Am I Overpaying??

[ChallengerExpress]

Since I'm new to this world, I wanted to ask if you all feel like I am paying too much for my bus.
Here's the stats
2000 Blue Bird Athletic model
390,000 miles.
Seats have been taken out, insulation and subfloor has been installed.
Windows have been resealed with clay butyl.
Current owner paid $6000
She wants me to pay $12000
I apologize for my lack of knowledge here but I feel like doubling the price for those modifications is a bit steep when I'm seeing a newer model bus with 220,000 less miles go for $6000.
Should I change my trajectory and go for the newer bus? Help

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by ChallengerExpress

Since I'm new to this world, I wanted to ask if you all feel like I am paying too much for my bus.
Here's the stats
2000 Blue Bird Athletic model
390,000 miles.
Seats have been taken out, insulation and subfloor has been installed.
Windows have been resealed with clay butyl.
Current owner paid $6000
She wants me to pay $12000
I apologize for my lack of knowledge here but I feel like doubling the price for those modifications is a bit steep when I'm seeing a newer model bus with 220,000 less miles go for $6000.
Should I change my trajectory and go for the newer bus? Help

$$ Ouch $$$

390k miles is quite a bit!

what engine and tranny?

[ChallengerExpress]

8.3 Cummins Allison tranny but not sure what model

[nikitis]

Originally Posted by ChallengerExpress

Since I'm new to this world, I wanted to ask if you all feel like I am paying too much for my bus.
Here's the stats
2000 Blue Bird Athletic model
390,000 miles.
Seats have been taken out, insulation and subfloor has been installed.
Windows have been resealed with clay butyl.
Current owner paid $6000
She wants me to pay $12000
I apologize for my lack of knowledge here but I feel like doubling the price for those modifications is a bit steep when I'm seeing a newer model bus with 220,000 less miles go for $6000.
Should I change my trajectory and go for the newer bus? Help

I would not pay $12,000 for a 390k mile bus good sir.

She's got one foot in the grave, and another about to touch the coffin. You can find buses for 2-4k easily with 140k miles. Expect to pay double that for some smaller items to fix maybe, but you'll have better engine to work with.

I bought mine for 3.5k with 141k miles. It needed new king pins, a VPM, and a starter issue, but beyond that she works good and has a lot of life left in her. So probably another 3-4k I put into her. which is still cheaper than 12k for an engine about to go. It'll cost you probably another 8-12k just to replace or rebuild that engine, so you'll be 24k roughly before it's solid for ya.

[mmoore6856]

nope nope nope walk away unless you are a diesel mech that motor has little life left. watch and find one less than 5k if you dont get in a hurry. it took a year to find our bus i made a list of what size , what type of brakes (hyd). what engines (cat or cummings ) and max miles (150k) and pre def and obd) we found (after a year) a 1998 bluebird with hydraulic brakes. cat 3116, 112.00 miles for 3,000.00 usd. dont get in a hurry

[Rwnielsen]

390,000 miles. That bus is worn out.

[ChallengerExpress]

Originally Posted by mmoore6856

nope nope nope walk away unless you are a diesel mech that motor has little life left. watch and find one less than 5k if you dont get in a hurry. it took a year to find our bus i made a list of what size , what type of brakes (hyd). what engines (cat or cummings ) and max miles (150k) and pre def and obd) we found (after a year) a 1998 bluebird with hydraulic brakes. cat 3116, 112.00 miles for 3,000.00 usd. dont get in a hurry

Thanks for everyone's input. I got a tickle to ask the forum after the owner refused to let me bring my partner to come look at the bus. Told me to "make it a short visit then" because she had things to do and she wasn't comfortable with him and I being there because she's "the only protector" for her mom and sister. Was a huge turn off and I'll be losing $600 due to the contract we signed but I see it as a small loss considering the milage.

Side note: I'm not necessarily in a hurry but I am not getting any younger and I've already been waiting 15 years for this lifestyle change so I'm eager for sure.

[musigenesis]

Losing $600 is a lot better than losing $12,000+.

[ChallengerExpress]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Losing $600 is a lot better than losing $12,000+.

Absolutely what I was thinking!

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by ChallengerExpress

Thanks for everyone's input. I got a tickle to ask the forum after the owner refused to let me bring my partner to come look at the bus. Told me to "make it a short visit then" because she had things to do and she wasn't comfortable with him and I being there because she's "the only protector" for her mom and sister. Was a huge turn off and I'll be losing $600 due to the contract we signed but I see it as a small loss considering the milage.

