Advice needed to purchase a bus

[Kaklehr]

Hi All,
I'm searching for a mid-size bus. Thanks to reading some threads here I found this on the gov website.My q

2007 Chevrolet C5V042 CUTAWAY, 8.1L V8 OHV 16V. Defender Shuttle Bus (28 Passenger) with complete extra set of rims and new tires, wheelchair lift and anchor point for 1 chair.

Starting bid is $5000. It's in So.Cal. (used by the University of So Cal - Santa Cruz) - so I'm thinking the rust issue would be low.

I plan to convert a bus into my home and travel, travel, travel - parking whenever, then travel again with my cat and dog. My needs are super simple, bed, toilet/shower, chair, sink/fridge/mini-stove.

My questions are:
1) is this a good vehicle for my plans?
2) is the price outrageous
3) has anyone had experience converting one of these before? If so, what advice can you offer?

Thanks! Cheers, Kathy

 

[Johnny Mullet]

The 8.1L gas engine from GM is a very powerful and reliable engine. It would be nice to know how many miles on the unit. I would not pay much more than the $5000.

 

[Kaklehr]

Johnny, mileage is quoted at 50,629

 

[EastCoastCB]

Johnny, mileage is quoted at 50,629

Sounds AWESOME to me!!!

 

[Johnny Mullet]

Me too! Sounds like a low mileage keeper.

 

[EastCoastCB]

I almost won a low mileage GM van out in Ca last year. It had real low miles and an 8.1 Vortec. Still kicking myself for not winning that one!

 

[cadillackid]

the 8.1s came with the 6 speed allison 1000 i believe also.. thats the large chassis platform (not the 3500 van but should be a C5500 or C6500)...



-Christopher

 

[Rovobay]

there is a reserve on the bus too. not sure what mileage that thing would get. I personally would choose a diesel over a gas engine. Yes west coast is a good source for rust free buses. IMHO you can find a cheaper better bus out there.

 

[EastCoastCB]

there is a reserve on the bus too. not sure what mileage that thing would get. I personally would choose a diesel over a gas engine. Yes west coast is a good source for rust free buses. IMHO you can find a cheaper better bus out there.

I'd never even consider any diesel engine as new as this gas engine. Emissions diesels are for suckers, man.

 

[Rovobay]

I'd never even consider any diesel engine as new as this gas engine. Emissions diesels are for suckers, man.

Yes, get an older diesel. no DEF stuff.... in my 05 duramax, I deleted the EGR. I think 2004 was the last year of the 7.3. ???

what kind of mileage do you think the 8.1 gasser would get?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Yes, get an older diesel. no DEF stuff.... in my 05 duramax, I deleted the EGR. I think 2004 was the last year of the 7.3. ???

what kind of mileage do you think the 8.1 gasser would get?

IDk, probably 5-8 mpg.
Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak MPG - Actual MPG from 9 Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak owners

http://www.fuelly.com/truck/chevrolet/c5500_kodiak?engineconfig_id=64&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=