| Author | Message | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 22 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.144.80.51 Rating: N/A |
I'v been looking for the perfect starter bus for close to a year now. The excitment has worn off & not it is a P.I.T.A. Here is the latest fish on the line http://evansville.craigslist.org/rvs/1693925518.html The price has been negioated down to $10,000 + my 1999 sportster. Please check her out & post your comments | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 572 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193  Rating: N/A |
Looks fine. If you are OK with the repairs needed & you like the floor plan - I'd get it & start enjoying it as soon as possible.  | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1004 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.29.76.171 Rating: N/A |
From what I see here, I would. G | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 250 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160  Rating: N/A |
Looks good to me, hope you have another bike. | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 213 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 174.145.234.6 Rating: N/A |
That looks like a pretty nice bus for a reasonable price. Three thoughts come to mind. First, how much is your Sporty worth? That price plus $10K is what you think the bus is worth. If you didn't have the Sporty would you pay that much cash for it? Second, after sitting so much you are going to have to put new rubber all the way around. Have you factored that cost in to the final cost to you? Third, the costs of repairing what isn't working is going to cost something. Are those costs, plus your Sporty, and $10K what you think the bus is really worth? The one other thing that concerns me is how they attached the trailer hitch to the rear of the bus. If it isn't done correctly all of the weight of the towed unit is going to be pulling against the engine cradle. That can cause some rather catostrophic failures down the road. In the final analysis whatever you decide to pay, if you decide to purchase it, is what the bus is worth. Don't plan on getting anyone else to pay as much. Good luck and happy trails. | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 358 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.187.35.208  Rating: N/A |
It looks like a pretty decent conversion with a few precautions. First, as already mentioned, new rubber all around if the tires are ten years old. With only one air conditioner and a swamp cooler, it may be OK in the Midwest, but it's not going to work in Florida, plan on two more. Apparently, no generator. If you buy it, I would budget a minimum of $5-6K right away and at least that much more down the road. I really like it and would love to have it myself. Just don't get all starry eyed and think you are just going to ride off into the sunset without a care!! Len | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 404 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
It has some very desireable attributes such as automatic and integral steering. I also wouldnot call that a starter coach, much too nice for that. Joe. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 573 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
As has been said, that looks to be much better than what I'd call a "starter bus" ! ! ! Remember, this is a hobby, NOT AN INVESTMENT! If you plan on it having zero residual value, you will have a blast with it. If you are planning on it being worth something later, you are setting yourself up for disapointment. Best of luck whatever you decide. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1886 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
I'd be concerned about not having a generator, been sitting for 10 years(inside or out storage?), tires, axle seals, if oil type, batteries, air bags, brakes, etc.current pic or one 10 years ago? It would be at least, worth taking a trip to thoroughly check it out. If you buy it, change the fuel filters before coming home, but after a good test run so crap goes into old filters. If fuel smells stale, add some conditioner to it. Looks good from pictures, even though. What version of fridge? If you purchase, drive slower coming home with those old tires on it; you don't need to deal with a tire change out on the road. Check frequently for oil and water leaks after some miles and watch for engine temp problems. If it actually looks that nice and you can negotiate some more, and there isn't any major issues, go for it. You have to start somewhere. Oh, and hopefully, you can do some repairs yourself; bring an assortment of tools along, rags, hand cleaner, good flashlight..... | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1887 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157 Rating: N/A |
duhhh, and one major thing I forgot????, you need to do a thorough check for frame rusting issues, which will turn a great purchase into a nightmare. | ||
| John & Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 401 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.5.35  Rating: N/A |
I would like to know if the pictures are before or after the 10 years of sitting. Nice looking conversion and would have cost a mint to get it to that level when they had it done. Good luck whatever you decide. John | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 659 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.247.30  Rating: N/A |
What is the '99 sportster worth? All issues seem to be minor and easy fixes. The hard work has been done, and it is a great looking bus. Sitting for 10 years but had a good successful run in '09 is nothing to worry about. Look up my story. My bus sat 10 years and didn't move until I bought it. It racked up 2900 miles from the PO house to my driveway without a problem. Not having a generator is not a deal killer. There are several options out there that will work well (Like buying used from a wrek, or a Honda RV unit). It looks like a good deal to me, and I am a hard one to please. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1246 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.243.33.181 Rating: N/A |
