Short bus advice

[beschool]

I am currently looking for a short bus (preferably 6 window). I was hopping to get advice on the ones I am looking at. This one is on an auction site:

The current bid is at $1000 but I am assuming that will go up as it gets closer to the end of the auction. Can any once tell me if this sounds like a good deal or if the 6.6 is a good engine to go with?

Year: 2010
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Express Van
Mileage: 76,765
VIN: 1GB9G5A66A1134272
Running Condition: Yes
Engine: Diesel 6.6

[o1marc]

Everything made after 04 has potential emission issues that are hard to diagnose and expensive to repair. They can't sell them cheap enough to deal with the issues. A 2010 at $1k should concern you.

[beschool]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Everything made after 04 has potential emission issues that are hard to diagnose and expensive to repair. They can't sell them cheap enough to deal with the issues. A 2010 at $1k should concern you.

Good to know. Thank you! Can you offer any advice on a particular year/engine that I should be keeping an eye out for?

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by beschool

Good to know. Thank you! Can you offer any advice on a particular year/engine that I should be keeping an eye out for?

the GM 6.6 has a good reputation - stay away from the 6.5

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by o1marc

A 2010 at $1k should concern you.

Not that I'm a pro or anything after one auction, but based on our limited experience, whatever price it's going for now - assuming it's not very near to closing time - doesn't mean squat. All the buses we recently bid on were under $1K the day before the auction. That situation changed rapidly as the end neared.

No exception w/ anything else you said. Just don't believe the above assumption to necessarily be telling (though it could be, hard to tell w/o details)

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

the GM 6.6 has a good reputation - stay away from the 6.5

Eek! Really? That’s what I got!

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Eek! Really? That’s what I got!

Never mind. Got the 6.6. Dodged that bullet!

[Danjo]

When I was looking for a short bus I took a measuring tape with me to the inspection. Don’t let the number of windows fool you into thinking one is longer than another. I measured 6 window and 5 window buses I think Collins were 6. There was only 6 inches of difference so not the 2 feet you might expect.

I got a 2007 Express Thomas Built wheelchair bus. I paid considerably more than $1000. The bus I got, save for the turbo being a little gummy (solved by pretending to be Mario Andretti through a couple tanks of diesel) and needing new batteries, turned out to be a great deal I think. Near perfect exterior, not a spot of rust, near immaculate interior.

So I got the same (incomplete) cutaway as the one you are looking at. Same LMM engine.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Eek! Really? That’s what I got!

6.5 is a workhorse, its just not as powerful.

[beschool]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I really appreciate it. Here is another one I am looking at. I have heard great the 6.0 has issue but not sure if that has much merit.

Year: 2009
Make: Ford
Model: E450 School Bus 19 Pass
Mileage: 108536
VIN: 1FDFE45P49DA06345
Engine: Diesel 6.0
Asking: $5500

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ct...894047530.html

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Never mind. Got the 6.6. Dodged that bullet!

lucky you - should be a reliable motor

[beschool]

I am seriously considering making an offer on this one. But I was hoping to get any thoughts or advice on it. There is a lot going on for it but I have some concerns. I have the good and bad listed below. If you have any thoughts I would really appreciate hearing them.

• 2006 Chevy Express 6.6L
• 145,000 miles
• 5 window

The Good:

• Engine and transmission in great condition
• The inside is already strip of seat insulated with new sub floor
• The walls and ceiling are finished with pine wood
• Electrical is ran in the ceiling for 12v led lighting
• The rust around the wheel well has been repaired
• 6 new tires

The Bad

• It needs a pain job as you can see.
• There is no AC unit in the back plus the font cab AC compressor is kicking on and cycling but the blower motor does not seem to be working)

[HazMatt]

Post-2004: EPA PITA stuff to deal with.
Are the walls and ceiling insulated, or just paneled over?
Unimpressive looking job on those side skins.
Does having all but 1 window per side covered work for you? Looks awfully claustrophobic, but that's personal preferences...
Lack of A/C here in TX is problematic. No idea were you're at. (Might consider filling out your profile, some...)
The important paint work's already been done. Most all of us have to paint to get legal. Purely cosmetic, do it when you can, or can't stand it's appearance any longer.
And, the $25,000 Question: Asking price..?

