Non-affiliated buses for sale - thread

[BusFiend]

Looks to be a solid contender. 14 window (84 pax), Alabama bus, light on rust. Underbelly storage. 7.6L L6. FE. 80k miles. 100 gal fuel. No obvious coach A/C.

Currently at $3k. Two other units available...

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...72&acctid=1573

[EastCoastCB]

Been eyeing those AL buses, man. THat one is CHOICE!

[Tango]

Gotta love a Bird with big bays! Hope the engine/tranny package is equal to the task.

[BusFiend]

The DT466E should be plenty strong to pull that model, unless 75 MPH down the freeway is your goal.

The reserves have not been met on any of the three yet. I wonder what the seller thinks their worth...

[WIbluebird]

1976 Crown that popped up for sale at a car lot in IL. Looks like it was someone's private party bus judging by the rough skinning job and the couches inside

Only $3995 but this bus looks like it needs a ton of work - that fender rust is B-A-D

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ctd/5656416315.html

[BusFiend]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

1976 Crown that popped up for sale at a car lot in IL. Looks like it was someone's private party bus judging by the rough skinning job and the couches inside

Only $3995 but this bus looks like it needs a ton of work - that fender rust is B-A-D

1976 Crownline Cruisers

Yeah. You have to have your heart set on a Crown and have either great sheet metal skills or good friends or deep pockets. It's an automatic besides... =(

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

What is the deal with that website?

I have seen at least two busses listed on their site that are offered by private party elsewhere.

There was a thread regarding a prison bus for sale in Idaho. The private seller was asking around $7500. I saw it when he put it up for sale on eBay. The auction only made it up to around $3800 and did not meet the reserve. I messaged the seller and he still has it for sale for $7500 locally.

On that website they have the same bus for $28k. I looked in fine detail and was able to pick out the same scratches on the bumpers etc. The pics posted on this site are the same pics that are on the bussesforsale.com website.

I messaged the folks at bussesforsale.com and they responded that the bus is in Idaho and I would need to make an appointment to inspect it.

No doubt the same bus as on eBay and in the thread here. Link: 1998 Thomas SAF T Liner Gutted Ready for RV Build Rear Engine 8 3 Cummins | eBay=

It looks almost as it these folks are gathering info on busses for sale by others and offering the same bus at a higher price and hoping to broker a deal.

What do you all think?

PS: I just managed to track down the ad for the prison bus: 1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner Shell Bus 7348 - School Buses - Buses for Sale

Holy Moly! That's the bus I discussed here:
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/im...bus-14057.html

I am having it inspected by a diesel mechanic this week, and I've prepaid Blackstone labs test kits for oil and coolant. According to the sign in the windshield on the first pics I got of it from my friend, he's cut it from $8500 to $7500. If I like what I hear I hope to argue him down further. I'm sure it'll need all new shoes, for instance.

Thanks for pointing that out. I got a lot of new pics of it, anyway.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Holy Moly! That's the bus I discussed here:
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/im...bus-14057.html

I am having it inspected by a diesel mechanic this week, and I've prepaid Blackstone labs test kits for oil and coolant. According to the sign in the windshield on the first pics I got of it from my friend, he's cut it from $8500 to $7500. If I like what I hear I hope to argue him down further. I'm sure it'll need all new shoes, for instance.

Thanks for pointing that out. I got a lot of new pics of it, anyway.

I want some of whatever they're smoking over at "bargain bus"- 27k for a Thomas???
PLEASE find out what they're smokin out there for me!
That's maybe a $4500 bus. Maybe.

[WIbluebird]

2004 Bluebird AARE with a CAT - seller mentions "Minor problem but still drivable" and the big one - "No title". Can anyone say stolen bus?

The ad is super sketchy but it does raise a question - is it possible to buy a bus with no title if you're retitling it as an RV anyways?

custom paint job Bluebird 2004

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

2004 Bluebird AARE with a CAT - seller mentions "Minor problem but still drivable" and the big one - "No title". Can anyone say stolen bus?

