Good buy?

[Clonindm20]

Looking at a 2004 International T 444E

It has the 7.3 V8 with the 5 speed Allison transmission
It has a working wheelchair lift
Tires are okay but a little old
41,000 original miles it was a rural school bus only used for disabled children so that is why the milage is so low
Clean title
Started right up and ran well
The abs light is on when the parking break isn't activated for some reason though.

Asking price is $7500
Is that too much?

 

[BamaBus]

When it was for sale by Lake County School Dist in 2021 the listing had a note "smokes". Is that an issue at 41,000? I can't say. I would not trust an odometer on any bus but would verify mileage with the ecm. What about rust?

https://www.lakecountyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-9-2021-Regular-Meeting-Packet.pdf
https://www.lakecountyschools.net/blog/2021/03/15/busses-available-for-purchase/

 

[Clonindm20]

When it was for sale by Lake County School Dist in 2021 the listing had a note "smokes". Is that an issue at 41,000? I can't say. I would not trust an odometer on any bus but would verify mileage with the ecm. What about rust?

https://www.lakecountyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-9-2021-Regular-Meeting-Packet.pdf
https://www.lakecountyschools.net/blog/2021/03/15/busses-available-for-purchase/

There's a little surface rust, but none penetrating. Where would we be able to find the ecm? Thanks for your response we really appreciate it

 

[BamaBus]

If you don't have anyone that has a scan tool you may be able to pick up a ScanGaugeD at a local parts store. That would give you some information on mileage and any diagnostic codes. But your question was "is that too much?" I can't answer that but I can say that mileage alone does not determine the price. The cost, can be a lot greater on a vehicle with that age. A big concern from your observation would be the tires that could easily cost you 3k.
Is that the bus that you set out to get and would pay more if the asking price was higher? If not, you will not be satisfied and may wind up with more than one sitting in your back yard, side yard, front yard. Thank goodness I ran out of yards.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Its a low headroom bus with a mediocre drivetrain with a questionable past for top dollar. Pass.

 

[Omnibot2000]

I have to agree with the above about hooking up a scan tool to confirm mileage from the ECM.

You have almost 4100 hrs on the bus with 41,000 miles.

In contrast, I have almost 7400 hours with 175,000 miles.

Your bus has a speed per hr. of use of 10 mph while mine has 23.7 mph. Its very suspect. My bus is also a handi-cap bus as well with a side lift so I would like to think it saw the same duty cycle.

Also be mind full of the "smoking". Could be as simple as a bad glowplug or as large as low compression and anything in between.

 

[jenandjon]

That's too much. I just got 99 blue bird with a 24 valve Cummins for $4,400