Months of skoolie skulking

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 03:21 PM

Hey all!
I love this site so much! Y’all some bright peeps!
I am interested in buying a bus that is advertised. It’s a 1997 International 3800 DT 466E.
Supposedly really clean, runs great. No added insulation though. It’s an AT 545.
We would use it to mainly tool around in summer. Plenty of driving. It’s listed for 12 grand. 143,099 miles. Would love feedback. Can take brutal honesty. 😀

EastCoastCB · 07-15-2019, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Hey all!
I love this site so much! Y’all some bright peeps!
I am interested in buying a bus that is advertised. It’s a 1997 International 3800 DT 466E.
Supposedly really clean, runs great. No added insulation though. It’s an AT 545.
We would use it to mainly tool around in summer. Plenty of driving. It’s listed for 12 grand. 143,099 miles. Would love feedback. Can take brutal honesty. 😀

12 grand will get you a really top notch machine.
I'd hold off and watch the auctions for a bookmobile or mobile command center type conversion. They come with all the bells and whistles.
Or start shopping around for a Bluebird Wanderlodge!

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

12 grand will get you a really top notch machine.
I'd hold off and watch the auctions for a bookmobile or mobile command center type conversion. They come with all the bells and whistles.
Or start shopping around for a Bluebird Wanderlodge!

Knew I could count on you EastCiastCB!! Thank you!
It has places for 4 to sleep, running water, LED chargeable lights so not JUST the bus. Make any difference ?😬😀

EastCoastCB · 07-15-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Knew I could count on you EastCiastCB!! Thank you!
It has places for 4 to sleep, running water, LED chargeable lights so not JUST the bus. Make any difference ?😬😀

It would depend.
Sounds like a $2500 bus to me, but are the extras worth ten g's to you?

o1marc · 07-15-2019, 04:32 PM

If it hasn't been converted, it's a $3500 bus at best,

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 04:45 PM

Dang!
I think I got sucked into the 25 footer. I don’t want to drive a big bus s but when you put it that way if that is all worth all those extra G’s then not really.
Thanks everyone for weighing in!

EastCoastCB · 07-15-2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Dang!
I think I got sucked into the 25 footer. I don’t want to drive a big bus s but when you put it that way if that is all worth all those extra G’s then not really.
Thanks everyone for weighing in!

I have different goals and ideas than most folks converting buses but I'd rather have one fresh from the school and unconverted than a finished one.
But everyone's wants and needs are different.
If its a real nice conversion the price may be ok.
price and specs sound like one I saw on here recently.

peteg59 · 07-15-2019, 06:35 PM

Any pics on it?
It does sound pricey, but as eccb mentioned: if the conversion is quality, it might be worth the $$.
That's why pics will help get you added feedback...

o1marc · 07-15-2019, 06:49 PM

Hard to leave feedback with absolutely no details. Still don't know if it's converted or not.

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I have different goals and ideas than most folks converting buses but I'd rather have one fresh from the school and unconverted than a finished one.
But everyone's wants and needs are different.
If its a real nice conversion the price may be ok.
price and specs sound like one I saw on here recently.

You did. 😜
I was trying to be covert. It’s in Florence,SC

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteg59

Any pics on it?
It does sound pricey, but as eccb mentioned: if the conversion is quality, it might be worth the $$.
That's why pics will help get you added feedback...

Was on the classified site but was trying to be a bit more covert. 😁

peteg59 · 07-15-2019, 08:32 PM

It looks nice but it has a couple of minor schoolbus things still on it that would keep it from passing a state safety inspection in my state. (upper warn lights, stop sign on driver side)
It doesn't say what the title status is, RV, Bus, etc., nor does it say what region of the country it came from.

It would be hard to build out one with the equipment it has in it for that $$.
I'd still need to inspect the undercarriage, specifically in the rear wheel well areas, back, since there are no pics underneath...

cadillackid · 07-15-2019, 08:55 PM

Lots of driving with a 545 on a 466E? I would want that 545 to be a 643 if you are planning on running it all over the place.. weekend warrior? then 545 should be just fine

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteg59

It looks nice but it has a couple of minor schoolbus things still on it that would keep it from passing a state safety inspection in my state. (upper warn lights, stop sign on driver side)
It doesn't say what the title status is, RV, Bus, etc., nor does it say what region of the country it came from.

It would be hard to build out one with the equipment it has in it for that $$.
I'd still need to inspect the undercarriage, specifically in the rear wheel well areas, back, since there are no pics underneath...

Thank you for that!
Will specifically ask about rear wheel well and photos.

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

Lots of driving with a 545 on a 466E? I would want that 545 to be a 643 if you are planning on running it all over the place.. weekend warrior? then 545 should be just fine

It could be anywhere in summer but nowhere for nine months. I was reading up on the shifting of a 545 ( a bit rough)and the gas guzzling. That was slightly disheartening.

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Thank you for that!
Will specifically ask about rear wheel well and photos.

Also came from Ohio originally and is titled as RV

Magden5 · 07-15-2019, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteg59

It looks nice but it has a couple of minor schoolbus things still on it that would keep it from passing a state safety inspection in my state. (upper warn lights, stop sign on driver side)
It doesn't say what the title status is, RV, Bus, etc., nor does it say what region of the country it came from.

It would be hard to build out one with the equipment it has in it for that $$.
I'd still need to inspect the undercarriage, specifically in the rear wheel well areas, back, since there are no pics underneath...

Originally from Ohio and titled as RV

peteg59 · 07-15-2019, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Originally from Ohio and titled as RV

A full undercarriage inspection for sure. Also inquire about the municipal service records for the bus. While it should not be considered a deal breaker without it, it might give you helpful info on whether the engine, trans., or any other drivetrain components have been overhauled or replaced and the frequency of preventative maintenance it received over its life as a school bus...

EastCoastCB · 07-16-2019, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magden5

Also came from Ohio originally and is titled as RV

I wouldn't buy an ohio bus.

Magden5 · 07-16-2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteg59

A full undercarriage inspection for sure. Also inquire about the municipal service records for the bus. While it should not be considered a deal breaker without it, it might give you helpful info on whether the engine, trans., or any other drivetrain components have been overhauled or replaced and the frequency of preventative maintenance it received over its life as a school bus...

Thanks for all of that!

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