Advice - first time visitor; buying a bus?

[bholt33]

Hey from southern Georgia! I am new to Skoolies. My dad always talked about buying a school bus to turn into an RV; he passed away in 2017.

The school district nearby is auctioning off 31 school buses. 19 are running; 12 are not. There are 4 2012 IC CE MAXX DT buses that are listed as not running. They are missing a few lights and visible parts, but look sound structurally. They already have two interior mounted and working a/c units.

Is it worth bidding on a 2012 that is 'not running' in order to have a mechanic inspect it and diagnose problems? Right now, there are no bids on the 'not running' buses. Bids start at $250. The bids on the other buses listed as 'running' are up to $575 each.

Thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions!
Brian

 

[M1031A1]

Hey from southern Georgia! I am new to Skoolies. My dad always talked about buying a school bus to turn into an RV; he passed away in 2017.

The school district nearby is auctioning off 31 school buses. 19 are running; 12 are not. There are 4 2012 IC CE MAXX DT buses that are listed as not running. They are missing a few lights and visible parts, but look sound structurally. They already have two interior mounted and working a/c units.

Is it worth bidding on a 2012 that is 'not running' in order to have a mechanic inspect it and diagnose problems? Right now, there are no bids on the 'not running' buses. Bids start at $250. The bids on the other buses listed as 'running' are up to $575 each.

Thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions!
Brian

Brian;

Having worked on the MAXX engine, and seeing how disappointing the results were, I would AVOID AT ALL COSTS that engine. They were very unreliable in Texas where I worked. We had five in the fleet. NONE of them lasted beyond 75K miles before MAJOR issues (blow-by to the point one grenaded as it was a run-away, head gaskets blew, oil/coolant mixed often, one just stopped running without any warning and was surplused after the estimate was more than buying a new engine/computer package). The performance and maintenance issues were so great they dumped those buses on the following auction with no reserve. They were sold to a scrap dealer for $100 each.

Just letting you know what I've seen......

M :biggrin:

 

[EastCoastCB]

Hey from southern Georgia! I am new to Skoolies. My dad always talked about buying a school bus to turn into an RV; he passed away in 2017.

The school district nearby is auctioning off 31 school buses. 19 are running; 12 are not. There are 4 2012 IC CE MAXX DT buses that are listed as not running. They are missing a few lights and visible parts, but look sound structurally. They already have two interior mounted and working a/c units.

Is it worth bidding on a 2012 that is 'not running' in order to have a mechanic inspect it and diagnose problems? Right now, there are no bids on the 'not running' buses. Bids start at $250. The bids on the other buses listed as 'running' are up to $575 each.

Thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions!
Brian

Run away fast!
They're so expensive to keep running that they cannibalize them.

 

[o1marc]

Run as fast as you can. Proof of the issues starting 04. That many 2012 with that many issues should tell you something. If you do get a deal and possibly get one running, you still have the concern the issues will redevelope.


If there are salvageble AC units or what have you, you could strip one and scrap the rest, maybe make some money on them.

 

[bholt33]

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice and warnings! I'll save my money and avoid all the problems.
By the way, there are some Blue Birds up for auction as well. Most of them are 97 to 04. Http://3gsauctioncompany.hibid.com

Brian

 

[o1marc]

Thanks for the advice and warnings! I'll save my money and avoid all the problems.
By the way, there are some Blue Birds up for auction as well. Most of them are 97 to 04. Http://3gsauctioncompany.hibid.com

Brian

Stay within those years and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

Keep us posted and let us know what those buses actually sell for.