And the search for the holy grail continues...

[pickpaul]

So after the trashed NY Bus yesterday, here are several others I'm looking at. Some are Entertainer buses that will need the bunks replaced with a bathroom and Kitchen. I'd love your opinions, especially related to price/value. My price reactions are based upon my reading of the market, not of the time and love these people will never get paid for...

This one seems like poor value but I love that as I could update it with new end caps and you've got to love the stage on the roof! No info on Eng/Trans which is a worry...

http://busforsale.com/lauralynn/index.htm

This one is older and an Eagle which I haven't considered as I like the recapped MCI's but the price is great. I wish you could put an MCI Renaissance Front cap on an Eagle (no offense Eagle lovers) I could grow to like it but worry about rust and how much longer the bus would be good for as I intend keep the bus I own for 20 years+

http://busforsale.com/sledgehammer/index.htm

I love the interior in this one, check out that steering wheel! It's got a turbo and a new paint job. I think the price is not outragious but still high for the current market.

http://busforsale.com/james_gang/index.htm

I think this is totally impractical for me but boy do I love it. Doesn't it's front end look reminiscent of a VW Bus on acid?

http://busforsale.com/vero/index.htm

This one has run on eBay several times and isn't selling for the $49k and much less seems like a steal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260325558947&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

I don't think this one will meet the reserve...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270310979423

V nice conversion but the price is just too high for me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Buses__MCI-Motorcoach-Conversion-Bus_W0QQitemZ280289812456QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2802QQddiZ2828QQadnZBusesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZBuses?hash=item280289812456&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

This would be a great start if I could face working from a shell...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Buses__1980-MCI-Bus-Shell_W0QQitemZ180310044505QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2802QQddiZ2828QQadnZBusesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZBuses?hash=item180310044505&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Thanks again for any thoughts.

Paul.

[rwc]

Thge first bus has 8V92 engine and automatic trans

[pickpaul]

Sorry, I knew that. I meant to say no history of when it was last rebuilt so it may need a new engine/transmission sooner than some of the others. Especially as a tour bus, it could have racked up the miles.

[white-eagle]

1990 eagle model 15, 8v92ta 740 tran, was on ebay last year.  looked line mine on outside.
owner sent me email offering to let me use it if i wanted to continue conversion.  the ebay price was starting at 10k, told me he'd sell for 15-20k.  now he has improved it and may want 35-40?

pm if you want his email.  bus is in california.

[uncle ned]

out of the bunch   guess i would take the aero

uncle ned

love my junk

[quantum500]

I don't know if you like GMC's but this seems like its worth the money. http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/cto/936396353.html

[Ednj]

out of the bunch   guess i would take the aero

uncle ned

love my junk

Suprised to see that there,
that bus was on Jay Leno's garage.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/2289.shtml 

[kyle4501]

out of the bunch   guess i would take the aero

uncle ned

love my junk

Me too! That aero out classes all the rest . . . .

[scanzel]

They can all look great in photos, but you really need to look at them. You never mention what your budget is on price. I had a budget of $30,000 when I looked with a max of $40,000. Bought on Eaby for $29,995 after seller sold all the seats for me. I had called the seller several times and discussed condition etc and felt confident enough to bid on. Seller even said that if I decided after flying out to not go through with the deal he had no problem with it, I would just be out a flight ticket cost. Had to do some mechanicals after getting it home but I am happy with the purchase. There are some better deals now but I would not be where I am now if I had waited three years.  With the economy in recession, cash in had talks loud when the seller needs it asap. Keep looking, you will find your bus.

[zubzub]

I know you are into mci just thought I would throw this into the mix.  I like  GMC buses and so far parts seem available if for no other reason then the running gear seems to be standard truck stuff and or still made for aftermarket and pos military.

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/rvs/925173940.html

http://detroit.kijiji.com/c-Cars-vehicles-Trailers-RVs-1958-GMC-4104-CONVERSION-BUS-Detroit-Best-offer-W0QQAdIdZ79720214

the 1st seems quite tight and then 2nd is probably a steal...it's been there for awhile. 

