Potentially buying my first bus tomorow!

[Minicosmos]

Hey guys I'm new to the site!
Lived in my van for 2 years and finally Found a 2007 Chevy short bus for 8900 as my upgrade. It's got 236k miles. I'm going to be checking it out tomorow in the hopes of driving it back home �� any tips you guys may have would be appreciated! I know to check for rust, the tires, window leaks, but is there anything else I should keep in consideration or questions to ask the seller?? Peace and love and thanks in advance!!

Update: sorry I forgot to mention it has a partial build out already in it. It has a stand up shower tiled and ready to go. A water heater, all the wiring ready to go for the lighting, shore power and city water hook ups. Some benches and the bed frame are also Conversion items completed:
Full demo
Treated sheet metal floor for rust and moisture
Installed R5 insulation/subfloor
LVP flooring installed
Insulated walls
Framing for couch/bed/walls
Installed tile shower
Installed 42 gallon freshwater tank/22 gallon grey water tank (still minor connections that need to be made.)
Shurflo water pump installed
Marey tankless hot water heater installed.
Most wiring has been done, material provided for remaining
Fixtures for gravity water/city water/shore power installed
Outdoor shower installed
Some finishing work done

Things to be still be done:
Finish wiring
Install provided outlets and switches
Connect plumbing for water pump, hot water heater, and grey water tank
Kitchen framing and finishing
Bed platform
Finishing couch area
Lighting
Solar (optional)
Propane (optional)

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Hours on the engine are a consideration, especially at that mileage. But you may never know what the true hours are, as these have a tendency to reset for no good reason. Rust, etc. Mechanical condition, any repairs needed. $8900 is too high IMO.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Buses are harder to come by with covid disruptions, so some inflation should be expected. 8900 is too much. 2 years ago I got an 07 Thomas 5 window with 135000 miles for 5K. My bus Is immaculate. 0 rust. It did need a turbo and that’s 2K so I guess if you count that I paid 7K.

Bonus money if it’s not yellow and you do t have to paint it.

Bring an ODB2 reader. If it presents any codes, pass. If the codes have been cleared, usually indicated by amber light on the reader, pass. I’d sure try to knock a bunch off the price. For that kind of cash it should have new tires all around and zero rust.

 

[Minicosmos]

Thanks for the advice. Ill def keep rust and tires in mind. I forgot to mention the bus has a partial build out which I updated in the post

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Thanks for the advice. Ill def keep rust and tires in mind. I forgot to mention the bus has a partial build out which I updated in the post

That does change things a bit, but $8900 is still too high. What Danjo said, and if engine hours aren't ridiculous or obviously reset at some point, I'd start at $6500. If hours are extremely high or low enough to indicate they have reset, I'm thinking start at $5000. And if it's a DuraMax diesel, I wouldn't pay that much for it. $5000 max.

 

[ACamper-SKO]

As others have said rust and tires and important.

You can judge a build out by how much labor it will save you and by the pieces and components. I value used pieces and components at around 30% of the new cost and labor at ? depends on the work.

Good luck. I always thought one of those small Chevys would make a cool rig.