Not a Scenicruiser but still a nice Bus.

[peterbylt]

Although I am convinced I will own a Scenicruiser at some point in my life the wife is not as enthusiastic about owning one as I am, she is quit thrilled with the prospect of converting a bus and did considerable work when we remodeled the Class C, but her idea of the perfect bus falls more in line with an MCI MC9 or newer.

After viewing the 4501 in Davenport I kept looking and had a couple of bites, tried biding on an MC9 on Ebay in Arkansas, but was outbid in the last second by $50.

The bus I have my eyes on now is an 89 MCI 96A3, we drove over to inspect it, I believe this may be the bus for me.
 
The bus started right up (with a jump start) did not smoke, Ran smooth, accelerated and shifted good, 8V92T Allison 740 trans, no bad vibrations, good brakes, hardly any corrosion at all, cracked windshield on passenger side, going to need tires, airbags looked in good condition, AC worked.

They would not let me drive it without a CDL, although they did take me out for a short ride in it.

A good friend of mine is a professional bus driver with over 30 year's experience, I will be taking him with me to drive it and if he gives me his approval I will make an offer at that time.

I got some really good information from this board about what to look for on the 4501.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for or any chronic issues on an MCI 96A3 ?



Thanks for listening
Peter

[CrabbyMilton]

That really looks sharp.

[TomC]

That's a nice bus. But-I HIGHLY suggest you look at the 102C3. The extra 6" width really makes a difference. I have a transit that is 102" wide and when I go into a MCI 8 or 9 you really can tell. The extra 6" does take a bit to get used to, but especially since you don't have slide outs, it is advantageous. If you look at the new RV's most all are made 101-102 wide. There are lots of 102C3's around. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

That is good model of MCI but I would hold out for a 102 wide model it's not going to cost you but a little more and well worth it like Tom says,you won't notice the extra 6 inches driving as the front and drivers area is still 96 inches wide then it goes out to 102 wide.

If the wallet allows it buy a D model with the 4 stroke series 60 I have seen some nice 40 ft D models selling for 15 to 20k with series 60 and B500 that said LVMCI got a clean C for a bargain I think 

[lostagain]

I would look for a D as well. They can be bought for not much more now. And with a more modern 4 stroke. Look for corrosion at the bottom of the electrical panel under the driver's window. And all around the fan's compartment above the engine bay.

JC

[luvrbus]

A huge + with the D and the 4 stroke you don't fight the cooling problems on a D with the rear radiator and regular fan that it self is worth the extra price IMO 

[Tom Y]

Does this run a Dropbox? Or is that the 96A2? I had never heard of a dropbox before buying my 5C. Just another hard to find part.  

[luvrbus]

Just the 35 ft MCI ran the drop box Eagle used it up till the end on all their buses 05 through the 15

[peterbylt]

They actually had two 102A3 busses for sale at a lower price than the 96A3.

I initially went there to look at the 102's, After riding it the 102's I was considering making an offer on one of them, the dealer convinced me to take a ride in 96, that was all it took, A really nice riding and running bus.

The engine in the 96 was much smother, the transmission shifted better, the ride was nicer, there is almost no corrosion on the 96 whereas both of the 102's, and all the other busses I have looked at have had at least some, as a starting point I think this 96 would be a good choice.

Most importantly the wife really liked it. (Even the dog liked this bus!)

Peter

[luvrbus]

That could be the bus for you but check out a D you will be amazed at the different in the ride and handling between the A and the D's the D's have a better suspension with the outward mounted air bags totally different

[Brian Diehl]

I own a 96A3 - 1985 model - with the MC9 chassis running gear.  My wife and I frequent the back woods roads.  We do our best to avoid interstates as much as possible.  There have been many roads I've traveled on where I have been very glad to have a 96" bus instead of 102".  Yes, the extra 6" might be nice, but for how we use it the 96" is the right one for us.  Make sure you understand how you want to use the bus before deciding for/against a 96". 

[bigred]

Well Guy's ,If the wife really likes it ,any thing we bring up is a moot point!!!LOL

[luvrbus]

That's all that matters but show her others wife's can change their mind lol, back to the 96 to the vs 102,a 102 wide will go anywhere a 96 in wide will just measure the mirrors on a 96 in wide bus and see what you come up with,Be aware you will be battling heating problems with the 8v92 in the 96A

[kyle4501]

102 will definitely feel a LOT bigger inside than you would think just 6 inches would make.
Driving down the main highway, it isn't such a big deal, but you may be surprised at the difference an extra 6 inches makes filling your lane. Feels like some mailboxes are way too close 

What ever width you get, you will get used to it soon enough.

As for the wife, I couldn't believe the difference in enjoyment once we got a coach she likes.   

[scanzel]

What is your budget for a bus, many of us might direct you to somethingv if we new your price range. Checking to internet there were some good looking D's in Florida but were already sold. Check with ABC I think they have a site in Florida but may only handle Vanhool now.