Conversion...Do it yourself or Buy pre-converted

[New2Busin]

  If you could as you poll, provide the vote you chose and why.  This will help a newb like myself and others that may read this pole in making a great choice to hard decisions they/us must make.

  Happy polling,
   Ben

[Melbo]

I don't know if you can amend the poll but I bought a conversion that was started and I still have not finished it but use it regularly.

Melbo

[Dreamscape]

I bought an older converted Eagle, and would do it again in a hearbeat. It came with most of the goodies needed that I kept.

There are some really good buys out there right now and one could be had for a pretty low cost.

You still have lots of work, but it's all worth it.

FWIW,

Paul

[scanzel]

If I had to do it all over again I would have done it 5 to 10 years back. At 58 I am having back problems, taking care of 2 sets of ageing parents, helping my son with his house and trying to work a 40 hr a week job. Just not enough time or me to go around to everyones needs. Plus taking care of my own house. Plus with the economy the way it is there are many used conversions that can probably be bought really cheap because they need the cash. I'll finish my conversion but it will just take longer.

[New2Busin]

I don't know if you can amend the poll but I bought a conversion that was started and I still have not finished it but use it regularly.

Melbo

  I suppose that could fall under "Bought a used conversion / Modify"

[JackConrad]

Although I voted to build it myself, because that is what did (9 years ago), if doing one today, I would probably buy a used conversion and modify, mainly because of the time factor amd cheaper. Jack

[Tenor]

I voted "build it myself" and that is mostly what I did.  The sides were reskined and the interior was gutted by the PO and that is as far as it got.  I've built everything else from there using a 1995 travel trailer for it's parts.  The trailer was water damaged, but the appliances/mechanicals were good.  That is really the way to go.  I had an opportunity to go to an auction and get a 35ft bus converted by a professional converter in the 1970's.  It looked beautiful, but the layout was not right.  I'd have a hard time taking apart something that nice.  If I reworked a coach, I'd look for something pretty unfinished or rough around the edges.

Glenn

[luvrbus]

Shop,shop and shop I looked at a 80s model Eagle conversion for a  couple of guys on the board  here that was in Phoenix for sale on EBay no rust good tires generator, inverter and was told the engine was bad come to find out the oil cooler was leaking and this bus sold for $8,300 Williams flushed the system installed a new oil cooler off he went for under $9000.00 and the 15kw generator (new) was worth what he paid for the bus      good luck

[Lin]

I would buy another converted bus, but I would get a better mechanic to look it over first.

[busshawg]

I voted buy used conversion and modify. Having said that there are a few factors that I would have to consider. I have looked at a few conversions here in Canada but found the weren't stipped down far enough for my preferance. Not saying he buses we badly done I just feel it's important to re-insulate from factory etc. Therefore to strip these buses right down would be defeating the purpose.

The second point is I found too many gray ares into bringing a converted bus across the border. Transport Canada seems to be a real pain in the #@@##.  When I was looking I found a real nice conversion down south for a resaonable price, thought that was my bus. However after doing some research I found it was too risky and bought one up here in Canuck land. Much more money that what I wanted to spend by the time it's all done but so far my bride hasn't left!

Have fun!

[New2Busin]

Pretty close so far...

  I'm up for either, depending on what most are saying...Shop, shop, shop!  My wife is good at that, so I'll employ her...LOL!  This is a great place for someone like me to find the ends and outs and hear from someone who's "been there and done that".  One thing that I don't want to do is buy now, thinking I have a deal of the century and have it sit for 7 years, hence the reason I started looking now and of course setting $$ aside for the purchase.

  Thanks for all your comments, by all means keep'm coming...


      Ben

[Lee Bradley]

I voted to do it yourself. Makes no sense economically, wether you're building a bus or a race car but I have done both because I want to know how it was put together. My MGB had every part that could be removed removed and a few that couldn't were removed and then sandblasted, painted and built piece by piece for racing. My Neoplan isn't quite that bad but close. All of the flooring has been removed and the floor is being lowered 7.5" back to the drive axle air bag frame; that was more engineering than I was willing to tackle. I will know where all the systems run and how they were installed. I guess it is worth the cost to me to have that knowledge.

[FloridaCliff]

Even though the one I am doing is a ground up, do it yourself project.

I voted for used conversion and modify.

With what I have learned and know now, after owning one for several years, I believe I could very easily identify that "Diamond in the rough".

Since there are usually some great deals in the used market, I could find something close to what I wanted and convert to my standards and tastes as I went.   

The main thing is to find generally what you want in a used one.  Its such an easier project when you are just "redecorating" one area at a time to your specifications.  Get tired of it, wait a month or so to change something else.

If you do the "REAL" math, its hard to argue against the Used and modify.

Just my opinion....

Cliff

[oldmansax]

I bought & voted Used and modify.

The only caveat I would have would be "depending on the market" Right now, you can get all kinds of deals. A little later, things may be different but I would still find something very close to what I want, professionally converted, & then modify it to my needs.

TOM

[Blacksheep]

I had a lot of fun doing this bus as it brought many friends into Susan and mine life. I would do it again as long as I had Susan to help! Now if we were to hit it rich somehow, I'd have a pro build it as we watched! Even though there are some great deals out there, I would rather know exactly what we have and buying one already done sort of leaves you in the dark especially when something goes haywire. If you did it and it breaks at least you have a head start in knowing where to look! If someone else did it, good luck finding the problem!
JMHO

Ace