How long have you had your coach?

[David Anderson]

I'm coming up on my 9th anniversary of backing the Houston Metro Eagle 10 into my back yard.  I can hardly believe it has been that long.  My coach will be 25 soon.  I guess I can qualify for an "antique car" license in Texas after that date.  I am sitting here thinking how much I have enjoyed busing over the past 9 years.  This has been one of the most pleasurable toys I've owned.  Though it is sometimes expensive as  most toys are, my family has really liked travelling in the coach.  As they say, "if momma is happy, everyone is happy".  That makes justification so much easier.  I have redone a few things that I didn't really like the way I did it the first time and had a few appliances tank on me, but that is just personal taste change and house maintenance. 

I've really enjoyed the cyber relationships gained from this board and BNO, and enjoyed meeting many of you guys in person.  We've lost some great minds in nine years, (Richard Bowyer and others), but this is still the go to place to get conversion info.  I plan on keeping the coach 9 more years and beyond.  Hopefully, I'll still be writing and seeing you guys till the bus (or I) quit running.

David

[Vanderbus]

5 days... Am I the newest newbie?

[Dreamscape]

I bought our Eagle Nov. 2003 and haven't looked back! Time flies when you're having so much fun! Sure wish I had more years with it under my belt though. I'm with you David, it'll be with me until one of us leaves this earth. Cause you'll have to pry the steering wheel from my "Cold Dead Hands".

~Paul~

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

4 years, 4 months... and counting.  And like a good wine, it get's better with age!

Nick-

[jmblake]

We bought our MCI in Jan 2004 and worked on it for three years so last year was our first year to actually use it, We put about 3500 mile on last year and hope to do even more this year. Hopefully Fuel stays down so we can enjoy even more. Jason

[belfert]

I will have had my coach for three years in less than a month.  I have enjoyed it, but would like to use it a bit more.

I am trying to convince the rocket guys to use it next month for a trip instead of jamming ourselves in three small cars with no leg room.

[johns4104s]

1st    4104  in   1983   25 years I still have the beauty.
2ND   4104  in    1996  12 years I still have the beauty.
3rd    4104  in   2006    3 years I still have  the beauty.
1st    MCI 9 in  2008    9 months still have  the beauty.

I just dont know how this happend, I got the trailways/greyhound bus bug 30 years ago.In my wildest dreams I never thought I would be a collector. When I purchased the first 04 my father in law and wife thought I had lost my marbles. I never asked them what they now think.
But they worked on the inside while I learned to work on the outside. If the truth were know they both have the bus nut bug.

John

[Paladin]

I bought mine on Sept 13, 2007 and I wish I were much further along with it but I'm plugging along!
It's hard going sometimes when it's a one man show with no helpers.

When we brought in home it stood out like an elephant along the side of the house having a 40' long bus in the driveway and that sits as high as the rain gutters on our little house but now we don't really notice it as much.....except when we look out any of the south facing windows of the house! 


-Dave

[rdbishop]

I bought my bus in 1987. Been working on it ever since but LOVE it.

Richard

[Chopper Scott]

Newbie here also. Just got mine last July. It may be a 37 year old bus but it's pampered now and once I hit my golden years I should have it just where I want it. We just campout and such with it for now but a trip to Daytona is in the plans for next winter. Right now I couldn't imagine full timing. I stumble over the wife as it is in a 2500 square foot house!!! Later

[Singing Land Cruiser]

We have had our 1987 MCI 102A3 with an 8v92TA engine and 5 spd manual transmission for almost 1 month now. We have had the other RVs in the past and enjoyed them. BUT never could dream the ride of a bus could be so smoooooooth. I love air. This baby will last us on past our goden years. All the Best, Michael & Christi Hargis

[WEC4104]

In May, I will have owned my 4104 for 9 years. Wow, the time really flies by, and she has added countless memories to our family's collection.  She truely has become a part of the family, and many of our friends have taken part in trips or day excursions as well.

What I find even more remarkable is the realization that this year is her 50th birthday!   In my driveway is a 1959 piece of machinery with well over a million miles on the chassis.... and she is looking back at me, willing and able to tackle the next million.  I tip my hat to the GMC engineers for their incredible work, and a machine that may well out live me.

[Barn Owl]

You should have attached this topic to a poll. I don't know if it's to late or just start it over. 3yrs for me.

[Greg Roberts]

Bought my Eagle 20 in New Jersey in May 2001 and began the conversion in a rented warehouse. I did all of the dry in type work in that warehouse over the first 13 months. I worked 4 hours a couple of evenings each week and also 16 hours on most weekends. Was really handy being able to demo and then raise the roof and install the new floor and then just close the roll door and walk out without having exposure to the weather and so forth. Nice wind-free place to do all of my welding a painting too!

[TomC]

Bought mine for $4,000.00 (AMGeneral 10240B transit) in March of '93 in Kelso, Washington and left it there to have the bus mechanic change the wheel bearings from grease to oil, install Jakes, increase the injectors from N55 to brown tag N65's and to change the rear end from 5.59 to 4.56.  Brought it down in January of 1994 (exchanged a '79 GMC Astro with a silver 6V-92TA for the work done) and took off from work from March of 1994 till June of 1995 to work on it full time.  From 1995 till 2000, worked on it 3 months a year when I was off from cross country truck driving.  It has been done since January of 2000 and have averaged about 3,000 miles a year driving.
Now am starting on my '85 Kenworth cabover conversion.  Yesterday just pulled it out of our shop after having the frame stretched 4ft (from 235" wheelbase to 283" wheelbase).  It is at Pedco in Santa Fe Springs, Ca having the 13spd manual taken out to install the Allison HT740 four speed.  Was just informed today that my radiator is shot-need to go over to Atlas radiator tomorrow and see about that.  A new project is always fun. Good Luck, TomC