[peteg59]

GOT WOOD??? Holey Cow, there's some wood in that one!
I wood go with that one over the 6.0L powered Ford you're also looking at, (pun intended!).
The thing looks casket~esque though??? Maybe with furnishings and decorations it "wood" breakup the casket feeling?

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by beschool

I am seriously considering making an offer on this one. But I was hoping to get any thoughts or advice on it. There is a lot going on for it but I have some concerns. I have the good and bad listed below. If you have any thoughts I would really appreciate hearing them.

• 2006 Chevy Express 6.6L
• 145,000 miles
• 5 window

The Good:

• Engine and transmission in great condition
• The inside is already strip of seat insulated with new sub floor
• The walls and ceiling are finished with pine wood
• Electrical is ran in the ceiling for 12v led lighting
• The rust around the wheel well has been repaired
• 6 new tires

The Bad

• It needs a pain job as you can see.
• There is no AC unit in the back plus the font cab AC compressor is kicking on and cycling but the blower motor does not seem to be working)

the 6 litre GM diesel has a good reputation - that's a good start on the interior

[beschool]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Post-2004: EPA PITA stuff to deal with.
Are the walls and ceiling insulated, or just paneled over?
Unimpressive looking job on those side skins.
Does having all but 1 window per side covered work for you? Looks awfully claustrophobic, but that's personal preferences...
Lack of A/C here in TX is problematic. No idea were you're at. (Might consider filling out your profile, some...)
The important paint work's already been done. Most all of us have to paint to get legal. Purely cosmetic, do it when you can, or can't stand it's appearance any longer.
And, the $25,000 Question: Asking price..?

The wall and ceiling are insulated with green foam board.
I don't really like that he removed the windows either but I figure if I can get the bus for the right price that I could try it as is and if I don't like it I could always add in some windows in the future.
I would definitely get an ac unit and/or fix the cab ac so that would be a cost I would have to consider.
And of course the the $25,000, I can't believe I left that out. He is asking $6000 but I was going to make an offer just not sure what is reasonable for the market.

[beschool]

Originally Posted by peteg59

GOT WOOD??? Holey Cow, there's some wood in that one!
I wood go with that one over the 6.0L powered Ford you're also looking at, (pun intended!).
The thing looks casket~esque though??? Maybe with furnishings and decorations it "wood" breakup the casket feeling?

LOL. I was thinking it was more cabin~esque than casket~esque but I hear you, it's a lot of wood. I would have personally left the windows in but was thinking I could replace them later if I could not take the closed in feeling of it. I am just not sure how much hassle and cost that would end up being though.

[beschool]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

the 6 litre GM diesel has a good reputation - that's a good start on the interior

Good to know. And that is what I was thinking with the interior. It would save me a lot of time and be a good starting point. Just not sure about the lack of windows.

[HazMatt]

Don't know what green board is. Sounds algae saturated!
Half the asking is borderline, IMHO.
Best not to to hop on the first bus that comes around. You might be better served waiting for the next one.
If you're clear on what your wants and needs, gotta haves & like to haves, are, you stand a much better chance of avoiding a costly mistake.
Mi dos centavos...
EDIT: Replacing the removed windows is not an inexpensive option. I lucked out- lotsa folx here bitch about the OEM windows. I've had no leaks, and except for one of the rearmost ones sometimes not latching entirely shut, I've no complaints.

[peteg59]

Originally Posted by beschool

LOL. I was thinking it was more cabin~esque than casket~esque but I hear you, it's a lot of wood. I would have personally left the windows in but was thinking I could replace them later if I could not take the closed in feeling of it. I am just not sure how much hassle and cost that would end up being though.

The basics are covered and the 6K asking price isn't too far out of line for what is there, IMO.
As far as adding windows, it shouldn't be too hard once you find/locate the internal support ribs to work with.
Try offering $4~$4.5K and see how motivated they are to sell.
Also assuming its local to you? Shipping or other transportation costs will need to be factored in, if not...