Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-18-2018, 08:02 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 55
Need Advice: looking at a 2000 Thomas Saf-T Liner

I'm looking at a bus that is already beautifully converted and has all the equipment we want. But also quite the price tag. I could definetly use some advice on if it's worth it. Here's some details:

2000 Thomas Saf-T Liner Diesel
14xxxxmiles
Cummins 5.9L
No info on the (auto) transmission
Running, no problems mentioned.

Converted inc. composting toilet, solar set up, all around insulation and wood finish, fully equipped kitchen.

They're asking 30.000$

What do you think?

ChrisHieronimus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 08:46 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Welcome,

It's very difficult to gauge value with the amount of information you provided.

I will say that, in my humble opinion, for $30k it would have to be a stellar conversion in excellent condition.

Give us more detail and we will help as we can.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 09:29 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummins 8.3L 6CTA-210
Rated Cap: 84
Really not enough info here, I agree. Im getting ready to list mine for sale in the coming days and will be asking a little than 30k more for mine.
raceminer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:08 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by raceminer View Post
Really not enough info here, I agree. Im getting ready to list mine for sale in the coming days and will be asking a little than 30k more for mine.
A little what? Trying to sell something without pics is a waste of time.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:11 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummins 8.3L 6CTA-210
Rated Cap: 84
For Sale - 1992 Safe-T-Liner Skoolie - School Bus Conversion Resources

Thats why I posted a video

check out the link for details
raceminer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:15 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummins 8.3L 6CTA-210
Rated Cap: 84
I just re-read my original post. Reads like mine would be selling for close to $60k, sorry for the confusion.
raceminer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:34 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 55
I have just contacted the seller for more photos and information. There's not much in the ad.

Let me phrase my question differently: For this make/model, engine and mileage, what would it need to be worth 30k?
ChrisHieronimus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:43 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummins 8.3L 6CTA-210
Rated Cap: 84
Okay

The basic bus, before conversion, could run anywhere from 5-15k. Thats your starting point.

Now the costs from there can be kept to a bare bones minimum to create a livable space for maybe an additional 10k

Or you could go hog wild and blow through 100k in relatively short order.

The pictures you have requested should go a long way in helping to understand the true "value" of the offered bus. Fit, finish and systems.

Hopefully the seller can provide you with some level of detail as to the systems that do not show through in pictures. Electrical, plumbing etc...

I would be glad to give you more help as more info comes in. This can be a wonderful experience for you, but it helps to know what to look for before you buy.
raceminer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 10:43 AM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisHieronimus View Post
I have just contacted the seller for more photos and information. There's not much in the ad.

Let me phrase my question differently: For this make/model, engine and mileage, what would it need to be worth 30k?
For me it would need:

Extremely desirable drive train in excellent condition.

Near new tires.

Top notch quality conversion.

Layout and equipment that suits my lifestyle.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 11:50 AM   #10
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
So if you take the average Class A RV, secondhand but in decent condition with a few miles on it.

If you look at the prices you are anywhere between $75 and $150k.

Halve that because not everyone wants a converted bus, but those who do appreciate the benefits and we are at $35-$75k.

A bus in good running order, well-maintain with most of the desirable features costs from $4k to $10k (Mine was $4k).

Add in $20k as the cost of the conversion. That's a good conversion, done well, fully insulated and built out nicely and you are at between $24 and $30k

So the better Skoolie conversions are going to be priced at around $25 and $45k, and be well worth the money.

Poor conversions are worth no more than the base price of the bus, plus a bit for any reusable high-cost items, mainly because it all has to come out to do it properly.

If you spend $45k on a well thought-out and implemented conversion, you are saving around $60k on the price of a decent Class A.

If you do it yourself you get a custom RV for a fraction of the cost ... It's no wonder the "posh" RV Parks don't want us. We are a permanent reminder of what they could have had
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 01:46 PM   #11
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 3126 CAT/AT545
Rated Cap: 26
last week i bought a 27' Thomas saftliner at auction. Here is the specs incase you want to know a baseline:
1,500 - out the door price(tax to be payed at DMV)
2000 - year
97,000 - miles
white - color
some minor fixable rust
rv style windows(it was a senior citizen bus)
good front tires
rear tires need to be replaced
ran and drove great on the way home

...now time to build. sky is the limit on quality of build out.
JWilliams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 02:26 PM   #12
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
Bbus prices are all over the map. If you have more specific requirements, you can expect to pay more as you've limited your selection and can't jump on any old bus that comes along. If you don't have some specific type you're looking for, great deals pop up fairly regularly.

For a pre-converted bus, that's a tough one. You're buying someone else's opinion of how a bus should be built, and in my mind if they felt they did a good job they would be keeping it not selling it. 30k is about what it cost for me to buy my bus, build it, spend a year driving around the country, and buy a bigger bus when I got back.
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 02:56 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 55
Thank youa ll for your input, that was once again very helpful! I'll keep you posted on our decision
ChrisHieronimus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 05:01 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
I didn't hear a clear NO in the bunch.

Value is highly subjective. The basic bus like you're looking at can be had for $3k to$5k. Insulation is probably worth a couple thousand. It's hard to put a value on other parts of the work already done on that bus.

I'll say this, most of us don't have $30k in our buses when they are completed. Completely converted buses often sell for $20k. Paying more doesn't mean you'd be any more secure with that bus.

Yeah ok, I said the same thing as everybody else but I included an emphatic NO.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2018, 09:44 AM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Posts: 54
Year: '95
Coachwork: Thomas Vista
Chassis: International 3600
Engine: T444/at545
Rated Cap: 72? 11 window...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisHieronimus View Post
I have just contacted the seller for more photos and information. There's not much in the ad.

Let me phrase my question differently: For this make/model, engine and mileage, what would it need to be worth 30k?
27k in gold bullion.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
xalv36963 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2018, 09:59 AM   #16
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
I would also accept 2.7 bitcoin.
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2018, 10:01 AM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Posts: 54
Year: '95
Coachwork: Thomas Vista
Chassis: International 3600
Engine: T444/at545
Rated Cap: 72? 11 window...
Hah yep. [emoji482]

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
xalv36963 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cummins, saf-t liner, thomas

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.