Ok, so driving back from Myrtle Beach, SC the other day ... I began to daydream ... mile marker after mile marker. This after buying a Wednesday night PowerBall ticket and simply wondering -- "What if?"
Ok, well right off the bat I pretty much decided that I'd buy a new shell. I'd order one from the factory -- the way I wanted it. Then I'd send it to a Professional converter (THE "WHO" IS THE SECOND QUESTION). Yeah, why not!
Ok, so although Prevost is the popular conversion coach, I'd still order an MCI. Why? Well, after 3 MCI's, I like MCI. Kinda like if you're a Ford man ... you continue to order Ford. Whether right or wrong.
Ok, so then an MCI. Which one though. Well, although popular ... I am NOT one for an all fiberglass exterior. I like polished stainless. I like that classic look. Beyond that, you've got all the other bells and whistles, which I may or may not go for. I do like a bus that looks like a bus. I (personally) don't need the burled wood dashboard and hoop-de-doos there. I wouldn't go for the steerable tag axle. Although I do hear from drives they make a difference. I have yet to hear one driver tell me they "don't" have some sort of problems with them.
So it'd either be a E-4500 LX http://www.mcicoach.com/newcoaches/ConversionCoaches/conversionE4500.htm#TWO
or a D-4505 http://www.mcicoach.com/newcoaches/ConversionCoaches/conversionE4500.htm#TWO
I've always liked the MCI 102DL3 and hence my interest in the D-4505.
Then the question comes in at which engine. The DD S-60 or the CAT C-13? Anyone have experience with either. Although I realize that Detroit is probably more common among coach owners and Mfg's, the CAT does pique my interest.
Beyond that, there's one other (maybe) little detail I like. Blue Birds (if I am not mistaken) offers the exhaust through the roof. This I think is a nice detail/ option. I've never seen this on any factory MCI. Is it possible or something you think they'd offer a Lottery winner with a bag of cash wanting to order a new shell? :)
Ok, well enough of the day dreaming, back to the real world and work.
So, your turn. Share your, "IF I WON THE LOTTERY, I'D ORDER A ____________ BUS SHELL" idea.
Jerry H.
Jerry,
I would pick an EL3, I like the body style.
DREAMING is the only way that dreams can come true!!!
Keep Dreaming!
Nick Badame-
Quote from: JerryH on April 15, 2006, 02:15:15 PM
Ok, so driving back from Myrtle Beach, SC the other day ... I began to daydream ... mile marker after mile marker. This after buying a Wednesday night PowerBall ticket and simply wondering -- "What if?"
Ok, well right off the bat I pretty much decided that I'd buy a new shell. I'd order one from the factory -- the way I wanted it. Then I'd send it to a Professional converter (THE "WHO" IS THE SECOND QUESTION). Yeah, why not!
Ok, so although Prevost is the popular conversion coach, I'd still order an MCI. Why? Well, after 3 MCI's, I like MCI. Kinda like if you're a Ford man ... you continue to order Ford. Whether right or wrong.
Ok, so then an MCI. Which one though. Well, although popular ... I am NOT one for an all fiberglass exterior. I like polished stainless. I like that classic look. Beyond that, you've got all the other bells and whistles, which I may or may not go for. I do like a bus that looks like a bus. I (personally) don't need the burled wood dashboard and hoop-de-doos there. I wouldn't go for the steerable tag axle. Although I do hear from drives they make a difference. I have yet to hear one driver tell me they "don't" have some sort of problems with them.
So it'd either be a E-4500 LX http://www.mcicoach.com/newcoaches/ConversionCoaches/conversionE4500.htm#TWO
or a D-4505 http://www.mcicoach.com/newcoaches/ConversionCoaches/conversionE4500.htm#TWO
I've always liked the MCI 102DL3 and hence my interest in the D-4505.
Then the question comes in at which engine. The DD S-60 or the CAT C-13? Anyone have experience with either. Although I realize that Detroit is probably more common among coach owners and Mfg's, the CAT does pique my interest.
Beyond that, there's one other (maybe) little detail I like. Blue Birds (if I am not mistaken) offers the exhaust through the roof. This I think is a nice detail/ option. I've never seen this on any factory MCI. Is it possible or something you think they'd offer a Lottery winner with a bag of cash wanting to order a new shell? :)
Ok, well enough of the day dreaming, back to the real world and work.
So, your turn. Share your, "IF I WON THE LOTTERY, I'D ORDER A ____________ BUS SHELL" idea.
Jerry H.
A brand new scenicruiser...you guys are dreamin' too.
I wouldn't and couldn't get a Brand new Scenic, but I would have two rebuilt from the ground up. One seated, and one as a conversion coach. Of course, they'd have to have consecutive VIN numbers. LOL
By the way Jerry,
YOU came to Myrtle Beach and didn't stop over here in Florence to say HI?
For SHAME!!!
Dallas
Shame.........Shame..........Shame...........Shame..........Shame..........Shame..........
[/b]
Hey Dallas:
Sorry! :( Florence, off I-95? How far are you from the Latta Flying "J"??
Went down with 8 people -- my family and another. It was a stretch for me to stop at Ft. Bragg and visit my old stomping ground. Wow, things have REALLY changed there.
We head south (to FL) every November for Thanksgiving. Let me know where you are and will make every effort to swing by. In fact, open to any other BusNuts between PA and FL. Not too far off the beaten path of I-95 ... let me know, we'll try and swing by. :)
Thanks Dallas!
Jerry H.
By the way Jerry,
YOU came to Myrtle Beach and didn't stop over here in Florence to say HI?
