| Author | Message | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 71.238.193.228 Rating: N/A |
Help, I'm a boater that wants to be a bus nut. I've located a 1967 MCI 5a that the current owner is willing to trade for my 28' cabin cruiser & trailer. I'm ok with giving up the boat, but a 43 year old bus tha weighs 30,000 lbs scares me to finacial death.This x tour bus looks good in pics & suposably has a rebuilt motor. She needs paint,generator and some updating, the bay doors are banged up & the tires are old.I'm an mech engineer that's very handy with car's & boats. My worst fear is an out of town breakdown like the other MCi5 guy whu decided to scrap his bus because he could buy another cheeper than repairs. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 783 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Mike and have a good time here on BUS NUTS. Need more info for us other than what you say and pictures would be the way to go. If she looks as bad as you are describing, How much are you wanting for the boat compared to the coach? Then what is the price of the coach? There may be a better buy around than this one. you may have a better boat than coach. LOL Gomer | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 242 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 75.245.94.22 Rating: N/A |
I see you are in Michigan, where is the bus,? near you? You might have someone nearby that would be willing to take a look at it for you. | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.248.141 Rating: N/A |
We have had a 5 for years and have loved it. Only time it left us is when I over estimated the amount of fuel I had. Great idea to have someone who know what to look for but if not possible to get someone knowlagable then what I think you want to watch for is corrosion. Air frame, frame rails, engine and baggage doors and hinges, radiator mounts and blower area. Look down the side of the coach, if it is not streight then you could have some bad rust under the skin or the unit may have been towed improperly. If she is in good shape that way then most any mechanical problems can be overcome. Good luck. I hope it works out for you. Thee old 5s are a great coach Les | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 251 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219  Rating: N/A |
Welcome to the board Mike! I'm just up the road from you in Lansing! I'd be glad to help you out. I have a 68 MCI 7. Could you get us some pic's? Is this bus local? Glenn | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 71.238.193.228 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for all the feedback, The bus is located in Spfld,Ill. I am trying to locate a local source to check it out. here is a link to some pics of bus & boat. //s810.photobucket.com/albums/zz28/mkemerriam/?action=view¤t=0460044-R1-038-17A.jpg Boet sale-gthpd-1592041606@craigslist.org | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 418 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.57.224.23 Rating: N/A |
mike, does not look all that nice from the pics. Guess first question should be what do you think your boat is worth? Tires, figure $1500 minimum Generator. all depends on how nice you want it and how new you want it. Baggage doors. Skin is not available except from donor buses Paint, anywhere from a grand or so to 7-8k depending on what you do. It's ass is dragging a bit. leveling valve or blown airbags? again, all sort of depends what your boat is worth.....and what you might be able to get for it if you sold it outright | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 252 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219 Rating: N/A |
My bus looks about the same. It came with a recently rebuilt engine (don't they all!), TONS of conversion pieces, new tires, skinned sides, RV windows with screens some new stainless pieces etc. I paid 3500 for it. I've replaced all the airbags, some hoses, a wheel bearing and some seals. Your boat (not to be rude!) would need to be in pretty sad shape for this to be a fair trade. Let us know what you think! Glenn | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.144.80.51 Rating: N/A |
that's a great deal on your bus Glenn. The owner claimes that it squats down after a day or two. she currently has a 16k diesel gen, but does not come with the trade. Here is a link that works for the boat http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/1592041606.html | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 253 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219 Rating: N/A |
Mike, Now having seen your boat, you definitely would come out on the short end of the deal. His bus is MAYBE worth 3k. For what you want for your boat,plus maybe 1500 more, you could buy an older conversion ready to go. I would walk (run!) away from this mci. We want our new members to have a successful start to a great hobby! Glenn | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 419 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.57.224.23 Rating: N/A |
yep, not a good trade. coach needs alot of work maybe he would trade you for the trailer...that might be an even deal | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 787 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91 Rating: N/A |
I have a much better coach than that and I couldn't see an even trade . The boat is toooo nice.! I don't have any money to trade with either.!! LOL gomer | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 255 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219 Rating: N/A |
From another great bus board is this post, just for comparison sake. I don't know the seller and have not affiliation with this bus. Just an example of how much 10K can buy today. http://stlouis.craigslist.org/rvs/1592366932.html Glenn | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 71.238.193.228 Rating: N/A |
Seen that one Glenn. He'll let it go for $7500. TO big for me & to many tires. 35' seems perfect for 2. The best thing for me is to sell my boat. Cash is King. But the urge to get a bus for the cost of traiering my boat to Springfield, Ill. is there. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 789 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91 Rating: N/A |
Cricket; Buy an already converted coach, put a hitch on hook up the boat and hit the road and whoever wants the boat, Take the money and continue on your journey and if need be, rent a boat for the difference. If they want the coach, you will have a place to stay while you cruise the waters. LOL Gomer | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 71.238.193.228 Rating: N/A |
