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Old 02-06-2019, 10:44 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Willowick, Ohio
Posts: 26
Buying advice

Does anybody have input why this might or might not be a good buy?
For sale is a 2006 StarTrans shuttle bus, 14 passenger
$11,900
3500 Chevy chassis
6.0L gas
-101,635 miles
-14 passenger
-co-pilot seat
-dual rear wheels
-overhead luggage racks
-rear door
-rear auxiliary heater
-rear AC unit
-dash heat and AC
-rear luggage rack
-arm rest
-high back reclining seats
-CD player
-rear speakers
-cruise control

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Old 02-06-2019, 10:57 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
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Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gkozz View Post
Does anybody have input why this might or might not be a good buy?

For sale is a 2006 StarTrans shuttle bus, 14 passenger

$11,900

3500 Chevy chassis

6.0L gas

-101,635 miles

-14 passenger

-co-pilot seat

-dual rear wheels

-overhead luggage racks

-rear door

-rear auxiliary heater

-rear AC unit

-dash heat and AC

-rear luggage rack

-arm rest

-high back reclining seats

-CD player

-rear speakers

-cruise control
The options look good, but ask questions. What fuel mileage, service records, condition etc...
As far as price, it's a good deal if it fits your needs and budget.
It's a gasoline engine, so med-high milage on it. If you are planning long road trips in it, maybe have a good mechanic go over the engine.
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Old 02-06-2019, 11:03 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Willowick, Ohio
Posts: 26
Thanks for the input. I would prefer diesel. That is a major point to consider
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Old 02-06-2019, 11:49 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
In a van I'd take that 6.0 gm gas engine over any diesel.

They're great engines, imo. I pull a big trailer with a 2003 3500 and the 6.0 is great. Its faster than my Dodge van pulling a trailer and it has nearly 300k on it.

That price seems double what it should be, though.
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Old 02-06-2019, 11:55 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Willowick, Ohio
Posts: 26
Thanks
I have been looking and find shuttle buses more than school buses, but do want a shuttle. I’ve see for half but usually not in good shape. I will remain patient for a good bus at a better price. Many of the buses I find are through a dealer and am sure they are marked up too much.
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Old 02-06-2019, 11:59 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Gotta agree (mostly) with CB.

I have an '04 Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas motor. I am loving it. Probably one of the best gas motors available.

But...... My Dodge will run circles around it. Power, fuel economy, towing/hauling capacity and cool factor.... The Dodge wins.

Regarding the price.... CB was being kind. IMHO: $11,900 is 2x (or more) what I would consider.
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Old 02-12-2019, 07:47 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Willowick, Ohio
Posts: 26
Now looking at:
2012 Chevy Duramax Diesel 13 passenger with 2 wheel chairs
Mileage 165k new fuel lines, brakes, rear end
Allison transmission with 6.6l engine
Listed at $9,900
Any opinion on if there are any pluses or minuses to this deal?
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:02 AM   #8
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I'm quick to crap on newer engines but the GM 6.6 has a decent reputation.
I only know a couple guys who have them. One has had their truck back at the dealer at least ten times. Just this week it died going down the road and left him waiting on a tow. IIRC its had lots of fuel system issues.
How handy are you with mechanical repairs? This thing won't have any warranty so its totally on you if anything fails. If you can fix it yourself or afford to pay someone else to then go for it.
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:02 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
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2012 Chevy 4500 Duramax Mini
I did not mention that it’s a 4500
The seller says 12 mpg
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:07 AM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
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I am not the one to work on the mechanics.
General opinion is that the older engines are better. I am finding so far most older shuttle buses are not in good shape.
Any ideas on somewhat newer engines to consider?
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:18 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
The 6.6 is decent. I'm just warning that unless you learn to work on whatever you buy you're going to be paying quite a bit of money for repairs and maintenance. The older stuff is generally easier to work on and is of higher quality. Thats why you see em so beat on when they're finally sold. The newer stuff is being passed around like a hot potato.
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Old 02-21-2019, 12:00 AM   #12
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http://www.publicsurplus.com

This is a clearinghouse for municipal/state/University/and local govt stuff. They auction just about anything you can think of that any of those entities own or buy. I've been building buses since 1985. I've personally done over 20 conversions. I just bought my most recent a 2010 Bluebird American 77 passenger w/ CAT diesel and a 21 speed Alison trnny. When I went to pick her up, the shop fprman at the University of California Berkeley threw in 2 brand new extra front radial tires and wheels, a full tank of fuel, total cost out the door was $4200. Good luck, I hope everything goes smooth for ya!!😍😍😊
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Old 02-21-2019, 01:13 PM   #13
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The 6.0L gas V-8 is probably the best engine choice in the van/cut-away chassis. Most reports in regards to fuel usage have been in the 11-13 MPG range for buses on daily routes. They tend to get 1-2 MPG better than the same bus on a Ford chassis with the V-10 and about 1-4 MPG less than either the Duramax or Powerstroke diesel engines.


Personally I would pay extra for the 6.0L gas over a diesel any day of the week.



StarTrans is not one of the better bus bodies out there. It is better than the Starcraft but not as good as the ElDorado. Personally I would choose a Type 'A' school bus any day of the week over a plastic body bus. The all metal school bus bodies stand up over time much better than the plastic bus bodies.
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Old 02-21-2019, 02:28 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Willowick, Ohio
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I think I could get a better deal with the school bus but my wife is stubborn thinking of the awful ride on the way to school way back when. Any personal experience in regard to how both compare on comfort of ride?
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