Hello from a complete noob!

[Noviceguy]

Getting up there in age and feel its time to check off a few things on my bucket list which includes budling a Van or Bus but since even used sprinter vans cost 26k which is way out of my poor man budget I have decided that bus life is for me. I live in AZ and have scanned the local school districts like Marana, Tucson, Phoenix and find most of the busses they have listed are cheap around $1000 to $2500 but most have a status of DNR or Do Not Run which seems like to big of a gamble to me. What if I drop $2500 for a bus and have it towed just to find out it has a blown motor or needs costly repairs to the engine!. There is a bus place in phoenix named AAABUSSALES which has a few busses for sale but they have nothing under $7500. I don't know any diesel mechanics that could come along and look over a bus with me to make sure I'm not buying a lemon. Currently AAA has a 4 windows Collins with 188k and the 7.3 E350 for $7500 and a six window 2000 International 3800 Engine: 7.3L Navistar T444E Diesel, Allison AT545 Automatic, and 192k miles for $7700. Both are from AZ so no rust. Lets say I did buy a bus how would I drive it home? Do I get a temp tag at the DMV? How do I get DMV to register it? How do I get insurance? I have so many questions??

 

[BarnYardCamp]

First, welcome to this great community. Lots of helpful, knowledgeable people here.
Before buying a bus, I think you should use the search window on the skoolie.net home page and read up on drive trains. Then you will know what engines/trannys to avoid. (Like the AT545)
Then with that bit of knowledge, you can avoid at least some potential problems.
Also, you should figure out what the "mission" of your bus will be, weekend warrior, cross country road trips, boon docking or mostly using shore power....Basically, how will you use it once it's converted.
So good luck...and in case you were wondering, yes, we are all some what insane.

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

So good luck...and in case you were wondering, yes, we are all some what insane.

Somewhat????:whistling:

 

[Rucker]

I'm kinda picking a number out of the air, but you can expect to spend at least ten grand on a bus.

You either spend that and drive the bus home, or you spend something less than that and the rest is used for repairs needed to get the bus in good operating condition. Or you spend it randomly on a journey in towing and repairs.

The less you spend on the bus the greater the level of stress that the thing may break down on the highway. These vehicles are not new.

I hear AAA is reputable, by the way. You're lucky they're close by.

 

[craigify]

When I bought my bus I assumed I'd have to rebuild the engine, so I me tally prepared for that from the beginning. And i did do just that. I also did my own work, learning as I went.

I would not call it an easy task.......at all, whatsoever. I really learned a TON though.

Getting up there in age and feel its time to check off a few things on my bucket list which includes budling a Van or Bus but since even used sprinter vans cost 26k which is way out of my poor man budget I have decided that bus life is for me. I live in AZ and have scanned the local school districts like Marana, Tucson, Phoenix and find most of the busses they have listed are cheap around $1000 to $2500 but most have a status of DNR or Do Not Run which seems like to big of a gamble to me. What if I drop $2500 for a bus and have it towed just to find out it has a blown motor or needs costly repairs to the engine!. There is a bus place in phoenix named AAABUSSALES which has a few busses for sale but they have nothing under $7500. I don't know any diesel mechanics that could come along and look over a bus with me to make sure I'm not buying a lemon. Currently AAA has a 4 windows Collins with 188k and the 7.3 E350 for $7500 and a six window 2000 International 3800 Engine: 7.3L Navistar T444E Diesel, Allison AT545 Automatic, and 192k miles for $7700. Both are from AZ so no rust. Lets say I did buy a bus how would I drive it home? Do I get a temp tag at the DMV? How do I get DMV to register it? How do I get insurance? I have so many questions??