Laryn...I absolutely agree "not having a generator is not a deal killer"..and "it looks like a good deal to me, and I am a hard one to please".... FWIW RCB | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 67.174.144.159  Rating: N/A |
Hey Mike, I am still learning from these guys here on the board and a newbie to busing. It took us 2 years to find the MC5C (Saudi)we found for 15K and it didn't have 1/2 the stuff that, that one has and who knows how many miles on our engine. I have been upgrading bath kitchen etc. and when done it will be nice but will be awhile before we can afford to upgrade motor and yours is already there. Dave | ||
| Bill Holstein (Billmoocow)
Registered Member Username: Billmoocow Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 98.232.207.25  Rating: N/A |
As far as i am concerned, a bus nut starts from scratch, | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 67.174.144.159 Rating: N/A |
Gee ya mean you have to mine the metal too? | ||
| Mike Merriam (Cricket)
Registered Member Username: Cricket Post Number: 23 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.144.80.51 Rating: N/A |
Well here comes the scary part. Draining the bank account to buy a 42 year old money pit. I figure 15 grand (10 + bike) seems like a great deal. The problems is, a bus is HARD to sell once you own it, and you have to give it away to get rid of it. I have the wife's permission (reluctantly) to buy this bus, I hope this does'nt bite me in the a$$. | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 117 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 75.243.252.118 Rating: N/A |
First it is a bargin with the interior done, if you like the floor plan,cross bus bed in rear? IF the 6-92 cools ok, than fine. Personally that is my only concern, How is the turbo mounted/remounted or was the engine compartment modified for the turbo. Next the trans should be air cooled, cause this bus will be a great puller on hills/no or little smoke. It will be hard to keep ones foot light on hills. Bottom line I like it, to me it is way better than a MH, they are bigger money pits. | ||
| John & Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 402 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.5.35 Rating: N/A |
Mike, Everyone of us faced similar doubts when buying a used bus. The other thing you have to remember is the minute you buy it, you will see 20 other deals that appear better than the one you chose. You look it over as well as you can, decide if you can trust the guy your buying it from and go for it! Life and old busses don't come with guarantees, but nothing ventured nothing gained. There is not a motorhome made ( and I have driven some beauties)that will give you the feel of that bus under you as you head down the highway. These machines are built for the road. Good luck. John | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1247 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.57.154 Rating: N/A |
Apparently the guy getting rid of it is not "giving it away"...... I echo John Tesser's comments. Make a decision and live with it...and if you do the deal, don't beat yourself up if it turns out not to be the "perfect buy". Seems to me a lot in life is a crap shoot; so what's new? FWIW RCB | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 12 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.248.153.101  Rating: N/A |
Being a "bus nut" is a STATE OF MIND not a degree in engineering. Not everone has the time, ability or interest to bring a bus through a conversion from scratch. I'm happy there are bus nuts out there of all types and accept them all for what they claim they are...being a bus nut is not about what you do rather it speaks to HOW YOU LIVE | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 278 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.132.201  Rating: |
If that bus for that price does not trip your trigger you will be pretty hard pressed to get more for less. | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 663 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.247.32 Rating: N/A |
Halfway done shells will cause you to loose your shirt. This is a good deal. 35’ with a 6v92 and auto is an expensive and sweet upgrade on a MCI 5. As said before, keep an eye on the temp gauge with that motor package. If I was looking to buy that bus it has everything already on the check list but the genny. It will be difficult to find another like it at that price, even in this depressed market. It even looks good enough to go to those snooty campgrounds, mine doesn’t. If you don’t want to jump in, let us know, surly there are others who would like a shot at it. | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 664 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.247.34 Rating: N/A |
I finally figured out that you are talking about $15k. Drive it to my house and I will give you $16k + lunch and you will sleep much better. It would be a big sacrifice for me to do that for you, but I am just one of those great guys you always read about. You really don’t want that bus. We have all been pulling your chain and I just have to say enough is enough. Please PM me before you show up, because I will want to take a week off of work to take that bus down to Goose point on Philpot lake (The most beautiful lake camping I have ever seen.). | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 279 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 75.230.133.116 Rating: N/A |
Looks like he put vents in the back doors so i am thinking overheating is not going to be a problem, depending on what else he did to it of course. | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 279 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.132.201 Rating: N/A |
