Here's a thought...

[richard5933]

I'm going to disagree with any use of the term "better" without qualifications.

The whole conversation about "better" starts and ends with what one individual considers "better", what particular features he's looking for, the intended use, etc. etc. etc.

For me a newer bus might be easier, might be faster, might be roomier, might even be more reliable. But it wouldn't be "better". Why? Simply put, because I want a vintage bus. I have nothing against newer buses, but I don't want one right now.

Kind of like telling someone out on a high-wheel bicycle that it would be "better" to get a newer bike. Might be safer, faster, or even more convenient. But if the reason the guy is on the high-wheel is because he enjoys riding the high-wheel, no other bike is going to be "better."

[luvrbus]

The best part of the MCI DL3 is they are still in production after 24 years (D4500) so there plenty of used and new parts available almost 30,000 were manufactured to date that is unbelievable ,they have a rust area but are not that hard to repair on the 90 models.lol and no rusted out air beams to deal with either 

[Boomer]

They are the MC-9 of modern times.  Find a desert car with no corrosion and you have a pretty bullet proof platform (even tho I'm a Prevost guy) but have owned lots of MC-8's and 9's.

[DoubleEagle]

If you want keep older equipment going with minimal parts you should emulate the Cuban's that kept 1950's vehicles going for decades with no parts support. I was impressed to see them do things like turn tire rubber on a lathe to make O-rings.  They could probably fashion some brake drums for a 4905 from some Russian truck.

[Jim Blackwood]

I think it's great that some of you guys are keeping the old iron rolling. I'll never match your accumulated miles but then I never wanted to either. Goes to what Richard says about better and I really agree with that. What kept me from buying a bus 20 years back was the requirement to do a roof raise. I even put up a building that I made sure was large enough if I decided to do that but in the end it wasn't necessary as prices came down on the D models. And oddly enough, that extra 2mpg with the 4 strokes was the turning point. I'm well aware that it doesn't make any sense, but the difference between getting 6-7mpg and getting 8-9 was enough to turn the tide. At that point I could begin to say it was almost as economical as my pickup instead of saying it took twice as much fuel. It's a psychological thing but that never diminished the importance. From that point on the little things started to add up. Air suspension, check. Automatic, check. Aux heating unit, check. r134 AC system, check. That's just the larger items. But hands down the largest was the price.

Jim

[Knuckles]

Old bus  new bus depends what turns your crank if you like vintage and love wrenching on them buy old. If you just want to drive without wrenching buy new with warranty. If you don't mind a little tinkering get something inbetween but we are all busnuts because we love buses not some stick and staple piece of crap that won't last five years and has the looks of an alien spaceship

[windtrader]

we love buses not some stick and staple piece of crap that won't last five years and has the looks of an alien spaceship

Well, we know what ranks on your list Knuckles. I have to agree; however, based on new RV sales numbers, there are many more who don't mind spending a bundle on them pieces of crap. It is mind boggling that some pay north of six figures for a converted Sprinter van, really?

I'll keep wearing my "I'm a busnut" lapel pin everywhere.

[luvrbus]

Well, we know what ranks on your list Knuckles. I have to agree; however, based on new RV sales numbers, there are many more who don't mind spending a bundle on them pieces of crap. It is mind boggling that some pay north of six figures for a converted Sprinter van, really?

I'll keep wearing my "I'm a busnut" lapel pin everywhere.

LOL give us a break I own a 2007 Country Coach Magna that is as good as any bus I have ever owned.Rides,drives good, quite with plenty of power with the ISX 600 hp Cummins that averages 7.1 mpg plus no heating issues and I could have purchased a nice Prevost for the same amount of money but I went in a different direction for a reason

[windtrader]

Exactly the point being made here that every person wanting and buying an RV has different desires (directions).  It just so happens members here have a similar profile of preferences that makes owing a converted bus RV the better choice.


Clifford - you are grandfathered in here to your long history with buses and recently have a different profile/set of needs that led you to purchase a non bus RV.

[luvrbus]

Exactly the point being made here that every person wanting and buying an RV has different desires (directions).  It just so happens members here have a similar profile of preferences that makes owing a converted bus RV the better choice.


Clifford - you are grandfathered in here to your long history with buses and recently have a different profile/set of needs that led you to purchase a non bus RV.

LOL true Don I been here since the beginning, a lot of old farts that started here have gone in different directions and sold our buses but I still have 1 left after selling the DL3  and tons of bus owner friends tthat keep me busy 

[chessie4905]

It's more important for you and Sonja to enjoy each other and life than spending days working on a conversion that may take months to years to finish, along with all the work in the shop for others. As wine bottle of life passed the halfway point some time in the past, time is now to rearrange priorities. Good choice.

[windtrader]

Another good, finer point on "best".
My journey and other more recent busnuts down the tarmac road - DIY conversion or buy converted. My initial chosen route was to REALLY want to DIY but as research progressed it became clear "best" for me was a course correction leading to finding a converted bus.

Primary reasons, as you state, amount of time before you can actually have it done and use it without compromise, and the economics these days offering incredible values in both time and money, plus "buy and go", such the American way! lol

That said, others have different motivations, like take lots of time and spend lot of money, and wait a long time to use.

[Jim Blackwood]

Or... it could just be aiming to hit a target. Like in my case, my wife's retirement date and my operating budget combined with my own somewhat above average fabrication skills, all of which point to a spot a few years down the road. In which case it is as much the journey as the end goal. And so far that journey has been a fine thing, filled with great fellowship, even if it has not included a campground.

Jim

[ol713]

I'm going to disagree with any use of the term "better" without qualifications.

The whole conversation about "better" starts and ends with what one individual considers "better", what particular features he's looking for, the intended use, etc. etc. etc.

For me a newer bus might be easier, might be faster, might be roomier, might even be more reliable. But it wouldn't be "better". Why? Simply put, because I want a vintage bus. I have nothing against newer buses, but I don't want one right now.

Kind of like telling someone out on a high-wheel bicycle that it would be "better" to get a newer bike. Might be safer, faster, or even more convenient. But if the reason the guy is on the high-wheel is because he enjoys riding the high-wheel, no other bike is going to be "better."

    BRAVO!!   

[scooter01922]

If you go back far enough you might even find an unsynchronized manual transmission. No thanks.
Jim

Its not that far back, my new to me MCI is a 1989 and if it ever had synchros you could have fooled me. Not that it matters as i float gears all day in a dump truck and take great pride in damn near never touching the clutch. Sure it takes a little practice and skill but treat them right and they work nice and smooth. Admittedly, its a MUCH slower process going through this 5 speed than the 8 in my truck.