GMC bus, do I buy it?

[ddmskeeter1]

I’m looking at buying this 1990 GMC Blue Bird bus with a Detroit 8.2. I took a video of it running and my dad says it sounds great. It started right up. When I sent him pics of it he was lost as to why one side of the engine looked good and the other side was so rusty. He thought maybe it had had a fire. The girl that owns the bus has very little money and has only replaced back tires with used ones and had an oil change. In 2yrs that’s all she’s done to it even though she’s been driving the east coast in it. There’s some rust, not bad, although a back side panel needs some work. The whole bus needs gutted; she kept plywood on metal floor and just threw stuff in it like she was homeless. The front tires are cracked all around. It does have a hot water heater, 4 solar panels, inverter, and 4 extra panels not put on. All items were used when she put them in. She wants $7000, which is too much, but she’s desperate to sell. Thanks for your input.

[PNW_Steve]

Did you mean $700?

If you don't mind a 30 year old bus with a very lackluster power train, then $700 would be a good deal.

To give you some comparisons:

My 2004 Thomas with 130k miles - $2500
My 2002 Bluebird with 8.3 & MD-3060 - $3450
01Marc just bought one a few weeks ago and, if I recall, it was a 2005 Thomas in good shape for less than $2000. If I am not remembering correctly, I am sure Marc will chime in.

To be fair, I do think that "really good" buses are getting a little harder to find and, in some cases, more expensive. They are still out there.

Figure out what you really want and need in a bus and then go find that bus. You will be much happier with the end result if you take your time and wait for the "right" one.

I am picky. I wanted a top notch highway rig. Big engine, Rear engine, good transmission, storage bays and hopefully a Bluebird. I bid on over 20 buses over 18 months before I was successful.

I wound up with a 2002 Bluebird with the Cummins 8.3, MD-3060 and only 170k miles.

Good luck with your quest.

[EastCoastCB]

7 grand is total shenanigans! That's $1500 bus on a really good day. I would run run away!

[ACamper]

Maybe at 2-3k, if the rust isn't that bad.

7k should get you a pretty nice bus from the 90s, which that one does not sound nice.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by ACamper

Maybe at 2-3k, if the rust isn't that bad.

7k should get you a pretty nice bus from the 90s, which that one does not sound nice.

If the outside body panels are already rusted through that gives you a pretty good idea of the shape of the rest of the bus. By the time rust shows up on the exterior panels it usually means the damage is 500x worse once you start digging into the bus.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by ACamper

Maybe at 2-3k, if the rust isn't that bad.

7k should get you a pretty nice bus from the 90s, which that one does not sound nice.

The only school bus from the '90s that I would even consider paying $7000 for would have to be a Crown or a Gillig.

I would not pay anything more than scrap value for the bus above.

Just my $0.02

[ACamper]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

If the outside body panels are already rusted through that gives you a pretty good idea of the shape of the rest of the bus. By the time rust shows up on the exterior panels it usually means the damage is 500x worse once you start digging into the bus.

Yeah, I agree. When I see rust that has eaten thru to body, I walk away from vehicles. I don't even want rusted vehicles for parts..more problems then it is worth.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

The only school bus from the '90s that I would even consider paying $7000 for would have to be a Crown or a Gillig.

I would not pay anything more than scrap value for the bus above.

Just my $0.02

I'd pay 7k for a bus like DrewBru's.
My absolute dream bus would be a 5-8 window CE with a mechanical DT and a 643 with a Telma retarder. High headroom, ac, and air ride on every corner!

And yeah I wouldn't pay more than scrap value for the bus in question. Just no real value in it.
If I got it for $500 I could probably find a buyer for $800-$1200. But I don't really mess with rusty old stuff much.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I'd pay 7k for a bus like DrewBru's.
My absolute dream bus would be a 5-8 window CE with a mechanical DT and a 643 with a Telma retarder. High headroom, ac, and air ride on every corner!

And yeah I wouldn't pay more than scrap value for the bus in question. Just no real value in it.
If I got it for $500 I could probably find a buyer for $800-$1200. But I don't really mess with rusty old stuff much.

I am not that well versed on DT's. Did they make a mechanical DT-530?

That would be a real kick in the pants in a 5-6 window CE.

OP: take a look at the "non affiliated buses for sale" thread. You will find discussions regarding the merits and value of a variety of buses.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/no...11256-248.html

[EastCoastCB]

YEah they built em-
https://www.adelmans.com/internation...530tm2u0888609

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

YEah they built em-
https://www.adelmans.com/internation...530tm2u0888609

Oh my!

I think that I must have one.

I am under the impression that they are a bolt in replacement for the 466. Is that correct?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Oh my!

I think that I must have one.

I am under the impression that they are a bolt in replacement for the 466. Is that correct?

YEah they are.

[o1marc]

Rusty panels outside, plywood has not been removed, guarantee the floor will be toast. I have a 14 window 2000 TC for sale for $2500, no issues. No RUST

[Bluespoet]

before buying it have a bus mechanic check out the mechanicals, electrical and physical on this bus, even if it costs you $100, it maybe the best money you have spent in your life since there is a very real possiblity of buying a financial nightmare. Then on top of that, how are you going to maintain and repair your bus? If you lack funds because generally repairs are in the thousands, you might be better off with a converted cargo trailer which will have virtually no maint. Just for the record i spent $3k this month for repairs, brakes and electrical.

[PatrickBaptist]

7k for a old bus with serious rot, I wouldn't even bother with it.
I can guarantee even at 5k you will regret it. Bus is worth scrap metal price at best.
Then again I'm pretty bias against GM products all the way around.
that bus is worth 1-1.5k at most, but I wouldn't even give that much for it personally and wouldn't buy it with the intent to do anything but scrap the parts for resale and cast the bus into the nearest scrap yard.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist

7k for a old bus with serious rot, I wouldn't even bother with it.
I can guarantee even at 5k you will regret it. Bus is worth scrap metal price at best.
Then again I'm pretty bias against GM products all the way around.
that bus is worth 1-1.5k at most, but I wouldn't even give that much for it personally and wouldn't buy it with the intent to do anything but scrap the parts for resale and cast the bus into the nearest scrap yard.

a good bus to convert for that price? Heck no.. but a bus like that in original condition with seats is a Classic worth saving.. the 8.2 isnt powerful but its a fun engine nonetheless..



agreed though this is a 1000-1500 bus at best

[ddmskeeter1]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I am not buying the bus. I posted this in several groups and the consensus was unanimous. And it went along with what our gut was already thinking.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

the 8.2s were good very tough and reliable engines but most school bus ones are only built to 175 horsepower and almost always mated to the 545 transmission.
great for there intended local route of stop and go but not very good for the highway.
the turbo versions went up to around 250 horsepower and the only one i ever drove was in a dumptruck that was always being overloaded and i barely ever got to drive it empty and hardley ever saw pavement in it so i can only speak for my 8.2 NA that is very reliable but when i actually need a mechanic to do the specialty stuff i dont have the proper tools for? they are dinosaurs just like the 8.2 to find someone that actually knows how to do it correct and not screw it up.
very reliable motor when its right but a complete nightmare when the fuel rails and ,governor spring adjustments are off.
there isnt much more reliable out there but the mechanics arent there anymore for when they mess up.
but as far as buses go there is newer stuff that is comparable and there is newer that is better in alot of ways.