Potential purchase advice

[Brandondorn]

Hello! Long time reader, first time poster.

I am trying to decide between 2 buses for conversion for my family of four as a vacation vehicle.

1. 2002 International dog nose, 40 ft. Dt466(e?), Allison 545 transmission, from a guy who resells buses. 200k miles. 78' headroom(big advantage), $5k

2. 2006 All American Bluebird, flat nose pusher, 40 ft, Cat C7, unknown Allison Transmission, at auction. 252k miles. Headroom unknown. Starting bid $3k

What would you do???

 

[musigenesis]

The first is a high-ceiling International (like mine). I'm 6'0" and I was able to get away with no roof raise and still have 2" of XPS insulation on the floor and 2.25" (1.5" between the ribs and another 3/4" inside the ribs) on the ceiling with 6'3" of headroom. AT545 is generally regarded as the least-desirable transmission but it's cheap to replace if you blow it out. 200K miles is not bad and the price is OK. I'd go with this one.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

The first one

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Those are some long buses! Sure?

 

[WIbluebird]

Both should be good choices. As a Blue Bird fan I prefer #2 but the miles are a tad high and $3k starting bid is pretty optimistic imo. Transmission type won't matter on a 2006 since anything bolted to a Cat C7 is going to be adeuqate for skoolie useage whether its an Allison 2000 series or a 3060 variant.

Would be nice if it was an MD3060 with the 6th gear already unlocked but that is rare to see.

On the Blue Birds you can tell if it has the high roof if the top of the windows is taller than the service door. That means it has the optional 78" high roof. 74 and 72 inch roofs will have the windows flush with the service. door.

 

[ABBus]

I'd go with the number 2 if you plan to travel a lot.