What's this bus worth?

[cwol97401]

I came across a group of Thomas busses for sale. Here's a couple pics of the one I'm interested in. What do you think it's worth? I am hesitant about buying a bus yet because I have word that there'll be a windfall of busses on the market here soon. Opinions?

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[Rusty]

Caterpillar C7 EFC7210

5800 hours

What state? Rust?

[cwol97401]

Oregon no rust visible. There's no salt on the roads here and it's got markings hinting to the valley.

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[cowlitzcoach]

The vintage and shift quadrant suggests you have a MD3060 5-speed OD transmission.

At a guess the way in which the bus is spe'c'ed it most likely is not a 250 HP engine and more likely in the 210-235 HP range.

It will not be a powerhouse on the hills but it should cruise very easily at 60 MPH depending upon the gearing in the rear end. I came across one that had a C7 250 HP engine with really short legged rear gears. It would take off from a stop like a scared rabbit but it tached out at 57 MPH.

Since it is from OR it most probably does not have any rust.

I would guess the asking price is going to be in the $5K-$7.5K range with a reasonable sale price in the $3.5K-$4.5K range.

[Rusty]

2005 - electronic, not too many emissions yet

2000 Series trans, says sticker, so doubtful md3060

Caterpillar C7 EFC7210 would be: Electronic Fuel C7 210 HP ...guessing.

usual disclaimers

tire condition?

[cwol97401]

Tires are good, not new. Didn't look closely at them but still lots of useable tread. I should've looked at the date stamp. The seller is asking 5k each for the three

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[IWC Bus]

Cat c7 good motor

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[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by IWC Bus

Cat c7 good motor

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If you can afford Cat service and parts it may be an ok bus. But I think for the money you'd do MUCH better at the auctions.

[cwol97401]

I would do much better at the auction. I thought the price was high but it's the style of bus I'm looking for. Most busses here are conventional nose and those that are cab forward are almost always pushers

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[Versatile]

Originally Posted by cwol97401

Tires are good, not new. Didn't look closely at them but still lots of useable tread. I should've looked at the date stamp. The seller is asking 5k each for the three

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Tread depth is something to look at but not the decider on tires. The tire age and sidewall condition are the real tale.

You can buy a bus with new tires for the same money you will pay for a bus with used tires.

Expensive Cat motor parts prices and only at Cat dealers.Not good when the dealer is miles away on weekends and holidays . You can buy Cummins parts from a lot of parts stores right across the counter.

Tires plus Cat motor = Keep looking.

[cwol97401]

Originally Posted by Versatile

Tread depth is something to look at but not the decider on tires. The tire age and sidewall condition are the real tale.

You can buy a bus with new tires for the same money you will pay for a bus with used tires.

Expensive Cat motor parts prices and only at Cat dealers.Not good when the dealer is miles away on weekends and holidays . You can buy Cummins parts from a lot of parts stores right across the counter.

Tires plus Cat motor = Keep looking.

Cat parts don't scare me away, I work in the towing and recovery industry, so I've got connections with dealers. I understand the concern though, most of our fleet is dt466 or Cummins 12v.
Old tires are a concern though


Tapatalk

[Jacob]

Looks like a high top 6'6" bus to me, I'm guessing because of the hump behind driver area. If your not planning a raise the extra 6" is a big deal when looking at a bus. Unless your short like me I can't really Tell about the tires but I would date them even if they look good. Old tires can still look good at a glance. It sounds like the C7 has provided a lot of people with great service the only substantiated drawback I have heard is the cost of parts. if you have an in on parts all the better. I wouldn't pay 8k for it but at 4-5k wouldn't be outrageous Sometimes people get really lucky at the auction sites so if your looking for a great bargain that seems to be the way. Like buying any used vehicle it's kind of a gamble.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by cwol97401

Cat parts don't scare me away, I work in the towing and recovery industry, so I've got connections with dealers. I understand the concern though, most of our fleet is dt466 or Cummins 12v.
Old tires are a concern though


Tapatalk

Look at it this way. The dealers are closed on holidays and many many miles from where you and the wife and kids are broke down and they have to be in shcool the day after the last holiday and the dealership reopens the same day.

Freedom of choice.

PS. When i see worn or old tires i then wonder what else had been let go if they are planning a phase out of that bus. Crawl under and look all over. I have a wonder about the brakes and exhaust. Is there a oil spot under it?

[cwol97401]

Originally Posted by Versatile

Look at it this way. The dealers are closed on holidays and many many miles from where you and the wife and kids are broke down and they have to be in shcool the day after the last holiday and the dealership reopens the same day.

Freedom of choice.

PS. When i see worn or old tires i then wonder what else had been let go if they are planning a phase out of that bus. Crawl under and look all over. I have a wonder about the brakes and exhaust. Is there a oil spot under it?

Your point has merit. One isn't likely to find A Cummins or a Detroit dealer Open in such a circumstance either, and I don't walk into AutoZone and buy a lift pump or an injector harness on a Sunday

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[cwol97401]

The bus is 65 miles from home. If it's still there when I go back that direction next week, I'll investigate further. I did start and move the bus in the lot and seen no visible leaks. I done a basic pretrip on it but didn't crawl under it. Gravel doesn't agree with my body

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[Versatile]

Originally Posted by cwol97401

The bus is 65 miles from home. If it's still there when I go back that direction next week, I'll investigate further. I did start and move the bus in the lot and seen no visible leaks. I done a basic pretrip on it but didn't crawl under it. Gravel doesn't agree with my body

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I am not trying to change your mnd. So many others read all threads for knowledge. Gravel doesn't like me either. I didn't crawl under my Bus and find out i needed to replace the exhaust from just past the muffler back. Even though the tail pipe coming out back looked relatively new. How much to fix? Maybe $500.00. I don't know. I regret that i didn't strap on my knee pads and do the crawl.

[chev49]

you dont need $500. just mig welder n some pipe,, and maybe something to patch or make muffler. tires from les schwab. is simple

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by chev49

you dont need $500. just mig welder n some pipe,, and maybe something to patch or make muffler. tires from les schwab. is simple

Tough to weld rusty exhaust. Ryder fleet will ship to your door- reasonable. Buy any 10' stick of tubing locally- orielly.