The ad is super sketchy but it does raise a question - is it possible to buy a bus with no title if you're retitling it as an RV anyways?

custom paint job Bluebird 2004

When I inquired about what it would take to get this bus titled in NH I was told "We don't do titles on (?? vehicles? maybe only commercial stuff) over 15 years old. We'd only use that as an alternative document to verify the VIN. So bring it along so we don't have to send anyone out to the parking lot to find the VIN." Go figure.

[BusFiend]

Some states do not require a title for motor vehicles beyond a certain age. Usually there's a transfer of ownership form on the reverse of the registration. If the state in which you'll be registering the bus is one of them, a registration and bill of sale from the owner may be enough.

I would be wary and inquisitive when communicating with the current "owner". A title is not difficult to replace if lost. Often states that don't require a title for older vehicles won't replace a lost title. Just get the story and make sure it makes sense. Then contact your DMV and see if it will be a problem.

Good looking bus.

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

No doubt the same bus as on eBay and in the thread here. Link: 1998 Thomas SAF T Liner Gutted Ready for RV Build Rear Engine 8 3 Cummins | eBay/

In this ad, he says the bus comes equipped with "12R 22.5 tires". Is that a thing, or is that a typo?

[Stu & Filo. T]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

In this ad, he says the bus comes equipped with "12R 22.5 tires". Is that a thing, or is that a typo?

I have them on my bus.

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T

I have them on my bus.

Rare enough to be more expensive?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Rare enough to be more expensive?

VERY common on bigger buses like MCI's.

[cadillackid]

I rthink they may be a bit unusual on a skoolie... but that bus looks like it could be run pretty heavy so im guessing the 12RT22.5's have a higher load range (at leats the ones they have on it)..

I see them on the large Trip busses, like big vanhools and even saw a Prevost massive RV with them.... im guessing they probably are expensive...
-Christopher

[wunderhut]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

In this ad, he says the bus comes equipped with "12R 22.5 tires". Is that a thing, or is that a typo?

Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T

I have them on my bus.

This is my size as well.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Holy Moly! That's the bus I discussed here:
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/im...bus-14057.html

I am having it inspected by a diesel mechanic this week, and I've prepaid Blackstone labs test kits for oil and coolant. According to the sign in the windshield on the first pics I got of it from my friend, he's cut it from $8500 to $7500. If I like what I hear I hope to argue him down further. I'm sure it'll need all new shoes, for instance.

Thanks for pointing that out. I got a lot of new pics of it, anyway.

Yup.

Your thread is where I saw it first. I got the idea that you had decided against this bus so I contacted the seller after his auction ended and asked to come and inspect the bus.

He told me that the bus was still for sale locally but would not tell me where it was. Kind of strange. I could have been a cash on the spot buyer....

Sounds like you are moving forward. I think that bus will be a great starting point for a fantastic conversion!.

Enjoy!!

S.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by BusFiend

Yeah. You have to have your heart set on a Crown and have either great sheet metal skills or good friends or deep pockets. It's an automatic besides... =(

I spoke with the gent at the car lot. He told me that the bus was used (in current condition) as a "Event Bus" service like a limousine......

Things that make you say "Hmmm...".

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Yup.

Your thread is where I saw it first. I got the idea that you had decided against this bus so I contacted the seller after his auction ended and asked to come and inspect the bus.

He told me that the bus was still for sale locally but would not tell me where it was. Kind of strange. I could have been a cash on the spot buyer....

Sounds like you are moving forward. I think that bus will be a great starting point for a fantastic conversion!.

Enjoy!!

S.

Yeah, the guy absolutely does not like to communicate. I've gotten that feedback from the mechanic I hired to do the inspection also.

I think EastCoast put his finger on it when he called it a $4500 bus. I am assuming that I'll need 6 new shoes pronto (like before the trip home); hence my panic when I heard it had 12R's on it.

It's gone on so long, I won't feel any reluctance to walk away if we can't come to a meeting of the mind. There's no magic left here; just an appreciation for the right drivetrain and lo miles.