new guy needs a bus

WVguy16 · 12-02-2007, 04:45 PM

hello my name is justin. just joined the site. ive been looking for about a month now to find a 10-25 passenger bus/van for road trips for my family and friends. ive seen what you guys did to your school buses and i am amazed!

i dont have a CDL or anything and i want my old lady to be able to drive so i want a short bus

i cant find a short bus for a decent price anywhere around here, so im asking you veterans to help me out.

my price range is...well im hoping no more than 2000 for a decent one

i dont care what the outside shape is, i just want one that runs good

phillbus914 · 12-02-2007, 07:32 PM

Well first off, for some reason short bus's cost more. Do you need a short bus (for parking?) or do you think you need one to avoid needing a CDL? In most states you don't need a CDL to drive a regular size bus as long as it's registered/titled properly. Mine is titled as a motorhome so anyone with a drivers license can drive it.

I got my bus for $1,850 so good bus's can be had for $2,000 or less. you may have to look for a while before you find the right one though.

Good luck, if you see any bus's you're interested in post it on here, we're all glad to help out. And welcome to the site!

WVguy16 · 12-05-2007, 01:45 PM

thanks. yea i want a short one because for one i dont know if my old lady or my friends would be able to drive a long one. and it wont be used very often, so for the ease of parking it as well i would prefer a short one. im wanting one before the beginning of the year and ive had no luck in my search for the past 4 weeks so...im stuck

WVguy16 · 12-06-2007, 01:01 PM

bump

WVguy16 · 12-08-2007, 06:28 PM

HELP!

phillbus914 · 12-09-2007, 01:42 AM

Here's another post about the higher cost of short bus's. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2610

Good running bus's for $2,000 are few and far between, and for some reason the shorter ones cost more. I fear that it will be much harder (maybe near impossible) to find what you're looking for. I'm not trying to be negative by any means, just what I've seen bus's priced at. If I do happen across a short bus in that price range I'd let you know.

Train-train · 12-09-2007, 04:19 PM

http://www%2EKerlinbus@kerlinbus.com/sales.html

My bus is a short one, and yes, I paid more for it than a larger one. The turning radius was a key factor as my wife likes the maneuverability. Above is the web site of the vendor I bought mine from. If you get into the listings, you'll find there are four or five with smaller capacities. Hope this is of help.

aceinthehole2220 · 12-15-2007, 05:22 PM

You'll have no problem finding a good bus for under 2k. Don't get discouraged. PATIENCE is the key. I picked up my 87 International Shortie with wheelchair lift and diesel engine for $650 from a local school district. They sold 8 other buses (long ones) for 800-950/each. I have been to many of these type auctions and nine times out of ten they are in this price range. I am a dealer, but these school district auctions are open to the public. Watch for auctions in your area.

GoneCamping · 12-20-2007, 10:34 PM

You want a Short bus that is already a partial conversion? This thing would be an excellent project, much of what you need is already in place, maybe reposition a few things, has roof air dinette etc already in it. Located on Pennsylvania so wouldn't be a bad run from WV... current bid price is only $500 but it will probably go up some...

LOOK HERE

Roasting8 · 12-21-2007, 09:29 AM

Heck, the conversion parts, alone, are worth the 500 bucks. To think you could also get a bus with it, Wow!

GoneCamping · 12-21-2007, 10:21 PM

The roof top A/C is worth the $500 all by itself...can't beat the price!

timbuk · 12-22-2007, 01:04 PM

wow thats a good deal even for 2000 clams it must have 100 hours or more of conversion labor in it you cant lose for that money i would not sell that for that cheap!

Roasting8 · 12-22-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbuk

wow thats a good deal even for 2000 clams it must have 100 hours or more of conversion labor in it you cant lose for that money i would not sell that for that cheap!

And it's still priced at $510.

GoneCamping · 12-24-2007, 11:27 PM

And just FYI.... I bought my bus via PublicSurplus.com sight unseen, was a different seller as mine came from the City of Harrisonburg Va School Bus Garage...

Roasting8 · 12-25-2007, 10:09 AM

It looks like the price is still holding. Probably, it will go up after the holidays. I won't be surprised if they extent the auction.

Boy, I wish I lived a little closer to PA and had the money.

Fifer · 01-04-2008, 04:48 PM

Hello!

I am a newbie as well. My husband and I just purchased a bus from http://www.floridachurchbus.com . Greg Archambault, the owner,
is very very knowledgeable about all kinds of buses, and has very fair prices. I know a few other people from other conversion
sites who have gone through his service as well, and he is very highly recommended. I know that when we purchased our
Carpenter/Crown bus in October he had a surplus of shorties- so maybe you'll be in luck!

Hope this helps.

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