Estimated value of this 77 MC8 (Conversion almost completed)

[SWP5767]

I went to look at this conversion yesterday. The drive train is a 318 Detroit 2 stroke with an Allison transmission. All air bags, kingpings were replaced, tag axles rebuit, tires replaced many years ago (90% left), outside painted, 10k Kubota diesel genny. All plumbing, electrical, AC, baseboard heating thoughtout is in almost perfect shape. The guy selling it is a diesel mechanic and spent several years on this converion that he started in 99 and completed to this point in 04. It has been sitting since 06. He just had all the old fuel pumped out and some new fuel put in.

The main thing that needs to be finished is t he interior from the bathroom forward. The bed and bath are completed, but the rest of the interior needs to be redone including wall and ceiling coverings.

He is asking 50k for this and I have no idea what its worth. Im attaching some pics below. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Steve

[Dreamscape]

For the most part it is a good looking coach.

As far is it worth the 50K, who knows. It is all about what a person is willing to pay for something.

I'm an Eagle guy, don't know much about MCI'S. I also know there are a lot of coaches on the market right now, so prices are dropping pretty fast.

If it has most of the big ticket items, generator, invertor, heating  and the list can go on an on, it might be. But I would offer less than the asking price for sure.

Pay to have a non biased mechanic give it a once over.

These can be a money pit, don't ask me how I know.

My 2 cents,

Paul

[SWP5767]

What im looking to do is to buy it, finish it and use it for a while.

[Songman]

Like Paul said, it comes down to what you want and what you are willing to pay. For my money, I would say no. I say that by comparing what else is on the market at a given time. Right now there are buses for sell everywhere at cheaper prices because fuel costs are scaring people.

For example, this professionally converted Prevost just sold on eBay for just over $30k and it is ready to roll.

[Tom Y]

Steve, Keep looking. The 8 should be there for a while. Look on Ebay, even if just to get a idea of prices. If I am looking at used cars I look at Ebay to get an idea of prices. That Prevost looks good for the money.  Goodluck.  Tom Y

[belfert]

I think someone got a real bargain at $30k for that Prevost.  It is older, but it appears to be a professional conversion.

An MC-8 shell in good mechanical condition is probably $10k to $12k these days.  Personally, I would find it hard to believe a 1/2 or 3/4 done conversion is worth $40k unless the work is outstanding.

[bobofthenorth]

This is just a "me too" post but $50k is at least 20 too much for that coach, IMHO.

[jjrbus]

The tires may have 90% thread, but we go by the age. There is a DOT date stamped into the tire, some recommend replacing tires at 7 years.
Another thing to consider is could you bring a bus to that point in the conversion for $50K? Also how much time would it take you? do you want to work on and enjoy a bus or drive and enjoy it.
When researching something on the E place to get price references, on the left hand side of the screen you can choose completed items. Use this as a reference instead of the asking price. I have noticed that most cars do not sell on ebay.
NEVER EVER buy a bus without having it inspect by a BUS mechanic, a few hundred dollars here can save you untold thousands $$$$$$$ and many heartaches. Negotiate your best deal contingent on an inspection and use the inspection results to renegotiate.

[Songman]

I think someone got a real bargain at $30k for that Prevost.  It is older, but it appears to be a professional conversion.

The Prevost is an 89. Not really 'older' in relation to the shells that most people use for conversions. And yeah, it was definitely a bargain.

[SWP5767]

Thanks again for all the info. I would not offer more than 30k either.

I wouldnt mind a project bus, whats left is something I can do. Im mostly a weekend camper and I have time to tackle a project bus like this one.

If I were to sell it after it was done, the one thing I would worry about is the age. A 31 year old bus has been a while.

[Tenor]

It's a nice looking coach, but it sure looks bare.  Few overhead cabinets.  I bet you could find a GMC or other MCI 7 or 8 for under 20k in a more complete condition.  It's amazing how the market has fallen even since I got involved 3 years ago!  Don't jump in - splash around in the shallows and always ask questions.  The only dumb question is the one not asked!  Good Luck!

Glenn

[tekebird]

off hand I would say he is asking alot for it.....

Considering it has been sitting for 4 years.....I'd be thinking high 30's, into the mid 40's if you really want it.

as for the bus on ebay....decent price, but hard to say without looking at it in person. 

Binder full of maint records but no mention of engine rebuild?  Although by the pics I would say it was done at some point but that could have been 400k ago

your aaverage Entertainer coach is pretty well worn on the inside by the time they dump it. and most....like this one do not have a full Bath.......imagine 12 unshowered folks living in this thing for 800+k miles

Two reasons why that went so low.....it was listed in Motorhomes and it was a sale by a charity....so they are happy with whatever they get and have no interest in what it cost or what they have in it because they have 0.00 in it


It all depends on what your budget is in what your OK living with for X period of time......there is alot of cheap stuff out there but some is very low end home conversions......and then it runs on up through the spektrum.

Keep in mind......if someone needs to sell you have negotiating room.

If they are just having it on the market to see if someone will buy then not so much.

I had my 04 on the market from the day I got it......figured I would never sell it.....having been in  the family for 30 years....having intimate knowledge of every system after having been forced into child labor to work on it and the other buses since I was 9.....stone age simple, fix pretty much anything roadside......and would readily get 12mpg with the throttle against the stop........but someone came looking for the nicest period coach they could find.......and after looking at more than 200 coaches.....dropped 55k on mine.....then spent $$$ changing stuff.

[Fredward]

I would agree that its at least $20K too much. If you really like it and money isn't too big a deal; buy it. It looks real nice. But I would have it inspected. Just because it belongs to a diesel mechanic doesn't mean he knows anything about maintaining a coach. May not know anything about a 2 stroke either. An MC-8 is getting to be kind of an old coach. (I know I have a 43 year old MC-5).

Plenty out there to choose from. Of course, proximity is everything. And an MC-8 a few miles from home is worth more than a much newer 102 that is 2,000 miles from you in my estimation.
Fred

[tekebird]

look at what else is out there, near and far just for compairsion sake.

[Cary and Don]

It seems very clean, but some people would call it a bus with furniture conversion.  It looks like they bought Home Depot cabinets and made them fit.

Having the older 318 engine doesn't add to it's value, less power from what we have been told.

But then, we paid too much for our first one too.

Don and Cary
GMC4107
Neoplan AN340