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Old 08-25-2016, 01:54 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 60
Year: 2003
Chassis: Ford E350 with Girardin body
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Smile Looking for Bus

Hey everyone!

I've been searching around for a bus that I want but haven't found too much that fits my wants [and needs?].

I'm looking for a shorter bus - maybe 8 rows. Flat nosed. Well priced. Obviously needs to run, have decent tires, etc. Ideally, under $5k but if that won't get me a good bus I can pay more.

I've been keen on the Bluebird TC2000's, and Thomas Saf-T-Liners. I've heard there are some shorter Bluebird All American's out there but I haven't seen one.

I've been looking on my locals in Canada (Kijiji, Craigslist), as well as publicsurplus and govdeals. I will travel to USA to get the bus, as long as I won't have issues bringing it back into Canada [I shouldn't from what I've looked into...but maybe you know more!]. It needs to run because I will likely be driving it back to Ontario and work on the conversion there.

I'm ready to buy right now!

Thanks for any help!

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Old 08-28-2016, 05:05 PM   #2
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I dunno if the market is different in Canada but we got ours for $3700. Very clean 1991 Thomas team bus 136k mi. So I'm thinking 5k will be plenty fit what you're looking for. I've seen a number go for under 2k on public surplus. Keep an eye out.

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Old 08-28-2016, 07:25 PM   #3
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A team bus or activity bus will be higher geared... Our school's Saf-T-Liner activity bus pulls away from my suburban at 80mph.

My bus feels flat out at 65mph... But, I'm in no hurry to get anywhere!!!
Wish I'd had it 8 years ago when I was chasing traveling summer baseball
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:36 AM   #4
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Oakland County,Michigan
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: AmTran
Blue BirdTC2000 32' cummins 5.9 MT545 automatic transmission $1500

Hi, I have a 1991 32 foot tc2000 with a cummins engine for sale 1 hour northwest of Detroit,Michigan. $1500

It needs two front tires due to cracking (10r22.5) and a few things before it could make a long drive. I can help with repairs or do them for you to prepare for the drive.

Local quote (1/2k away) is about $700 for two new cooper tires installed.

My ad is on craigslist.org detroit:

Blue Bird School Bus tc200 ,32 feet, cummins 5.9

or Blue Bird School Bus tc200 ,32 feet, cummins 5.9

Thanks
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Old 08-31-2016, 08:20 AM   #5
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Over priced.

94 20 passenger/wheelchair diesel school bus


94 20 passenger/wheelchair diesel school bus - $4500 (canon city) Colorado
Really cool 94 international diesel bus 150K miles, air ride air brakes, and the DT 408 engine allison automatic transmission. Runs and goes good, and has good rubber, just out of service so everything is in great operating condition. This engine is the 190HP version, can be turned up to 230 rather easily. Easy to drive at this length, and will park in any pair of spots end to end. .Cash OBO or approved trade in person!
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1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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Old 09-08-2016, 09:19 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
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Chassis: Ford E350 with Girardin body
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Thanks guys!

I was actually considering this bus: 1993 School Bus Blue Bird TC2000, 54 pax, 338k, auto, 5.9 Cummins

but the high miles really scare me. This bus is much longer than I wan (12 rows) but I am tempted due to $5500 cost [seems low] for the near-mint bus with better engine + tranny, and much lower miles:
1999 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP 26 Passenger Special Needs School Bus

It also has a rear side door that can act as a garage, negating the need for the front engine bus for the rear door garage. So tempted...but its so big for just me for now...
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Old 09-08-2016, 11:54 AM   #7
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I'd hesitate to buy a 5.9 cummins with 340k as well.
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Old 09-08-2016, 01:03 PM   #8
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Year: 1991
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Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
part of me would love to have a big ole RE to tool around in... but I do like the fact i can use my 7 row Conventional as a daily driver when needed,, that RE looks real decent though... Not a big fan of the TransAir A/C though..

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Old 09-11-2016, 06:34 PM   #9
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I'm selling Shorty. Most info is on the avatar sidebar, just painted it several weeks ago tires are good maybe 6000 miles, several years ago put new kingpins, bushions, axel brarings becasue we eanted it right to travel. New starter.

Took great care of it for past 6yr.s.
Want $35,00.

24 ft. Easy to work on ,hubby likes to be able to stand up to work and everythign right at his reach.
bus would have trouble getting to Canada, except its slow on hills.
See no reason my
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by International View Post
I'm selling Shorty. Most info is on the avatar sidebar, just painted it several weeks ago tires are good maybe 6000 miles, several years ago put new kingpins, bushions, axel brarings becasue we eanted it right to travel. New starter.

Took great care of it for past 6yr.s.
Want $35,00.

24 ft. Easy to work on ,hubby likes to be able to stand up to work and everythign right at his reach.
bus would have trouble getting to Canada, except its slow on hills.
See no reason my
That's 3,500.00 dollars!
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Old 09-12-2016, 11:33 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuSmith View Post
I dunno if the market is different in Canada but we got ours for $3700. Very clean 1991 Thomas team bus 136k mi. So I'm thinking 5k will be plenty fit what you're looking for. I've seen a number go for under 2k on public surplus. Keep an eye out.

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... $3700 USD is $5000 CDN....... Well almost....

A local district just sold what I recall as an 9 row (?) Bluebird for around $3500 USD. I looked at it when I went out to inspect another bus.

I would suggest watching eBay as well. I have seen several on there and a few were even reasonably priced.

Best of luck in your search.

S.
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Old 09-12-2016, 11:47 AM   #12
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PNW_Steve. Duh, I guess I wasn't thinking that about dollars vs. dollars. Thanks.

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Old 09-13-2016, 12:35 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 60
Year: 2003
Chassis: Ford E350 with Girardin body
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
What do you guys think of this bus?
1995 Blue Bird TC2000 26 Passenger Special Needs School Bus

It is a 5.9 Cummins, AT545, but the right length. It has 220k miles. I think I'll even use the side rear door for a garage, and have a twin bed on the other side, with the rear door as a functional entrance and airway

I'm about to jump on this bus. I can book a flight next week for $250 it seems, and then drive it 2000 miles home. I wonder how much that would cost in gas. What are some concerns I should have? Does anyone have information on driving it home, uninsured, and also through customs, back to Ontario, Canada?

Thanks guys!
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Old 09-13-2016, 12:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iProgramStuff View Post
What do you guys think of this bus?
1995 Blue Bird TC2000 26 Passenger Special Needs School Bus

It is a 5.9 Cummins, AT545, but the right length. It has 220k miles. I think I'll even use the side rear door for a garage, and have a twin bed on the other side, with the rear door as a functional entrance and airway

I'm about to jump on this bus. I can book a flight next week for $250 it seems, and then drive it home. What are some concerns I should have? Does anyone have information on driving it home, uninsured, and also through customs, back to Ontario, Canada?

Thanks guys!
That's a "fair" priced bus. I would get it if I wasn't 3000 miles away from it
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Old 09-13-2016, 01:37 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 60
Year: 2003
Chassis: Ford E350 with Girardin body
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
I think I'm going to get it. I guess I need to make sure it has decent tires? It looks pretty rust free. I need to drive it over 2,000 miles. I think that could cost nearly $1000. Depends on it's MPG.
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