Help! What do you think of this bus?

[kvg4]

Sorry to yell for help - this auction ends soon!

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=main.item&acctid=109&itemid=3408

I know it’s in Ohio, the rust doesn’t look too bad, but there’s no photos of the undercarriage. I don’t know much about the engine and transmission listed.

I know I’m probably being overly optimistic because I’d only have to drive 6hrs to get it haha

[HazMatt]

It's a 2006, so it is gonna be saddled with all those expensive to diagnose and repair emissions add ons.
You're right, they don't give too much other info, do they? Email/call the contact listed, he should be willing to answer what questions aren't answered in the ad.
Get the GVW, they say it's @30' long, looks longer than that to me. It has air brakes, so check with your DOT if special endorsements are required to drive it home.
Given where it's lived, an undercarriage inspection is important. You don't want to spring for it only to later find that you have swiss cheese for a floor...
Regarding the 7.2L Cat mill & Allison 2500 AT, I defer to thems that know to opine.

[Johnny Mullet]

I would pass and find something better.

[o1marc]

When they spend that much time talking about visible rust, guaranteed the floor is going to be toast. I would pass.

[TheHubbardBus]

The Q&A at the bottom of the page describes the rusting, including the fact they salt the roads there and that rust is coming through on multiple areas of the body. It does say the rust isn't bad enough to weaken the structure, but that leaves room for interpretation.

I don't anything about the engine, but doing my research on what I'd find acceptable, I sure ran across a lot of unhappy customers regarding the C7. You might want to do the same.

Miles don't seem to be a 'bargain'. I've seen plenty of older buses (read: less problematic in terms of emissions) of similar condition with significantly less miles. Not terrible, just not great.

If you live 6 hours away, I'd absolutely inspect in person before bidding. That's a day trip that could save you thousands in grief.

[EastCoastCB]

Emissions and rust. Thats a hard PASS for me.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by kaivgrant

Sorry to yell for help - this auction ends soon!

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...09&itemid=3408

I know it’s in Ohio, the rust doesn’t look too bad, but there’s no photos of the undercarriage. I don’t know much about the engine and transmission listed.

I know I’m probably being overly optimistic because I’d only have to drive 6hrs to get it haha

Terrible rust, run away from this bus. If an ad or listing just says "some rust" you'll have a bad rust problem to deal with. If they're actually talking about the rust, it's probably hopeless.

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Emissions and rust. Thats a hard PASS for me.

Took the words out of my mouth, or keyboard in this case. ;)

[WIbluebird]

That school district has sold several buses that were twins to that one and they all had severe mechanical problems of one sort or another.


Can confirm about the rust, we have 4 year old Bluebird AAs in our fleet that start rusting out pretty bad (Wisconsin here). Can't imagine what they look like 13 years old.

[kvg4]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

I don't anything about the engine, but doing my research on what I'd find acceptable, I sure ran across a lot of unhappy customers regarding the C7. You might want to do the same.

If you live 6 hours away, I'd absolutely inspect in person before bidding. That's a day trip that could save you thousands in grief.

I believe the C7 and the Cat 7.2 are two different engines no? I’ve researched the C7 before and plan to avoid.

And I’d love to whip down there but unfortunately am travelling on the other side of the country for the next 2 weeks.

[kvg4]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

That school district has sold several buses that were twins to that one and they all had severe mechanical problems of one sort or another.


Can confirm about the rust, we have 4 year old Bluebird AAs in our fleet that start rusting out pretty bad (Wisconsin here). Can't imagine what they look like 13 years old.

Thank you for this! This saves me a lot of trouble. Thanks for sharing what you know.

[kvg4]

Thanks everyone for your help - you confirmed I was being optimistic. Appreciate your knowledge and thoughts!

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by kaivgrant

I believe the C7 and the Cat 7.2 are two different engines no? I’ve researched the C7 before and plan to avoid.

And I’d love to whip down there but unfortunately am travelling on the other side of the country for the next 2 weeks.

The 3126 and the C7 are both 7.2 liter. As best I understand the C7 was based on the 3126 but with changes to meet emissions requirements.