Meet our new bus... Mr. Beefy!

[TheHubbardBus]

Yes, we paid more than we hoped to.
No, we haven't seen it in person.
No, we don't even know if it will run (it did a year ago, so there's that)

Are we nervous? You betcha.

But we own a bus! Or at least a couple pictures of one!

6'4 headroom, AC, air brakes, t444e, Allison 2000, ~150K miles. $4550 auction price.

Whatcha think, Skoolie.net. Did we do OK, or are we morons? (It's OK, we've got thick skin!)

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Lots to like about that. Any extra you paid for this vs a bus with a 545 will seem like pennies if you ended up doing a transmission swap. Really cute size. Should make a great national park machine!

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Where is it and when do you get it?

 

[peteg59]

As long as the rust is minimal or non existent, and it's pre 2004, yes. It looks good in your pics.
It's difficult at best buying from afar, but it can be rewarding if all of the right stars align when you hit the buy button!
Hope it works out in your favor, going forward...

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Thanks David!


Austin, TX. Plan is to drive up next week in a rental car, move it to a nearby shop to blow the cobwebs out, mount tires if necessary, and then drive it back. Hopefully it will need nothing more than gas, batteries, and a little pre-trip TLC.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Pete, from what we could tell from the limited photos, it looked essentially rust-free. Or as close as you can get to that. There were close pictures both under the fenders as well as some that showed the frame/axles, and it looked GTG.


And yes, 2003.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Exciting times! I remember hardly being able to wait once I purchased mine!

Feels like being a little kid again!

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Was yours an auction bus also?



And yes, I can't remember being this excited for quite some time! Butterflies big-time!

 

[peteg59]

Sounds like those proverbial stars aligned for you on it!
Congratulations, and hopefully the anxiety of waiting to see your recent purchase in person isn't too stressful...

 

[david.dgeorge07]

No I picked it up on Craigslist but there was a period of a few days between paperwork and delivery.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

The guy delivered it, which was nice. In hindsight seems silly that I wouldn’t have wanted to drive it home.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

If I had a bus your size, and I had never drove a bus before, I'd be very pleased to have the option of learning on my own time rather than as a requirement to get it back to the homestead! Appreciate your build thread, BTW. I could fit about 3 of these in your ride lol.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Sounds like those proverbial stars aligned for you on it!
Congratulations, and hopefully the anxiety of waiting to see your recent purchase in person isn't too stressful...

:biggrin:

 

[TheHubbardBus]

The Other Half

This was... super exciting/stressful.... good stuff. Life can be mundane at times. Bidding on something you've only seen pictures of.. and . .they warn you.. you've only seen pictures of when you bid.. Got aggressive at the end. But we both ... i think loved every minute of it. Scary, Exciting, freaking out on our next adventure.. angry at those bidding on.."Our Bus" but.. i think we did ok. Now our .. bring her home adventure starts. I grew up with awesome artist parents.. every summer we hit the road in a VW Bus with 5 kids Mom and Dad and a dog.. to travel for ~3weeks.. at times.. as a child I hated it.. looking back now would not change it for the world!!.. super excited to start that path again. Even better.. discussing it with my 94 yr old mom.. who was... the true planner of all of our expeditions. Love to see her smile when I tell her what we're planning ....

 

[o1marc]

I bought mine off Craigslist in Butte, Mt. Waited 2 weeks for a cheaper airfare. Only a few questions from the seller as I consider it all fluff. They picked me up at the airport and drove me 5 hrs to the bus. Having seen it in person for the very first time the sellers wife asked if I was happy with what I got. Said I won't know till I drive it down the street. I drove it 3k miles down that street and am very happy with my bus. It was the first time I had ever driven a bus, except the one in OKC that I drove to the first stop sign in limp mode, and back to the sale garage. So contrary to what negatives some people have with CL, some legitimate good deals can be had from there.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Said I won't know till I drive it down the street. I drove it 3k miles down that street and am very happy with my bus.

Haha. I like that :biggrin:

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

I reckon the bus' name answers Clara Peller's tart inquiry...
https://youtu.be/U80ebi4AKgs

Yes, we paid more than we hoped to.
No, we haven't seen it in person.
No, we don't even know if it will run (it did a year ago, so there's that)

Are we nervous? You betcha.

But we own a bus! Or at least a couple pictures of one!

6'4 headroom, AC, air brakes, t444e, Allison 2000, ~150K miles. $4550 auction price.

Whatcha think, Skoolie.net. Did we do OK, or are we morons? (It's OK, we've got thick skin)

Sounds & looks good, tho the proof is in the pudding (of the key in the switch & it starting)
You're right: 16 ga is thickish skin...
Now, time to get off your big buns and get busy! [emoji6]

 

[TheHubbardBus]

I reckon the bus' name answers Clara Peller's tart inquiry...

That it does! The name, however, is in tribute to our dog George, who in both attitude and appearance bears at least a passing resemblance to Adam Sandler's dog in 'Little Nicky'...

https://youtu.be/KG1KLcogziY

Hopefully we end up on top in this deal.

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

[emoji106]...

 

[Dèsirée1]

Congratulations on your braveness and your baby too!!! I’m sure, if you went this far, you can overcome anything.

And just in case, your braveness was encapsulated in a time-release miniature vessel which one can ingest at their leisure, please do share... the only thing though, I will need a lot more than just one!!