Looking for some leads on buses for sale, TN/KY

[White99z]

Hello!

Just checking in. I flew down to Florida this past week to buy a bus and it fell through due to hidden engine issues So... back on the search. We really want something with little to no rust and, being from Michigan, this is rather tough. I am headed to Tennessee and Kentucky from Monday to Thursday next week to do some concerts. If anyone knows of any school districts off-loading some buses or some for sale, I would appreciate any leads. I will be spending my off-time looking for a bus. We would really like a flat-front, preferably Bluebird. Cummins 5.9 or 8.3 preferred. FE or RE doesn't matter to us. 28-35 foot is preferred too!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Stu & Filo. T]

Here's a nice one & the Gillig I believe have more headroom





viewtopic.php?f=9&t=467246

[White99z]

Originally Posted by allwthrrider

Here's a nice one & the Gillig I believe have more headroom





viewtopic.php?f=9&t=467246

Gilligs are sweet, but I would prefer something that isn't that old... unless it was a crown

EDIT: I do love that bus though... you got me thinking

[Stu & Filo. T]

Originally Posted by White99z

Gilligs are sweet, but I would prefer something that isn't that old... unless it was a crown

EDIT: I do love that bus though... you got me thinking

Hey its durable

[bansil]

when in TN just call the local bus companies, MOST schools don't run their own buses or drivers, so stuff is for sale all the time

what part of TN?

[White99z]

Originally Posted by bansil

when in TN just call the local bus companies, MOST schools don't run their own buses or drivers, so stuff is for sale all the time

what part of TN?

I will for sure be in the Nashville area. I'd be more than happy to drive down to Chattanooga as I have friends there. Really I would drive more or less anywhere in the state to find the right bus!

[schoolmarm]

This is one for sale in my area of western Tennessee (Troy, TN) I don't know anything about it but here is the phone #: 731-536-4350

My # is: 731-446-4116, my name is Mary if I can help you.

[White99z]

Hi Mary. I called the phone number you gave me but it has been disconnected. Do you know if it was a conventional style bus or a flat nose? Thanks for the tip!

[schoolmarm]

White, it is a snub nose. I got the number from the front of the building, have to go to Memphis tomorrow for a couple of days and will get you a good number when I get back. It is pretty long, guessing it is 35 to 40 feet. Will also try to get you some pictures.

[White99z]

Well… I am on my way home to Michigan now. My four-day search for a bus in Tennessee and Kentucky was unsuccessful. Had a few leads but nothing. We also lost out on a really nice low mile bus in an auction. I will post a comprehensive list of what we're looking for when I get to a computer. We are looking for a 28 to 35 foot flat nose bus. Preferably a bluebird or Thomas. The search continues… I will be in Virginia West Virginia and Pennsylvania next week for some concerts and will be looking there. The only thing is… I would really like to get a bus from the state that doesn't salt The road so much. We have been searching for a year and a half... I feel like we are getting close and the search has intensified in the last two months. The search continues…

Mary… I am still happy to hear about The bus in western Tennessee. If you could snap a picture or two that would be awesome. We are written willing to fly or drive for the right bus!

[wmkbailey]

I'm from Maryland, between PA and VA.

The buses do not go up for auction from the school districts until end of June, after school is out to make room for the new buses. The only option is a bus dealer, they have a 100% markup. My 1999 34' Thomas cost $2,600 for the school. The bus dealers are selling them for $4,500 - $5,000.

[White99z]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

I'm from Maryland, between PA and VA.

The buses do not go up for auction from the school districts until end of June, after school is out to make room for the new buses. The only option is a bus dealer, they have a 100% markup. My 1999 34' Thomas cost $2,600 for the school. The bus dealers are selling them for $4,500 - $5,000.

Wow! How long ago did you buy it? Is that pretty standard for prices at auction?

[White99z]

I stopped into a dealer near Nashville... CRAZY prices! Nothing less than $9k...

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by White99z

Wow! How long ago did you buy it? Is that pretty standard for prices at auction?

The auction started late last year around June 15th. I won mine July 2nd. The Mantenance Manager said they try to start the auction around the end of May, first of June. They had 14 34' RE and about 30 shorter buses. The 34' buses went from $2,200 - $3,200. A lot of the short buses went for $1,400 or less.

[White99z]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

The auction started late last year around June 15th. I won mine July 2nd. The Mantenance Manager said they try to start the auction around the end of May, first of June. They had 14 34' RE and about 30 shorter buses. The 34' buses went from $2,200 - $3,200. A lot of the short buses went for $1,400 or less.

Did you watch them online at Public Surplus or GovDeals or was it a local auction to you? We just missed out on a really nice bus on Public Surplus that went a bit over our budget.

When I was in Kentucky, I did learn about the KISTA Auctions... they auction about 200-250 buses in the summer on a specified date. I think it stands for Kentucky Interscholastic Transportation Association.

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by White99z

Did you watch them online at Public Surplus or GovDeals or was it a local auction to you? We just missed out on a really nice bus on Public Surplus that went a bit over our budget.

When I was in Kentucky, I did learn about the KISTA Auctions... they auction about 200-250 buses in the summer on a specified date. I think it stands for Kentucky Interscholastic Transportation Association.

For Maryland, they use both, Public Surplus and GovDeals. I only looked in Montgomery county, which is the rich county that spends good money on their buses.

[White99z]

We bought a bus, we bought a bus!!! I'll have to post a photo when I get to my computer (on the phone now). It is exactly what we were looking for... Flat-nosed Bluebird with a 5.9 cummins (Bosch P7100 pump), no rust, and under 35 feet! I'll make a build thread shortly. It's a 1992 with 78,000 miles, coming from a school district with all maintenance records, etc. Six brand new tires on it too! We paid a bit more than auction price, but less than dealer price for it! That's fine by us, because it was exactly what we were looking for!

[Redbear]

Good to hear it!