About to pull the trigger on the first bus I looked at!!

[rjbaker]

Hi Everyone, I've been reading and researching on this forum for awhile and am planning to buy a bus and convert it to a Skoolie within the next year, 6 months preferably if we can. I have a question right out of the gate about buying a bus. From what I've read on here, the drivetrain is key when picking your canvas, although a lot of the opinions online make me feel like drivetrain preference is almost like what pickup you like, it's all about preference. What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Anyway, a bus came up for sale in the town next to mine, and I'm thinking about buying it, but I'm a little hesitant cause it is the first bus I've even looked at. The body is great, 84 pass. RE Thomas Saf-t-liner, plenty of storage and only light rust around the wheel wells and a spot on the rear hatch. Drivetrain's a CAT 3126 and Allison MD3060. I know the tranny is good, but haven't really seen any glaring reviews about the CAT engine, but haven't seen any horror stories to speak of either. So my question is, should I pull the trigger on it right now and go for the CAT, or should I wait a bit (which I can wait probably up to 4/5 months) before buying something, in the hopes I can get the same quality body and tranny, but with a DT466 or maybe a Cummins 8.3? Any advice, input, or opinions you guys can provide would be much appreciated. I'm really into it because it's just being retired from the school and has under 150K miles, but hesitant due to it being a lower powered CAT engine. Also, we are planning to do the ALCAN next summer, so 7-8K miles round trip easy right out the gate😃!

One more fun fact, this is pretty much my first (non work-related) online forum! So don't be afraid to shame me when I have terrible edicate .





Thanks!

[Twigg]

Sounds fine if you want a 40 foot bus.

Price is key. The next 4 to 5 months are the peak season for bus sales, so if you wait you will have lots of choice, but if this bus is okay and it meets your needs, go for it.

There wasn't too much to go on in the description about condition. In good, clean, running order ... late nineties to early 2000s and it could be worth up to around $4k.

[o1marc]

Your edicate is okay, it's your spelling that's terrible, it's etiquette. Welcome to the addiction.

[Versatile]

Check as to what a set of new tires will cost. Buy a bus with near new tires.

[rjbaker]

Hi everyone, thanks for the input. I decided to hold off until bus season to get what I really want, a 40 ft. FE with dt466, t444 or a cummins(preferrably the 8.3!). Good thing too, the bus I mentioned ended up going for $8,100! That seems crazy high, right?

Also, I'm sure there is a thread about this but is there any benefit to buying from a dealer? Do they usually put new tires on?