Activity Bus

[pcdreams]

So I'm wondering what you folks can tell me about this kind of bus. Like if it's on a van/truck chassis or ? Since the front end seems forshortened in the picture, I'd assume it has a doghouse inside?

Since its a 96 I've enquired as to if it's a mechanical or electronic version of the DT466 and which transmission it has.

Anything else I need to enquire about?

Thanks,

Don

[rossvtaylor]

Hi PCDreams and good morning. I think we're missing a photo or attachment...or we need a bit more info about the candidate bus?! Or more coffee...

[somewhereinusa]

No picture

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by pcdreams

So I'm wondering what you folks can tell me about this kind of bus. Like if it's on a van/truck chassis or ? Since the front end seems forshortened in the picture, I'd assume it has a doghouse inside?

Since its a 96 I've enquired as to if it's a mechanical or electronic version of the DT466 and which transmission it has.

Anything else I need to enquire about?

Thanks,

Don

96 is almost SURELY mechanical. they even kept em mostly mechanical with the NGD's into about 1998 or so. But most 97-up are "E".
Google pics of the 466 vs 466E and its easy to tell the difference. Once has a huge bundle of wires one has hard steel fuel lines coming from a pump.

[pcdreams]

I'm not sure why my pic didn't show up. Here's a direct link.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...73&acctid=5246

[rossvtaylor]

That's a Vista and they're super cute, if that counts for anything. I like them and actually just went to look at one a few weeks ago...I'd have bought it, if that particular one weren't overpriced. They've got an abbreviated dognose, like a pug?, so yes they also have a short doghouse inside. It's a bit of a hybrid in that sense.

It definitely has a truckish frame, not a van. They're a good bus and make a unique conversion which is a popular size and won't look like everyone elses. The downside may be the AT transmission, if that's what it's got. The one I looked at recently had that tranny and I would have bought the bus, except that the engine was dead and they wanted more for a non-runner than I was willing to risk. It's not a bad transmission...especially in a smaller bus...but it's got a bit of a bad rep.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Vista

[pcdreams]

Thank you! Yes I'm waiting to hear about the transmission. I'm trying to avoid the AT545 because of the issues. I know I'd be hauling (which is why I prefer the 466 motor).

I know the 466 are able to be rebuilt in-frame, but is that true of the ones that are in a doghouse like this? Logic says no, but I know next to nothing about motors.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by pcdreams

I'm not sure why my pic didn't show up. Here's a direct link.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...73&acctid=5246

I've driven a couple and ridden in a few. IMO- theyre the absolutely worst riding bus ever. Bottom of the barrel buses sold to very poor/cheap school districts.

Less engine access than a typical CE. lots of them come with a pronounced list to one side or the other. Generally poorly regarded by drivers.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by pcdreams

Thank you! Yes I'm waiting to hear about the transmission. I'm trying to avoid the AT545 because of the issues. I know I'd be hauling (which is why I prefer the 466 motor).

I know the 466 are able to be rebuilt in-frame, but is that true of the ones that are in a doghouse like this? Logic says no, but I know next to nothing about motors.

Being that they were CHEAP it would astonishing if it weren't a 545.

[BeNimble]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Bottom of the barrel buses sold to very poor/cheap school districts.
.

Perfect for a Skoolie!! I find it so amusing how judgmental and hiighly critical you and others can be about this or that bus or engine, yet even the BEST school bus is a horribly bad choice for a motorhome...and you that that Semi with a camper shell was GREAT?

This bus looks perfect. hopefully it doesn't get run up in price!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

Perfect for a Skoolie!! I find it so amusing how judgmental and hiighly critical you and others can be about this or that bus or engine, yet even the BEST school bus is a horribly bad choice for a motorhome...and you that that Semi with a camper shell was GREAT.

I was asked my opinion. I've experience the "vista". Have you?
You're certainly welcome to express your opinion. But instead you come on with this personal attack shite.

[ISAF2009]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I've driven a couple and ridden in a few. IMO- theyre the absolutely worst riding bus ever. Bottom of the barrel buses sold to very poor/cheap school districts.

Less engine access than a typical CE. lots of them come with a pronounced list to one side or the other. Generally poorly regarded by drivers.

Well then isn’t it great that opinions are like a-holes everybody has one and they all smell like....

[ISAF2009]

Nothing wrong with vistas they are fine. Don’t be scared of a bus with an at545 save your pennies and swap it, can be done in a weekend for far south of 5k. If you like the bus and roof height it isnt any less of a piece of junk than any other 25 year old schoolbus

[Mountain Gnome]

I didn't realize there was a bus that rode "worse" than mine (short of a broken leaf-spring or no shocks).


It bounces a bit, but not like riding a horse across the desert at a gallop.

[rossvtaylor]

Empty, they're pretty rough...but put some weight in them and they ride as well (or as poorly) as any other big truck-like vehicle.

PCDreams...just like with most things in the community, there are lots of different thoughts. There is no perfect bus to all people. The pug nose is cute and has advantages over a regular dognose. It moves the driver forward some, which was a design decision to increase the driver's visibility. Vista, after all, means "view" or sight in Spanish. But that does make engine access a bit more interesting. But both front and rear engine buses have their pros and cons, and lovers and haters. If this is the right bus for you, then it's the right bus for you.

[EastCoastCB]

hot, loud, and rides like a board.

[EastCoastCB]

https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum...TOPIC_ID=15497

Like I said- drivers and fleet operators sure didn't like em.

Favorite Vista memory...the 1997 bus driving down the road...hits a bump...windshield falls out.

What's brown and has 4 wheels? No not a turd, a Vista. One in the same! What did you expect me to say... It's not a bird. LOL

Our last 3 Vistas are going out of here in June and we're going to have a party. I tried to get the boss to lock the gate and let us play demolition derby with them and the last one moving wins but he wouldn't bite!

[BeNimble]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I was asked my opinion. I've experience the "vista". Have you?
You're certainly welcome to express your opinion. But instead you come on with this personal attack shite.

Sorry about that, I meant to say the Vista looks great.

I find it the same as asking I want to go Four Wheeling, which 2wd car should I pick? And the forum says, well the Geo Metro is bad, the Honda Civic is good,
but don't get the 1.5l, get the 1.6l. WTF, get a dang four wheel drive truck!

[Meathead]

5K to swap a tranny? I say get the one you want from the get-go. My whole bus was $5k.

My 2 cents.

Peace