This is what we're going for..........

[opus-SKO]

Thought I would share and see if anyone had any thoughts before we finish the deal.

http://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/details/?s=4712

 

[Crazy]

Looks like a nice bus. Expensive but nice.

 

[opus-SKO]

Its at the top of what we want to spend. We'll be putting a lot of miles on it and we need something dependable and not trashed nor a serious project. What should it be worth? i havent gone to look at it yet. It sounds pretty clean from what they have been telling me.

 

[opus-SKO]

100% rust free with the 8.3? I'm all ears. I was going to dicker quite a bit with them.

 

[Abbott-SKO]

I would sure be concerned about rust with a bus from North Dakota no matter what they said!

 

[opus-SKO]

Its a Wyoming bus actually. There is one near here for half the price, but I am sure its half the price for a reason. Son is going to look at it tomorrow. It has no belly storage though, which is really needed.

 

[M1031]

Is it the 3208 , or the 3116? Over in Sealy, TX (think the new military Deuce cab-overs) they use the 3116. I know the military is hard service, however, their field results for the 3116 are not good. Just saying....

 

[opus-SKO]

Its an 8.3 Cummins. Also, its 900 miles from me, I think thats far enough to drive.

 

[Locutus]

I'm with Smitty on this one. I wouldn't pay more than $5000 for this. For comparison, I've been watching bus sales on Public Surplus in Washington State. Yesterday two comparable Thomas Saf-T-Liners sold for $2500 and $2650. Lower milage, 131K and 139K. Both RE with Cat 3116. Both 1991 model year and both high top. This is not out of line. In the past month I've seen several comparable Thomas and slightly older Blue Birds go for between $1600 and $3500, with the difference in price seeming to be driven mostly by mileage, then age. Most of these were direct from school districts, with Public Surplus acting as their selling agent. If you're going to do a conversion anyway, you'll be gutting the interior and repainting the exterior. So you don't necessarily need the prettiest bus, but rather a body with little or no rust, mechanicals in sound condition, and good tire tread. But for the difference in price between the above examples and the one you're considering, you could probably have the engine, transmission and air brakes all professionally overhauled, and maybe add brand new tires and air conditioning to boot.

FWIW, YMMV, just my opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid me for it.

 

[opus-SKO]

The 3116 is a Cat, which I dont want. I need to reiterate, we cant have junk or anything close to it. Somehow the thought of buying a bus for less than $3000 doesnt give me comfort, traveling the western US for business, not recreation.. Maybe I am mistaken though.

 

[Crazy]

Time and money. That's what it boils down to. If you are pressed for time and you need it now, you will pay more. If it is for business and you can write it off, it makes it less painful. Lastly, if it is going to save you money or make you money, paying extra is not that big of a deal. The Cummins 8.3 would be my first choice for any skoolie. With the right gearing, it has enough power to just putt down the freeway. A lot of us are on a budget and the price they are asking seems excessive. In the end, if you end up with the bus that you want and it makes you $$$ by saving you $$$, you come out ahead. I would have the bus thoroughly checked out by a diesel mechanic. Just because you are spending more on the bus doesn't mean it's more reliable. Good luck.

P.S. My 89 BBAA has an 8.3 with a 4.10 rear end. I think rpm's are 1650 +/- @ 60 mph.

 

[Locutus]

The 3116 is a Cat.

Error noted and corrected. Thanks.

 

[The_Stuff]

heh thats like a 4 hour drive from me

and ya bit too much moola.

 

[opus-SKO]

Assuming its nice in person, what would you suggest as an offer?

 

[opus-SKO]

Ok, good to know. Dont have much time to wait on it. There is one just like it, closer, for $5400 but it doesn't have belly or overhead storage.

 

[keith-SKO]

Heck ill sell you mine and its already done it a 94 b/b tc2000 5.9 cumm 545 allison and it only has 36000 miles on it an they are true miles.the bus is from alabama, take $8,000 obo iam in Ga,,,just need to finsh some inter thing and the paint on the outside needs to be finsh too,have the paint for it,

 

[opus-SKO]

Thanks but a 5.9 wont cut it for us. Sure would be interested if it had an 8.3 and a 643 Allison.

 

[keith-SKO]

Well with a 5.9 you won't have to brother with the comperter like on a 8.3 and the 545 trans is the best to have mated to a cumm eng ,i have a5.9 with a 12 injecter pump,the 24 pumps are trash.more headachs. .i have had mine all over the mtns of N.C and VA.Tenn ,i planed on going out to S.D. Montana next yr and with a 12 to 14 mpg out there in the bad lands ..i see you at the fuel station has i go by....


byby. keith


ofcorse,what do i know,i been trucking for 30 yrs

 

[opus-SKO]

I dont see a 5.9 keeping me at 70+ mph and pulling the mountains in the west. Pretty hard to substitute cubic inches. I was under the impression that a 643 was a lockup tranny and more durable as well. Again, what do I know.

 

[The_Stuff]

Id love to cruise through ND and SD and go to real civilization lol.

but seriously id love to go see mount rushmore