Newbie

[Dawgs]

We'll I've finally decided pull the trigger and get a bus!!  I'm currently looking at a 1979 MCI 9 and a 1968 Silver Eagle 5.  I've been reading the pros and cons of both and both seam like good candidates.  No matter which one I decide, I'm sure that I will have 10 million questions to ask on different ways to do things and I hope I won't be to much off a pain in the butt.  I have great mechanical skills and am a good woodworker.  But I have never even owned a motor home, so I am truly a rookie.

Jim.    Home base in Kansas but travel the world for work.

[Jim Eh.]

Hi. Assume both converted already?

[Dawgs]

Nope, neither one converted.  I plan on doing all that myself.  I have totally remodeled a house, including building the kitchen cabinets from scratch.  So I'm not afraid of work and my wife tends to think I am a perfectionist.  Not really but I don't tend to shortcut, I hate having to do things twice.

Jim

[grantgoold]

Go with the 9!!!! You can still get almost any part you will need and several parts buses can be found! I loved the platform but will admit the Eagle is a beautiful bus!

Grant
Clearly biased!

[Oonrahnjay]

Go with the 9!!!! You can still get almost any part you will need and several parts buses can be found! ... 

     Yeah, many of us like the "classic" buses, but a few years difference in age seems to make a lot of difference in parts availability, improved design built into the bus, etc.  I agree with Grant here (although I don't have any experience with either bus you mentioned).

[luvrbus]

The Eagle is a better bus plenty of parts around for Eagles

[Seangie]

I must say after owning an Eagle for the last few years and then seeing the pain  my good bus friends who own MCI 9s go through to change starters, battery cables, air filters...etc....I have to agree with Luvrbus.  Go with the Eagle. 

I will say as an Eagle disclaimer...make sure it has No Rust!  Don't be afraid to get dirty and pull things apart.  Nothing worse than getting into a bus project and finding that you bought a great engine, new tires but there is no frame left.

-Sean

[eagle19952]

usually on an Eagle if the sides are straight the frame work above the bays is good, sight down the side and look for waves..

the lower baggage bay supports and wheel hoops are pretty easy fixes
get the serial # and many here can tell if it led a salt life.

[Dave5Cs]

Yep Luvrbus is right there are a lot of parts for Eagles for sure. They are all laying on the side of the road from falling off from rust. Just kidding you all back.
If it were me and it's not I would look at some that are already 80 to 90 percent done. Price of buses are way down right now and have seen some pretty nice Eagles as well as MCI's and GM's these days. If you don't care for the intereior looks you at least have all the parts to re arrange to your likes. If you have to buy all that stuff it can cost many thousands of dollars. Also you might consider a MCI 5 they are only 35 feet long and two less tires. That's a 1,000.00 dollars right there. Just saying.

Dave5Cs

[RJ]

Jim -

This has been said before in lots of different threads, but it bears repeating:

The market for converted coaches is totally in the toilet right now, many nice units selling for not much more than scrap prices.  Have you looked at any of the offerings on this site's classifieds, or the ones over on BNO's? ( http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=5&b=176 )

It makes far, far more sense to purchase one already converted and then remodel to your taste (if necessary), rather than starting from scratch.  There are lot's of dreams sitting in back yards for whom the tasks involved overwhelmed them.

Spend a LOT more time doing your homework before plunking down your hard earned dollars.  It's very easy to buy a bus, but it's far more difficult to sell a mistake!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[luvrbus]

John has a 89 Prevost for sale with a slide he is in Texas make him a offer and do it your way

[Van]

Speaking of back yard finds, Clifford has a nice 05 sitting in his 

[Seangie]

Speaking of back yard finds, Clifford has a nice 05 sitting in his 

Dang Clifford...you holding out on us???

[dukegrad98]

John has a 89 Prevost for sale with a slide he is in Texas make him a offer and do it your way

Sold!   

Cheers, John

[Dawgs]

Call me a gluttin for punishment, but this is just one of those things that I have to do myself.  I'm the type that will jump in with both feet and get the job done......my wife says almost to the point of an obsession, and she is correct.  When i do start a major project everything else seems not to matter much other than remaining gainfully employed.  I've already been working out floor plans, Genny,s, plumbing and if needed replacement power packs.  If I go with the eagle I will probably convert from 4 speed to auto just I case the wife ever needs to/or wants to drive it......and I'm sure she will.  The MCI 9 already has that issue taken care of.   All in all, I love a good challenge!!

Jim