Help to purchase

[truth2ak]

I have decided on the type of bus I want. I want a pusher from the west coast but I have so many options with various engine & transmission combos I would like some help from this community what would be the best option. In an attempt to not be a drain on the community here I tried to research as much as I could on my own but the time has come for some help. It is appreciated and I hope one day I can add back to the group more then I take. I realize there are going to be a lot of different preferences so I plan on taking a census of the comments to make my decision.

2006 BB ALL-AMCN C7 CAT V8 ALLISON ? 35FT 191,000 $11,875.00

2001 AMTRAN INATNL T444E ALLSON MT643 35FT 282,000 $4,700.00

2000 BB ALL-AMCN 3126 CAT ALLISON MT643 39-40 226,000 $7,875.00

1999 TMS SF-T LNR 3126 CAT ALLISON MT643 40FT 250,000 $6,850.00

2000 BB ALL-AMCN CUMNS 5.9 MT 643 35FT 185,000 $6,500.00

2000 BB ALL-AMCN CUMNS 8.3 ALLISON MD3060 40FT 250,000 $6,500.00

1999 BB ALL-AMCN TC2000 RE CMNS 8.3 ALLISON MT643 40FT 174,000

2004 TMS SF-T-LNR RE CMNS 8.3 ALLISON MD3060 40FT 229,000 $8,900

2000 TMS HDX 3126 CAT ALLISON 2500 40FT 143,000 $7,995.00

1990 SUPER CROWN COACH Detroit Diesel 6V92T AC ALLISON MT643 (ENGINE CONVERTED FROM ETHANOL TO DIESEL BY SCHOOL DIST) $4,500.00

2004 TMS SF-T-LNR RE 3126 CAT ALSN MD3060 40FT 179,000 $10,500.00

1998 TMS SF-T-LNR RE CMNS 8.3 MT643 40FT 255,000 $9,000.00 (ENGINE & TRANS REBUILT BY SCHOOL DIST 10,000 MILES AGO.

[Ninjakitty]

I'd pick the 8.3 with 3060

[truth2ak]

Thanks Nick... I found out that I wrote the mileage down wrong... It actually has 350,000 miles... Is that too many?

[EastCoastCB]

They all sound real expensive.

[truth2ak]

What they are asking and what they will be getting from me are two different things.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

They all sound real expensive.

[BlackJohn]

Show them you are interested in the lowest price bus they have that you mentioned above. Get an idea how low they may go on that one.
Then get them to show you every bus for comparison.
Show them you have x dollars to spend but could be persuaded to do a bit more for a deal on the 8.3-3060 if you like it or any bus for that matter.

They do not want their money tied up in those for long so a good deal could be made.


John

[Ninjakitty]

Originally Posted by truth2ak

Thanks Nick... I found out that I wrote the mileage down wrong... It actually has 350,000 miles... Is that too many?

I really don't know. I just know it's a good combo. I will agree that the prices seem high

[Rovobay]

Originally Posted by truth2ak

What they are asking and what they will be getting from me are two different things.

All those buses can be found for half those prices. Are these from a dealer?
EastCoastCB is very knowledgeable. Yes, they might be nice buses, but not anywhere near those prices vs. what can be found at auction or elsewhere.

[Rovobay]

here is something that might interest you. a west coast bus with all the bells and whistles. https://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/d/...696818317.html

[truth2ak]

Yeah I saw that one and reached out... Thanks

[truth2ak]

Yeah some are at a dealer and the reason I am sticking with a dealer at this point is I couldn't find even a partially started conversion in my price range for what I was looking for. So to buy a bus I am going to need some time with it on the road while in transition and need a 90 day temp tag.

[EastCoastCB]

Can you get a temporary tag without buying from a dealer?

[BlueFish]

If we are new to buses, are there benefits to buying from a dealer?

Would they check engine, brakes, tires, suspension, etc and replace what might need fixing?

Would a dealer get the bus ready so that a long trip home would be safer vs auction bus sale in which you have no idea if something is wrong with the bus? Maybe a bus dealer with a great reviews?

Or is it better to buy from auction and drive to bus repair shop to ensure that I could make it home?

What % value is placed on a bus with no rust from the Southwest?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlueFish

If we are new to buses, are there benefits to buying from a dealer?

Would they check engine, brakes, tires, suspension, etc and replace what might need fixing?

Would a dealer get the bus ready so that a long trip home would be safer vs auction bus sale in which you have no idea if something is wrong with the bus? Maybe a bus dealer with a great reviews?

Or is it better to buy from auction and drive to bus repair shop to ensure that I could make it home?

What % value is placed on a bus with no rust from the Southwest?

You get to look at the bus and they'll even hold your hand.

Otherwise they're the same auction buses we all buy. They may pressure wash them and slap a set of new used batteries in, but that's about all.
A few members have bought dealer buses and immediately had to make repairs to stuff like suspension, tires, air compressors, etc.

[BlueFish]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Otherwise they're the same auction buses we all buy. They may pressure wash them and slap a set of new used batteries in, but that's about all.
A few members have bought dealer buses and immediately had to make repairs to stuff like suspension, tires, air compressors, etc.

I didn't know that! Thanks

[PNW_Steve]

If you buy from a dealer or CL seller you may have a better opportunity to inspect and test drive a bus.

For me, the auction route made more sense.

Good luck.

[cadillackid]

dealer has its advantages that you at least know the bus runs at that moment when you leave the lot..



but no idea whether it will last down the roads same as with auction...



a tale of my 3 busses


1 - came from a high priced dealer (that I talked the orice down to something somewhat reasonable).. Bus broke 450 miles into my 1000 mile trip


2 - came from an auction - a forum member lived locally and looked at the busses in that auction (most auctions allow inspections.. and many forum members are willing to go look for you if they are local to the auction). - that bus made its 1100 mile maiden voyage without a hitch.


3 - came from a really small town corner car lot where the individual ended up with 2 busses.. and knew nothing about them except they start and run. price was as good if not better than auction - bus drove 2500 miles with only a minor air hose leak i had to fix..





goes to show that pretty much the busses are the same from dealer to auction.. and that you can get an auction bus looked at if you are really interested in it..
-Christopher

[truth2ak]

Ok I am now an owner of a BUS! I hope I did the right thing since I had to buy sight unseen. Please don't bust my bubble I know I paid too much for it but for what I am needing it for, all the extras it came with, and considering the time frame I had to make it happen this is what I got... From now on I hope t be posting in the Conversion project section.

eBay

[BlueFish]

Congrats!!! I like the big windows and that it has generator already.

Where do you live to work on it?

[BlackJohn]

Congrats! boy, have you got your work cut out for ya now...depending on what you come up with for design. Gonna be interesting this beast conversion


John