MC9s on the lot at NWBus Sales

[Nineforever]

Whats the feeling on these units look pretty good to me , west coast busses not much if any corrosion

[Boomer]

You won't find better used 9's on the market than the ex Holland America/Gray Line Seattle/Alaska buses.  They were only used in the summer (the Alaska ones) and all of them had excellant care and they are low milage. Over their lives they were rotated between Alaska divisions and Seattle. That said, due diligence is in order.  If you can track down Jerry who used to be shop foreman at the Seattle shop he can fill you in.  Don't know if he is still there at the new outfit who bought them out.

[Nineforever]

I was thinking the same thing , look like they have been well taken care of i will purchase one of them for my small operation here would make a good spare bus if need be

[dbldragon]

 We just got our bus from then . Very help full  answering our ?s. We had originally gone there to get a 9 but for us the 102a3 seemed a better fit.

[luvrbus]

 He sells some good buses but like all dealers he will sell you a dog that won't hunt  ::)just know what you are buying

[Nineforever]

I will call them tomorrow,   i'm guessing it will be quite the adventure bringing it across the border all paperwork involved  customs etc . Past experiences with the older 2 stroke Detroits if they have been sitting any length of time after about 8 hours into the mad dash home the water pump starts to leak some times no so bad they u cant limp it home other times the coolant just pouring out faster than u can add more . So i may as well take a new one with me change it out before i get on my way .Any members have any experience bringing a classic bus into Canada , it was built here you would think it would be pretty smooth sailing .

[Jim Eh.]

I imported mine last winter. I had issues on the US side, had to go through the Xray bay and the dogs had a run through but other than that pretty smooth (other than the mechanical issues, but that's another story http://mymci12.com/). I had all the title and bill of sale paperwork sent to the border weeks before it was to cross.
I understand there is now some paperwork by the seller to be made out but they were not really enforcing that as of yet? Usually a personal purchase goes a little smoother than a commercial one.

All the Canadian side wanted was some tax money and I was good to go. They said because of the age (1996) it was exempt form RIV issues but I thought I remember reading that all buses had to have. Hmmm, could be wrong on that one or I'm just lucky. Sometimes I think I got through a little easier than I really should have but ...

When I had researched importation issues I found that ALL MCI buses were allowed to be imported into Canada. Have all your paperwork with you: any internet ads, communications (print everything), any and all paperwork that comes with the bus. CBSA just love paper.

[Nineforever]

Wow that wasnt a trip that was adventure good read . Back a few years ago i came across a fellow that had bought a old classic bus of ebay from Vancouver area he informed me that his heater quite just after he left High Level Alberta 8 hours ago but the weather there wasn't - 40   it was only in the low teens after he crossed the Mackenzie it was like walking into a deep freeze . Making a long story short i took him to the closest Health Centre where he was treated for severe frost bite . When the fellow jumped aboard our bus he couldn't stop shaking  . When i set out all be sure to go prepared.

[luvrbus]

Buying in Seattle or Vegas ?

[Nineforever]

Seattle there is a couple MC12 in vegas but they appear pretty much put away wet , must be old hounds

[Ryan B]

I went through this decision process last year. I was living in Vancouver looking to buy a 9, went down to Seattle to see the 9's at NW Bus Sales and they were in great condition. I heard a lot of mixed experiences with importing buses, and it sounded like a whole extra set of steps that I didn't want to deal with. I ended up getting in touch with Pacific Coach lines out of Vancouver. They weren't deliberately selling any buses but they had a few being phased out that they we're willing to sell. I ended up getting an ex Grey Line coach all the same but PC had had mine for the last 8 years and maintained it really well with low miles. I couldn't be happier with the mechanical state of my coach.
I'd suggest trying to get a little creative before jumping on the NW Bus Sales 9's. They have been sitting there for a while now and don't get run regularly (that I know of). They do only sell good buses but you're also paying for the dealer overhead. I ended up with my 9 and a whole new set of tires for 1,000 less than the NW price, plus I didn't have to deal with importing it. I was also happy knowing that the bus had been in regular service and getting regular maintenance only weeks before.
FWIW & IMHO

[belfert]

Seattle there is a couple MC12 in vegas but they appear pretty much put away wet , must be old hounds

I thought most (or all) MC12s were made specifically for Greyhound?

[Jim Eh.]

My MC12 still has "B O P" on the roof. I was talking to a friend the other day and he suggested I change the "P" to a "B" and contact a local radio station ... "BOB FM"   

[adamhere]

I bought a 1984 MC9 8V71, Gray Line Seattle, from NWBus end of April this year. It had 600k miles on it, washroom already removed, and looked great online. I had GLM charter bus service and repair do a buyers inspection on it and Gary said it was in great shape. I flew down from Edmonton and drove it back. The bus ran great, no issues. NWBus set up the paper work for my export, I crossed at Osoyoos. I crossed mid week in the evening so it was nice and quiet. All was in order, easy US exit, the import to CA was easy also. Federal inspection no surprises. Anyone who has seen it has been impressed at the condition. I think I got the pick of the litter as I  checked their site just as they released a batch of retirees. As always though, buyer beware.  RIV has a lot of info for the export/import process. Let me know if you have any specific questions though. I spent a lot of time figuring it out and was a very nervous at the border.

[Boomer]

Back when David Beagle was in charge of the buses at Grayline Seattle/Alaska they repowered some of the 102's with Series 50's in the late 90's.  Don't know if any of those are at NWBS or not.  They were brand new engines from Detroit when they did the conversions.  To the best of my knowledge they only did the conversions on 102's, no 9's.  However Quick Lines in Vancouver did put S50's into a bunch of their 9's around the same time.  It's possible that the Grayline units at NWBS are kinda picked over by now.