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Old 01-12-2016, 08:33 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Asking advice on buying

So if you go to publicsurplus you'll find the busses in Washington being auctioned. They're 1997 bluebirds with md3060 and 8.3ta Cummins . they seem pretty rust free and I kind of want to travel from mi and get one. I feel as if they're worth 2000 easy. My girlfriend seems to think I should wait for something close like Kentucky or something but I think with the condition of these busses it might be worth it. Also I wasn't originally looking to get the md3060 because I thought it was just on newer busses out of my price range. I want to bid on them up to 2500 but any advice is appreciated !
Thanks guys!

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Old 01-12-2016, 08:44 AM   #2
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2500 would be a steal!
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Old 01-12-2016, 08:45 AM   #3
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Rust on buses in WA is considered bad if some paint might be bubbled or you can't see all of the black on the frame.

In other words, rust is a non-issue on WA buses.

A BB with an 8.3L and the MD3060 would be a premium bus on any dealer lot. If it has under floor luggage compartments even more of a premium. Rear engine with pass through luggage compartments the top of the heap as far as used BB's are considered.

Between air far west and fuel and food east you need to figure on the cost of getting the bus back to MI to be about $2K.
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Old 01-12-2016, 08:54 AM   #4
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my 1600 mile return trip with my bus cost less than $350. But I'm cheap and skipped a meal or two.
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:18 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
my 1600 mile return trip with my bus cost less than $350. But I'm cheap and skipped a meal or two.

I quoted $2K because before I left WA I would stop and have the oil and filters changed, grease the chassis, adjust the brakes, and get a supply of extra fuel filters for the trip.

At this time of the year it is also the law to carry tire chains going east until you get out of the mountains in WY.

So even skipping a few meals and low fuel prices, by the time you pay for air fare and everything else you are going to go through $2K very quickly.

If the move was being done during the summer after April 1 and before November 1 you wouldn't by law have to carry tire chains.
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:22 AM   #6
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Also if anyone is bored and wants to look at them and tell me which unit might be best that'd be cool hehe. One has 49000 miles and 12000 hours. I'm assuming it's rebuilt? Would I want to opt for one of the ones with a more normal hour to mile ratio? 12000 hours does seem like a lot but idk
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:25 AM   #7
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Extra fuel filters? I will need to change those more than once on the return trip?
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:54 AM   #8
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Extra fuel filters? I will need to change those more than once on the return trip?
The buses have been sitting, some for short periods of time and some for months. Any time a vehicle sits you will have fuel system challenges. The more bio-blend the fuel has the more challenges you will face.

At this time of the year as fuel gets thick with the cold you can run into all sorts of fun issues with fuel. Many times it is easiest to just change filters.

The last thing you will want is to get halfway up a mountain pass and have your fuel filter start clogging up. Stopped at the side of the road dead is never fun but is a whole lot less fun the colder, wetter, and darker it is by the side of the road.

Of the buses for sale right now my first choice would be #102 as it has the lowest miles. The one that has 4x,xxx on the clock most likely has a similar number of miles as the others and just had the movement swapped out 4x,xxx miles ago.

All of the buses have mileage that is consistent with their age. Since all are the same model year none of the buses should have widely divergent mileage. 30K miles difference but not 130K miles difference.

The district who owns them has a reasonable maintenance record. But even a reasonable record is better in WA than pretty good in other states. The WSP who inspects every bus every year and 40% of the buses a second time makes sure all school buses in WA state are in good shape. In many respects they are more persnickety than even the CHP in CA.

The district also has no buses in service that are not still on the depreciation schedule. In other words, they get rid of buses as they time out and don't keep buses longer because they "can't" afford new ones.
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Old 01-12-2016, 10:50 AM   #9
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I'd give 4k for those.
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Old 01-12-2016, 12:07 PM   #10
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So, not to hijack, but also looking for a first. How's this?

98 BB 84 passenger with rear Cummins 8.3L 250 HP engine, Allison Auto MD3060 under 100k. Good engine/tranny combo? Value?

Thanks!
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Old 01-12-2016, 12:33 PM   #11
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So, not to hijack, but also looking for a first. How's this?

98 BB 84 passenger with rear Cummins 8.3L 250 HP engine, Allison Auto MD3060 under 100k. Good engine/tranny combo? Value?

Thanks!
Retail at a dealer asking price would be in the $8-12K range.

Auction price would be in the $2-6K range.

The 8.3L 250 HP and MD3060 is one of the best power packages out there. Unfortunately you can't turn the HP on up very much more. It isn't that the engine can't be turned up but you run out of cooling capacity really quick if you turn the HP up very much. Max from the factory was about 285 HP.
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Old 01-12-2016, 12:46 PM   #12
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If it aint rusty, JUMP on it. But in 98, it may have been the electronic version.
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Old 01-12-2016, 07:36 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW View Post
So if you go to publicsurplus you'll find the busses in Washington being auctioned. They're 1997 bluebirds with md3060 and 8.3ta Cummins . they seem pretty rust free and I kind of want to travel from mi and get one. I feel as if they're worth 2000 easy. My girlfriend seems to think I should wait for something close like Kentucky or something but I think with the condition of these busses it might be worth it. Also I wasn't originally looking to get the md3060 because I thought it was just on newer busses out of my price range. I want to bid on them up to 2500 but any advice is appreciated !
Thanks guys!
One just sold for $3250
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Old 01-12-2016, 07:38 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
If it aint rusty, JUMP on it. But in 98, it may have been the electronic version.
It is clean, and newbie question here: what might have been the electronic version and do I need to worry if it was?
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Old 01-12-2016, 07:47 PM   #15
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Some prefer the all mechanical simplicity of the non-electronic stuff. If you don't plan on working on your own stuff, then it won't matter. Some hardy folks here are into electronic injection stuff. Just something to consider when buying.
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:45 PM   #16
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Any unit with a lot of computers in charge of everything will be vastly more expensive if any repairs are necessary. Just like cars, the electronics are what drive up maintenance and repairs. When I was shopping engines, even the techs at Cummins advised me against their newer engines in favor of an older all mechanical based on their blue book rates for service. If you are a whiz bang hacker, you might be able to deal with them but a lot of us old school gearheads like to keep things simple.

PS...I had to pay nearly twice the money to get a rebuilt all mechanical. Seems nobody else wants to deal with the new fangled ones either.
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Old 01-12-2016, 09:53 PM   #17
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Won one of the auctions
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Old 01-12-2016, 10:04 PM   #18
Skoolie
 
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Anyone have any experience shipping a bus?
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Old 01-12-2016, 10:16 PM   #19
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There are several companies that will ship buses across the country.

Most charge $1.50-$2.00 per mile.

You might call Midwest Transit in Kankakee, IL and ask them who they use.
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Old 01-13-2016, 12:17 AM   #20
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Anyone have any experience shipping a bus?
Where do you need need your new bus to go?
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