that would be a Tuffy to back into the lake | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.248.141 Rating: N/A |
We pulled a 22 foot glasply command bridge behind our MC5. 6500 lbs of boat and trailer and didn't even know it was there until we got to where we were going but then had to spend a day cleaning oil etc off of the boat from the 8V71 It was not possible to launch or pull the boat with the coach because first gear is to high but fortunately someone was willing to lend a hand (and truck) to launch and pull. One of our happiest trips in the old 5 I hope this all works out for you. Aint nothing like busses and boats | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 71.238.193.228 Rating: N/A |
You guys are brutal... Is this bus really that bad? | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 256 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219 Rating: N/A |
Yup. Not brutal, just honest. We would like you to stick around a while! :-) | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 632 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 72.66.179.36  Rating: N/A |
Mike, These guys know what they are talking about. Keep looking. | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.144.80.51 Rating: N/A |
I love your 4106 Lary... That is exacly what I want. Does anyone have any input on this one. Thanks again all you nuts http://columbus.craigslist.org/rvs/1595958303.html | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 148 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.229.84  Rating: N/A |
That guy has been trying to sell that for at least a year, it might be a good deal, but be warned "has an air leak that needs fixing" could be 10 mins or leaking air beams and big PITA and $$. I saw an older ad where he was throwing in almost another bus's worth of spares (transmissions , air bags etc...) | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.144.80.51 Rating: N/A |
He claimes it needs rear air bags & he does not have them. he does have bay doors, windows ,trans & front end. real old conversion too. Brand new 3 way fridge (Large) | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 149 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.229.84 Rating: N/A |
Good thiong about that bus is it's not too far away. Before I bought my bus I did a fair bit of tire kicking, even went to look at some busses I couldn't afford jsut to get a feel for them Went for some tests drives (didn't get drive though, had to wait for that). The key here is to take you time 'til the right one comes along. FWIW if I could do it again I would buy a southern 4104 (less corrosion as the "all aluminum" '04 isn't and aluminum corrodes anyhow. That being said, I sure do think that the '04 is the bus to have. | ||
| joe granzier (Joegranzier)
Registered Member Username: Joegranzier Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 69.255.245.92 Rating: N/A |
That bus in central Ohio Did he get one too many zeros in the price ?? That is one rough rough looking unit | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 150 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.229.84 Rating: N/A |
I bought one like that (even had a big air leak but it was an air tank) for $1953.00 before the economy had tanked and no one had any money. PO only wanted $1950.00 but the bus was a 53 so I threw in the extra 3. Good bus though. | ||
| Gary Stacy (Stacytruck)
Registered Member Username: Stacytruck Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 24.121.50.4  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Mike, I would also keep looking, that is a pretty tuff looking 5a. For a few more thousand I think you could do a lot better just my $0.02 g | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 634 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.127.171 Rating: N/A |
It took me over a year to find my bus searching every night, and for what I paid for it in '06, it is still a good deal today. When I was a bus-not I had unrealistic expectations as to what was involved, and if it where not for God looking out for me, I would have had nothing but a disaster. I made bids on eBay and even put a deposit down on a POS that the owner thought was a polished diamond. A nice converted 4106 can be found for less than 10k converted. A very nice one between 14k to 18k. That is my opinion, so YMMV with other posters. | ||
| L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
Registered Member Username: Jamo Post Number: 125 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 24.59.114.207  Rating: N/A |
I looked and asked lots of questions before I bought my '53 4104-204. All of it online though, through Ebay & a couple other bus sites. My wife thought I was absofreakinlutely nuts, but she's used to me doing stupid stuff. I was out for a ride on the RoadKing one day & saw a 4104 parked in a driveway. I stopped & rang the bell. The owners were (are) great folks and told me to bring my wife over for a visit. Well, my wife loved the thing. She and the Mrs. spend an hour inside, while the Mr. & I spent some quality time looking over & discussing what to look for in a 4104 (good and bad). He converted his coach himself, in fact he used to drive them for the lines (Syracuse & Oswego) before he retired. He knew his stuff and was more than willing to pass any & all info along to me. Nice to have a local nut who is willing to help. Guess you can see where I'm going with this. Do your homework & get your SO involved. Sure pays off in the end. We're loving our bus... Good luck... Jamo | ||
| L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
Registered Member Username: Jamo Post Number: 126 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 24.59.114.207 Rating: N/A |
BTW: I paid $8000 for mine, delived to my driveway from RI with a full tank of Diesel. It's an older (but well done) conversion, with an old (but running) generator, inverter, converter, etc. No roof airs either. The plumbing and wiring were both a mess, so I'm in the process of redoing both. The interior needs cosmetic upgrades only. In today's market, we may have paid too much, but with less than 10K on o/o/f engine rebuild, tranny rebuild, new clutch, p/plate, t/o bearing, ring gear, etc. Runs, drives, & shifts great. Didn't buy it for an investment anyway, so we'll remain happy B-Nuts. |