Side note: I'm not necessarily in a hurry but I am not getting any younger and I've already been waiting 15 years for this lifestyle change so I'm eager for sure.

Never, but never put money/deposit down on a contract until AFTER you have done your inspection!

They are a million busses out there to look at so if they ask for a deposit, walk away!

I waited almost 35 years to get my bus and start chasing the dream. Kids, mortgage and bills got in my way!

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by ewo1

Never, but never put money/deposit down on a contract until AFTER you have done your inspection!

They are a million busses out there to look at so if they ask for a deposit, walk away!

I waited almost 35 years to get my bus and start chasing the dream. Kids, mortgage and bills got in my way!

I'm not sure why you would put down a deposit at any point, either before or after an inspection. Either buy it or don't buy it.

[ChallengerExpress]

Originally Posted by ewo1

Never, but never put money/deposit down on a contract until AFTER you have done your inspection!

They are a million busses out there to look at so if they ask for a deposit, walk away!

I waited almost 35 years to get my bus and start chasing the dream. Kids, mortgage and bills got in my way!

The deposit was because the seller agreed to let me make payments on it

[La Camioneta]

Originally Posted by ChallengerExpress

The deposit was because the seller agreed to let me make payments on it

Probably time for you to drop back and punt.

Learn everything you can about buses, from pricing to powertrains.

Save your money.

The purchase is the cheapest cost you will have.

When you have thoroughly educated yourself about buses, and saved at least $5,000 above the purchase price for unexpected but very real maintenance and repair bills, go shopping.

There's an illusion that converting buses is cheap and easy. Not so. Please don't dig a bus-sized hole to bankrupt yourself into.

[Booyah45828]

Without knowing all of the story about the insulation and subfloor, if they bought it for 6 from an auction site, there's no reason you couldn't do the same. I really doubt any insulation or subfloor option would net a 6k bill. Pulling the seats and resealing windows would be more work then material cost.

[Tin Roadtube Vagrant]

Don't walk away from this deal....

RUN!!

[mmoore6856]

hang around here and learn. keep a notebook . make sure you talk to those of us that actually have busses. start writing what you want as you figure it out. take some string and nails in your yard or sidewalk chalk on your driveway to see what size you want.

[ChallengerExpress]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad I broke the deal off because the owner got SUPER nasty with me. Ended up telling me "this is why all the bad stuff in your life happens". What?!
Anyway, she said she bought it from the school district directly, but that's impossible. I called the district and they said they only sell on public surplus. That was my first clue into the lies. I got my money back though and just got a second job so I should have PLENTY of money ($18k) in about 3 months to start searching for a bus again.

[Tin Roadtube Vagrant]

Originally Posted by ChallengerExpress

Thanks everyone. I'm glad I broke the deal off because the owner got SUPER nasty with me. Ended up telling me "this is why all the bad stuff in your life happens". What?!
Anyway, she said she bought it from the school district directly, but that's impossible. I called the district and they said they only sell on public surplus. That was my first clue into the lies. I got my money back though and just got a second job so I should have PLENTY of money ($18k) in about 3 months to start searching for a bus again.

Wow, you encountered a "Skoolie Hag" ? Your now condemned to repeat all your life's mistakes because you turned down her sale, unknowingly destroyed all your future plans and maybe your kid's futures too, lol. You're probably having Blatz and donuts for breakfast right now and going to the casino later to gamble off the $18K on a hand of Black Jack?

Glad you're on the right side of purchase history anyhow . Good luck on your hunt!!

[ChallengerExpress]

Originally Posted by Tin Roadtube Vagrant

Wow, you encountered a "Skoolie Hag" ? Your now condemned to repeat all your life's mistakes because you turned down her sale, unknowingly destroyed all your future plans and maybe your kid's futures too, lol. You're probably having Blatz and donuts for breakfast right now and going to the casino later to gamble off the $18K on a hand of Black Jack?

Glad you're on the right side of purchase history anyhow . Good luck on your hunt!!

Haha I just had to laugh because she was projecting and really just talking about herself.
Thank you for that giggle!

[Diverdude0075]

Glad you walked away, yeesh! I have a bus with 285K miles on it and over 19K hours. She's tired but runs good. I paid around $5k for it and overpaid in hindsight by a little bit. Then, a year or so later bought a bus for $1600 and it ended up having a new engine already!! The point is, do your research and be PATIENT! There are certain platforms that people seem to agree are the best. It is not a purchase you should rush. Buses go to auction everyday. Good luck!