| Author |
Message |
keith andrews (24.237.147.147)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 4:44 pm: | |
I am interested in purchasing a neighbors 74 flxible transit but don't have a good idea of what it is worth. It is a shell 8v-71, vs2-8, over mil miles,engine runs and bus moves. Its outward character includes let me see at least 5 bullet holes one through the front cap just above the head lamps on the corner (just missed the windshield fluid resivoir) the other 4 are all in various windows. The engine bay door won't shut or latch and is dented some on the corners and has two or three perforations. Tires all look very worn and all are sun checked. Batteries were left out all winter (Alaska) so I think they are just environmental hazzards now. All the lights work and the brakes will stop me in the parking area. The skin is aluminium on top, steel middle, alum bottom, and looks ok to me, just a few missing rivets and character marks. Built oct 74,gvwr 36,000, model 53102-8-1, axel ratio 6 1/7 (is that right), serial# 59605. I don't know much about diesels or buses mostly just what I have picked up here staying up most of three nights straight reading countless posts. Thanks to the numerous knowledgble folks who post here. I think I will offer 3000.00 if the ole girl does not show too many more liver spots. Does anyone have experience with corrosion on these type flxibles? Rust gives me nightmares. Kilo Alpha |
Paul Tillmann (209.23.54.79)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 5:23 pm: | |
Old transits are really not worth that much. I've seen posts on the internet where people pay around $1500US for a good running, just out of service bus. I paid $2000 for my 1974 GMC Fishbowl with only 60,000 original miles on it (the Veterans Administration owned it) and that was really too much. It cost me $1080 for service and brake work to make it safe for the road just so I could get it home. I know these buses are becoming more popular these days but $3000 seems a little pricey for a bus needing windows ($100) each, batteries ($100 each @ Sam's) and bullet holes to patch up. Good used tires will run you at $100 to $150 each (mounted). I can guarantee you will have to put hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars into that bus to get it on the road safely. If you really want this bus, offer substantially less and see where it goes from there. If your base $ are low enough it will be worth putting money into it to fix it up. I've got somewhere around $4K in my bus now and its still only worth about what I paid for it. Just be careful. |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 5:25 pm: | |
IMHO, I'd offer $500, then scrap it out for parts. . .
You could go to one of the local transit agency's auctions and pick up a running '85-90 for the amount you're thinking of offering for this bullet-ridden hulk. And it probably wouldn't be an orphan. . .
HTH,
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Bradd B. Smith (Bbsrtbusproject) (208.26.165.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 6:40 pm: | |
Keith, you can pick up much better for much less. The transport back to Ak. will have to be figured in. E-bay has late model transit's all the time at top dollar for what you are considering offering. The ratio in that unit are not highway gears. I am afraid I have to agree wholeheartedly with RJ. Pass and keep looking, don't fall for a bus until it is one that is a good price and up to snuff. There are just to many out there right now to take on a mechanical project as well as the formidable one of conversion. There is a reason that one is sitting. Best of luck, your patience will be rewarded! |
Scott Whitney (66.214.200.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 6:41 pm: | |
Hi Keith,
I agree with the the posts above. Offer about $500 if it runs and drives. I paid $2000 for my 1974 Flxible transit which I think was fair at the time. (no bullet holes, ran fine, looked good) But the market has changed a bit in the last couple years. Transits can be found cheap, cheap, cheap. Maybe not in AK, but elsewhere.
BTW, my bus is the exact same model. You may be interested in seeing my partial conversion in progress Web site here:
http://www.dustyfoot.com
Don't ask how much I have spent on it, though - way more than it will ever be worth. But alas, it is mine done my way.
Scott |
Scott Whitney (66.214.200.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 6:52 pm: | |
BTW, Bradd's post came in at the same time as mine so I hadn't read it yet when I posted.
I would have differ, though, and say that I think the 6-1/7 gears could be considered highway gears. I have the exact same ratio. Mine will cruise at about 60-65MPH. Not a speed demon, but does fine with most traffic on the freeways. Probably better get it out on the road to make sure she'll do at least 55-60MPH though. Otherwise you definitely don't want it.
Scott |
Mark Medin (67.112.97.196)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 8:08 pm: | |
Ebay's also a deceptive gauge on the market as winning bidders seem to back out quite often. And some auctions are (how shall I say this?) fishy. I've stopped considering ebay worthwhile as far as pricing's concerned. For example, there's a Flx transit on ebay right now, mislabled as a GMC - owner has $12,000 as opening bid. No one will bid on it, it's ludicrously overpriced. |
keith Andrews (24.237.150.156)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 4:38 am: | |
Thanks Paul I will be more careful in the future. If I make an offer now it will be only 500 or so as a parts bus as R.J. suggested.I have not looked at ebay at all but probably will tonight.
