Looking for a 5-8 window dog nosed bus

[JSTriton]

Here's what I basically have in mind:

Required specs:
- 5-8 window (8 preferred)
- Conventional dog nosed hood
- Engine: DT466/DT466e/DT530/Cummins 8.3
- Transmission: MD3060/MT463/similar. No AT540s
- 250,000 miles or less
- "drives off the lot" as in no major issues needing a tow
- No significant rust
- $4500 or less (really depends on how close the bus matches my ideal)

Desired but not required:
- Air brakes
- Air suspension
- Flat floor (a handicap lift should include both the suspension and the floor)
- Decent tire life remaining

I'm in southern California and I'm looking for a bus from the general southwest area. My search region extends as far as Texas, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington. Basically nothing from the salt belt and nothing from the deep south.

I'd also appreciate advice on my chosen parameters, whether I missed something or if something doesn't make sense.

[Robin97396]

Sounds pretty reasonable. I think you should knock about 100,000 of your mileage estimate. 150,000 miles or lower are fairly easy to find.

[JSTriton]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Sounds pretty reasonable. I think you should knock about 100,000 of your mileage estimate. 150,000 miles or lower are fairly easy to find.

The reason I have that higher is cause I've actually had a difficult time finding something so far. So if I find a bus that meets all of my required specs but has 250k instead of 150k, I'm not going to pass up on it for that reason alone. It will however affect the price I'm willing to pay for it, and I wont necessarily be willing to bid all the way up to $4500 in that case.

I think the thing that makes the search hard for me is wanting a big engine + stout transmission in a 5-8 window bus. It seems that most shorties come with the T444E, DT360, or 5.9 cummins with an AT545/similar. But I want the bigger engine since I plan to tow an 18-20 foot trailer behind me with about 4000lbs of cargo.

[Robin97396]

It's not unusual to want a shorter bus with the big power package. A number of us are already looking for that same unicorn. That is very rare, especially with air ride.

I'm not finding that unicorn, so swaping the power package from my 5.9/545 to an 8.3/3060 is still a possibility if I can get a cheap rust bucket with the right power package.