Hey Barn Owl where is this Shangrala you speek of? .........and what about your current camper? Keep it and have 2? Give it away for peanuts to get rid of it? | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 280 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.132.201 Rating: N/A |
And if you do get another bus You need to get a Prevo anyway. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1163 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.248.144.216  Rating: N/A |
STARTER BUS? ,,,,,,STARTER BUS? Nobody needs no stinking STARTER BUS! Sure its a hobby,, but with some good research many of the newbee mistakes can be avoided so only ONE conversion will be needed , until there is a substantial change in your Desirements . "And if you do get another bus You need to get a Prevo anyway." Light duty busses , just as skoolies , and transits have their uses, and enthusiasts. Just try to chose a coach that will be what you need for a couple of DECADES, for me its a Line Coach , although I agree most campers will never wear out almost any choice.. FF | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 282 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.132.201 Rating: N/A |
Agreed Fred. I said that tongue in cheek. This bus of ours it is our first and unless we win the lotto it will be the last too. | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 75.230.79.48 Rating: N/A |
This bus is also our first one and even if we won the lotto i would not buy a newer/bigger one. I would get it repainted though. :>) | ||
| Gary Stacy (Stacytruck)
Registered Member Username: Stacytruck Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 97.125.73.50  Rating: N/A |
I have not seen a nicer shine on stainless in a very long time, I wish my stainless looked that good. If you want a 5 I guess that is the 5 for you, g | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 665 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.92.45 Rating: N/A |
Philpott lake in Bassett, Va http://www.campgroundreport.com/061906.html http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/philpott/goosepoint.htm Reservations are hard to get for section C. Almost all sites are on the water, and you can park so you only see the lake, and not your neighbors. Lots of space between sites. I will try to post photos later but check out photos posted at the first link. I was traveling all over not realizing this place was right under my nose. | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 617 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.238.13  Rating: N/A |
... eye wood need to do a real good inspection before I could say it is priced fair , hi or low. ` The bits don't hurt as much when you make informed decissions, nor the kick in the pants that seem to come from somewhere unkown. | ||
| Gary Stacy (Stacytruck)
Registered Member Username: Stacytruck Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 97.125.77.36 Rating: N/A |
Truthfully, in my honest opinion, no matter how much you inspect a 37 year old bus,you will usually find a new "problem", if your bus ends up like mine.But the love of having your own bus will keep you keepin on if you know what I mean. g | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1135 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.78.188  Rating: |
Hey Mike - - Kyle said it best: "Remember, this is a hobby, NOT AN INVESTMENT!" It's tough to do that when we get all starry-eyed, so try to remember that it's a used, tired old commercial vehicle, that was no longer considered reliable enough to carry passengers for hire. Once we fully comprehend that concept, and promise ourselves not to fall in love with a stupid pile of metal, we can look forward to spending every last penny we have, and every free moment we have, on what probably could have been made into some really, really nice lawn furniture at some recycling plant. Enjoy it man..... And if the tires held out after a "1800 mile trip in 2009 pulling a 24 ft car trailer", I'd just keep an eye on the sidewalls and do the usual tire thumping with each stop and run. (old casings are used for re-grooving and recapping) Like life itself, take a day at a time and enjoy the good with the not-so-good, it'll all blend together just fine. . | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1168 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.248.150.30 Rating: |
it's a used, tired old commercial vehicle, that was no longer considered reliable enough to carry passengers for hire. There is a difference in the service concept for all buses. The Skoolies and Transits are gov provided (usually $$$$ 90%) so they are scrapped as soon as more confiscated highway cash comes in. The servicing is minor and frequently minimal as the new buses are almost FREE The light duty tour buses are frequently sold off on a 3 or 4 year sked , when ever the entertainment system is too dated , or the charter tourist bookers think the bus is "too old" for their market. The line coaches are usually sold off as the vehicle is fully depreciated and the tax system will pay to get a newer item to deprecate . The Line coach maint does not allow for breakdowns or out of service , so many co like Hound replace items on time , not miles to stay ahead of the curve. With good records and folks that are specialists , they usually are replacing a very reliable bus nwith a newer version. AS the next owner is usually a smaller Line or charter co, the chance of poor PM , or a wait till later fixes does grow. The end is usually a Church group (God will fix it) or a camper conversion , where maint runs from fantastic to non existant. Like a battery its best to find a bus that has never been too run down , as restoring it gets pricy in time and mini-bucks. FF | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 414 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Mike A couple of weeks have allmost gone by, would be much interested to hear where things are at. Joe. |
