Sure like the llok of those MC7's..

[superpickle]

Any comments on this one. Im still trying to get a new Home.. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320191930275&ssPageName=
ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

This is what he told me about it..
I think the hub shows 49,000 - 50,000 but I can tell you that it is not the actual mileage. There is no odometer on this bus. Often times, mechanics will change out the hub when they rebuild the motor but I do not know if that is the case with this one. The bus runs great though.


I drove her around the block the other day and it ran great. A little white smoke for the first block and then it cleared right up. It had been sitting for a few months before that because the alternator went out. I had the alternator replaced a couple of weeks ago and put some fresh batteries in it. Before the alternator went out, I drove it around for a few miles every week to keep everything (seals) in good shape. I bought it near Memphis, TN and drove it to Phoenix, AZ. She ran great. The A/C and the Heat work fine.

[kyle4501]

The MC7 is second only to a PD4501 as far as looks go as far as I'm concerned. Much easier to convert too! So far the price ain't bad either. . . . Just be sure to check for rust & corrosion so as to know what you're getting into . . . .


I've seen worse sell for more.

[tekebird]

1. Check for Rust.
2. Body Pannels are not available new
3. Bus was a relatively small production run in comarison to others.
4. Bus does not have a level floor so has conversion issues
5. The MC-7 had several iddiosyncracies, but I don;t recall them presently

[RJ]

Pickle -

1. Check for rust, especially the engine compartment
2. Check for slop in the power assist steering
3. Do you want an automatic or a stick shift?  If you want to convert to an automatic, add an additional $10K to the coach's price.
4. Cooling on a 7 is more problematic than on the 8s or 9s, radiators are smaller and not as much room to bang out the bulkhead to install larger ones.
5. Dropped center aisle creates real conversion issues.  Trip/fall while getting out of dinette?  Trip/fall while getting out of the convertible bed at Oh Dark Thirty?
6. Skylight windows on upper deck difficult, if not impossible, to get.
7. Available roof caps, should one decide to raise the roof, are UGLY on this model.
8. Standard advice applies:  ALWAYS buy the NEWEST coach with the powertrain you want in it, even if you have to stretch the budget a little.
9. Have coach inspected thoroughly by a BUS mechanic.
10.  It's very easy to buy a bus, but it's much harder to sell a mistake.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Tenor]

What a good looking unmolested bus! 

1.  Look for rust!  After checking the engine bay, check inside the baggage bays under the floor to see what condition the floor supports are.  They are a decent visible clue.  Also look in the spare tire compartment at the frame.
2.  Have the bus inspected.
3. Dropped center aisle is a SMALL issue - just fill it in with some long cut 2x6's and put in some plywood flush with the sides.
4. Cooling is harder - have not experienced it yet, but agree with the crowd.
5.  If you don't want to raise the roof (I'm only 5ft tall - probably one of the shortest bus nuts - and my wife is 5'4) and you want caps, there are some good looking ones out there.
6.  Skylights are cool, as long as they don't leak.
7.  Over 2500 of these buses were made.
8.  Most panels are still available from International Bus Parts.  They don't advertise them any more but are happy to sell them.  I checked a few months ago.
9.  If this model has the pantograph doors, it's real nice.  Better than the rubber hinge style especially if you are taller than 5 ft!
10. Check with Luke at US Coach about skylight glass.  In some pictures, it looks like they were painted, in some look untouched.
11. If the bus air still works and has been updated, I'd keep it and still add roof top AC's as well.

1.

[oldmansax]

I like my 7!   

[kyle4501]

RE the sage advice :  ALWAYS buy the NEWEST coach with the powertrain you want in it
That doesn't apply to some of us who want a certain 'look' for our bus. I am lucky that my bus of choice takes a relatively standard engine & transmission & I forsee a wrecked truck as a donor in my future.

If I had listened to those that told me to stay away from the PD4501 due to all the unobtainable parts, I'd have never been happy with any of the newer ones, but that's just a reflection of my taste & style.

If you are going to do a roof raise, please don't do it to a 7, there are lots of buses better suited for that - looks wise & conversion wise too.

Converting a bus is hard work, & if you don't just love the lines & looks of your bus, it makes the work that much harder.

[Hartley]

You can probably find a later model MC9 for about the same money.

I paid $7,500 for my 83 model EX-NJT with a fresh engine and tranny.

Keep looking, They are out there..

Dave....

[Tom Y]

Each to their own, but I think the 8 is a better looking bus. Unless you want a stick I would keep looking. The 7k for a 7 seems a little high.  Good Luck.  Tom Y

[Hobe]

When it comes to A MCI 7 parts are very hard to get, But you can get them at a price. Last month I priced a new baggage door skin for a costomer. $1200 They decided they could live with the dint. The reason They would have to set up the dies to run it as there is no demand for MCI 7 skin any more Buy a coach like a MCI 9 as you will be able to get part for the next 20 years and you can get one for what you are going to pay for that 7 Just my expearence. Fred North Florida Bus Conversion

[tekebird]

Not to mention it would be ashame t convert what may be the last MC-7 Seated Coach around, that is in decent shape anyway.

[kyle4501]

Not to mention it would be ashame t convert what may be the last MC-7 Seated Coach around, that is in decent shape anyway.

A friend has a fully seated 7 that only needs a few exterior marker light lenses replaced to be near mint. At a production run of over 2500 units, I'd think there'd be are quite a few still seated around . . . .

Not to mention the availability of used parts - provided you are willing to hunt for them.


If the hunt for parts isn't your cup of tea, you may be better off to avoid the old classics & stick with the newer cookie cutter style buses.

Build it YOUR WAY! 

We're here to share different views, you get to decide what's best for you & your bus 

[superpickle]

Thanks a WHOLE HEAP  ... Although i DO like the style of the 7's. I guess they are just a bit to problematic than i want to deal with.,. I will be doing Most of my traveing in the HOT Southwest, so Cooling is an major concern..
New id Deffinitly better in my book.. Those older clasic styles are very aluering though.. but thats just Looks..

I would Rather have an Automatic tranny.
Im lazy.. or just Spoiled.. but Old enough to Really like NOT having to Shift all the time and Burn clutches at stop lights.. 


Thanks again guyz.. Paul...