndiesel.com. As always, rust is troublesome, but as long as you're looking at the right parts of a bus and know when the last time it was stripped and rebuilt, you could get a gem that'll last you and your heirs many, many years. Please let me know if I can broker a deal out this way for you. BW and I are nearly neighbours in southern Ontario and could consult with you, and would be happy to do so, at any time. Between the two of us, we could find you a nice one. Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1072 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 24.239.7.250 Rating: N/A |
... and there he is! LOL!! | ||
| John D'Amato (Crazydog)
Registered Member Username: Crazydog Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 142.32.208.234 Rating: N/A |
Wow, so much help so fast! At this point in the buying process I am just testing the waters so I don't want to waste your time giving me specific items. I appreciate it, but I'm not ready to act ( my wife is watching me type this and is nodding). At this point I'm waiting for my mental health certification before I start Any websites or dealers I can prowl through are most welcome. Cheers | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1192 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.123.43 Rating: N/A |
And I have crazy bus driving friends who would team drive a good one across the country for you if you kept them fed for the trip... Yup, some folks still crave adventure and don't care about the ca$h.... happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1193 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.123.43 Rating: N/A |
e-mailed you John, any help we can offer, let us know! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 205 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
John Give me a phonecall, I have something you might be interested in. Number is in the profile. Joe. | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 191 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 142.46.199.30  Rating: N/A |
Importing a bus is not all that difficult if you follow the RIV rules. It's important to look at the latest RIV list or permitted vehicles as there are certain buses that can't be imported (such as RTS's). DaveD | ||
| Ross Allen (Alltech)
Registered Member Username: Alltech Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 198.162.72.25 Rating: N/A |
John I bought out of the US it wasn't much of a hassle at all. Just make sure that the coach you buy has not been altered from its original intended purpose. That means if it came with seats for carring passangers then thats how it has to come across the boarder. There are a couple other hoops to jump through but nothing that bad. I just moved to Calgary a couple years ago from Bay Tree, also live for 10 years in Dawson Creek Thx Ross | ||
| John D'Amato (Crazydog)
Registered Member Username: Crazydog Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 142.32.208.234 Rating: N/A |
Hey Ross, When did you live in Dawson Creek? Your name seems familiar. I think your right that the import process sound more intimidating than it really is. Like any government process: make sure you know the rules before your start, because you may have to tell them. Cheers | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.205 Rating: N/A |
Has anyone here imported a gmc conversion to Canada (4104, 4106, 4107 ...)? Thanks. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 206 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Hiwaycallin The only busses made by GM that can be brought into Canada are the Newlook and the Classic (transits) made in Canada. Everthing else is inadmissable, unless the build date is prior to Dec 31, 1970. Then pretty well anything on wheels is OK. You realize offcourse these rules were made for your protection in case you caught the disease called "bussites" BigDaddy government looking out for your wellbeing. BaWha. Joe. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.205 Rating: N/A |
" You realize offcourse these rules were made for your protection in case you caught the disease called "bussites" BigDaddy government looking out for your wellbeing. BaWha. " Ha, Ha, that's a funny one Joe! "... unless the build date is prior to Dec 31, 1970. Then pretty well anything on wheels is OK." This is good news then for someone like me who might be looking in the direction of a pd-4104, 4106, or 4107 then huh? | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1196 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.69.141.61 Rating: N/A |
A correction, all of GM's highway coaches are admissible for import to Canada. Many Canadian operators ran GM coaches, buying them right up to the bitter end. The RIV listing is not detailed in this regard. Remember, that there is no GM Bus and Coach Division to keep the gubbermint on the straight and narrow. It expressly forbids RTS, as they weren't sold up here...but... Here's where you have to know your history.... RTS were built by GM, and more recently by Nova... The transit in Toronto has 50 Nova RTS's with S50 and VR731R in them. Still a while before we see them sold off, but keep your ears open, the time is approaching... happy coaching! buswarrior (Message edited by buswarrior on February 19, 2008) (Message edited by buswarrior on February 19, 2008) | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 207 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Buswarrior I asked very pointedly of the RIV a number of years ago whether e.g. a midseventies hiway coach could be imported (GM) and the answer was a flat no. If this has changed, it might be wise to triple check before getting ones hopes up too high. Joe. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1197 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.69.141.61 Rating: N/A |
