New to Skoolie and seeking advice!

[Red Tail]

How do you guys feel about the looks of this engine??
(Totally different bus. Obviously)

[Rusty]

Should be a cover on that electronics box (upr right)? Gremlins? Tall grass growing in frame= sitting?

Being picky now will save you many bad French words later.

Happy Hunting !

[EastCoastCB]

IIRC that's in TN?

[Red Tail]

Not too sure what Gremlins is.
Yes, it's in TN. It was just moved and parked in taller grass.
County busses. Looked through them all.
This is one of our picks.

[Red Tail]

Also, I know that every bus is different and auctions are all different.
But can one truly find a good bus off auction for $2,000??
I've read lots of different stories where this is the case.
How realistic is that?

[Thomas1985]

Originally Posted by Red Tail

Also, I know that every bus is different and auctions are all different.
But can one truly find a good bus off auction for $2,000??
I've read lots of different stories where this is the case.
How realistic is that?

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...=&category=94H Public Surplus: School Bus

[Red Tail]

I'm looking and bidding on a bus on govdeals
Haven't checked out public surplus.

The reason why I asked the question was because the govdeals bidding prices are way more expensive than I thought they'd be.

[Red Tail]

Meh, maybe its just the location where we're looking in.
Trying to find a TN bus!

[Thomas1985]

https://www.purplewave.com/search/bus https://www.onlinepros.com/servlet/S...auctionId=1061 SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more

[Red Tail]

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...83&acctid=3102

Just an example.
The bidding price of $8510. Seems pretty steep. Right?

[Thomas1985]

It's worth traveling for the right one.

[Red Tail]

You're right.
Thanks so much for the links! Super helpful.

My initial thought was to buy an older buss. My partner is relatively mechanically inclined. Haven't found anything older than 1998 that's even worth looking at.
Wondering if a 2002 seems too new. It feels new... For us haha.
Also, can anyone tell me about the odometers on the Blue Birds?
We looked at few and all of the odometers didn't read. They just kind of flashed a number really quickly. Is this normal?

[T-Bolt]

What is you budget for the initial bus purchase?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Thomas1985]

Originally Posted by Red Tail

You're right.
Thanks so much for the links! Super helpful.

My initial thought was to buy an older buss. My partner is relatively mechanically inclined. Haven't found anything older than 1998 that's even worth looking at.
Wondering if a 2002 seems too new. It feels new... For us haha.
Also, can anyone tell me about the odometers on the Blue Birds?
We looked at few and all of the odometers didn't read. They just kind of flashed a number really quickly. Is this normal?

If you get anything before 2004 you won't have to deal with emissions controls and sensors. Any Cummins engine 1998 or before would be all mechanical and easier to work on. I'm sure others can chime in on other makes and models

[CaptSquid]

I saw the duct tape on the mirror AND the upper front door. WHAT HAPPENED?

I got my Thomas through Midwest Transit Equipment | New Buses and Used Buses for Sale

[Thomas1985]

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...86&acctid=3102
This is the best one in your area if you ask me. The Cummins 8.3 is what they call a wet sleeve engine meaning it can be worked on in frame. All of the flat front buses with engines in front have to be removed at a shop and cost more to repair. That's the biggest strongest engine they make for buses. Also, it looks like there is an emergency exit side door which would be nice to incorporate in your build. That vehicle is worth at least $4000
It looks like they have four or five of those and expect the same people will be bidding on all of them. I would call and ask them any questions you have and expect the prices to be going up. I doubt you'll find a better option in your area. That's the bus I'll be looking for when I'm ready for a big one. Ask about rust underneath and go check them out in person yourself.

[Red Tail]

Thomas1985- I am actually one of those people bidding on that exact bus! Haha bus #71.

Not sure what happened to the Thomas bus with the duct tape. The guy bought it off auction like that. Don't really care, moved on from that one.

[Thomas1985]

Well did you win it? That rear engine 8.3 went for under $2000!
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...86&acctid=3102

[Red Tail]

I'm hesitant to even admit that we didn't win!
However, I learned about this computer program that one can download which helps someone win the auction by entering a bid in the last five seconds.
I'm convinced that's how these people won.
The first bus, 71, which is the one that we really wanted.. I'll admit, I was having a bit of anxiety and didn't have the whole system down.
But 75, which was our second choice, someone who hadn't bid at all, beat me in the last four seconds. And I was on top of it.
Not sure if the auction thing is really for me. Was seriously bummed.
Just having faith that there's a reason why we didn't get those busses...
Still searching.

[Red Tail]

My username was c******d... I just took a look and the person bid ten bucks more than me at the same exact second. In the moment, I really didn't get the whole cap thing and our budget was more than what the bus sold for! Bummed.