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Old 09-26-2015, 10:53 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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What is this style bus 'officially' called?

Newbie question!

I've been trying to figure out how to articulate what this type/style of bus is actually called.





It's a 48 passenger, this one is a Bluebird. It's not something I can buy right now (they're asking $7k) but it is what I'm looking for. As I'm asking around in future or looking at ads or whatnot, what keywords am I looking for? Just 48 passenger? I specifically like the short wheelbase, flat nose, and shorter body.

It's not a short bus, right? It's a short full-size bus? Not sure how to 'officially' categorize this creature.

Thanks!

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Old 09-26-2015, 10:56 AM   #2
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Transit-style short bus. Even truck chassis short buses are still short buses
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Old 09-26-2015, 01:12 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooternj View Post
Transit-style short bus. Even truck chassis short buses are still short buses
Oh! So it is technically a shorty! Wow. Is there a disadvantage to the chassis on these busses vs. a full-size?
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Old 09-26-2015, 03:36 PM   #4
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Thats a $2500 bus, not $7000.

Just for informational purposes for you.
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Old 09-26-2015, 06:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opus View Post
Thats a $2500 bus, not $7000.

Just for informational purposes for you.
Obviously! Or it'd be sitting in my driveway right now with a huge "SUCKER" sign on the back.
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Old 09-27-2015, 06:40 AM   #6
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That would be a Bluebird AAFE (All American Front Engine)
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Old 09-27-2015, 08:32 AM   #7
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Cool bus but man that price is a joke.
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:05 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa View Post
That would be a Bluebird AAFE (All American Front Engine)
I've seen busses of different lengths with that title. Should I be looking for Bluebird AAFE 48 passenger?
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:07 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Cool bus but man that price is a joke.
Agreed! It's a listing on my local CL and I offered him $2k as a low-ball. He thought that was laughable. I thought HIS price was laughable... still listed!
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:39 AM   #10
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Still laughable.....
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:46 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa View Post
That would be a Bluebird AAFE (All American Front Engine)

How can you tell it is an AA and not a TC2000?
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Old 09-27-2015, 10:20 AM   #12
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I believe it is a TC, single headlights. AAs had dual.
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Old 09-27-2015, 11:05 AM   #13
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I don't know how to tell the difference. I know the All American is the Cadillac of Blue Birds.
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Old 09-27-2015, 04:14 PM   #14
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We used to call these shortys or hill climbers. It's still for sale on seattle CL, A ridiculous price for $7500.00. Bus is worth less that half that. BUT it's a wonderful platform for a skoolie. Hope the owner gets more flexible on the price and someone gets it for a skoolie.
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Old 09-29-2015, 05:52 AM   #15
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I always called them 3/4 buses, great for tight spots and city driving
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Old 09-29-2015, 06:45 AM   #16
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Year: 1988
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC/2000
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This one looks a lot like mine. Mine's a 9 window TC/2000. I wouldn't call mine short, but it's not full sized either. Mine has a 12' wheelbase (shorter than some 1-ton trucks). It's fun and easy to drive and park.

Mine is a 1988 model (this one is a 1992 model). Mine has 115,000 fewer miles on it. Mine cost $2,500. I'm sure things are a little more expensive up there in the pacific northwest, but not 3x more expensive. If the tires and engine are in good shape I might pay $3,500 for that one. $7,500 is wayyyy above market.
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Old 09-29-2015, 09:03 AM   #17
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Actually, prices in the PNW are not THAT expensive. This guy just thinks his bus is golden. I got my 38 ft IHC3800 for $1000.00.
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Old 10-03-2015, 11:09 AM   #18
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Yeah, there are two of these up right now. One guy wants $5k and despite posting that it's got about 130k miles, when I made my offer (trade for a $2.5k trailer or $2k cash) he got really defensive and insisted it had 7k miles.

The other guy ($7,500) was much nicer but thought the $2k was 'way, way too low' despite having no information about the bus history or records.

So I sit and wait!
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Old 12-05-2015, 04:41 PM   #19
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I paid $8K for my 84 passenger Thomas HDX and it's in great shape. That seller has got to be smoking something.
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Old 09-22-2021, 10:50 AM   #20
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2021 prices?

I am curious what the prices might be today. Looks like this is a sought-after style (specifically - 2010 Blue Bird flat nose FE - 8 windows) and I found a dealer locally asking $7500. Is this price still way above the market price? It has 150K miles.

Thank you in advance.
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