more e-mails........
i wrote:
we can argue math equations using different variables all day long and not come to a conclusion. Perhaps an independant 3rd party is needed. I can take the bus to a truck repair shop and have them verify that the transmission is in fact shifting into top gear, then allow them to drive the bus on the expressway for as long as they feel is necessary to make an official report on the buses top crusing speed.
here is the quote from your ebay ad
"Q: Is the top cruising speed 60 as stated, and if so what engine rpm at 60 (if you remember) Also height interior floor to center ceiling feet and inches Thanks Jim Nov-08-07
A: No. I went an indicated 60 however I had it up to 70 for periods. In addition I believe that the speedometer is in error due to the larger than stock tires. When the speedo indicated 65 I was typically going the same speed as other freeway traffic which usually moves 75 to 80. So it is capable of an indicated 70 which I believe is an actual speed of 80 to 85."
He responded:
Jason, there is no argument about math it is imperial knowledge. The equations I used in my response are nothing more than grade school level geometry that can be referenced in any kids math book and the figures that I entered were provided by you in your email. You are welcome to have an independent 3rd party give you an opinion about whatever you want related to the bus however another persons opinion does not change the facts. I am sorry that you are unhappy but I was 100% honest and 100% forthright in my eBay add and all of my responses. I also offered every opportunity for somebody to have the bus inspected prior to purchase. I also displayed more pictures and pointed out more flaws than any other eBay bus add. I also very clearly stated that the bus was sold as-is no warranties. I did all of these things in an effort that the bus be represented as fully and completely as possible and that potential bidders have the opportunity to fully inspect the bus prior to bidding in order to avoid any conflicts. In addition I never stated that the bus could go 85 in the auction or answer to questions. I stated that it went an indicated 70 but that I believed I was going faster than 70 because I believed that the tires were larger than stock. It was simply an opinion based on my impressions from driving the bus however I provided no factual basis for my opinion nor any statements. If this one anecdotal response was what you were going to base your entire purchase than you should have at the very least asked a question as to why I believed that I was traveling faster. I would have responded to your question quickly and to the best of my ability and this whole situation might have been avoided. The Bluebird is not only the first diesel bus that I have ever owned but in fact the first diesel bus that I have ever driven so I have no other reference from which to judge the feeling of speed. I was 100% honest in all of my responses and 100% forthright in my eBay add and all of my responses. The thing that gets me the most about this whole situation is that I really really like that bus and I wish that limited time and limited finances did not force me to sell it. Its almost like I am being punished twice. Once by having to sell of a bus that I really like and would have preferred to keep. Once by having another human being upset with me.
Diego
i wrote:
You also mention in the ad that the bus has larger than stock tires. This also is not true. There is a placard from the factory inside the bus near the driver which indicates tire size is 11r22.5 which are the exact same size tires that are currently on the vehicle.
here is the quote from your ebay ad
"Q: Is the top cruising speed 60 as stated, and if so what engine rpm at 60 (if you remember) Also height interior floor to center ceiling feet and inches Thanks Jim Nov-08-07
A: No. I went an indicated 60 however I had it up to 70 for periods. In addition I believe that the speedometer is in error
due to the larger than stock tires. When the speedo indicated 65 I was typically going the same speed as other freeway traffic which usually moves 75 to 80. So it is capable of an indicated 70 which I believe is an actual speed of 80 to 85."
he responded:
In the add I indicated that I believed that the tires were larger than stock, and I still do. The only other busses that I have ever seen exactly like this one in real life are owned by the University of Arizona here in town and I measured the sidewall profile height and it was approximately 7.5 inches. The placard on the bus indicates 11r22.5 however I was and still am under the impression that the 11 refers to the tire width not profile height. I do not know which is correct however if you look at the numbers stamped on any wheel you will see that it usually gives the diameter of the wheel and the width of the wheel not the profile of the tire that is supposed to go on it. I was and still am under the impression that the placard is supposed to indicate the wheel diameter and the tire width however I do not know for a fact which is correct and could certainly be wrong.
i responded....
You did state in the ad that :the bus would cruise 70 mph as indicated by the speedo." It is physically impossible for the bus to cruise at that speed. You also stated in e-mail that the bus would "cruise 70+ on the flats"
I measured the tires and they are just shy of 41.5 inches. I found this webiste from bridgestone:
http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com/us ... pecs.asp#5
which indicates diameter of 11r22.5 tires to be 41.3 inches.
There are plenty of things you neglected to mention in the ad, like broken windshield wipers, faulty fuel gauge, air that leaks at a dangerous rate making the air compressor run almost non-stop, auto-leveling air ride that is out of adjustment, kneeling feature that doesn't work properly, etc etc. I am not making an issue out of those things because they were not mentioned in the ad. However, you expressly mentioned that the bus would cruise 70 when the bus in reality cruises about 58, a world of difference on the highway!