Hola all. Looking to buy. A little help please

[wencington]

Hi all! Wow what a great resource I found! So I’m actively looking and ready to buy. Looks online like prices are going up and hard to find something that I want under $10k. Any suggestions appreciated on where to find. Here’s my wants/needs:

25-28’
Diesel under 150k miles
Tall roof 6’4” or above(I don’t want to roof raise)
No rust
Engine tuns great or can with minor work

[o1marc]

Check the auction sites, there's plenty of buses out there. Search here "where to buy buses", many threads one where to look.

[wencington]

Awesome. Thanks for the help! I have been searching Craigslist and EBay. I’ll search on here as you suggested

[o1marc]

GovDeals.com, has regular auctions, there are several others. Facebook Marketplace for flippers and unfinished projects.

[wencington]

Yeah I’ve seen a lot on there. I’m just worried about risk in buying without seeing first…?

[wencington]

Go deals at least

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by wencington

Yeah I’ve seen a lot on there. I’m just worried about risk in buying without seeing first…?

The thing I like about those auctions compared to buying sight unseen anywhere else is the fact that most of the buses have just been retired from a school district and maintenance can be verified through the life of the bus. Most often they are not "motivated sellers" and will not hide issues from you. I've even been able to talk to the drivers of the buses to get their personal opinion, which is probably worth more than what ever anyone else says. I've bought 4 sight unseen, wasn't disappointed in any of them. Expect one that was not as described and was refunded in full. It cost me a plane ticket and a rental car home, but worth it in the end ultimately.

[wencington]

Gives me a lot of confidence! Ok thanks a lot. Seems like prices are soooo much more reasonable!

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by wencington

Gives me a lot of confidence! Ok thanks a lot. Seems like prices are soooo much more reasonable!

More reasonable, because they are the same bus, just deleting a flipper in the middle. Most of the "Bus Stores", used dealers, buy their buses from the same auctions we can. They then wash them, double the price, and put them on their lot. Just make sure to ask all the right questions. There are places that for around $100 will go and look at it and report back, but they don't look at all the important stuff.