90 passenger for sale (Worth Bidding on?)

[Dangerandplay]

2003 Thomas Flat Nose 90 Passenger School Bus Caterpillar 3126B Diesel Engine A | eBay

Looking for some input on these buses. Im just wondering if they are worth owning.

Thanks

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by Dangerandplay

2003 Thomas Flat Nose 90 Passenger School Bus Caterpillar 3126B Diesel Engine A | eBay

Looking for some input on these buses. Im just wondering if they are worth owning.

Thanks

Personally I'd pass on those buses. They have the CAT 3126 motors which are very expensive to work on. Proprietary parts that can only be purchased from Caterpillar at a huge markup

Plenty of Thomas FEs out there with the Cummins ISB, which is a much better engine cost-wise.

[Tango]

Like most engines, there are those that either love or hate Cat engines. The 3126 is no exception. Hardly a great motor but it does have a few fans. With with a little Googling, you will find quite a few significant issues discussed. Me...I'd avoid it. But then, hey...I'm a Cummins guy.

[GreyCoyote]

After I bought my bus, I was chatting with the ISD mechanics a bit and asked why they only had IH and Cummins power around the barn. The response was interesting: "I can fix two DT466s for the price of one Cat, and do it less often".

I've wrenched (very lightly) on Cats, but I never had to fix anything major, hence I cant speak personally to the $$$ issue, but that whole conversation left me happy that I went the way I did.

[Dangerandplay]

That's what I figured, I will keep searching! Thanks for the quick responses everyone...

[boojiewoojie]

Did you look at the other buses they have for sale? If you're looking for FE I'd bid for sure on the 2003 Internationals. DT466E and Allison 3060 transmission. Air door. No air ride but not many FE's do. No rust.

Only negative is that year (early 2000) DT466 are susceptible to getting coolant in the oil. Top end rebuild kits are ~$1200 if you're handy with a wrench.

Don't know what the ratio is on the axle but they'll probably get up and go.