Hi

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Hi, my name is Keith from Dallas tx. I'd like to to say hello, and i am glad to have found a great forum with helpful people. I have been lurking for a few months, but decided to finally sign up! 

I dont own a bus conversion yet, but i have been looking near and far for one. I am a bit picky, and it looks like quite an expensive hobby, so i want to make sure i find the right bus for me. (also seems very addicting) I spend hours drooling over old bus pictures and reading about 2-stroke detroits (hope i am in good company here)

I am a big fan of the classic buses, and look forward to owning one and being part of the bus'n community!   
 

[mugsytrpt]

Welcome aboard Keith,



Guess what .... your half way there...you have been reading and looking, now is the time figure out which type bus you really want and go find it.  Then the other part starts.  Yes it can be costly..depends on how you look at it.  I look at my bus as an investment in quality time with my family.  I hope you find a nice bus and I hope you can enjoy it just as much as we enjoy ours.

Good luck,
James

[wal1809]

Welcome to the insanity side.   

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Welcome to our world Keith
M&C 

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Thanks guys !

I am looking for a 35' bus, I would love an old MC5A!  



Ive been using a site called search tempest which searches all of the craigslist regional classifieds. There are quite a lot of nice old buses out there now, just nothing really has REALLY caught my eye... yet. Also seems like you can get a lot of bus for your money right now!

[Brassman]

I would say you got things backwards. Buy a bus on ebay, sight unseen, go get it for that first drive home, and then find this site and post the story of that first trip. Makes for an interesting post.

Seriously, finding this site and lurking around a while is the right way to do it. Just have some depth of pocket ($$$). A bus isn't as bad as a BOB (big old boat) or an airplane, and from my experience, a lot less expensive than a wife, or two.

[Red Rider]

Hey Hammer Down,

Brassman said it all. I've done the boat and airplane thing and in my opinion I spend a lot less $$$ on my GM 4106 and certainly feel like it is better spent. After all I can go on vacation in my driveway any time I want. Try that with your boat or aircraft.

Welcome aboard.

[mugsytrpt]

Couldn't help but post after I read Brassman's post.  The E-bay thing is what I did.  I was able to take someone with me to pick it up and check it out.  Bought it on E-bay...Flew to Kansas from GA with friend and after checking it out...Drove it home 1200 miles with only a blowout.  Luckily I had service for the tire.  Bus ran great.  I have done several things to it but...My friend nad I had a great trip.  Good luck again.

James

[Bill B /bus]

There is a converted 1970 35' Buffalo for sale in PA.  The second owner is selling out. Bus was in great shape last time I saw it. Engine has about 80-100K miles since installed after rebuild.

Anyway it is a classic and 35 feet long.

Bill

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Funny you guys should even mention the ebay thing, there is a 5a on there (in nashville) I have been watching for a while. Been asking several questions to the seller, it seems the bus has been inherited, she is helpful and answers as many questions as she can, but shes no bus nut (meaning she cant tell me a lot of the nitty-gritty technical questions i throw at her). I notice the engine is painted red, which could possibly be a factory remanufature? who really knows.

Its hard to buy something like this sight unseen, 700-or-so miles away from me, and i get there and find out its just too much of a project for me to tackle and turn around and go back home? or scenario #2 where i actually buy it and and the clutch goes kaput 100 miles into the trip.

but then again, its all part of the adventure right ? I do like that you guys have a network of people willing to help out in these types of situations!

[Busted Knuckle]

Keith,
Trust me a trip from Dallas to Nashville to find out the bus ain't for you is well worth it!
It is a learning lesson and a cheaper way to get one and have the bus break in 1/2 or chunk an engine right after paying for it and hitting the hiway!

I can't tell you how many times my dad or uncle an I or all 3 have loaded up in a car or van and drove 10-20 hrs to get to where a service ready bus is that we are interested in only to look at it for 15 mins and leave! (Many busnuts have done it too!)

But it's better to walk or run away from a bad deal rather than think it'll be OK and chance it!

Welcome to the madness!
  BK 

[HAMMER DOWN!]

There is a converted 1970 35' Buffalo for sale in PA.  The second owner is selling out. Bus was in great shape last time I saw it. Engine has about 80-100K miles since installed after rebuild.

Anyway it is a classic and 35 feet long.

Bill

Thanks Bill, Is there a link to it? Odds are if it has been on craiglist in the last month ive probably seen it  

Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of buffalo buses. but! if its done up just right  .. I admit ,they can look pretty handsome.

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Keith,
Trust me a trip from Dallas to Nashville to find out the bus ain't for you is well worth it!
It is a learning lesson and a cheaper way to get one and have the bus break in 1/2 or chunk an engine right after paying for it and hitting the hiway!

I can't tell you how many times my dad or uncle an I or all 3 have loaded up in a car or van and drove 10-20 hrs to get to where a service ready bus is that we are interested in only to look at it for 15 mins and leave! (Many busnuts have done it too!)

But it's better to walk or run away from a bad deal rather than think it'll be OK and chance it!

Welcome to the madness!
 BK  

You right!

I already tried asking the seller if there was anyway i could arrange the bus to be looked at by a shop in the area. She didnt feel too comfortable with the bus leaving her property until i had bought it. Cant say i wouldnt feel the same way.

I am a mechanic, but I admit, I have no experience with buses, conversions, jimmy motors, the list goes on..and on..   After lurking around here, I have found a lot of good questions to ask sellers though!

[Hi yo silver]

Keith,
Before I bought my MCI I was most familiar with MCIs because I had driven them in charter service. They were really the only bus that got my pulse rate up. Recently I had the opportunity to drive a Buffalo on a 500 mile trip. Now, I can't walk past a Buffalo without patting it above it's headlight. Reminds me of my high school days; you can fall in love more than once. ...endless possibilities!
Dennis

[PP]

Welcome to the madness! We looked for more than 3 years and travelled all over the country before we found the right one for us just a couple hundred miles down the road. Be patient, your girl is waiting for you and in time, you'll hook up too. It sounds like you're already addicted LOL Good luck, Will