Scott I have been to your web site previously and have viewed all of the photos and text. I have also reviewed many of your past postings and wish to thank you for the links, dialogue and information that you have provided.
I like the "CLASSIC" look of this particular coach and enjoyed the small amount of manuvering I was able to do in the construction yard. I usually drive a 1988 honda crx (GVWR 2515 :-)) so it was good to feel 10 feet tall and bullet proof, well almost.
Have been searching for reading material and found the following titles I plan on purchasing:
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO CONVERTED COACHES
THE BUS CONVERTERS BIBLE
FASCINATING FASTNER FACTS
BUS WIRING FOR BUS NUTS
BUSES OF MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES
FLXIBLE TRANSIT BUSES
In the beginning search for a bus these sites are the best I have been able to come up with:
Busesonline.com
Buscentral.com
Bargainbusnews .com
Flxible.net
Easterbussales.com
Abcbusmotorcoach.com
Mcicoach.com
Busforsale.com
rv-busconversions.com
Any other websites or book reccomendations would be welcomed. You know these old diesel pushers are really an awesome machine.
Enjoy the ride
Kilo Alpha |
Scott Whitney (66.214.200.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 12:12 pm: | |
Hi Keith,
I also drive a CRX. An '85 Si. Do you know if they can be towed four wheels down?
I think it is fun to have one of the smallest and one of the biggest vehicles around.
Scott |
franco (198.81.16.51)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 10:11 pm: | |
E-bay is the best place to buy a bus. I bought one that I know was a great deal |
Bradd B. Smith (Bbsrtbusproject) (208.26.165.118)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 1:17 am: | |
Like Franco, I bought mine on e-bay and got a great bus at a really good price. Including getting it home at 2100 miles, it was less than you were talking about. There not all good deals and sometimes the folks selling stuff don't know their rear from a hole in the ground. Take the time to really think about what you want. There are a bunch of threads in the archives that deal with rt's versus otr coaches. Good luck and welcome to an interesting challenge. |
Keith Andrews (24.237.149.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 2:54 am: | |
Scott,
I don't know but I did look in my owner's manual and they recommend a flat bed truck ( and probably with the car in a crate of styrofoam peanuts) or a two wheel lift. THey do not distinguish between an automatic or manual transmission. I did'nt know that they even made an automatic Crx. I am confused that they sanction either front or back wheels down. In the cautionary notes they warn not to exceed 35 mph or 50 miles. THe last cautionary note says if possible tow with the front wheels off tera firma which seems to make sense but conflict the earlier permission to tow front or rear up.
Its funny you brought this up as I was just starting to quander the same question. Mabey we need a tag axel just behind the front,just take off the front driving wheels and let it ride on the tags,no dollies or axel locks. I think a 3 axel crx shortened and coming out of the basement of a coach would be way cool.
Anyhow I need to do a search on axel locks I saw referenced to in an old MOTORHOME magazine november 1989. I found in a question and answer section the topic of towable cars and trucks. I get the impression that auto equiped Hondas can be towed 4 down with no modifications but that perhaps at 200 mile intervals the engine should be started and the gears all run through. Specifically mentioned was the difficulty of attaching a tow bar because of the plastic front ends and the increased caution of towing 4 down with post 1988 models. When I find out more I'll let you know.
Enjoy the ride
Kilo Alpha |
Scott Whitney (66.214.200.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 2:54 pm: | |
Hi Keith,
I apologize for taking this post off your original topic. Maybe we can continue this discussion by e-mail? Mine is: scott at dustyfoot dot com.
I read the same info in my owner's manual and is why I am confused. As far as I know the CRX has the same transaxle as other Hondas which can all be towed 4 down no problem - AT & MT both. I have put out posts on a CRX BBS and have not yet found any explanation why it can or can't be towed 4 down. I am tempted to get a custom base plate built, tow it, and find out. . .
Mounting a base plate would be tricky as there is not much metal up front. There is one guy on the CRX board who built a tow bar for it, but has not posted any pics or design specs yet. Seems feasible with enough attachments. Mine only weighs 1800 Lbs or so.
I am also intrigued with the idea of baggage bay cars. The CRX would be a hot car to do this mod to. Virtually the entire car is the front end. You could chop as much of the middle out as needed and make it a convertable. Unfortunately, my Flxi transit has no baggage bays, so it will be a project for my next bus. (who knows when. . .) I am guessing you saw the baggage bay car section on my Website? Some neat pics of chopped Honda 600s there.
Scott |
FAST FRED (63.208.87.224)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 5:22 am: | |
How bout a VW Micro bus ?
Some have a fabric roof and can haul the really big stuff.
Really easy to tow , and very light.
FAST FRED |