Help needed with buying decision!

[rjheaton@aol.com]

Originally Posted by Kdondley

Hiya, I am new on here but I have been researching and reading for quite some time now. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with deciding between buses.

*I live in Virginia*

First bus:
Located in Oregon
1995 Amtran
DT466
MT643
Handicap lift
7-8 windows
what looks to be a tall ceiling height
240,000 miles
Was sent all service records
currently at $4,400
-This is the bus I was most excited about

Second bus:
Located in Virginia
1999 Blue Bird TC2000
5.9L Cummins
AT545
Handicap Lift
8 Windows
173,145 miles
No service records available
currently at $1,425


Honestly, I really want the one in Oregon. Is it worth it? What's the most that bus is worth? The only real reason I'm thinking about the one in Va is out of location convenience and price. Any advise?

The DT466E is a fantastic way to go. But those are a lot of miles. If it’s the E series you have about 760k miles left in it before the rebuild. If you go that route be sure to have it serviced before driving cross country.

[coolcraftnet18]

Ayy, I'm near Roanoke!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by rjheaton@aol.com

The DT466E is a fantastic way to go. But those are a lot of miles. If it’s the E series you have about 760k miles left in it before the rebuild. If you go that route be sure to have it serviced before driving cross country.

That really isn't accurate. I've never heard of a DT466E going much more than 350-450k in school bus duty and by then they're very tired.
The B50 isn't even close to that 760k figure.

Or is my sarcasm meter broken?

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by rjheaton@aol.com

The DT466E is a fantastic way to go. But those are a lot of miles. If it’s the E series you have about 760k miles left in it before the rebuild. If you go that route be sure to have it serviced before driving cross country.

Just curious, who told you that's a million mile motor?

[Gdog 5651]

When someone who actually knows something speaks of a "million mile" motor they are speaking of how long and engine will go before it has to be removed and remachined rebuilt and reinstalled very few heavy diesel engines will go a half a million miles without an inframe and I think a person would be hardpressd to find a light or midrange that would go 300,000 without major work. Gene

[Ripcurl]

Check out Roxbury auto in NJ. Got my bus there in 2009. A 1999 E350 shorty with 7.3L turbo power stroke, 70,000 miles for $2200. They have a large selection. https://www.roxburyautowreckers.com/buses/

[Doktari]

Lived in Oregon and Washington for 50 years and the only severe rust I’ve seen was parked next to the beach for a long time. My current bus was parked near the bay in Seattle and has a little rust. It was also parked under trees and grew moss and lichen lol. But I’m lichen it.