Going fishing at auction, hoping to catch 35 footer.

[mtunderwood]

Hi Folks!
I'm a long time reader of the forums here. I've read and read and I just can't read anymore... I need a bus of my own! I'm heading to take a look at some buses for auction tomorrow. Anything I get at auction has to be better than paying 8k from a dealer. I'm hoping to snag an early to mid 90's Blue Bird TC2000. Wish me luck!

Also, wish my wife luck... she's the one that has to convince the mother in law to let us park it on her property.

Lastly... anybody know a good way to tie a bus down to my roof? I'm thinking of just bringing it back Christmas tree style, ala Chevy Chase.

 

[bansil]

welcome and goooood luck

 

[ol trunt]

As I recall, Chevy Chase took his xmas tree into the house--I don't think your mother-in-law is going to be good with that when you bring your bus home. Welcome and good luck.

 

[mtunderwood]

If anyone has any sage advice on what to look for, I'm all ears. I know the basics, watch for rust, note the oil pressure and air pressure, check for service records. Oh almost forgot, I have to remember to nod and go "mmm hmmm... yup" like an old episode of King of the Hill.

 

[bansil]

its a metal body on a truck chassis, so basics are good, rust and check oil/water and youtube airbrake checks are good to watch also

 

[mtunderwood]

I successfully made it to the auction site, inspected 6 buses, then drove back home. That's 12 hours on the road... I'm starting to hear "the wheels on the bus go round and round" in my head Anyways, I figured out which bus is THE bus to bid on and I'm going for it. After I did my rounds the maintenance supervisor said the same thing... "oh yeah bus X is the best one out there". So all that's left to do now is cross my fingers and click "bid".

I took a ton of pictures but I feel like I'll jinx it if I post them. I'm trying to be very zen about all this and not get attached because I know how auctions go. I'll keep everyone updated!

 

[mtunderwood]

I GOT HER!!!

Say hello to the newest member of our family. I snuck in a bid right at the last minute and got her for just under $2200. She's in GA right now but I'm hoping in a week or two we can bring her home to FL. Better start painting the baby room I have been looking at buses on and off for the past year. It's so nice to finally take the next step. Alright, I'm off to go brainstorm names for this beauty... gotta have a name before the build starts!

 

[ol trunt]

Cool and congrats--now the work--I mean fun begins!

 

[bansil]

great job, and since you don't get the white stuff we get here (snow that is ) you can work on yours in shorts at Christmas time :mrgreen:

 

[WinslowtheBluebird]

She's a beaut!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Let me know how it goes getting it tagged and all. I have heard Ga can be a pain.
Are you able to get a temp tag here in Fl ahead of time?
Thats a nice bus for the money in my opinion.
Have you seen the bus prices at Gideon's in Zellwood/Apopka? I'm in Lake County, nice to see others in the area doing the bus thing. It's fairly easy here compared to some states from what I've found.
Let me know if you need any help with it, even getting it home. I'm Charlie.
Have you found insurance yet? I have a good bit of experience with that headache.

 

[mtunderwood]

Hey nice to meet you Charlie! My name's Mike. I've read some horror stories about GA. It seems they have a "once a bus always a bus" attitude. I'm going this Thursday to drive up to Georgia to get the title. I'll bring it back here, re-title and get it insured and registered. I want to make sure I drive it back 100% legit. In all, it will be 3 trips to get the bus but I do like the drive through north FL into GA.

When I get the bus back to FL you should come check it out. I could use a skoolie buddy around here!

 

[EastCoastCB]

That's what I was thinking you'd have to do, Mike. Let me know, I'd love to come have a look. I had an 87 Ford/Thomas but had to let it go years ago as I didn't have anywhere to keep it and the city was on my ass to move it.
Now I have my own place. Lookin for another bus, and all the good ones seem to be WAY north. I wouldn't mind a long drive home, but I can't see going a thousand miles, returning for the paperwork, and then going back for the bus. If one turns up like yours, in the south, that would be a lot more do-able. The prices on these things seem to be rising sharply!

 

[mtunderwood]

Sorry to hear you had to get rid of your old bus. I was checking http://www.GovDeals.com and http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com religiously for a few months before I found the auction where I just got my bus. Commercial Truck Trader has a few buses in FL, but they seem to hover around $4k and up.

Good luck hunting down the new one!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah 2k is about all I'm going to spend. Lots of clean buses out in Az and Ca though. The fuel costs would be a real killer on those.

 

[EastCoastCB]

any news on this thing? Get her home yet?

 

[mtunderwood]

We took a trip up last week to get the title. Since that's all we went up for we decided to have some fun and do a little camping at High Falls state park in GA.



So this week I'm working on getting it re-titled, insured, and finding a place to park it. I have a friend who is an insurance agent helping me out. Found a nice couple that owns a farm about 30 min away that will let me park it if I help out a little bit each week. I like bartering so it's a pretty nice deal. Hopefully I'll be driving her back next week!

 

[bansil]

congrates

 

[EastCoastCB]

sweet!
If you run out of options, I think I have a lot you could use for at least six months or so. Apopka area.
Excellent score on that bus!

 

[mtunderwood]

Thanks EastCoastCB! The current idea is to park at a farm in Lake Helen just outside of Deltona. It's a great spot and FREE (minus my time), but it's around a 45 min drive with no traffic. Could you PM me the details of your lot in Apopka? If it's closer I would gladly pay you for it.