Purchasing Advice

Jon · April 26, 2016, 04:15:58 AM

The purchase of any bus can be a costly undertaking if there are unknown problems. The only way to determine that is a very detailed, time consuming and expensive inspection. Given the prices in the real world for fully completed professionally done conversions I wouldn't touch a bus that had been in commercial service, seated or entertainer. They have been run hard and put away wet by drivers and mechanics that don't own them.

I would instead focus on a professionally converted Prevost. Right now there are some good examples on ebay that are going to sell for far less than the cost of their respective parts. They may have mechanical issues, may benefit from some updates, but they are cheap and likely have not been beat to death. But that does not mean they should not get an in depth, time consuming and expensive inspection. A lot of owners are not professionals and they may not do detailed maintenance on pneumatic systems for example, but whatever problems they might have will not be the result of things being worn out and any repairs are likely to be needed more due to age than wear and tear and abuse.

eagle19952 · April 26, 2016, 08:54:33 AM

there will be nothing road simple about a pro converted Prevost...imo ... etc.

luvrbus · April 26, 2016, 11:43:40 AM

2 strokes were in buses till 1994 then the series 60 came most were 11.1 series 60 engines in buses .Lot of people try to tell you Prevost never used the 11.1 not true at all plenty of Prevost from the 90's running 11.1 350 hp series 60 go for 12.7-430-470 hp non EGR engine

Jon · April 26, 2016, 11:59:02 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on April 26, 2016, 08:54:33 AM
there will be nothing road simple about a pro converted Prevost...imo ... etc.

The early models, such as the 2 stroke ones listed on ebay right now were the epitome of simplicity, robust designs, and a joy to use.

Guys are likely OK going up and down the road in a tin tent, but our wives somehow have higher standards.

eagle19952 · April 26, 2016, 12:11:52 PM

Quote from: Jon on April 26, 2016, 11:59:02 AM
The early models, such as the 2 stroke ones listed on ebay right now were the epitome of simplicity, robust designs, and a joy to use.

Guys are likely OK going up and down the road in a tin tent, but our wives somehow have higher standards.

i was referring to house systems... not chassis. sorry if i did not make that clear

luvrbus · April 26, 2016, 12:51:09 PM

I wouldn't buy a Prevost older than 1985 those things can rot as good as the Eagle or VanHools but Eagles and Vanhools are a lot easier to repair

Bryan · April 26, 2016, 01:47:33 PM

Very unique situation you had! That is great! I'm looking into some 1990s models Prevost with series 60, so hopefully more mechanics will be available :-)

Jon · April 27, 2016, 04:20:49 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on April 26, 2016, 12:11:52 PM
i was referring to house systems... not chassis. sorry if i did not make that clear

The early professional conversions were as simple as an anvil, and almost as reliable. Wires, switches, circuit breakers and relays. No proprietary components, and in almost every case if something has to be replaced, WW Grainger likely has it.

DoubleEagle · April 27, 2016, 06:10:14 AM

Quote from: Jon on April 27, 2016, 04:20:49 AM
The early professional conversions were as simple as an anvil, and almost as reliable. Wires, switches, circuit breakers and relays. No proprietary components, and in almost every case if something has to be replaced, WW Grainger likely has it.

Yes, and in the case of my Eagle entertainer, the names of the people who did the work are engraved on the main switch panel.

buswarrior · April 27, 2016, 03:43:02 PM

As others have noted, HOURS of detailed inspection by a competent, NON-AFFILIATED technician.

Buying something that is currently in use, and if you didn't happen along, it was going back out again tomorrow, would be a dream!

If it has been sitting... more suspicion.

Dirty oil lets you take a sample, fresh oil change in a coach for sale denies you that opportunity, read between the lines...

Maintenance history to review? Previous owner and maintainer available to consult?

Why does it have a fresh paint job? Why are the tires mismatched? Can you read a tire date code?

A 4 stroke re-build is $10-$15k, so getting this wrong will blow what you thought you were saving....

If you can buy a running coach from the operator that is running it, local to you, there's a future relationship there?

Engage your brain, where would you buy, and not buy, a decent used car from? Manufacturer dealers only keep the good used ones for re-sale, the little corner lots sell the glossed over crappy ones.... the good stuff isn't even put up on the internet, it moves itself.

The education in this field is harsh, fast and expensive. You are a gold fish to be eaten. Swim accordingly?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

DoubleEagle · April 27, 2016, 06:50:34 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on April 27, 2016, 03:43:02 PM
As others have noted, HOURS of detailed inspection by a competent, NON-AFFILIATED technician.

Buying something that is currently in use, and if you didn't happen along, it was going back out again tomorrow, would be a dream!

If it has been sitting... more suspicion.

Dirty oil lets you take a sample, fresh oil change in a coach for sale denies you that opportunity, read between the lines...

Maintenance history to review? Previous owner and maintainer available to consult?

Why does it have a fresh paint job? Why are the tires mismatched? Can you read a tire date code?

A 4 stroke re-build is $10-$15k, so getting this wrong will blow what you thought you were saving....

If you can buy a running coach from the operator that is running it, local to you, there's a future relationship there?

Engage your brain, where would you buy, and not buy, a decent used car from? Manufacturer dealers only keep the good used ones for re-sale, the little corner lots sell the glossed over crappy ones.... the good stuff isn't even put up on the internet, it moves itself.

The education in this field is harsh, fast and expensive. You are a gold fish to be eaten. Swim accordingly?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Very good advice. I bought my first Eagle from a Charter Bus company. I got to go on a run with the main driver that used it most, and I got to talk to the company mechanic that overhauled the engine the previous year. Everything they said turned out to be true, and I ran that Eagle from Maine to Texas to South Dakota, and everywhere in between for twenty years. They also gave me the parts and service manuals, and extra parts, as they were retiring their Eagles and going to VanHools. Every used bus will have issues, but the overall condition of the key components is important.