Old VS New

[centrix29]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd share a very very nice experience I had a chance to be part of this week.  I was raised with the owners of a local bus company.  They now own 25 coaches and 150 school busses.  Since I have access to their expertise and shop, my family and I decided to buy a 1980 Prevost and convert it.  I took 4 years but we have been using it in different stages of completion.  I can now say that it is finished.

We just came back from a two week trip and we had a blast.  Our old lady runs like a dream.  I drove her 6 hours in hot weather and she never hit over 190 degrees.

I've been driving for my friends' company part time for about 15 years. As we were driving back home, my friend called and offered a short charter this Saturday and Sunday.   He also mentionned that I would be driving bus 27-08.  This happens to be a 2008 MCI Renaissance.

Our Prevost is 5 feet shorter, has a stick shift, has a lift axle I lift every corner, doesn't have a cruise, the AC works OK but could be better and we pull an SUV with it.  Compared to it, the Renaissance drives itself.  Wow!  How almost 30 years make a difference!

I feel blessed to have had a chance to drive these two lovely machines.  The best part is that I get to drive the MCI again tomorrow.

Centrix

[jackhartjr]

I'll take yours over the new one any day!  Nice coach buddy!
Jack

[John316]

I agree! The new ones might drive better, but unfortunately they usually don't fix better.

Good looking coach.

God bless,

John

[Busted Knuckle]

Centrix,
I know what ya mean about the 30 yr difference! Below is a pic of our '85 MCI 96A3 (fresh engine) & our 2 '05 Setra S417's!  

 BK  

[Busted Knuckle]

How about 3 decades of buses?
1985 MCI 102A3
2005 Setra S417
1995 Setra S217

  BK 

[belfert]

Personally, I prefer the looks of most of the newer buses.  The older buses can look good if polished and free of dents, but the reality is most of the old buses aren't in that great of shape.  My bus just needs a paint job to look good again.

I do know I couldn't survive cross country drives without the "modern" conveniences of cruise control and power steering.  I recently had to drive a new car without cruise control 4 hours each way and it sucked. 

[johns4104]

you guys are all spoiled try manual steering and manual trans and no cruise control.
Drove accross the country 2 months ago and loved it.
1956 GMC PD4104 stock 671 engine.


John

[gus]

Except for John's, all these buses you guys mention are really new to me!!.

I'm leaving Ark. Mon on a trip to Seattle with a return via northern IL in my '53 4104, 4sp, original 671 and, luckily, with power boost steering. I'm too old for that manual in tight parking lots. Of course, on straight roads it is manual anyway!

These dents and marks give old buses character, I kind of like them. I wouldn't know what to with a modern, spotless bus. What fun is that?

My bus may not be in the greatest shape but I usually know how to fix it, so far anyway.

My cruise control is the original hand throttle! Constantly adjusting it keeps me alert. By now I know almost how to preset i, once I'm in 4th gea, to arrive at the proper cruise speed.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Gus, if you happen to be on I-90 either headed to or from Seattle, we are in Vantage Wa. on the Columbia River for the rest of the summer. If it is a  convenient overnight stop for you, i would love to meet you and check out your bus and swap lies,.....i mean stories.   We have a 68 MCI 5A.   I am working but home by 5:30, We are in the seasonal section of the park, which is up on top at the back.  Ed

[Dreamscape]

Gus is right on! New looks ok but old looks even better!

Our coach has lots of "Character" and it will stay that way. Unless I win the lotto and then I'll think about changing the siding!

Paul

[NJT 5573]

I have a hand built 1962 KW 4 axle tractor that is a head turner. People always tell me anyone can have a new shiny one but it takes alot of work to have a sharp old one. I get alot more attention with the old horse than most anyone gets with a new one. Had to run it by the battery shop yesterday. They saw me comming a block away and were standing in the street waving me into a parking spot. Made their day I guess, they even cut some money off the new battery! Had guys on Harleys waving and people in cars honking! Made me feel pretty good about the old girl, but its been a sweet ride since I assembled it back in the 80's

Love my 36 Ford PU too, but its got a ways to go before its gonna turn any heads.

I hate to see the old stuff go especially trucks and buses.

[gus]

Ed,

Can you be a bit more specific on the park location?

Also, please give me your phone number.

We should be in that area around 22-23 Aug.

There is a slight chance we might go via Wenatchee, but probably not, we'll probably do that on the way back.