New kid from the Midwest

KA

Kaitey

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2016
Posts
14
Hi!
I'm kaitey, I'm 22 years old, and my husband and I have decided to get a skoolie! We're saving up money right now, and we're planning on buying a bus before my birthday in early February. I've heard good things about international engines, but correct me if they're terrible! I'm so excited to start this journey, as it's something I've wanted to do since I was 16!
 
Welcome. Yes Cornbinders (International) engines are quite good. Some prefer Cummins, and there are also a small group that like Cat engines but most of us don't agree with this last choice.

This is a good place to start your search. Are you going small, medium or large?
 
Robin97396 said:
Welcome. Yes Cornbinders (International) engines are quite good. Some prefer Cummins, and there are also a small group that like Cat engines but most of us don't agree with this last choice.

This is a good place to start your search. Are you going small, medium or large?
Click to expand...

We're thinking Medium - Large. We want to make sure to have plenty of space for ourselves and our zoo, AKA three medium-sized dogs and two cats. There are a few people near me who buy up buses from auctions and sell them, so I think I'll be able to find something for a decent price. (one guy has five with international engines for under $3000 each!)
 
Missouri! The far southwest corner, about 2.5 hours south of Kansas City
 
I spend a ton of time up that way every year! I'll look forward to seeing your progress! I'm currently at about the same point you are, though I've got a ton of research done. Been trying to find the right bus for quite a while.
 
I've done a bit of research on buses, but it's been a few years. We were originally going to buy an RV because we couldn't find any buses, but with Facebook having a marketplace now, it's so much easier to find what we're looking for!
 
It sounds like you have good access to a bus barn near you. The shorties have pretty good competition when selling. Start physically inspecting buses until you have a strong preference for a certain body type. Look at the rust buckets too so you know what to avoid. You can also stop at the bus barn and talk to the mechanics.

I settled on a 26' long '97 Bluebird TC1000. This has no wheel wells inside the bus, to accomadate wheelchairs. A chair lift, kept to accomadate motorcycles.

There's a lot to consider. Many of us have moved on to our second or third bus, or more. It's a learning process. Interior space versus mobility of the vehicle. Parking issues dictate where you can easily park in town while traveling.

As nearly everyone will tell you, it all depends on how you plan to use your bus.
 
Kaitey said:
I've done a bit of research on buses, but it's been a few years. We were originally going to buy an RV because we couldn't find any buses, but with Facebook having a marketplace now, it's so much easier to find what we're looking for!
Click to expand...

Or get one right from a school.
 
Kaitey said:
I didn't know you could get them directly from schools. If so, I guess I can start looking into nearby districts.
Click to expand...

You can find the at govdeals.com or

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1682539 (my actual bus win from last year).

You may have to travel to get a good bus, I bought mine sight unseen from a school district in VA and I live in FL. Very happy with my choice. I've lived and traveled in it for over a year now.

Sandi
 
Kaitey said:
Thanks for the info!
Click to expand...

You are welcome. And welcome to our skoolie forum family. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't buy from craigslist, ebay or facebook marketplace, the best maintained buses come from school districts. Read, read and read all you can on here to get the most info for the best choice. And don't be afraid to ask what we think of buses you are looking at to purchase. That's what we are here for.
Sandi
 
EastCoastCB said:
Or get one right from a school.
Click to expand...

You can't, from most school districts. Some colleges sell direct, but most go to auction. By law in some states.

You are getting them directly from the schools, but indirectly, if you see what I mean :)

Our District sells direct, but by closed bids in July.
 
Twigg said:
You can't, from most school districts. Some colleges sell direct, but most go to auction. By law in some states.

You are getting them directly from the schools, but indirectly, if you see what I mean :)

Our District sells direct, but by closed bids in July.
Click to expand...

semantics. :nonono:
 
Twigg said:
There are a lot of new people here. They could be left thinking they could buy direct from their local districts rather than suffer through scary auctions, when generally they can't.

It was worth explaining.
Click to expand...

Why are auctions scary? CL is ten times as scary.
If buying a bus is scary, converting one will be horrifying.
 
EastCoastCB said:
Why are auctions scary? CL is ten times as scary.
If buying a bus is scary, converting one will be horrifying.
Click to expand...

They are not scary to you, but there are reasons people pay dealers double the auction price and still don't get a warranty worth anything.

I agree with you, but we are not all the same.
 
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