Need some advice on a decision

[BUSBOZO]

Hi folks. Currently I have a 1993 International Conventional BlueBird 77 pass with DTA360 190K hydraulic brakes. So far I have taken out all the seats, rubber floor, plywood. The place I bought it from has a nice deal on a 1998 International BlueBird 444E 130k hydraulic brakes 77pass(I think). He actually wants $700 less for that bus than what I paid for the one I have now. (Because of the engine). Here are the pro's and con's...........

Pro's:
-Better highway speeds
-Just out of service
-Familiar with company that originally purchased it (They take good care of their buses)
-5 years newer
-Less mileage
-No stepwell rot
Con's:
-Less dependable engine
-I would need to start all over again. (taking out seats etc.. etc..)
-Most likely lose money trying to sell the one I currently have.

Do you think I would have a better chance selling my 93 with the seats and rubber floor already torn out?
At the time I bought the 93 the 98's were going for close to the same money as the 93. Even then i probably should have gotten a 98. But now they are even cheaper.
I got the 93 because of the engine and I like the older dash setup and jacknknife doors and the way it runs and drives. For some reason the 98's were not doing it for me, but now I think it might have been a better decision to go with a 98.

Don't get me wrong, the 93 was well taken care of but it did sit for a little while and the frame and undercarriage is a little rusty. And the stepwell is rotted. Overall the bus is in great shape.

He is asking $1,500 for the 98's. I can probably get it even cheaper because he has a bunch of them he is trying to offload.

What do you guys and gals think?

[BUSBOZO]

I forgot to mention. I did not register, title or insure it yet.

[Diesel Dan]

That is a tough call. I wonder why the dealer is selling a newer bus with less mileage for less money? But I would rather have the 360DTA for the same reasons listed here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5031

[BUSBOZO]

Hey Diesel Dan. The guy we deal with is easy to bargain with and he has a whole bunch of hydraulic buses that he can't export. So he is just trying to get rid of everything. The reason why he is asking so little is because those 444's are not anything compared to the 360 and 466.

Since the the time I posted last I have actually reconsidered getting a 97 or 98 Thomas raised roof conventional with the 466E that this dealer also has. He is asking $2,500 for these and I know he will take 2K for them. I figure if I'm going to start all over again I might as well do it right this time. I'm 6'1" so I should have considered the Thomas raised roof the first time around. I was just stuck on Blue Bird.

So if I can get a 97 or 98 Thomas raised roof hydraulic 77 pass with the 466E for 2 grand do you think I should do it?

I figure. Ok.. I lose a little money selling my 93 and gain a little extra work tearing seats out again but I will probably be grateful I did in the end because I have the raised roof and better highway speeds and an all around better built bus.

[Diesel Dan]

The price is certainly right. My DT466 gets about 8-9mpg if I stick to 55-60mph. It will cruise at 65mph though and has pretty good power, which is nice when you need it for merging on to the highway, etc. I've heard the DT466 has some problems with overheating. Mine was actually running kind of hot when I was pushing it a bit on the highway on a warm day. I really don't know how the electronic injection performs. In a perfect world, if I could custom order a bus to my exact specifications I would get a Cummins 5.9 12 valve.

[kamoo]

Where are these busses at?

[BUSBOZO]

BUS & CHASSIS LLC
BRENTWOOD N.H.

Ask for Terry Ingraham.

603-642-9287

[BUSBOZO]

Tell them you were refered by the 2 DAN'S from Mass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!