RE: MY FIRST TEST DRIVE IN "MY" BUS!

Mex-Busnut · September 02, 2010, 04:09:38 AM

Yesterday my friend Beto and I went over to our state capital for my first test drive one of my two target buses, the MASA Premier.

Wow! For starters, though I am used to driving trucks, the reverse transmission shifting got me a few times! Yes: First gear on the 7-speed Spicer tranny is all the to the right and up, so as you shift up, you keep bringing the shifter closer to your leg. I managed to almost kill the 6V92T on a couple of hills, by shifting the wrong way.

I DID have a blast!

Hope you don't mind the pictures!

Mex-Busnut · September 02, 2010, 05:06:30 AM

Hmmm!

Why doesn't the Close Up feature work on my bus photo???

brando4905 · September 02, 2010, 05:10:15 AM

It works for me, nice looking bus! Congrats!

Mex-Busnut · September 02, 2010, 05:24:41 AM

Thanks, Brando4905! It ain't mine just yet! I am half way on my money to buy it.

bevans6 · September 02, 2010, 05:25:29 AM

Looks pretty sharp, looks like a short wheel base which will make it handle like a schoolbus around corners and in tight spots which could be a very useful thing...

brian

Mex-Busnut · September 07, 2010, 06:28:14 PM

Quote from: bevans6 on September 02, 2010, 05:25:29 AM
Looks pretty sharp, looks like a short wheel base which will make it handle like a school bus around corners and in tight spots which could be a very useful thing...

brian

Brian:

Distance between axle centers is 19 feet, 6.24 inches (5.950 meters). I agree that it looks like it will be easier to handle in our Mexican mountain curves and city streets.

Some have said it looks more like an RTS-type bus. but it is currently registered for federal (nation-wide) tourism service.

robertglines1 · September 07, 2010, 06:47:17 PM

curious what's it worth in Mexico?

buswarrior · September 07, 2010, 06:47:46 PM

Wow, the shift pattern is upside down and backwards...

I wonder what little thing is missing to fix this?

The 7 speeds in MCI D models have first in the "traditional" towards the driver and back position next to the chair, and work out to the door.

The passenger has to help put it into 7th...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Mex-Busnut · September 07, 2010, 07:32:10 PM

Quote from: robertglines1 on September 07, 2010, 06:47:17 PM
Curious what's it worth in Mexico?

This Mexican-made intercity bus typically sells used for somewhere between 150,000-250,000 pesos, depending on condition and upgrades. From factory, it has the 6V92TA and the 7-speed. The most popular upgrades are a 10-speed tranny and an L10 Cummins.

The peso, by the way, is at approx. 12.70 per U.S. dollar, so we are talking about $11,800-$19,685 U.S. My friend is selling me this one for 130K pesos.