Bus appraisel WOW!!

jjrbus · November 02, 2006, 03:57:34 PM

Just got the results of my appraisel, $82,000 !!!!!!!!!! far beyond anything I expected.

www.automotiveappraisals.com

Tim Strommen · November 02, 2006, 04:00:42 PM

Must suck to run an automotive appraisal business on "Lemon Drive"

-Tim

H3Jim · November 02, 2006, 04:13:26 PM

care to share any details with us of that appraisal?

bus type
year
mileage
equipement
condition

equipement in the conversion or house part

Was it a comparable sale type appriasal or an opinion or did they total what you have invested in it?

Inquiring minds want to know...

NJT5047 · November 02, 2006, 06:35:31 PM

jjrbus, share some pix of your coach...did you have to place a dated newpaper in your picx?
I bought one of those appraisals too. Very nice folk to work with. They did a detailed questionair and I sent them lots of pix. They came back with a value of $80K and some change on my 87 MC9. Very cool. I'm gonna frame the appraisal.
I show it to people that don't know any better.
I'll garuntee that my bus would bring ahh...maybe (maybe not).....$40K. Since that's what I've got in it...sans labor. I've figured that the market for home-grown conversions (with some exceptions...Ace's bus comes to mind) is so poor that I'd be better off to strip all conversion hardware from my bus and sell the shell.
Appraisals are great for insurance purposes, but most homegrown coaches won't bring what an appraisal would indicate.
My appraisal was both comps and their opinion. It would take pages to list what they ask for.
Where home-grown conversions hit a wall is with financing to potential buyers. Age, construction issues regarding non-certified wiring and plumbing installed by non-licensed bus owners (exceptions here too), and quality of the chassis are all problematic. That's another reason to part out a conversion and sell the shell. Probably do better overall.
I may be rudely suprised, but an insulated, framed and cabineted (even poor Lowes cabs) shell oughta bring 15K or thereabouts...?? I'd have to sell my coach in it's presently almost completed form for $55K to do as well, and then have to find all the stuff that I bought to build the first conversion..? One would also avoid liability exposure by selling the coach with the LP and electrical components removed. I wonder what sort of liability we present when selling a home-built conversion?

Ross and I briefly discussed this strip-the-bus concept recently. Any opinions?
Cheers, JR

jjrbus · November 03, 2006, 10:34:44 AM

I'm not real good with computer so no pics. I am going to start trying to learn to use them, but not now. Bus is a 79 MCI5C Saudi model, 6v71/slushbox. 8in roof raise with all the usual. Honda gas genset (RV type), trace DR3624 inverter. Lots of oak and mirrors. Air leveling system, center entrace, main awning only. Work is well done and presents well.
Bus appraised at $82K but they said they would not buy it for that! Color me surprised!!!! Amount is based on comparables. Yes had to send in pics with paper showing date. Very good people to deal with.
I'm intto bus for maybe$55K. When I sell soon I have to remember there are 2 ways to price something, price to sell or price to keep!!!! It is only worth what someone will pay.

brojcol · November 03, 2006, 02:19:19 PM

QuoteI'll garuntee that my bus would bring ahh...maybe (maybe not).....$40K.

JR, let me know when you get ready to sell...

Jimmy

NJT5047 · November 03, 2006, 02:56:05 PM

Quote from: brojcol on November 03, 2006, 02:19:19 PM
QuoteI'll garuntee that my bus would bring ahh...maybe (maybe not).....$40K.
JR, let me know when you get ready to sell...
Jimmy

Jimmy, you ever heard of "curb appeal"....that's what my bus has. Curb appeal at 100'.
I'll let you know anyway...maybe I misjudge the value of these things!

I look at the coaches in the ads and see what they are bringing... it looks like the really nice factory converted upscale units are the better deals. As with all things, you gotta see'em before you know.
Maybe next year...or the year after? Gotta get retarded and see if I can afford another coach...like I want.
Still looking at the 102D3s. Right now, the only D3s that are affordable (that I could afford) are mostly crap...
That may be the story too. These things are too nice to take out of service unless the op expense is getting too high.
My NJT has been a remarkably decent unit for the price. Still believe that most NJTs were better maintained than the average used coach.
Best, JR

brojcol · November 03, 2006, 03:30:53 PM

Maybe next year or the year after is about when I will be ready to start looking...

This may be a very fortuitous exchange...

NJT5047 · November 03, 2006, 05:00:26 PM

Jimmy, now that you bought it, you wanna see a copy of my appraisal? We're back on topic now eh?
Bring yourself to Arcadia and you can compare the appraisal with your new coach. That will be interesting.

May I be the first to wish you good luck with your new purchase!

BTW, hope you are you a good mechanic!

Best, Honest JR's Used Bus Sales

brojcol · November 03, 2006, 06:39:21 PM

WOW, and I haven't even kicked the tires yet.

Are you sure that JR is not Jr Samples? You're one heck of a salesman!

As far as mechanics go, with that 100,000 mile warranty you're giving me, I can't go wrong