How do figure out what a bus is worth - generally speaking.

[Dreamscape]

Good to hear from you Chaz! I've often wondered where ya went.....

Hope you get your vision problems solved so you can continue your journey.

Glad to have you back amongst us!

Your questions are valid and you are asking what a lot of us are thinking at times. Planning is critical and you just want to know, it's all good. 

[boxcarOkie]

Chaz I know it's up to the admin's but I bet a lot of people here would like to help determine value not only on your bus but for their own info too.

After a considerable amount of spirited discussion over coffee at the kitchen table, the wife and I realized that we are not getting any younger.  So we mutually decided that it would be in our best interest, to sell our bus, and buy a new house.

We have found one we can afford using the proceeds of the bus sale for our downpayment ... Here is the ruse.

We can't get the dog to move out of it.

Jus Sayin

[oldmansax]

Chaz I know it's up to the admin's but I bet a lot of people here would like to help determine value not only on your bus but for their own info too.

After a considerable amount of spirited discussion over coffee at the kitchen table, the wife and I realized that we are not getting any younger.  So we mutually decided that it would be in our best interest, to sell our bus, and buy a new house.

We have found one we can afford using the proceeds of the bus sale for our downpayment ... Here is the ruse.

We can't get the dog to move out of it.

Jus Sayin

That would be funny if it wasn't SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!

TOM

[shelled]

Generally speaking, is price of bus-flesh up or down? I know the economy dictates but I have no clue where the economy is. 

Not sure I'd say the economy is very great, but the price of a good bus is up from a three years ago when you would have been lucky to get 8 to 10 thousand for a pretty nice 4108.

Starting from the bottom, a "ran when parked" bus will sell for about scrap value - sometimes less. Putting a battery in so the prospective buyer can fire it up mostly makes a difference as to whether anyone will actually buy but won't change the price much.

From there, the condition of running gear (engine, transmission, steering, etc.) and interior features has a wide range from good-enough to "wow" makes a huge difference in price. Also, certain features such as an automatic transmission (V-730, not VS-2 in your case) adds thousands to selling price and significantly increases the number of potential buyers.

I think the 4107/4108 is the best combination of manuverability and capacity of any bus ever made but the overall market seems to want 40 footers with T-drives like Eagles and most MCIs so those seem to sell faster and bring more money for otherwise equivalent coaches.

Geographic location and time of year seems to make a difference, but I don't have a handle on how.

What I've seen in the past 6 months for nice 4107/4108s is 20-ish although a couple of exceptional examples when the exactly right buyer found his/her dream coach reached the high 20s and mid-30s -- not something you can count on.

edward

[digesterman]

Each coach has to be evaluated on its own merits. Anyone that has built/restored/converted one will know exactly what I mean

[Chaz]

Wow......
Thank you guys, thank you guys, THANKYOU GUYS!
Without going any further, and possibly crossing lines, I at least have an idea. I am a bit of a rebel but if it's someone else's game I am playing, I will play by their rules. I think that is fair. But..... I may post some info about my Buffy, mainly cause it swells me with pride. My friends love it too.
I'd like to say again, I'm not WANTING to sell, as it has been my goal (from 9 years ago and still forward) to have my bus ready for my "working retirement" where I would become a snow bird to AZ (Sedona, preferably) for 4 months of the year. One of the things that it is contingent upon is that the "working" part of my retirement was to be able to do my art wherever I was (copper repousse'). I have also been working on a '60's fiberglass dune buggy for atoad which I would pull behind in a trailer that would double as a art studio when parked.
But, As it stands, the economy has forced me back to doing what I use to do - fabrication, welding, etc., of all sorts of stuff from industrial to hot rods. So that means I have a tap root I can not pull out. Now with the "eye thing" I have an even more uncertain future.
And if I may say here as a side note, I have the best damn friends a person can have. I am truly humbled to tears.........but enough about that.
And just reading your posts here has been a real joy as well. Truly. I miss this place and I'm going to try to get back more often. And whether or not I am forced to sell, I hope my name stays out there that if someone is close and I can help, I am ALL about it!!!!!!!!!!!!
So now, with all that said, I need to try to figure out what to do. I don't see the Dr. till Tuesday so I'll just be thinking of options till then.
Thank  you all again for the kind words and support. It means a lot.
Oh and I'll start another thread about the Tesla batteries I just heard about in TV. It seems they are making head way on one of our less that wonderful necessities.
Just,
    Chaz

