your input please?

[cosimo]

Hello everyone!

I am about to start a conversion....and I think I have found the bus to use.

It is a 1991 Thomas MVP 78 PAX
It has the 8.3 Cummins Turbo
Allison 643 5 speed with locking torque converter
160,000 miles

BUT they want over $9000.
I am thinking that is a little overpriced?
But if I can talk him down some....

Is this a horrible bus or not bad to start with?

Thanks!
-Cosimo

--Ignorance is curable...
--Stupidity is forever.

[rvingoffgrid]

Allison 643 will be a 4 speed the six denotes the series the 4 is the speeds 3 is the number of major update it's had but you picked a good one as far as the specs go 8.3 is the best engine they built

[rvingoffgrid]

Nine grand is too much for a 1991

[milkmania]

dang, I need to buy a bus for $2500 and sell it to you for $7500... I'd even drive it to you for that kind of profit! Greyhound ride home is cheap!

[EastCoastCB]

I agree with Milkmania... Entirely.

That bus is worth like 4k on a really good day. A REALLY good day.

[cosimo]

I appreciate your input!

I will see if I can talk him down a bit. I thought he was asking a bit much.

Thanks for letting me know.

Hey Milkmania, let me know when you find the same bus for 2500...I'd buy your bus ticket home!



@rvingoffgrid : the specs said 4 speed, the description said 5...I was not sure which was the typo. Thanks for letting me know which it really is. I am slowly learning.

So, good bus, bad price. THANKS!

[milkmania]

1998 Conventional Blue Bird T444E No Reserve | eBay



little bit higher@ $3500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-INTERNA...m=301662477459


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Interna...m=181771258476

[milkmania]

2000 Bluebird 65 Passenger Transit Style School Bus | eBay

[milkmania]

2001 Bluebird Transit Style 72 Passenger School Bus | eBay

[crazycal]

You can't compare a dog nose with a 444E with an AT545 and a flat front with a Cummins 8.3 with a MT643 but 9 grand is still a ripoff.

[milkmania]

touché, I didn't see where he said SAME bus.... until I reread it

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cosimo

I appreciate your input!

I will see if I can talk him down a bit. I thought he was asking a bit much.

Thanks for letting me know.

Hey Milkmania, let me know when you find the same bus for 2500...I'd buy your bus ticket home!



@rvingoffgrid : the specs said 4 speed, the description said 5...I was not sure which was the typo. Thanks for letting me know which it really is. I am slowly learning.

So, good bus, bad price. THANKS!

my 92 Ward is a flat nose, with 643. I paid 2150 out the door for this bus. Bought it on GovDeals in November.
I'd sell you mine for double what I paid....
9 Grand oughta buy one FULLY converted.

[WIbluebird]

Here's a 1990 Thomas MVP pusher on GovDeals. The auction was relisted, the first time around bidding got up to around $3,000 IIRC. It's got the 3208 Cat and an Allison AT545.

1990 Thomas Bus - GovDeals.com

[EastCoastCB]

I literally laughed out loud at this, its from that listing-

Q: Does this bus come equipped with the roaling coal package? (6/4/15 11:20 AM)
A: no this unit was modified to provide an electrical shock to driver when attempted (6/5/15 7:20 AM)

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I literally laughed out loud at this, its from that listing-

Hahaha just noticed it!! Hilarious, glad to see the seller has a sense of humor.

[Scooternj]

I love snark like that

[cosimo]

Thanks for the research Milkmania!
But yes, I am looking for a rear-engine flat nose bus to start with.

I looked at the one on GovDeals . I am not that familiar with the CAT engines. The 3208 is a V8 and displaces more than the I6 Cummins 8.3 from what I have seen so far. Does that sound right?

How does the 3208 do in the hills?
Is it as easily tweaked as the Cummins is to get a little more power from it?

Not looking to start a Cat vs Cummins vs Detroit argument. I see that all over the place. I will take any of them. I just do not want to feel the urge to get out and push in order to get us over a hill.

I know, the transmission has a lot do with the the performance as well, but it starts with the engine.

When I get back online later tonight I will look through GovDeals some more and see what else is out there. Thanks for reminding me about that place EastCoastCB.

[cosimo]

Ok, I found a 3208 vs 8.3 discussion here on this site...I will go and read it.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f33/8-...26-a-7716.html

[rvingoffgrid]

I buy a lot of buses from insurance auctions the last one i got for 800 by the time the fees where done i had like 1000 in it had to buy a new hood and bumper. so total i had 1800 in it has 11234 miles on it 2000 freight liner with 5.9 cummings at545 allison and a wheelchair lift no seats. put new gabriel shocks on it couldn't stand the bounce of the leaf springs on the little bus.

[nat_ster]

As has been mentioned already, when new, a front engine dog nose bus with a 5.9 cummins and a AT545 trans cost over $40,000 less than the HDT rear engine flat nose bus with a Cummins 8.3 and MD3060.

So $2000 for a old TC 2000 with the basic engine and trans, would make the big bus with the best of everything cost $6000 and up.

I would have no issue paying up to $10,000 for a nearly perfect bus with the best of everything.

Originally Posted by cosimo

Not looking to start a Cat vs Cummins vs Detroit argument. I see that all over the place. I will take any of them. I just do not want to feel the urge to get out and push in order to get us over a hill.

Are you made of money?

If not you best skip the Cat engines and the Detroit's.

Cost wise the Cummins and the DT engines rule the fleet.

Nat