For SHAME!!!
Dallas
Other interesting shells would be the new model Setra. It's high on looks, driving comfort and storage. I also like the J model bus from MCI. It's a lot like the E model but it is simpler (less electronics) and stiffer on the road just like the DL. You could also look at the new X3-45 from Prevost. It's all new and just come out in January. My choice would go to a coin toss between an H3-45 and an E model MCI. Both are great as far as I am concerned. I have had a chance to drive all these busses exept the X3-45.
Good luck dreaming!
Pat
Ok - the 4500 XL would be hard to beat in my way of thinking..... Now you've done it - I won't be able to sleep a wink tonight for day dreaming ::)
Danny
Modern framework with classic Flxible looking body. (using modern materials.) :)
I'd buy a 40ft D series MCI. More tradional looking, simpler. Would get the Series 60 although the C13 isn't bad, you'll get a tad better fuel mileage with the Series 60 (is still the fuel mileage champ in the trucking world). If I could get it in a 2 axle, I would. You don't need the tag since you're not hauling all the bodies and cargo. Good Luck, TomC
Even if I won the lottery I wouldn't buy a new shell. I am perfectly happy with my bus, if I won the lottery the most I would do is hire someone to help me finish the interior trim work. I thought we converted buses because we like to do it and enjoy the hobby. Buying a new shell and having someone else do the conversion for you takes all the fun out of it, unless you like trying to figure out how everything works and having to take the bus in everytime something goes wrong.
--Geoff
'82 RTS AZ
Geoff:
Well, personally ... given the choice, I'd rather drive it and take fun trips than build it. The conversion process is one of necessity -- having hit a BIG lottery, yeah ... I'd be buying a new coach and then choosing my converter carefully. In any case, my desired conversion would observe the K.I.S.S. rule and I'd avoid those unnecessary bells and whistles. Air operated doors -- nope. Computer operated everything else -- No. Night vision -- what?
Yeah, I'd relax ... get a coach done nicely and quickly ... then travel. Can't get simplier than that!
Jerry H.
Quote from: Geoff on April 16, 2006, 09:14:25 AM
Even if I won the lottery I wouldn't buy a new shell. I am perfectly happy with my bus, if I won the lottery the most I would do is hire someone to help me finish the interior trim work. I thought we converted buses because we like to do it and enjoy the hobby. Buying a new shell and having someone else do the conversion for you takes all the fun out of it, unless you like trying to figure out how everything works and having to take the bus in everytime something goes wrong.
Winning the lottery and being able to kick back and enjoy rather than work sounds great! But I must be hyperactive because everytime I go camping I enjoy driving the bus, but get bored sitting around the campground and start finding things to adjust or fix on the bus. I visited Quartzsite earlier this year and saw hundreds of RVs camped everywhere and started wondering just what do these people do camped out in the desert all winter?
--Geoff
Quote from: Geoff on April 17, 2006, 05:18:48 AM
Winning the lottery and being able to kick back and enjoy rather than work sounds great! But I must be hyperactive because everytime I go camping I enjoy driving the bus, but get bored sitting around the campground and start finding things to adjust or fix on the bus. I visited Quartzsite earlier this year and saw hundreds of RVs camped everywhere and started wondering just what do these people do camped out in the desert all winter?
--Geoff
Wow Geoff. You and I are in the same pickle. We tried full timing for a few months and I about went bananas with nothing to do but sit. Gave it up and decided to retire to the mountains and help raise the great grand kids.
Richard
Geoff:
I agree, I am not one of those park it for any length of time people. With kids that are 8 and 12 -- we're still movers and shakers. Not suggesting however that retirees aren't movers and shakers :)
We love to travel. We love to be at this location a few days ... another location a few days, etc. Love "doing our own thing" ... but with so many project "irons in the fire", it'd be nice to pass the baton and have something actually 100% complete.
Or ... to satisfy that urge to work on, or tinker with, something ... I guess I could ask the converter (if this actually became a reality) to leave some wires loose and leave me the "punch-list". :)
Besides that, you wouldn't find me parked in a desert either. Give me the mountains and ocean. To add to the conversion 'wish-list', I'd have a decent sized trailer suitable of housing a car for 4 people and other various toys for the active (jet-ski(s), quad(s), bicycles, etc.). Hey, if you're going to think big for the winnings of some crazy multi-million lottery, might as will think BIG (excluding the air-op doors and otehr froo-froo).
Hey, dreaming is free.
Jerry H.
Quote from: Geoff on April 17, 2006, 05:18:48 AM
Winning the lottery and being able to kick back and enjoy rather than work sounds great! But I must be hyperactive because everytime I go camping I enjoy driving the bus, but get bored sitting around the campground and start finding things to adjust or fix on the bus. I visited Quartzsite earlier this year and saw hundreds of RVs camped everywhere and started wondering just what do these people do camped out in the desert all winter?
--Geoff
Well...I guess if I'm dreaming of hitting it big, I'd have a custom bus built from the ground up. This bus would not only have at least three slides, but a rear roof system that would extend upwards, when parked, to create a master suite/loft with french doors located in the front of it so I could walk out onto a deck, from the second floor, that is integrated into the roof. It would be a kind of convertable two story bus with an observation deck. :D
Falling back into reality, I would love to have a J4500. It's one of those MCI things I guess. ::)
But if I was realistic of what it would really be like to win the lottery, I guess I would have someone take me to the local IRS tax office and give the IRS there share and see if I had enough money left to get a cab home. :(
Always Follow Your Dreams!!!