Hello from < n00b!

[EastCoastCB]

My better half is a m i nimalist from scotland. She lufes the bus!

[skoolie_n00bie]

So, seller from that ebay auction on post#2 called back.
These are the overall dimensions of the bus:
Inside headroom: 62"
W: 79"
L: 28'
Considering I might have to rent parking from the city anyway...mind as well go with a full length.
I'll keep looking for auctions/better prices in S.FL, too. Already in contact with a few places... Let's see what happens.
It also looks like I'll go with a roof raise, as I'm 6.0' and I might feel a bit claustrophobic if my head is constantly brushing the ceiling lol
What do you guys think?

[dond]

5'2'' is not much headroom! Maybe you mean 6' 2'' instead of 62"?

[skoolie_n00bie]

You're prob right, dond
So I prob. misunderstood width, too?

[EastCoastCB]

The raised headroom buses should have enough room.
Just out of curiosity, have you given thought to buying a real coach bus like an MCI or even an older Eagle?

My bus has 6'2" of headroom and while it isn't palatial, my head doesn't hit the roof and I'm a little over 5'10. Even when I get away from the higher center part and over to the edges there isn't much of a problem. I just wouldn't go with the 6'2" headroom buses if I were you.

[EastCoastCB]

Just a cool Bluebird on ebay, probably not something you'd like, but pretty rad other than the AC.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-Bluebir...90170&pt=Buses

THIS may just be what you're looking for.http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Blue-Bi...90242&pt=Buses the buy it now is less than 5k, and there is a make offer option. high headroom too.

[skoolie_n00bie]

Those are great find, but I think as much as I can, I want to stay in "the area". Same state at least lol
I'm in touch with ppl from broward and Miami Dade co., keep you guys posted on those ;)

[EastCoastCB]

would you go to maryland for one if it were $2000?

[skoolie_n00bie]

Ju crazy?!?!

[skoolie_n00bie]

Why isn't there anything similar closer to meeeeee!!!!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4797922313.html

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by skoolie_n00bie

Why isn't there anything similar closer to meeeeee!!!!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4797922313.html

Well in the Skoolie world, Atlanta is close. I went to Kentucky for pretty much that bus but mine has underside storage and I only paid 2285 because I bought it at an online auction.
The RE's are auctioned in Montgomery Maryland a lot is why I asked.

[skoolie_n00bie]

I'm really shocked to see such difference in markets from state to state. Must be the salt in the air lol
So what you're basically telling me is that if a want to find a deal on a decent bus, I'll have to road trip to Georgia minimum.
That suck just a little...I'll need vacation days for that!

[EastCoastCB]

You could always hire someone to deliver it, for a fee of course.
I'd imagine there is as much salt in the air in south Fl as anywhere.
Folks buy these buses and export them, and Florida buses are commanding higher prices these days. I really don't know why as we have poor schools, crappy roads in a lot of areas, and more rust and mold than folks realize. I think they have us confused with California or Arizona. These are some of the reasons the buses in south florida especially are higher than lots of other areas in the southeast states.
Since money isn't much of an issue for you, I'd suggest calling that bus place in Tampa and telling them what you're looking for. They can even have one titled as a motorhome and delivered to you from what I understand. They are pricey though.
FWIW it only took me and a couple willing friends three days to go get the bus from Ky. It was pretty fun though. Ga would be easy!
I will let you know about the local Gideons Auction in nearby Zellwood. They have a monthly auction that often features 5-10 school buses, but they go for full retail dollar. An acquaintance bought a Thomas Re with 100k, a 98 model, and it is sweet but it was like 6 or 7 grand. And you hav eto have vin specific insurance and pat a ton of fees and do all your title work there at the auction. Its way too rich for my blood, hence the trip to Ky.
I felt so triumphant when I finally got to my home county.
I'd gladly volunteer my assistance if you ever need a hand looking at a bus or picking one up. Best of luck in your continued search!

[skoolie_n00bie]

I think you're misreading my lazyness as "....money isn't much of an issue for you..." LOL
Ufortunately money is an issue, that's why I'm a little weary about traveling far. Possibly needing to take days off, expenses for the trip.....I would be on an extremely tight budget. Another reason why I was looking for a shorty in the area, as I had the feeling from day 1 I'd have to park something larger at a lot.
I truly appreciate all the offer for help! I lost count of all the places I looked in the last few days... Which place in Tampa were you referring to?

[EastCoastCB]

I'm not sure the name, but there is a used school bus dealer in Tampa.
Too expensive for me.
If you *did* buy a bus in Ga you could always pick that up on a weekend. even if you decided to stay a night in motel off 75 you wuldn't need more than a few hundred bucks total to get a school bus home. I only spent 350 getting to and from Ky, including two nights in motels.

[headinthetrees]

Ya I'd stay away from buying a bus sight unseen if at all possible, unless you have a trusted friend that could check it out for you. If you do end up buying it and its not what you expect you'll have a lot of buyers remorse and probably be bitter about the transaction.

If you want to truly find a gem the biggest factor is patience. I'd been looking for my current car for over a year with cash in hand. Finally it paid off, found one with <50k miles at a great price because someone was hard up for cash.

Trust me I understand having bus fever, I want to be tearing out seats already myself too, but you'll thank yourself (and perhaps me) for being patient. And when you do find that right one, dont hesitate to jump on it because it'll be gone tomorrow. Its happened to me already.

[skoolie_n00bie]

"Bus fever", thats exactly it!
I'm itching, like a crack addict....wanting to press that "place bid" button...

[EastCoastCB]

I placed a bid on the ga shorty tc. Got outbid though.

[skoolie_n00bie]

I think headinthetrees' Comment got me a little paranoid lol I wouldn't be surprised if its the dealer increasing the bids with other accts lol
Merry Xmas, everyone!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by skoolie_n00bie

I think headinthetrees' Comment got me a little paranoid lol I wouldn't be surprised if its the dealer increasing the bids with other accts lol
Merry Xmas, everyone!

Merry Xmas!

Everyone has their own opinion.
I think buying sight unseen is much safer now in the days of internet that in the past.
I don't think its taking THAT huge a risk to save thousands of dollars.
I am very monetarily challenged so to speak, and I'd not hesitate to buy ANOTHER at auction. You can buy two or three auction buses for the price of one dealer bus.