New Jersey Transit MC9 for church bus?

[ChuckMC8]

Hey Guys,
  I am trying to find a suitable highway coach for our church. Today, I checked out a NJ transit MC9, 1983 model thats local to me. This bus has a blue 6V92 that runs excellent and is very clean with absolutely no smoke. This isnt the most powerful coach but is OK. I've never seen a diesel that didnt at least smoke a little when it started cold, but this one doesnt.  Also has Ross intregal steering and drives well.
   This bus has the bifold doors that I dont like, although they work properly and the ugly (IMO) hump on the front cap.
  It needs paint, tires and a/c service and a thorough cleaning.
  Very little rust and nice body.
  This bus hasn't been through another operator since NJT, so it has a lot of stuff that needs chunked, otherwise OK. ON the other hand, it hasnt been through a second operator that just ran it as long as it would go. (Like my MC8 was) This bus has a good interior.
Has anyone got a specific opnion on NJT retired buses? It seems to have been better maintained than the retired "Hounds" that are available.
    I guess that folks will soon have to be giving good buses away or selling them for scrap. The guy that owns this one told me that he thought someone would buy it to conver to a motorhome. With diesel at $4.00 per gallon and rising? Fat chance there............especially with the Quality Inn at $44 per night.
   And this bus w/o restroom, what charter could use it?
Does run good tho..............NJT opinions?

[tekebird]

NJT's have a far better garage life than the houds.....but keep in mind they ran on probably the worst roads in the country.

a better determination would be what the asking price is.  there is alot out there in used bus land.

[Kwajdiver]

What transmission does it have?

Bill

[trailblazer2]

 Chuck;
I have a former NJT(1987) ;and like the other post,I agree that these buses were really taken care of. The one I have,has had bunches of$$$ bucks spent on it from NJT before it left their barn! The downsides are the Bifold doors,the front cap,and corrosion. Look especially in the front compartment where the spare tire is kept;and around the shock mounts on the passenger side.The radiators would probably need a good visual inspection as well.If you have any special concerns ;drop me a mail offline(board) and I will get back.
Bill

[Charles Seaton]

It was not unusual for NJT to put a new engine in a bus and then sell it three months later.  My fishbowl suburban was completely rebuilt from the wheels up and then parked before being sold.  Brand new bus and never saw a day of passenger service, it was just held in reserve.

[TomC]

Personally- Even with the good maintenance that NJT has, you still can't avoid the lousy roads, salt in the winter and humidity in the summer that is very hard on a bus.  I would look for a west coast bus (see MAK) and come out and drive it home!  Good Luck, TomC

[chazwood]

or another good place to find un-rusted buses is the deep south (i.e. Florida area) Plus they're sometimes cheaper. Just a thought.