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Old 02-19-2019, 08:08 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Posts: 47
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Freightliner/Thomas
Chassis: FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126
ISO 1998 International

I'm looking for a 1998 International in Florida, Georgia, SC or NC.

Preferably under 200k miles.

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Old 02-19-2019, 08:19 AM   #2
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
May I ask why that particular year?
What about a smashing deal on a minty 1999 or 2000?
They're all the same till about 2003. If you shoot for a 2001 to 2003 you have more chance of not ending up stuck with a 545 transmission.
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Old 02-19-2019, 08:29 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Posts: 47
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Freightliner/Thomas
Chassis: FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
May I ask why that particular year?
What about a smashing deal on a minty 1999 or 2000?
They're all the same till about 2003. If you shoot for a 2001 to 2003 you have more chance of not ending up stuck with a 545 transmission.
My wife and I both graduated high school in 1998. Also, we (I) like that body style and the price is usually in our ~$3000 range.

That said, I'd definitely take a 1999 or 2000. I'd also love a 2001 to 2003 if it's in that price range, but that may not be realistic.

I'll be sure to avoid that 545 transmission though!
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Old 02-19-2019, 08:51 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blissout View Post
My wife and I both graduated high school in 1998. Also, we (I) like that body style and the price is usually in our ~$3000 range.

That said, I'd definitely take a 1999 or 2000. I'd also love a 2001 to 2003 if it's in that price range, but that may not be realistic.

I'll be sure to avoid that 545 transmission though!
I don't see any certain years in any certain price ranges... The auction buses seem to go for $1200 to about $4500 depending on location and condition.
I was class of 98 but I'm quite happy with our 1999 Freighliner/Thomas with Cat 3126.
Brand loyalty and sentimentality don't work well if looking for a screaming bargain on a bus.
The 545 is tough to avoid. They're in an overwhelming majority of older buses. Only a high spec 1998 would have anything other than that. Most of what you'll find in the southeast will be low hp engines and 545 transmissions. That said I've got a 190hp Cat and a 545 in my short bus and it'll do 80 at least. But that's mostly due to the gearing being ridiculously high.
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:18 AM   #5
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Location: Rock Hill, SC
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Year: 1997
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Originally Posted by blissout View Post
I'm looking for a 1998 International in Florida, Georgia, SC or NC.

Preferably under 200k miles.
Buy em' right from the State of NC School System

North Carolina School Bus Surplus System

$2750 to $3750

I found quite a few that you describer, however as the page information is held in POST data, not GET, I can't link the url. But you can search by year, make, mileage, and other attributes. The site covers every school district in NC.
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:40 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by geminusprime View Post
Buy em' right from the State of NC School System

North Carolina School Bus Surplus System

$2750 to $3750

I found quite a few that you describer, however as the page information is held in POST data, not GET, I can't link the url. But you can search by year, make, mileage, and other attributes. The site covers every school district in NC.
Only downside to NC buses other than low spec and possibly rust would be that they limit most of them to 45-50 mph. Often its limited by gearing.
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:43 AM   #7
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Here's the bargain of the year.
Ends in 4 hrs though.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...057&acctid=357

This one in VA will probably go cheap-
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...51&acctid=7210
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:56 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
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Year: 1998
Coachwork: Freightliner/Thomas
Chassis: FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126
Quote:
Originally Posted by geminusprime View Post
Buy em' right from the State of NC School System

North Carolina School Bus Surplus System

$2750 to $3750

I found quite a few that you describer, however as the page information is held in POST data, not GET, I can't link the url. But you can search by year, make, mileage, and other attributes. The site covers every school district in NC.
I'm familiar with the NC system. I've been talking with them about one of the buses, but I'm looking for private sellers to compare.
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Old 02-19-2019, 10:03 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Year: 1998
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Only downside to NC buses other than low spec and possibly rust would be that they limit most of them to 45-50 mph. Often its limited by gearing.
I'll definitely ask them how the speed is governed. I know pushers go faster, but I prefer the front engine design for my layout. The one I've been looking at is pretty clean from rust.
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Old 02-19-2019, 10:16 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blissout View Post
I'll definitely ask them how the speed is governed. I know pushers go faster, but I prefer the front engine design for my layout. The one I've been looking at is pretty clean from rust.
pusher vs front engine has nothing to do with top speed, not at all.
The gearing is the # factor. That and the top speed set in the computer or by the governor on a mechanical bus.
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Old 02-19-2019, 10:22 AM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Year: 1998
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Chassis: FS65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
pusher vs front engine has nothing to do with top speed, not at all.
The gearing is the # factor. That and the top speed set in the computer or by the governor on a mechanical bus.
I heard that the pushers were typically geared for higher speeds in general. But maybe I just need to stop watching so much YouTube.
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Old 02-19-2019, 10:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blissout View Post
I heard that the pushers were typically geared for higher speeds in general. But maybe I just need to stop watching so much YouTube.
YouTube is ok but honestly most of it should be for entertainment not info.
The skoolie vids on there are mostly for the cringe factor.
The gearing is set by the district that orders the bus.

My bus came with 4.11 in the rear. In a bus that's highway gearing.
The school swapped it for a 3.42 and now I've got a bus that does 65mph at 1700 rpm. Top speed is 80+
Mines a CE.
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Old 02-20-2019, 01:01 AM   #13
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Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Here's the bargain of the year.
Ends in 4 hrs though.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...057&acctid=357

It went for $3,020.00.
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Old 02-20-2019, 03:04 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Native View Post
It went for $3,020.00.
A steal.
The engine alone was worth it but the whole bus was so rad!
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Old 02-20-2019, 12:39 PM   #15
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Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
A steal.
The engine alone was worth it but the whole bus was so rad!
I just noticed it has a generator on board also.
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