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Old 07-07-2019, 06:52 PM   #1
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Location: Ohio
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Hi from Ohio!

Hello everyone! I am currently a college student who is approaching the end of my time at school, and gathering ideas to build a camper to spend a few weeks on road trip after graduation with some friends to celebrate. I feel that an old bus is the best route to go. I've been looking around for a few months but am in no hurry to purchase.

My ideal buy would be a conventional style with highway gears and hopefully cruise control. Our budget is no more than $3500 for the bus.

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!

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Old 07-07-2019, 07:20 PM   #2
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Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Year: 1996
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Welcome fellow Buckeye! All I can say is don't rush into this and do all the research you need to find the right bus for you.
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:15 PM   #3
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Shop smartly and $3500 will get you a nice bus.
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:24 PM   #4
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Shop smartly and $3500 will get you a nice bus.
THIS^

My nicest bus was $1625!
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Old 07-08-2019, 11:11 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
THIS^

My nicest bus was $1625!
Mine was expensive...... $3450.

But I am happy with it as I wound up with a Bluebird RE with an 8.3 Cummins, MD-3060 and storage bays.

Take your time. Don't get too excited about the first bus you look at. Figure out how you are going to use it and what features suit your use. Then shop for a bus that fits your needs.

It is generally easier and cheaper to buy the bus that fits your needs rather than buying a bus that you have to make big changes to.

Example :
If you bought a bus with an AT-545 and decide that you want lockup or overdrive then you are looking at $2500-$5000 to upgrade the transmission. Much better to shop for a bus already equipped with the better transmission.

Good luck with your quest.
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Old 07-08-2019, 05:40 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
THIS^

My nicest bus was $1625!
Where exactly did you find this bus at, all the one I see online near me are about $2500 at the least and all rusted out?
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Old 07-08-2019, 05:54 PM   #7
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Where exactly did you find this bus at, all the one I see online near me are about $2500 at the least and all rusted out?
Welcome! I assume you're at OU, beautiful country down there.

My suggestion is that you move your searches out of state.

99% of buses within 100 miles of you will have rust. It's just a part of life when salt is used on the roads.

Look towards the southern and western states, away from the coast.

I'd also stay out of north carolina, because for a while, they were restricted to 45mph.

Good luck!
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Old 07-08-2019, 06:10 PM   #8
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Where exactly did you find this bus at, all the one I see online near me are about $2500 at the least and all rusted out?
GovDeals auction in Ga.
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Old 07-08-2019, 06:56 PM   #9
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Where exactly did you find this bus at, all the one I see online near me are about $2500 at the least and all rusted out?
I never shop "near me" as I'm in FL and buses are overpriced and crappy here.
I buy in the summer and winter on Public Surplus.
The less info and pics the listing has the lower the prices stay. Just call and ask about a bus, don't post public questions that just gives other bidders more info.
Got this bus on PS last July for $1625 and it looks to be very lightly used. I slapped a couple new batteries in it and brought it home to Central Fl from northern GA.
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Old 07-10-2019, 12:18 AM   #10
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Location: Freedom Field, New Mexico
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Year: 1998
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Amtrans
Engine: 444E
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I just got a great bus on publicauction.com. It took a couple of months to find what i wanted from a seller in a low to no rust zone. New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, West Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. I was blessed that 20 buses were being auctioned by the same seller with the same ending date and time. 5 bidders 20 buses. I got my 1998 84 passenger pusher for $1980.00. Just drover her home today. 310 miles, through the mountains, in the dessert, 100 degree weather, no problems. I'm jazzed.
As a lot of folks are saying, take your time. Be patient, and you'll get what you are looking for.
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Old 07-10-2019, 06:49 AM   #11
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yeah definitely dont buy ohio busses.. however a lot of nice busses come out of kentucky.. they seem to take better care of them there than they do here in the Buckeye state.
-Christopher
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Old 07-10-2019, 09:39 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobcat View Post
Where exactly did you find this bus at, all the one I see online near me are about $2500 at the least and all rusted out?
When I was shopping for my bus, I was on the auction sites daily. I still watch them off and on. A week or two ago a nice looking, rust free Bluebird RE with 3126 (recent rebuild) & MD3060 sold for $1875

They are out there, you just have to be vigilant in your search.
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Old 07-10-2019, 01:07 PM   #13
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Come over to the Indiana rally this weekend and see several completed buses and meet lots of enthusiasts.
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