Opinion on buying 2001 Bluebird Chevy Short bus

dom_deebs · 06-26-2021, 05:22 PM

Hello all!
I would love any expert's opinions on purchasing a diy converted bus
*I'M NOT SELLING, I'M TALKING TO SELLER AND CONSIDERING BUYING*

2001 Bluebird Chevy Short bus.
240k miles
Diesel (they *think* it's a 6.5L)

*new diesel block heater attached to glow plugs
*new bearings, ball joints, tires, and recent alignment done
*battery just checked and good to go

only known mechanical issues are leak from container that holds the power steering fluid. they said they refill it every 2 weeks and it causes no problems

interior:
400 watts of solar
2000 watt inverter
3 100ah batteries installed with plugs in the bus
vent fan installed
Alpicool cf35 fridge included

they did the interior all themselves so i would probably bring it to a pro to make sure the electrical is safe

they are asking $15k

worth it???

THANK YOU

dom_deebs · 06-26-2021, 05:36 PM

Nevermind, it sold as i was typing this out..... please disregard

dom_deebs · 06-30-2021, 10:14 PM

The bus is back on the market! the buyer didn't go through with it. Would love any and all advice if you happen to see this ♡

BeNimble · 06-30-2021, 10:28 PM

Why not buy an RV for less with less miles if your not going to DIY?

136k miles, diesel pusher 2001 with slide outs, $12k

Danjo · 07-01-2021, 12:37 AM

Too many miles

magnakansas · 07-01-2021, 11:40 AM

The big question is ..... are you okay with it?

I think the engine is near the end of its life. but just about any medium duty diesel needs work after 240,000 miles of intown driving.......

do the math... price of van, cost of stuff in the van, what kind of value you put on labor....

Keep this in mind... cost of engine replacement or cost of transmission... those are two really big things that can crop up and probably will..... after you buy the bus -- will you be able to afford to replace those items...

I went a different way... the first thing I did is rebuild the engine and transmission to get them as close to new as I could..... fitting out the bus is the last step for me... been at it two years now....

chomping at the bit at this point grrrrrrr

william

EastCoastCB · 07-01-2021, 11:46 AM

That's a good bit of miles on a heavy van.

peteg59 · 07-01-2021, 12:38 PM

Does the seller have any mechanical history for the vehicle?
If not, assume the bus is stock/original from the factory with 240K miles on it!

As already mentioned in above posts, there will likely be a myriad of mechanical issues that pop up after you buy the bus.

Are you willing to sink half or more of your purchase price in "fixing" any major issues that will very likely happen when you least expect them to?

Not trying to dissuade you from this bus, but offer you some negotiating points to get a lower purchase price if you're willing to chance it on this particular bus.

Good luck, and post pics if you go ahead and buy it...

dom_deebs · 07-01-2021, 12:57 PM

Another bus I'm looking at, also listed at $15k
1995 Ford Econoline Skoolie
245K miles
Brand new Jasper Transmission with 3 year/100,000 mile warranty.
This bus has the 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel

Here's the info from the listing:
Conversion started by previous owner, planned to finish it out myself but life has changed my plans. Platform bed in the back with a new gel memory foam mattress cover used only twice, sink with water system ready to install with large water tank under bed, curtain system for easy privacy mode when camping, bolted bench seat with seat belts for additional 3 passengers, great cabinet with plenty of storage & sink, and roof rack ready for solar panels! The bus floors have been redone with luxury vinyl planks with 1" subfloor and insulation below windows installed. All windows work and lock without difficulty, emergency roof exit in place and opens normally, front driver front passenger, and back bus doors opens and locks with ease. The bus runs great and is ready for new adventures!

No electrical hooked up and no water officially hooked up but it has a 22gal RV water tank in the garage with an electric water pump in the bus, just not hooked up yet. The sink is ready to receive plumbing.

This is the one i'm leaning towards, but after the comments on high mileage, wondering if that same is true for the 7.3L powerstroke diesel

EastCoastCB · 07-01-2021, 01:07 PM

7.3 > 6.5 for power and longevity.

EastCoastCB · 07-01-2021, 01:08 PM

Have you looked at any Class B camper vans? 15k can get you a nice one.

magnakansas · 07-01-2021, 01:10 PM

please note what I said about engines and transmissions.....

this one has had the transmission replaced... I personally am not a fan of the jasper rebuild products.... often chosen because it is the least expensive. not the best, the least expensive.

The price is fine, if that is what you are comfortable with.....

I am used to offering opinions about vehicles to buy......most just go buy what they wanted anyways.... seems like most are looking to have their choice validated.

william

dom_deebs · 07-01-2021, 01:19 PM

thanks william

i'm really keeping an open mind. so far i've heard a lot of good about 7.3L diesel.
i am brand new to all of this and also feel better with doing research and talking to folks before buying. i'm also learning that these babies are selling quick so I want to know what to look for when seeing ads and messaging folks.

peteg59 · 07-01-2021, 01:30 PM

No idea where in the country you're looking at busses, but at $15K I'd want to be able to eat off the undercarriage, (after scraping away any lightly accumulated road sand of course).

I would also demand it be road worthy at that price point.
Well, ok, maybe if it needs wiper blades or something just as cheap, I'd make an exception to the above.

dom_deebs · 07-01-2021, 02:14 PM

I'm on the west coast :/
I'm in Southern California and the 1995 Ford Econoline is located in Washington and the Bluebird Chevy is in Oregon. I have family near both places so wouldnt mind traveling to drive and then driving it home.

magnakansas · 07-01-2021, 05:15 PM

a shorter bus? bigger bus? automatic transmission? what is your Want list?

william 785 207 7600

Danjo · 07-01-2021, 05:47 PM

If you’re in SoCal I’d hang tight for a bus from there

cadillackid · 07-01-2021, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnakansas

please note what I said about engines and transmissions.....

this one has had the transmission replaced... I personally am not a fan of the jasper rebuild products.... often chosen because it is the least expensive. not the best, the least expensive.

The price is fine, if that is what you are comfortable with.....

I am used to offering opinions about vehicles to buy......most just go buy what they wanted anyways.... seems like most are looking to have their choice validated.

william

The jasper dta360 from 2004 in my dev bus seems to be just fine.. spots a little oil on the ground here and there but bus runs like a champ

Brad_SwiftFur · 07-01-2021, 08:32 PM

If other posts are to be believed, CA will require diesel RVs to pass emissions in a couple years, over 14K GVW if I recall. Supposedly this includes both ones registered in state as well as from out of state.
I have one for sale if anyone is interested, PM to discuss (I don't want to hijack the thread).

LargeMargeInBaja · 07-05-2021, 01:39 PM

This's my standard suggestion to anybody thinking about acquiring a vehicle home:
* join a caravan of experienced travelers
* rent
* walk around a RecreationVehicle park, chat with owners of rigs similar to the version you are considering
* participate in a rally/get-together of similar vehicles as a volunteer for three days or a week
.
Before starting with full-time live-aboard sometime around 1978, I had the advantage of decades of traveling relatives.
From the time I was knee-high to a gnat, I was immersed in osmosis, surrounded by hundreds of accumulated years of seasoned vacationeers.
.
All this comes natural to me.
I often think folks know stuff.
Your experience is probably different.
Probably?
Accordingly, my opinion of your investment is irrelevant.
You do it... at your speed.
.
And remember:
* avoid believing 'this rig is my forever rig'
You grow, your vehicle needs evolve.
.
How are you coming with your RequirementsStatement?

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