Bus mechanic says "Don't buy a bus conversion"

[bobofthenorth]

I had an interesting conversation last week.  I had the moneypit in the STC garage in Saskatoon.  STC is a large provincial bus company - they have the monopoly on passenger transport inside Sask.  They run exclusively MCI coaches and all their equipment would be less than 10 years old.  The STC garage is rapidly becoming the only bus specialty garage left in Sask - in fact since the mechanic at P.A. Northern died, STC may already be the only bus garage in this province.  They have an excellent reputation, large well equipped shop and - based on my experience last week anyway - are pretty reasonably priced.  Its really hard to get in their shop because they are the only one left but, once inside, I was well pleased with the service.  They've got about 12 bays - 1/2 of those were filled with their own coaches and the balance with guys like me.  Anyway, that's not the point.

I was hanging around for a couple of hours while Augie diagnosed my air leak and several of the other mechanics came by to admire the moneypit and visit a bit.  One in particular was getting ready to retire, planned to travel extensively but said "no way would I buy a bus - I've seen too many of the older ones and I know what they cost to fix."  That didn't square with my perception but on the other hand he should know. 

[maria-n-skip]

Bob,

   I can understand that concept. I quit turning wrenches for Cat dealer in 1980. To this day when I see a
D9 or D10 all I can remember is the pain of working on them. When he looks at his choices and
tries a few he'll be back. None of the choices are cheap; if you want something nice and keep it nice.

We'll keep a light on for him 


Skip

[plyonsMC9]

I would have no reservations about the statement that they can be expensive to fix.  At the same time, I've found that when I take the time to shop around and am not in a hurry, the price can go down dramatically.   It is the "I gotta fix this now" which in my experience, leads to very expensive repairs. 

It is not always possible to avoid the immediate fix scenario of course.  You may be stuck on a trip & must get moving again.  That happens. 

So, it is critical to buy your bus wisely in the beginning.  If you make the right choice, I believe you will enjoy many happy years with your bus. 

Whenever possible ; take your time!  slow down.  Save $$$.  Talk to friends on the BBS - very very very helpful.  And $ave$ $$$$.

Happy bussing!!!  Happy camper - Phil

[brojcol]

I think its a matter of choice.  One year membership at an exclusive country club is pretty pricey.  Plus you have to buy golf clubs, rent or buy a golf cart...

I know several hunters in Mississippi who have spent tens of thousands of dollars on hunting over the past few years.   

One of my friends just rented a chalet for two weeks in Pigeon Forge...  I could buy a lot of stuff for a bus for what they spent.

Bussin is the same way.  Seems simple to say, but don't buy a bus if you can't afford it.

[maria-n-skip]

Brojcol

  Buy clubs? I've been using the same irons since highschool....Well until this summer when the steers
got into the garage and stepped on them. I broke down and called my dad to make me a set of irons.
If he does as good as he has done on my last two drivers I'll be set for the rest of my life. Even not
just because he made them they will be special.

The steers well they won't be around after Nov 1. yummy that will teach them


Skip

[cody]

I can't think of anyone that feels bussing is an inexpensive way to travel, but I see it somewhat differently, I guage my bus on cost per year to operate, most buses with a reasonable amount of care and maintenance will last for many, many years, a lot of the buses on this forum are over 30 years old with quite a few that are 40, or even 50 years old, some even older than that, now go to any other forum and see what the average age of the S&S units are.  Also, take note of how many people there are on their first S&S unit, not many, most seem to keep their factory motorhomes for only a couple of years, then buy another, usually bigger with more options.  After you figure in the cost of the purchase, factor in depreciation of the old unit and include the depreciation of the new one as soon as they drove it off the lot, then include the repairs and trips back to the dealership to correct the problems that came with it from the factory, I don't see that approach as a viable option, seems busing is far cheaper in the long run.  Another factor that I enjoy is the looks I get when I rumble into a campground with the big DD growling, doesn't take long before we get people walking by to check it out, that doesn't happen much when a person drives a 25 year old S&S into a campground, thats even if the campground will allow them to enter.

[brojcol]

I broke down and called my dad to make me a set of irons.

Your Dad makes golf clubs...

Tell him while he's at it.................

[bobofthenorth]

I didn't spend enough time probing the guy's comments.  It seems to me that there are a couple of possible explanations:
1) he might be right and all of us are wrong - S & S motorhomes may make more sense financially
2) he may just be tired of working on busses after a lifetime of doing that
3) he may be tired of working on busses and not have any real grasp of what he is going to get into with a production motorhome

Regardless of the reason I thought it was an interesting perspective.  He certainly should know whereof he speaks with regard to busses.  His opinions regarding maintenance will be based on fleet experience so you could argue that he is seeing a different standard of use and level of maintenance.  On the other hand he was also familiar with relatively late model coaches which I assume should have a lower incidence of PITA maintenance such as we encounter on our older coaches.

