These are my options

[opus]

Your opinions are valued:

I made an offer on the #4712 and they would go for it.

[opus]

Wow, did I phrase the question wrong? I would have thought someone would have some input on this.

I am trying to make a decision on a bus purchase.

[bus-ted]

Well, if you have the $, I guess the third bus- having gotten them down to $5500- would be the best choice, but being the penny pincher I am, they're all too much, IMO.

[opus]

Thats the way it is in this area. Buse prices arent like the mid-south or other places in the country. I opted for something in TN for about $3k but then I would have rust to deal with, plane fare, fuel, etc. I might as well spend the same money and get something in my area. Thanks.

[keith]

i got a bus from ala and had no rust ,,also i had a bus from tenn and no rust,but if you get the N.D.bus you will have rust for sure,,so one must look at it that way.... i have 93 b/b fe for sale for $4000. with an 8.3 w 545 trans just came of line last yr the motor is a build..

[baadpuppy]

for the same price, I would pick the 8.3L cummins before the 5.9L cummins. The 8.3L is my favorite engine, and I wish I had one. But all those prices are a bit high for my budget.

This will boil down to a personal choice on your part. You have to balance a lot of factors before deciding if a particular bus is for you or not.

I originally wanted a rear engine blue bird all american with the 8.3L and an MT643. I bought a thomas saf-t-liner rear engine with cat 3208 (no turbo) and MT643. I like my bus, but I do wish it had the 8.3L turbo cummins engine instead. Having looked at a lot of blue bird conversions, I'm glad I got a thomas. Similar build quality, but the thomas uses screws in a lot of places where bluebird used rivets. Much easier to remove and replace screws.

good luck,
jim

[opus]

Keith, I dont know what would make you say there is rust in this part of the country. With time/fuel involved, I probably wouldnt take a bus that far south if it was free.

Jim, I 3408 with or without a turbo wouldnt stand a chance here. I drove school bus for 10 yrs. I opt for BB, they are a bit more stout, from experience.

Thanks for the input!

[crazycal]

8.3 all the way.