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Old 05-02-2017, 10:04 PM   #1
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Considering bidding on this

Right. So, I've been contemplating this for a while. I need a shorter bus, as a full size one will not fit in my driveway. So I compiled a list of what I needed and wanted:

Manufacturer: IH (I want a full frame, heavy duty chassis)
Engine: DT466 preferred, T444 might be acceptable if a good deal is found
Transmission: No preference. Yes, I know the AT545's shortcomings, but I don't plan to make many long trips, most of my driving with be local.
Brakes: Air brakes *HIGHLY* preferred. My driveway is not flat and I want a lot of stopping power. I am a truck driver by trade, so I am very knowledgeable about such systems.

Air ride would be nice, but not mandatory. The ability to run 22.5 tires would also be a plus. A/C would be a HUGE plus.

So with most of that out of the way, I saw this: https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...19&acctid=5141

Seeing as it has coach seating, luggage racks and a DT466 engine in an otherwise short bus, I'm thinking this was a "field trip" bus and is likely to have a desirable transmission and highway gearing. I haven't done an extensive check, but a quick VIN scan shows air brakes, which was one of the things I really want.

Thoughts?

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Old 05-02-2017, 10:21 PM   #2
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I was looking at that one a few days ago. It looks pretty nice. I liked it for the same reasons.
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Old 05-02-2017, 10:42 PM   #3
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And, of course, 5 minutes later, someone runs the bid up by about double.
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Old 05-03-2017, 05:08 AM   #4
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Alabama
Posts: 125
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Thomas Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cat 3116
I'd imagine the price will at least double again. Looks like a nice bus though.

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Old 05-10-2017, 04:30 PM   #5
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Year: 1990
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: G30
Engine: 6.2L diesel
Now up to 3K, and the reserve is still not met.
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Old 05-10-2017, 04:40 PM   #6
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Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
they must have a HIGH reserve on that...
-Christopher
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Old 05-11-2017, 11:04 AM   #7
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Well- I'm out... it just aint worth the price... Anyone who'd pay more than 3 or 4 for that REALLY wants it BAD.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...19&acctid=5141

For this much money, I'd just as soon swap something RAD under the hood of my current shorty.
If the rear axle had slightly more highway-friendly gearing, I'd have bid a little more. I bet this maxes out at around 65 at redline.
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Old 05-11-2017, 12:02 PM   #8
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Engine: T444E
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Yeah, at nearly 5 grand plus 12.5% Buyer Premium *AND* 7% sales tax .... Nope.

There's a Craigslist seller (dealer) not far from me who has a few shorties for ~3500.

I would even consider picking up a cheap full size bus and chopping it down if I had room in my driveway to do it.
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Old 05-11-2017, 12:04 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
Yeah, at nearly 5 grand plus 12.5% Buyer Premium *AND* 7% sales tax .... Nope.

There's a Craigslist seller (dealer) not far from me who has a few shorties for ~3500.

I would even consider picking up a cheap full size bus and chopping it down if I had room in my driveway to do it.
That's what I've been considering too.
Sorry I bid on it, I didn't see this thread till I'd already put a lot of bids in!

But let it be known- I'm looking for a shorty with high headroom and 466.
A bobbed full size would be interesting. No rear overhang to worry about!
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:39 PM   #10
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Someone thought this was worth a lot more than I do!

Quote:
Auction Closed
High Bidder: c***********5
Sold Amount: $4,885.00
Tax (7.0000%): $341.95
Buyer's Premium (12.50%): $610.62
Total Price: $5,837.57
View Bid History
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Old 05-11-2017, 09:03 PM   #11
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If you fill out the right forms sometimes you can skip the tax if you're from out of state. That doesn't help much at these prices.
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Old 05-27-2017, 01:46 PM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
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Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Well, I was following 2 buses on auction.

First was an '02 IH with DT466, medium length bus with wheelchair lift. I was willing to bid 2K, it sold for 4K (which I think was the reserve price?)

Another place had 3 similar '99 buses with T444's. 2 had issues which I did not wish to address, the last one I was willing to bid 1K on; it sold for just over that. (The auction did not extend, there was a small bidding war toward the end, it probably would have gone higher).

Oh well. I'm not bothered. I'll just assume "it was not meant to be". I have limited space in my driveway, and these medium length buses may have been more than I wanted ... There's a couple more I'm following with T444's and 5-speed manuals. We'll see how it goes.
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Old 05-27-2017, 01:52 PM   #13
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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I've been watching a few 444/5speed shorties but they're sketchy on info, have been relisted time and time again for at least a year, and top out at 55mph at redline.
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Old 05-27-2017, 02:30 PM   #14
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I've been watching a few 444/5speed shorties but they're sketchy on info, have been relisted time and time again for at least a year, and top out at 55mph at redline.
Are those the ones we spoke about in PM's?
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Old 05-27-2017, 02:38 PM   #15
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,753
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Columbus OH is I beliueve going to ditch their 6 window shorties this fall unless trump Kills the Education budgets this summer.. some are DT466's, (2 i think), and others are 444E's, all are AT545's..

but man theres definitely typical bluebird rivet rust going on... they said look for them on 422sales when they go.
-Christopher
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