Newbie/Oldie at times we look at/for new bus projects. I am sometimes impressed with some of the catch phrases used.
I thought it would be good/fun to post some of the ones we should watch out for. I'll start with some of my red flags.
1. I'm selling this for a friend.
2. That rust stain is superficial.
3. The bus seems to run well for a 30/40 year old bus.
4. It only uses a pint of oil in 500 miles.
5. It was converted/done by a professional. (no name forth coming)
6. I'm not a mechanic but it is a good runner.
There are a lot of you that know more than I so please add to the list. You can consider it a PSA for those who are looking.
Skip
7. Recent rebuilt, no documentation
8. Leaks oil/blows smoke, like every other Detroit
9. No more air leaks than to be expected, you can't stop'em all
10. Drives like new, mileage unknown.
11. The tires should get you home or the tires will hold air.
12. It worked/ran when I parked it.
The bus company (or the government) completely rebuilt everything just before they took it out of service.
It was only used in charter service between town and the Indian Casino, about once a month or so.
It's really a Scenicruiser, that second set of doors in the back is where they used it as a band bus. I think they decided to lower it so they cut the bays out. That serial number, TDH-XXXX-XXXX means that it's XXXX number of the Scenicruiser line.
(Hey, I actually heard a guy say that).
Church bus only used on Sundays! ;D
Run the other way when you see a bus For Sale from a church.
It's had very little to no maintenance.
Been there and done that! :P
jlv
Quote from: roadrunnertex on July 17, 2007, 02:52:55 PM
Run the other way when you see a bus For Sale from a church.
It's had very little to no maintenance.
Amen! I think the parishioners expect
God to take care of the maintenance. ;) So God help
you if you by a church bus. BTDT myself. A
divine experience it was not.
- All Detroits leak oil. That's normal.
Oops.. I see Buffalo has the same thing in different words.. Sorry.
This bus would make a great conversion project...
(Don't they all?)
I'd make more on E-bay but I just don't feel like messing with it.
Or, I saw one just like it on E-bay that went for twice what I'm asking.
Sorry can't resist
20. The conversion is 90% complete.
21. All the hard work is done.
Skip
22. 40,000 miles on rebuilt engine and transmission.
What is it about the magic number "40,000 miles"? It seems like half the buses for sale claim at least the engine was rebuilt 40,000 miles ago.
One more,
Never a Hound!
And to get it to start you have to turn on the step and chime switch!
It has the in-station A/C door on the left side under the driver's window.
Extra aux fuel tank in the forward baggage bin.
And the yellow and white bin loading decals on the baggage bin walls.
And the word America on the destination sign scroll!
But the person selling it will swear it was never a Hound! ::)
jlv ;D
i'm starting to get nervous after all this. even though i've had mine for over a year, i think most of those comments were made. plus jlv said watchout for church buses and mine was converted by an evangelist minister from Canada who said he only drove it on Saturdays!!!!! :o
am i in trouble??? :'(
Tom,
We've (well at least me) have been bitten by some of the phrases(actually alot). They don't apply to everyone that has
uttered those phrases but they are indicators to make sure that one investigates a little further. If you
were like me I did my homework I read everything on what one should do to buy a bus but when talking to the seller
I didn't alway tune in to what they were saying. The excitement and "well that's not a big deal I can handle", "this person
is giving me the straight info (even though it was hyperboly)" are things that if we have already heard the phrase it
should sound a bell to investigate further. No more no less
"Here's my sign" I asked the question wrong and got an answer that should have sent up red flags.
Enjoy I hope we all see a little of our selves in this.
Skip