Why Not International

Papajoe · 08-02-2017, 01:01 PM

I sort asked this in another thread. I am just ready to get a bus to convert. I have always liked the International IC RE as for as looks and the way it drives. So why does it seem that very very few are being used for converting and why are so many going with Blue Bird and Thomas? Am I missing something?

Serengeti · 08-02-2017, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papajoe

I sort asked this in another thread. I am just ready to get a bus to convert. I have always liked the International IC RE as for as looks and the way it drives. So why does it seem that very very few are being used for converting and why are so many going with Blue Bird and Thomas? Am I missing something?

I just got one with 30K on new engine. Couldn't be happier. I actually wanted a Thomas for looks and cooking but couldn't pass up the deal

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Brad_SwiftFur · 08-02-2017, 02:04 PM

I expect because "money", the other brands come up for sale more often and can be had reasonably. Many of the IC's are still in service and not due for retirement yet.

EastCoastCB · 08-02-2017, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papajoe

I sort asked this in another thread. I am just ready to get a bus to convert. I have always liked the International IC RE as for as looks and the way it drives. So why does it seem that very very few are being used for converting and why are so many going with Blue Bird and Thomas? Am I missing something?

International sold chassis to Thomas and Bluebird.
AmTran aka IC bus are my favorite.

Thomas is my least favorite.

EastCoastCB · 08-02-2017, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serengeti

I just got one with 30K on new engine. Couldn't be happier. I actually wanted a Thomas for looks and cooking but couldn't pass up the deal

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How is a thomas any better or worse for "cooking"????

Serengeti · 08-02-2017, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

How is a thomas any better or worse for "cooking"????

Lol....that should be cooling. Sorry!

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EastCoastCB · 08-02-2017, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serengeti

Lol....that should be cooling. Sorry!

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How is a Thomas better for cooling?
They're usually the one with the most RE cooling problems. IC has the least.

Serengeti · 08-02-2017, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

How is a Thomas better for cooling?
They're usually the one with the most RE cooling problems. IC has the least.

Thought it was the other way around. Good to know. I am really pleased with my purchase. No serious rust on the undercarriage either

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Papajoe · 08-02-2017, 03:56 PM

Most of the IC's around here have at least a one bay basement. The schools with money have a two bay basement. But actually saw one with a three bay basement and a storage box on either side. I turned around so I could see what district it was and stopped at their garage to see when they would be getting rid of them...lol I guess I am a skoolie and don't even have one yet. I just never have liked the Thomas or Blue Bird. Always thought they were ugly. Now the new Blue Birds are really nice. 12 to 15 years from now they will make great conversions.

EastCoastCB · 08-02-2017, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papajoe

Most of the IC's around here have at least a one bay basement. The schools with money have a two bay basement. But actually saw one with a three bay basement and a storage box on either side. I turned around so I could see what district it was and stopped at their garage to see when they would be getting rid of them...lol I guess I am a skoolie and don't even have one yet. I just never have liked the Thomas or Blue Bird. Always thought they were ugly. Now the new Blue Birds are really nice. 12 to 15 years from now they will make great conversions.

the buses of TODAY won't be around in 15 years. They're like new cars. Old stuff is fixable and re-usable. The latest diesel engines are SO BAD that schools are ordering buses with propane, gas, natural gas, etc.
The good buses for us folks to convert ended with tier 2 emissions.

Njsurf73 · 08-02-2017, 04:45 PM

I was looking at an international amtram, but I got a better deal on my bluebird.

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cowlitzcoach · 08-02-2017, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

the buses of TODAY won't be around in 15 years. They're like new cars. Old stuff is fixable and re-usable. The latest diesel engines are SO BAD that schools are ordering buses with propane, gas, natural gas, etc.
The good buses for us folks to convert ended with tier 2 emissions.

What is funny is a lot of buses built between 1997 and 2006 will still be around as spares or trip buses long after the 2007-2017 buses were put out to pasture. Many operators are hanging onto their older buses because the older buses require a lot less upkeep to be able to keep them on the road. The older buses with few, if any, electronics are better able to sit around doing nothing for weeks at a time than the fully electronic multi-plexed buses of the present.

aaronsb · 08-02-2017, 09:49 PM

I am a fan of my fully mechanical engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

What is funny is a lot of buses built between 1997 and 2006 will still be around as spares or trip buses long after the 2007-2017 buses were put out to pasture. Many operators are hanging onto their older buses because the older buses require a lot less upkeep to be able to keep them on the road. The older buses with few, if any, electronics are better able to sit around doing nothing for weeks at a time than the fully electronic multi-plexed buses of the present.

Brewerbob · 08-03-2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronsb

I am a fan of my fully mechanical engine.

As are at least the school shop guys in WV where I bought my bus. They hated the newer buses and had a shop full of them. I guess they don't get a vote come purchase time.

Brewerbob · 08-03-2017, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papajoe

So why does it seem that very very few are being used for converting and why are so many going with Blue Bird and Thomas? Am I missing something?

Windows slope inward so a roof raise would be different so I ruled those out for the most part. I have a Blue bird because it's the bus I didn't get outbid on.

Papajoe · 08-04-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

What is funny is a lot of buses built between 1997 and 2006 will still be around as spares or trip buses long after the 2007-2017 buses were put out to pasture. Many operators are hanging onto their older buses because the older buses require a lot less upkeep to be able to keep them on the road. The older buses with few, if any, electronics are better able to sit around doing nothing for weeks at a time than the fully electronic multi-plexed buses of the present.

Not in Indiana. I cant remember if it is 12 or 15 years but the law requires them to be traded out. To prevent these districts from running rust bucks for years on end.

EastCoastCB · 08-04-2017, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papajoe

Not in Indiana. I cant remember if it is 12 or 15 years but the law requires them to be traded out. To prevent these districts from running rust bucks for years on end.

My 92 Ward Senator was still serving as a backup and field trip bus until late 2013. 21 years in service is pretty good considering its not a Crown or Gillig. Still got a lot of life left in it, too.
I went to public school in Indiana for half a year when I was a kid. Coming from FL, it was shocking how much better the schools were up there. They had computers, even! How much a school has in its budget, and where its physically located determine how nice the buses are when we end up being able to buy them.

Papajoe · 08-04-2017, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

My 92 Ward Senator was still serving as a backup and field trip bus until late 2013. 21 years in service is pretty good considering its not a Crown or Gillig. Still got a lot of life left in it, too.
I went to public school in Indiana for half a year when I was a kid. Coming from FL, it was shocking how much better the schools were up there. They had computers, even! How much a school has in its budget, and where its physically located determine how nice the buses are when we end up being able to buy them.

Ya the district that I drove for had every bell and whistle you could get. They even had air ride on the steer axles. Darn near limo tent and air in all of them.

WanderWoman · 08-06-2017, 07:07 PM

I love my 2003 International!
Sandi
www.thismidwifetravels.com

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chev49 · 08-06-2017, 08:48 PM

many school districts contract out the bus service. ie first student which is actually international corp. i have found many school districts that run their own barn that do buy the high prices equipment as it aint their money... its yours of course but what do they care. most states that i know have a time limit of service like 10 or 15 yrs, but i dont know if it is federal req.

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