Is this a good bus ?

[Teak]

A beginner, lurking around reading and admiring some of the nicer built and hard works some of you put in to your bus!

Is this a good bus:
Full sized tall roof Thomas school bus turbo diesel nice !

I am not into buying at the moment so feel free to "steal" it - would be nice though if people can give inputs into the CONS of this bus. It would be even nicer if you let me come along and kick the tires if you come to check it out!

From my perspective it sounded nice - a good body, in good shape, sounded like a strong engine, some lockers, a nice high roof that doesn't have to be raised...Title does said diesel but details list said gas ?

BTW, I saw something similar last week 2001? that listed at 2k less : 3,500 that is gone now.

TIA.

[deftone]

T444e motor in it, what transmission does it have?

Also what do you mean by "lockers"? I don't see any belly storage? Although I'm on a cell phone right now so maybe it's just screen size and poor eyesight!

[Teak]

Ah I mean the little doors by the driver's side - not belly storage. I guess you can tell that I am pretty raw at it...If it's a T444E then the transmission is likely an AT545 combo ? I have no idea - hadn't called or texted the owner...

[DoubleO7]

The doors on driverside outside are for the batteries (lower door).
The door above is access to a bunch of wiring.

[Rameses]

Wow, 7 feet of interior height huh? Tell that seller to pass the pipe when he's done hittin it.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Rameses

Wow, 7 feet of interior height huh? Tell that seller to pass the pipe when he's done hittin it.

More like 73 inches instead of 7 foot 3 inches

[deftone]

Originally Posted by Rameses

Wow, 7 feet of interior height huh? Tell that seller to pass the pipe when he's done hittin it.

I was thinking the same thing.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Rameses

Wow, 7 feet of interior height huh? Tell that seller to pass the pipe when he's done hittin it.

I want some of whatever they're smokin!

Looks like a common, lower spec bus for top dollar.

[Rameses]

Originally Posted by milkmania

More like 73 inches instead of 7 foot 3 inches

Feet and inches with a base 10 system. Interesting.

The seller does explicitly list it as a high roof when it clearly isn't though.

[cadillackid]

thats not a thomas, its a Bluebird.

the T-444E in my 6 window bluebird is nice N quick.. *BUT* I could see it being very doggie in a full sized bus!!

the bus key is turned on, RPM shows over 500, yet the Voltage gauge is running down near the bottom... bad alternator??

the transmission indicator appears to be RND 3-2-1. which would be more likely an AT545.. possibly an MT-643.. but the 643 against a 444E seems a bit rare.. the 545 against a 444E is pretty common...

if its sitting idling wonder why the Shifter is in '2'.. is it broken? or just oversight from the picture-taker?


-Christopher

[Rameses]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I want some of whatever they're smokin!

Looks like a common, lower spec bus for top dollar.

I saw this plate the other day and snapped a pic of it for you!

[Teak]

Ah hahaha! I guess these are the things I should watch out for when going bus shopping - bogus features!

[deftone]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

thats not a thomas, its a Bluebird.

the T-444E in my 6 window bluebird is nice N quick.. *BUT* I could see it being very doggie in a full sized bus!!

the bus key is turned on, RPM shows over 500, yet the Voltage gauge is running down near the bottom... bad alternator??

the transmission indicator appears to be RND 3-2-1. which would be more likely an AT545.. possibly an MT-643.. but the 643 against a 444E seems a bit rare.. the 545 against a 444E is pretty common...

if its sitting idling wonder why the Shifter is in '2'.. is it broken? or just oversight from the picture-taker?


-Christopher

My AT545's both had RND21 Shifters rather than RND321. I wonder if it differs due to age or manufacturer? Mine were International (T444e) and Freightliner/Thomas (Cat 3126).

[cowlitzcoach]

I would steer clear of this bus.

• Way over priced for what it is.
• If you don't know the what the Blue Bird tags and logos mean I would have to assume you don't know anything about buses.
• That bus has the 9" windows. It more than likely has headroom of 74". The only buses I have seen that have had ceilings of more than 78" were transit buses and specialty buses like bookmobiles..
• If it has an 8 cylinder engine (since they don't know what brand it is I wonder if they know how to count to it is a T444E which is an okay engine but is only going to have around 210 HP. With that sort of power, in order for it to go up hills fast, it is not going to be able to cruise much faster than 55-60 MPH. It could even be geared as low as top speed of 47 MPH.

There are a lot of other buses for sale in as good or better condition with 12" windows and better power packages for the same or lower price.

I say pass on this one.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Rameses

I saw this plate the other day and snapped a pic of it for you!

That's brave of them! Especially in NC!

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by deftone

My AT545's both had RND21 Shifters rather than RND321. I wonder if it differs due to age or manufacturer? Mine were International (T444e) and Freightliner/Thomas (Cat 3126).

my 1991 Carpenter and my 2000 Bluebird both have AT545's and have RND321 shifters..

the wrecked 2004 (03 chasis?) that I may buy as a donor with a 444E and an allison 2000 has RND421.

-Christopher

[Rameses]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

That's brave of them! Especially in NC!

Yeah, when I saw it my first thought was "man, they're basically asking cops to try to find some reason to pull them over!" I wonder how often they have to have conversations to the effect of "I promise, Officer, Budweiser is my favorite beer."

[EastCoastCB]

There's a guy down the block from where my bus is stored that drives a lowered toyota truck with the "assault life" sticker in the back window and "4twenty" on the licence plate.
I shake my head every time I see it.

[deftone]

I emailed the guy asking some question about why the information doesnt match the pics and all he told me was that he has a buyer lined up and that I couldnt go see it. I wonder if it is some type of scam? Either way, I would be staying away.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

That's brave of them! Especially in NC!

Budweiser is legal, right?