Help Needed - Inspection of MCI 102A3 located in Christiansburg VA near Roanoke

[ArtGill]

When I purchased my Eagle in NJ from ABC Bus, I called my insurance agent and binded insurance coverage.  ABC issued a transport permit and taped it inside my windshield.  All I had was a bill of sale.  The title came a week later.  In NC we can purchase a 30 day permit if you have proof of insurance.

Reminder, when you are asking the DMV types, it is a MOTORHOME not a bus.
FWIW,

Art

[luvrbus]

When I purchased mjavascript:void(0);y Eagle in NJ from ABC Bus, I called my insurance agent and binded insurance coverage.  ABC issued a transport permit and taped it inside my windshield.  All I had was a bill of sale.  The title came a week later.  In NC we can purchase a 30 day permit if you have proof of insurance.

Reminder, when you are asking the DMV types, it is a MOTORHOME not a bus.
FWIW,

Art

That is what we are talking about, a dealer can sell you a vehicle without the title in hand,most states require when a individual sells a vehicle he have the title in hand signed over to the buyer.A dealer in Az can take up to 6 weeks to furnish you with a title lol you cannot sell one to a scrap yard here without a signed title.We can buy a 1 day or 30 day tag but only if you own the vehicle and have AZ drivers license , no proof of insurance required but you better have it     

[Oonrahnjay]

Evidently North Carolina doesn't either.

   North Carolina has an exemption from inspection for vehicles over a certain age; I'm pretty sure that it's 25 or 30 years.

I bought my bus in S C walked in to the N C tag office paid an exorbitant amount of tax (which like auto inspections in N C )is really all they care about  any way ,and walked out with N C registration. ...

   I call our state "North *Never saw a tax that we didn't love* Carolina"!

[uncle ned]

In NC the age is 35 years old before they do not need inspection.

Most all of my cars meet this and huggy sure does.

The reason all us old people keep every thing.

A old vehicle with all new running gear.

uncle ned

[chessie4905]

Are you sure that would apply to bus conversions?

[Oonrahnjay]

Are you sure that would apply to bus conversions? 

    Yes.

[uncle ned]

Yes it applies to HUGGY   She is a 1953 model

Insurance ,tag and taxes are the least on her than any thing I drive.

uncle ned

[blue_goose]

Ned, that must have changed, I used to get a new sticker every Christmas from Huggy. That was my xmas gift and also Dave's.
Jack

[uncle ned]

Jack   You missed the HUGGY reunion.  Ken Arnold, McNeil "the owner of the big scenic" and I went by his grave and blew black diesel smoke all over it.

It hang around for days after.

He has been gone close to 15 years I think. I have owned the coach for about that long.  still have people come up to me and ask about him.

Still miss him also.  He started me on this bus conversion road.  Still have the first one also.

uncle ned

[uncle ned]

Jack i think you, I, Ken and Tom Mcneil "I think is his first name" are the only ones left that hung around his garage.

Tom Hamrick has the Prevost that the dr. that had a 04 that we worked on in the good old days had.

Just missed Dave the sunday after Palmetto cove before he passed away.

uncle ned

[chessie4905]

Maybe it varies upon which state you live in.

[B_K]

OK let me weigh in here for a second but really all i have to say has pretty much be said and agreed upon.

First off  I agree with Clifford about Howard, Donna  and Angel all three being stand up people! I've never had the slightest hint of deception in any of my dealings with them.

Now just to be totally honest and above board on this many of the buses they have for sale have been bought on multiple bus deals and they know very little if anything about them.
But if they do know of problems they are quick to admit it and willing to make $ adjustments for it also.

Now the one thing I will say is don't pay extra for a freshly painted bus or pay them to paint a bus unless it is specified the type and number of layers of paint was or is to be used! (for their "in house paint jobs" they use implement paint. Which does exactly what ti's supposed to do . Looks good and fresh for a little while but after a year or so looses it's shine and needs redone.)
Also always look real closely at the paint in the engine compartment, one of their guys loves doing spray can rebuilds! (LOL again if you look closely you'll see where he paints over stubborn grease, clamps, hoses, wires or whatever is in the way after he pressure washes it.
Other than that I nothing bad to say about them. (and I ain't bad mouthing that either just letting you know that's how it is.)

But as said this is a consignment bus so I really doubt they have done or know much at all about this particular bus.

Now about driving it home once the ink is dry take your bill of sale and head home with it! You won't have any trouble and if you do get stopped once you show them the bill of sale and you'll be good to go!
I have personally driven buses all over the country like that an NEVER had a problem!
Now happy negotiating and enjoy your new toy!
(if it were in August I'd be happy to fly out there give it a final inspection and drive it to TX for you. But I am WAY to busy until at least August to do that!
  BK 

[luvrbus]

  good one BK a lot of bus sellers use the $35.00 a gal Tractor Supply paint,then it beats Mike K's Walmart paint and roller job.Like you I never worry about temp plates a bill of sale I go

[B_K]

A kid with water colors could beat Mike K's paint jobs!
  BK 

[ScharpeStGuy]

All, sorry for the lapse in communication. I have been going back and forth with the owner for the past few weeks.

We have an agreement in place to purchase the bus for $24,000. As part of the agreement I am having the fluids analyzed (today/see attached), I am flying to Charlotte NC on Wednesday night and driving up to Christiansburg VA on the 4th. I will first walk around the bus, look at the inside and see if this bus will work for my family. Assuming the answer is yes I have permission and his insurance will cover me (permissive use) to drive the bus to mechanics/shops for inspections/quotes and as part of the deal I wanted to drive it at least 60 miles one way (following your collective advice) to a campground, plug in, and test it for a night. I will return the bus on the 5th and fly home the morning of the 6th.

Fluid analysis reports are attached, it was performed this morning by Carter Machinery ($350) out of Salem VA. One reports notes about Glycol but I would greatly appreciate your input on these as they don't mean anything to me.

The owner also told me that this year MCI (actually a TMC made to MCI specifications I found out) has a Triple Function Device that has been bypassed or hardwired. Bus can be started from the drivers seat but can only be shut down by pushing in a solenoid with a big tire gauge at the engine. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you everyone,

Fraser