Some hell needs to be raised, they were available and sold in Canada right to the end, so the gubbermint has made an error. Need to go higher than the clerk who just follows the words. This is the trouble with not having the manufacturer available to fix these screw-ups. Who will fund this effort? happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 368 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
John, If you get your mental health certification, you aren't qualified to be a bus nut! Sorry, that's just how it is, we're all nuts! Regards, George | ||
| John D'Amato (Crazydog)
Registered Member Username: Crazydog Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 142.32.208.234 Rating: N/A |
Hey George, I'm assuming that nothing has changed and I am still borderline insane. Why else would try farming, building my own house, etc, etc. I'm sure that if I were normal I would spend the same money and buy a nice stick & stable class A. But the idea of a nice solid industrial strength bus just seems so much more appealing. Cheers | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.205 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the info guys regarding importing old GM coaches. When the time comes maybe I can hire the two of you as "import agents" to ensure a smooth transaction! signed, ... still bus-less in BC (but hiway is callin') | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 882 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
Sorry George, I don't consider myself a Bus nut.......I think of myself as more of a Bus cashew. | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 207.161.154.186 Rating: N/A |
Good Afternoon John, I fairly new to the bus thing as well. I in the worst way wanted to import a bus last year. I found the bus, checked with customs, RIV and our provicial auto insurance. Everything looked like it was simple. However after talking with MCI they informed me that buses fall into Transport Canada's juristiction. They also gave me a phone number for Bruce Coach in Salmon Arm B.C. for more info. After talking with Bruce I decided it just wasn't worth the hassle. He told me that if the bus is factory original (with seats etc) most buses are permitable, however if the bus has any conversion done to it I'm hooped. He said I would probably get it across the border,get my provicial safety done and the licensed. However he said when that serial # hits the records I would be given 30 days to remove it from the country. I believe I am of the same nature that Buswarrior is, there's got to be a way, and all the politcal BS is just that, BS. Anyway I ended up paying twice as much for my MC9 than I would have needed to but it's not locked down in some compound, and am having my enjoyable challenges renovating. I really enjoy all of your post which have helped me along the way. Thanks | ||
| Ross Allen (Alltech)
Registered Member Username: Alltech Post Number: 8 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 198.162.72.25 Rating: N/A |
Hey John Send me your phone number and I will give you a call my emai address is drallen@spectraenergy.com Thx Ross | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 113 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239 Rating: N/A |
It Can be Done Simple as that. I have the paperwork to prove it. BW posts above are bang on. Be careful what you ask for. "No" is easier to say and gets rid of you sooner. Yes could cause so work. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 208 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Paul Yes offcourse it can be done. In your case you fall into the pre 1971 catagory and you must have dotted the I's and crossed the required T,s in order to get it home. Joe. | ||
| leo persia (Heat)
Registered Member Username: Heat Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 67.68.39.148 Rating: N/A |
It is easy I brought in a MC8 a few years back out of New York state. Just follow the RIV program for bringing Bus up to Canadian Compliance daytime running lights etc, recalls if any and it will be as easy as 1 2 3 | ||
| james (Dieseldust)
Registered Member Username: Dieseldust Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 75.155.116.102 Rating: N/A |
hello people i am looking at bringing a parcialy converted 1967 MCI 5 into Canada Vancouver BC, think i will have problems it has been a entertainer Bus for awile Blue grass band | ||
| leo persia (Heat)
Registered Member Username: Heat Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 65.93.62.104 Rating: N/A |
James I do not believe that Bus quailifies It must be in original condition (passenger bus) This is what they ( RIV people) Registered Imported Vehicle told me when I brought my MC8 into Canada. Hope that helps | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 210 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Leo Yes it will qualify, because it was built before 1971. In my post above I stated that as long as it rolls it will be OK. I brought one back, bare inside no windows with plywood on the sides, and it is parked in my yard. Your MC8 having been built during the mid seventies had to comply to all the rules and regulations. Joe. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.205  Rating: N/A |
So just to clarify, if it was built pre-1971 and runs, it can be imported for sure (any make or model). If it was built in 1971 or later, it must be on the RIV "ok" list and also in original condition (i.e. not converted) in order to be admissible? | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 211 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Callin You have it absolutely correct!!! Joe. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.205 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Joe! | ||
| leo persia (Heat)
Registered Member Username: Heat Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2008 Posted From: 70.51.64.42 Rating: N/A |
learn something new every day |