[eagle19952]

[Chaz]

Ooooooo, damn Eagle, is that one of yours??? NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is also what I do (as I'm sure you figured out). I'm just not sure if I can find a market to be able to support me. (Mainly cause I suck at marketing and self promotion).
If I was allowed to raise my head, I'd go to my desktop computer and I could post a couple pictures of what I have done. But using this iPad is a bit of a struggle for me and I don't have many pix on it.
Ya know tho ...... If you or anyone else would like to see what I have done, just go to my site: www.amstudio.us and look under the repousse' gallery. There are a few things there. And If my eye turns out OK and I can create a market for myself, I could put my original plans back on track as its a lot easier tapping copper that forging steel.
Chaz

[eagle19952]

Chaz...I'm flatttered,.... yeterday i cooodnt spill repossse and now I are one...LOL..

No buddy I had no idea what it was you were trying to set up for so I figured someone else might wish to know too, so my buddy Google showed me...

I an weld that's the extent my artistry..except painting, I can spray flat  black krylon....

[Chaz]

Hey Folks,
  Just thought I'd let you know, my eye check up went....... Well.......... in a word, badly, today. I am back at square one and have to repeat the surgery again next Wednesday, and all the hell that goes with it after the fact. It's healing but the scar tissue is pulling the retina apart. Plus, I have to get a cataract surgery on that eye at the same time. My future isn't looking all that good......... on several levels.
  So, as you may have guessed, I would still like to know if there is a way that I can price my bus. It's FREEKIN KILLIN ME, but...... I'm lost.
  If I write down all that there is with it, is there someone, or more, that I can send it to to get an idea? I don't want to get into trouble. I think too much of this site and all you members to do that. I'd just like to know.
  Sorry if I am pushing the envelope.
  Thanx in advance.
   Chaz

[John316]

Chaz,

No worries at all about posting on here about your bus. I think that is well within the scope of the board, to discuss the value of a bus.

I am very sorry to hear about your troubles with your eye! That is not good all around. FWIW, I will be praying that this next surgery takes care of it.

As to the bus value, I do not have any idea on the older rigs.

Hoping for the best for you!

John

[oldmansax]

Hey Folks,
  Just thought I'd let you know, my eye check up went....... Well.......... in a word, badly, today. I am back at square one and have to repeat the surgery again next Wednesday, and all the hell that goes with it after the fact. It's healing but the scar tissue is pulling the retina apart. Plus, I have to get a cataract surgery on that eye at the same time. My future isn't looking all that good......... on several levels.
  So, as you may have guessed, I would still like to know if there is a way that I can price my bus. It's FREEKIN KILLIN ME, but...... I'm lost.
  If I write down all that there is with it, is there someone, or more, that I can send it to to get an idea? I don't want to get into trouble. I think too much of this site and all you members to do that. I'd just like to know.
  Sorry if I am pushing the envelope.
  Thanx in advance.
   Chaz

Chaz,

I feel your pain!

I have had detached retinas in both eyes. Both were very challenging. One pulled apart like yours. Docs said I was gonna be blind & nothing they could do. First, I give God credit for fixing stuff the docs couldn't.

That said, DO EXACTLY WHAT THE DOCS SAY!!!!!!!

I didn't on one eye and had a VERY bad time. Don't push the envelope!! Keep your head down like they say! Keep your hands away from your eye! Don't strain on anything.  I know it's a pain in the butt (or EYE, in this case!) but it is WORTH it. You only got 2 eyes & they won't grow back. 

Do what the docs say! OH, I SAID that, didn't I? Well, BEHAVE YOURSELF!!!! & get better.

We're pulling for you! (and praying too)

TOM

PS: I went from 20/400 to 20/30 in one eye & 20/40 in the other. God's on your side! You CAN make it!

[wildbob24]

Chaz,

You might touch bases with Spike Michaud and see if he will appraise older conversions.

http://www.busappraiser.com/index.cfm

Bob

[luvrbus]

Now is the time to sell with the price of oil low, high fuel prices have always had a major impact on selling a bus along with older factory flooding the market the Prevost with the series 60 are selling well in the range of the average bus buying person nowadays IMO

[Homegrowndiesel]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Chaz. Keep your head down. Please, make no harsh decisions now. Thats all I got for you my friend. Thankfully the market is coming back.