Options, Advice, Decisions Part 4 - Shopping and acquisition

[windtrader]

@Scott & Heather,
Thanks so much. To my core, I can not believe how much experience and wisdom exists here and so freely shared. When there are different options, there will be different opinions. Each person needs to understand each and every one and refine and validate their own definition of "best". I know more than zero, hey, maybe even enough to take the essential steps to acquire a bus that meets my expectations, all due to you folks.

@lvmci - will look him up. thanks

@RJ,

re -  scratch bargainbusnews dot com. - Yep. Figured that one out after calling the number. Asked how the bus inspection process goes. Completely stupid answer indicating he had no clue about actually coordinating such services for buyers. SCRATCHED!

re. - Same with mci102 dot com. Humm.. i did speak with someone related to that family of sites about slides. Seemed quite knowledgeable so I kept that one on the list if ever wanting to DIY a slide in the future. With a Buffalo, not sure if that is even possible due to shell.

CL searching. I found that site not very accurate or current. I built my own list of links with custom filters to omit all the listings of no interest to me; for example, school buses not for me. It takes about thirty seconds to run them all then just click through the latest postings. Here is an example:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=bus+-VW+-Thomas+-Blue+-International+-Ford+-+%22school+bus%22+-party&excats=5-2-13-22-2-24-1-4-19-1-1-1-1-1-1-3-6-10-1-1-1-12-1-1-1-1-1-4-1-7-1-1-1-1-7-1-1-2-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1&srchType=T

@luvrbus -  As you know my preference is to find an already converted based on a 4 stroke like a DD Series 60. These are found in mid 90's buses and my research of following solds is about $15k. Then time and vast amounts of money and sweat later, I'll likely be too old to enjoy it or be dead. So, 2 strokes are a compromise. Maybe a 92 series might be easier on parts but it is all a compromise, right?

@daddysgirl - Yep, now I better understand the landmines from the puddles!

[muldoonman]

@luvrbus -  As you know my preference is to find an already converted based on a 4 stroke like a DD Series 60. These are found in mid 90's buses and my research of following solds is about $15k. Then time and vast amounts of money and sweat later, I'll likely be too old to enjoy it or be dead. So, 2 strokes are a compromise. Maybe a 92 series might be easier on parts but it is all a compromise, right?/quote]

Find (2) 4 stroke DD Series 60  mid 90 buses at that 15K figure and I'll take the other one.  Heck I'll pay you a finders fee. 

PS, just got back from a 600 mile trip to the beach (Gulf Coast) in my 85,000 mile 2 stroke and all went well.

[windtrader]

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6022721669.html

Here you go. I saw them and have plenty of pictures  and Vin. BUY both.


I'm new here but probably the freshest set of boots on the ground on what listed and what's selling, operative word SOLD.

[Scott & Heather]

Plenty of mid 90's coaches with 60 series for $15,000.  I'm with don on this. The issue he's discussing is that he doesn't want to spend the time and money to convert. So his compromise is: instead of buying a mid 90's 4 stroke shell for $15,000 he's wanting to find a two stroke already converted coach. Makes sense to me and frankly that's the advice many of you on here give to prospectors. Dollar for dollar it's cheaper to buy a coach already done than to convert yourself.


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[muldoonman]

Kinda wonder what total mileage the coaches have at that price. 168,000 on rebuild but everything else need fixing. I know they say 1 million mile coaches and know some on here have um but a million is a bunch. Friend has a truck with over that, it looked perfect,  and fixed something major stuff until he figured, after trans, tandem rear ends and brake systems could have bought a low mileage one and come out ahead. He didn't have the place or knowledge to work on it. That was his first mistake. Always something with these buses. Gotta love um and have money in your pocket or it sits. Your getting good advice on here and hope you find your coach. It's out there.

[luvrbus]

The DL3 is a good bus I looked at some in the $15,000 range you need deep pockets those  have been rode hard with little or no maintenance and with rust problems plus they have both the 11.1 or 12.7 series 60 engine so you watch that too.There has been more than 12,000 of the D's manufactured and are still being produced, parts are easy to come by for the D   

[windtrader]

@muldoon - I'd be really surprised if they have not flipped over. These specific coaches have a decent pedigree as they were bought by the current operator directly from MCI, so were well checked out and documented at that point. Since then he has his own full time mechanic servicing the fleet and 3rd party folks for the most major work.

@luvrbus - They are D3, not DL. His ad is party correct, 47 passenger but missed on the model number. The owner is more businessman, focused on competition and client needs wanting newer coaches in the fleet. This operator is in the heart of Silicon Valley, competing with the gaggles of private contracted coaches shuttling tech works between campuses and SF and East Bay. During commute times they clog the HOV lanes. I mentioned my working at PayPal and eBay and he quickly replied that he lost his contract there. No surprise as the current shuttles are very nice. Gotta be competitive to stay in business.

[luvrbus]

If you find a bus you really like with a 2 stroke engine I'll give my good friends number he located in Bakerfield Ca and you can speak with him because I have no idea how far he would be willing to travel from Bakerfield   

[windtrader]

I'm trying to line this up this week, at this point Thursday, Friday. I'm planning on heading down Wed or Thurs. From Bakersfield it's a 4 hour drive. Plus inspection time plus return trip, a very long day or an overnight trip.  If he's interested, get a quote and  PM or email his contact info.  Thanks.

[luvrbus]

I would narrow my search to a T drive bus with a Allison not a V drive GM people love the V drive lol not me  

[B_K]

I'm trying to line this up this week, at this point Thursday, Friday. I'm planning on heading down Wed or Thurs. From Bakersfield it's a 4 hour drive. Plus inspection time plus return trip, a very long day or an overnight trip.  If he's interested, get a quote and  PM or email his contact info.  Thanks.

Trust me I know the way Don drives it would only be 3 hrs each way for him + inspection time. But the problem is Don works thru the week and would have to make it a weekend trip.
  BK 

[luvrbus]

Trust me I know the way Don drives it would only be 3 hrs each way for him + inspection time. But the problem is Don works thru the week and would have to make it a weekend trip.
  BK 

It slow around the shop were he is working so Don has time off during the week,I don't know if he even would want to do it but I can ask, I spoke with him yesterday he was at home   

[windtrader]

Sounds good. Let's get this deal done. I sent you my contact details in PM.

[Scott & Heather]

Don do let us know when and what you purchase with pictures too


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[luvrbus]

Don, I PM'd Fairchilds contact number you 2 work it out if he is interested