[Green-Hornet]

I would have questioned him a bit more as to just how he was going to travel around extensivley? If it is by pick up and a pop up cuz he wants to, that's fine. People are differant, as are their dreams. Maybe his retirement pays huge dividends where he can jet around. But rentals and rooms add up too. His perspective on your coach is, he only sees it when it is broke, and knows what the company charges you. That plus that makes it seem expensive, perhaps.

[ChuckMC9]

Decades ago I serviced high-end qudio equipment for a highly-regarded dealer who was known throughout the state for being on one of the best.

I made the comment one day that "Brand X is junk," because of the many I had to work on. They pulled me aside and said wisely said, "It's your job to only see the ones that don't work. The ones that work well outnumber the ones that don't work well by 10000:1." This is the best equipment in the world. You should see the brands that really *are* junk.

Similar?

[houndbus]

I can't sleep in my golf bag...or pick my banjo either

[buswarrior]

Hello.

Mechanics in in bus garages of that type may not know what stuff really costs. They are not privy to the invoices, they just do as they are told, and the rumours circulate based on whoever made them up this morning. Parts are rarely re-used or stretched for maximum service, they just get changed out because the money comes easy. His fleet doesn't have to cost what it does to maintain.

Gotta love being in a monopoly situation, or a government funded one....

yes, keep a light on, we are all humbled at one time or another on our views!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[TomC]

I have a 40ft x 102" wide AMGeneral transit that is a 1977 (can't believe it is 30 years old!).  I bought it for $4000, and have installed all new equipment in it.  The engine, radiator, turbocharger, muffler, air to air intercooler, air cleaner, air compressor, power steering (new system), alternator, auxiliary trans cooler, transmission, rear end have all been either rebuilt or are new.  Have recent new tires, brakes are around 80%, the 10kw Powertech gen has only about 550 hrs on it (like 22,000 miles on it).  My point- I have about $90,000 into it and it is mechanically rebuilt with new conversion equipment used.  What could you buy for that amount in a new motorhome-how about a cheap class C with a gas engine?  ANY bus is far better than a sticks and staples. 
I went to the RVIA show at Pomona Ca this last Saturday and can say that some of the units there were really scary how cheap they were.  A few like American Eagle, Newmar, Monaco were of decent quality, but were also typically in the $250-600,000 range.  I like $90,000 better, and considering it is paid for, I like it alot!  Good Luck, TomC

[cody]

Thats the way I feel tom, I didn't buy my bus to go camping now and then, I bought it to use, and not just for a season or two, I bought it to use over a many year time frame, another point that hasn't been brought up is the safety factor, I saw what happened to a S&S after it has left the highway and ran down into the grassy median area, it was all out of kilter, the entire house area had shifted on the frame, it was virtually totaled, a bus would have been brought out and then driven away for the most part.  I'd hate to see what would happen in an actual accident with a S&S unit.  Thats the reason I figure the cost factor on a year to year basis, it's more practical for me to figure it that way.  I feel over the time frame we have our buses, it's cheaper for me in a bus than to try to keep a S&S in usable shape for the 20 or more years I plan to keep mine.

[superpickle]

I had an interesting conversation last week.  I had the moneypit in the STC garage in Saskatoon.  STC is a large provincial bus company - they have the monopoly on passenger transport inside Sask.  They run exclusively MCI coaches and all their equipment would be less than 10 years old.  The STC garage is rapidly becoming the only bus specialty garage left in Sask - in fact since the mechanic at P.A. Northern died, STC may already be the only bus garage in this province.  They have an excellent reputation, large well equipped shop and - based on my experience last week anyway - are pretty reasonably priced.  Its really hard to get in their shop because they are the only one left but, once inside, I was well pleased with the service.  They've got about 12 bays - 1/2 of those were filled with their own coaches and the balance with guys like me.  Anyway, that's not the point.

I was hanging around for a couple of hours while Augie diagnosed my air leak and several of the other mechanics came by to admire the moneypit and visit a bit.  One in particular was getting ready to retire, planned to travel extensively but said "no way would I buy a bus - I've seen too many of the older ones and I know what they cost to fix." That didn't square with my perception but on the other hand he should know. 

So, Whats He going to Travel in ? A Woodybego ?