Too much rust? Opinions, please!

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

I wish I could ... but both travel time and finances are rather limited right now.

Ugh.

Your lack of travel time and finances may increase if the wrong bus is bought. Make sure your expectations are realistic, it takes a considerable amount of time to fully convert one of these things.

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

There is one near me, but it's bigger than the short buses you've listed (like, 10 or 11 windows). Gas mileage won't be much different but it will be harder to drive - although I've gotten accustomed to my 35' bus (11 windows) pretty quick. And personally, I can't conceive of inhabiting any less space than this.

Bus is mid-90s (can't remember exactly what year), DT466 and probably an AT545 transmission. Seller is asking $5000 but has never heard of skoolies and the bus has been for sale for the last year or so, so he would probably take considerably less.

I'm not completely against a bigger bus nor am I afraid to drive one. I drove a 16' moving van with my car on a trailer behind it two different times and managed quite well.

I've gradually moved into smaller and smaller living spaces and am fine with it. Basically I just need a place to sleep, cook, and clean up and I'm happy. I tend to spend more time out of my home than in it. LOL

Has that bus been sitting all that time? Makes me wonder about tires dry rotting and a bunch of other unsavory things happening...

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

I'm not completely against a bigger bus nor am I afraid to drive one. I drove a 16' moving van with my car on a trailer behind it two different times and managed quite well.

I've gradually moved into smaller and smaller living spaces and am fine with it. Basically I just need a place to sleep, cook, and clean up and I'm happy. I tend to spend more time out of my home than in it. LOL

Has that bus been sitting all that time? Makes me wonder about tires dry rotting and a bunch of other unsavory things happening...

It seems to be moved a bit from time to time. I'll check it out next time I go past there and call the guy again. He was a bit annoying because I was trying to explain to him about skoolies and how his bus was desirable to this crowd, but he wasn't wanting to hear anything I was saying.

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Your lack of travel time and finances may increase if the wrong bus is bought. Make sure your expectations are realistic, it takes a considerable amount of time to fully convert one of these things.

Once I actually find a bus, I'm on a "2 Year Plan" and that's just for time to build out a very basic living space.

Thankfully I have a friends in the various trades (carpentry, plumbing, solar, electric) that will work for meals and a few extra bucks on the side. I just have to buy the supplies ... and help with the build. LOL

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

It seems to be moved a bit from time to time. I'll check it out next time I go past there and call the guy again. He was a bit annoying because I was trying to explain to him about skoolies and how his bus was desirable to this crowd, but he wasn't wanting to hear anything I was saying.

Don't let him know the bus is desirable or he might raise his price!

My beautiful daughter is actually sending me messages about buses for sale in her area. She wants me to move closer and figures I might do so if she finds me a good bus.

Gotta love how kids think. LOL

[Danjo]

I think the floors in buses are around 20 or 22 or 24 gauge. I think that’s a pretty good test. Maybe some others might think too light. If you jab it with an ice pick and it sticks keep looking.

[Michelle1956]

Okay ... I did it. I bought a bus.

I'll do a reveal after I pick her up.

Very basic info: 2002 ... 28' ... A/C ... 80k miles ... new tires ... under $5k ... no more hints. LOL

[brokedown]

Nice! Your reveal better include lots of pics since you are making us wait.

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by brokedown

Nice! Your reveal better include lots of pics since you are making us wait.

A sneak peek ...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cdw56XjyJsqoSnvt5

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

A sneak peek ...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cdw56XjyJsqoSnvt5

Gotta love the candid shots in the background:

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Gotta love the candid shots in the background:

Attachment 37782

I know! I saw that right away and nearly died! Hahahahaha

I was wondering if anyone else would notice that. Hahahahaha

[Michelle1956]

All I could think was ... that couldn't possibly be what it looks like... there has to be a valid explanation...

Hahahahaha

[plfking]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

All I could think was ... that couldn't possibly be what it looks like... there has to be a valid explanation...

Hahahahaha

Looks like someone's getting 'junkyard-dogged'.

Nice bus. I've always considered new tires and verifiable low mileage to be worth about $2500-3000 of the asking price......so if the rust is negligible or manageable, and it's in good running order, I'd say you made a good deal.

[Native]

Looks like a great starting point!

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by Native

Looks like a great starting point!

I think so.

Hopefully I'll be driving it back home by Monday night...

[Native]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

I think so.

Hopefully I'll be driving it back home by Monday night...

When you do, please post a link to your new build thread into this and the other thread so folks can follow your "real" thread.

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by Native

When you do, please post a link to your new build thread into this and the other thread so folks can follow your "real" thread.

Looks like I'll be taking a bus to MD on Wednesday to pick up my bus. LOL

I'll start a new thread when I'm finally back home.

I have a bus name and paint color all picked out ...

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by Michelle1956

Thanks, I will start looking for older buses.

Consider searching for busses in the no rust zones, places like Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico don't have salt air or salted roads. It can be well worth it to do a little running to spend little to no time remediating rust. Try public surplus auction. We got a great 1998 Amtran pusher from the Gilbert school district. No rust. Pretty low miles. 142000. For just 1980.00

We drive it daily and live in it.

[Michelle1956]

Originally Posted by Rock-N-Ruth

Consider searching for busses in the no rust zones, places like Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico don't have salt air or salted roads. It can be well worth it to do a little running to spend little to no time remediating rust. Try public surplus auction. We got a great 1998 Amtran pusher from the Gilbert school district. No rust. Pretty low miles. 142000. For just 1980.00

We drive it daily and live in it.

Cool. Our buses have a lot in common. <hint hint> I should
be ready for the big reveal on Wednesday....

[Michelle1956]

*

Say hello to Periwinkle the Bus!

Perri is a 2002 Am Tran diesel, 28' with front and rear A/C & heat.* Series 60 Detroit engine with an Allison transmission. Speedo just turned over 89k miles on my 300 mile drive home from Virginia.

Only eight seats with wheelchair tie downs, a functioning handicap lift, plus a rear door. Air brakes, air operated driver's seat, and air operated front doors. She's very clean and is now registered as an RV.*

I love my bus so much!*