any advice on thomas safety liner RE?

[nickstorm]

hi, im nick 26 years old and ive been thinking about buying a bus for years now and im finally serious about doing it. ive found one on a public surplus website and was looking for any input or advice on it.



YEAR: 1995
MAKE: THOMASMODEL: SAF-T-LINER ER

MOTOR: 5.9L Cummins Turbo
TRANSMISSION: Allison 545
MILEAGE: 119,260

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by nickstorm

hi, im nick 26 years old and ive been thinking about buying a bus for years now and im finally serious about doing it. ive found one on a public surplus website and was looking for any input or advice on it.



YEAR: 1995
MAKE: THOMASMODEL: SAF-T-LINER ER

MOTOR: 5.9L Cummins Turbo
TRANSMISSION: Allison 545
MILEAGE: 119,260

That one of the VA busses?

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[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by nickstorm

hi, im nick 26 years old and ive been thinking about buying a bus for years now and im finally serious about doing it. ive found one on a public surplus website and was looking for any input or advice on it.



YEAR: 1995
MAKE: THOMASMODEL: SAF-T-LINER ER

MOTOR: 5.9L Cummins Turbo
TRANSMISSION: Allison 545
MILEAGE: 119,260

Oh and welcome. I am Mike, and about to buy my first bus too. I have been looking, but have been told by many that have more experience to hold out a bit till the spring where a bunch of options will out there. But if you see the one you want now... Good luck!

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[nickstorm]

i have called my local county and they said they use the site publicsurplus.com to auction off the buses in the spring. i am just looking to get something sooner. i figure if i can get a running bus that with only 120k miles for less than 1k than im in good shape. lol my high bid right now is only 455 bucks and a day a half away from auction end. ive set myself a limit for right now so if it get bi up real high right near the end then oh well

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by nickstorm

i have called my local county and they said they use the site publicsurplus.com to auction off the buses in the spring. i am just looking to get something sooner. i figure if i can get a running bus that with only 120k miles for less than 1k than im in good shape. lol my high bid right now is only 455 bucks and a day a half away from auction end. ive set myself a limit for right now so if it get bi up real high right near the end then oh well

I don't own a bus yet, I did a lot of research. I plan on traveling periodically so I want a bus that can do highway speed. I also want a rear engine. With some past experience with international dt466 and reading about the different transmission options... I am looking for one that has an OD.
As far as make/model of the bus it comes down to personal preference.
Any mechanically sound engine is a good base. Cats tend to be a bit more pricey to repair.
If the bus first your needs, and you can get a good deal on it, you are set! You will be ahead of me. Lol


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[PNW_Steve]

Hey Nick,

Welcome!

If you are able to get that bus for less than $1k that would be a good deal. Do keep in mind that a 5.9 and 545 in a full size bus is NOT going to win any races.

If you miss on this one, I would suggest that you spend some time reading the many "which bus is best for me?" threads and build a set of criteria for a bus that suits you best. Then go shopping for that bus.

Good luck!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by nickstorm

i have called my local county and they said they use the site publicsurplus.com to auction off the buses in the spring. i am just looking to get something sooner. i figure if i can get a running bus that with only 120k miles for less than 1k than im in good shape. lol my high bid right now is only 455 bucks and a day a half away from auction end. ive set myself a limit for right now so if it get bi up real high right near the end then oh well

The last 20 minutes is when the price will become more realistic.

[deftone]

What kind of terrain would the bus be covering? As mentioned before, it wont be winning any races with that drivetrain, but if it is mostly flat driving and not up in the mountains you could live with it. I had a AT545/CAT combo and it would cruise along at 62mph, obviously your rear end ratio comes into play too. Something to think about if heading out on the highways. It gets old seeing the 18-wheelers passing you up every 10secs

[deftone]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

The last 20 minutes is when the price will become more realistic.

Some of the prices on PS have been crazy recently, Ive stopped even looking there and started to keep an eye open for the smaller local auctions.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by deftone

Some of the prices on PS have been crazy recently, Ive stopped even looking there and started to keep an eye open for the smaller local auctions.

My short bus went from $750 to $1625 in about the last ten mins.
Still a BARGAIN though!