BTW there are lots of deals to be found on craigslist and kijiji...if you do an advanced search on google you can search bus mci only in one domain i.e., craigslist.org and then quickly scan for what's close to you.  Craigs used to block nationwide searches like this but it works now.

[Eagle78550]

I dont know if the Aero was on Jay Lenos garage ..but I do know that it was for sale before and represented as Howard Hughes coach .....it has alot of mystery to it as the Aero records show that it does not exist ...it also has Hughes Aircraft stamped in various places ...the hydraulics used are way ahead of its time as well as the stainless use ....during war time those metals were hard to come by for the average joe ....I hate to see that someone tore that coach apart ....she should have been left alone and intact ....just my .02 FWIW

[Len Silva]

I don't know what your budget is but, based on some personal experience, I would stay away from entertainers.  There may be some good ones out there but many have been mistreated worse than revenue coaches.

There are lots of low mileage professional conversions out there that have been meticulously maintained by owners who could afford them.

If I could, I would definitely spend more up front to get a good one.

I have been told that with the purchase of a used bus, be prepared to spend about 10% of the purchase price on repairs and maintenance.

[bobofthenorth]

I have been told that with the purchase of a used bus, be prepared to spend about 10% of the purchase price on repairs and maintenance.

And I've heard more like 30%.  I think the percentage likely fluctuates with the value of the coach - lower absolute values will lead to higher percentages both because the denominator for the percentage is small and because there is likely a reason or reasons why the coach is priced lower in the first place.  In our case we spent a significant amount of money for a coach with a strong service history and still ended up spending over 10% in immediate upgrades/overdue maintenance expenses. 

In the long term these things can be relatively less expensive to operate than some of the alternatives but they aren't free by any stretch.  The alternatives can be really expensive which means that busses can appear lower cost and still have a significant cost in their own right.

[buswarrior]

Entertainers/VIP coaches are highly suspect.

The maintenance doesn't get done, the coach only runs sporadically, sits for months/years between jobs, the money on many is made by running the thing into the ground and dumping it. They can borrow very heavily against the maintenance of a coach, and then sell it and come out ahead. Brakes, seals, suspension, oil changes, air system, GREASE,.... They only dump that coach prostitute because it can't make them any more money.

No way an MC9 is worth even close to $50 000 in my mind. Sorry, the chassis simply is not worth that much. 12 year old top line, good shape MCI 102DL, Series 60, B500, from reputable fleets are going for that.

For instance, who would pay $5 000 for a Ford Pinto, or an AMC Pacer, or a 1978 Chevrolet Nova, even if in showroom condition with a couple thousand miles on it?

The white MCI that you think won't meet reserve at $30 000 is closer. the one near Cincinnati Ohio. If it is all working and in good shape, look close at the tires, 8 new shoes will cost $3k and up, then $20 000 to purchase might be acceptable...

also, looks like it might not be the "owner" selling it, someone may be after their storage fees and let it go to recoup costs....

It is a buyers market, most buses are priced outrageously high.
Set your price and walk away.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Eagle78550]

I beg to differ on the entertainer coach maintainence issue...most of the entertainers I have seen were very well maintained as to not leave the group alongside the road. Entertainer coaches are usually not built for long term living and or boondocking ...showers are now becoming more common but most have little tanks for black and grey ..most of the storage underneath is for gear and now you see more and more towing trailers filled with even more gear. Now with that all being said ...Yes entertainer coaches are run hard and put up wet ....350-500 miles a day for months on end ..I know drivers that change the gen oil once a week ...I have seen interiors get thrashed and trashed due to drunken fights and or crazy women ...before body wraps became the fashion , some coaches were painted numerous times and were so thick you wouldnt see the rust until it was too late .....the bottom line is do your homework ...due diligence is the key ..just my .02