And it is done: Accepted offer on a 1985 Silver Eagle Model 10

[ScharpeStGuy]

Hello Everyone,

If you have been following us for the better part of 6+ months my family has been searching for a bus with some bunk beds for our three children and a bed for my wife and I so we can take long weekend trips and vacations around the USA and our national/state parks.

Initially I had my eyes set on a 1977 GMC 4905a out in Phoenix, I still really like the look of that bus but many on here advised against and the Wife didn't like it. I then found a 1990 MCI (TMC) 102A3 in Virginia which I had inspected and had a fluid analysis performed and it found some issues with Glycol and Copper readings but I already had my trip planned up so I flew into Charlotte NC midnight this past Wednesday and drove up to Dobson (Mt. Airy / Mayberry) and spent a few hours at the hotel. I then toured Mayberry (Mt. Airy) which was fun and then proceeded up to the location of the bus in Christiansburg, VA. I spent most of the day there on Thursday and drove the bus and it actually drove pretty good although it did belch out blue/black smoke when accelerating. At the end of the day though the bunk beds in this bus were short (built for kids) and it was missing that third bunk. We measured the height and how much room would be within the bunks and it just wouldn't have been nice for the general environment/morale after all this isn't a USN Submarine! And the big unknown with the engine.

I had seen a 1985 Silver Eagle on Craigslist located in Knoxville TN with four bunk beds but had been unable to obtain additional pictures or video (owner posted one on facebook but we don't facebook) so I decided to drive closer to Knoxville in case he were to call. I reserved a room at a hotel in Abingdon VA and just after I reserved the hotel room the owner of the Eagle called and said he could show me that night but they were leaving early in the morning (Gospel Group) so it was Thursday night or bust. I arrived at the bus just minutes before 9pm on Thursday and it is a neat looking bus. I really like the design of the Eagle and the paint job was 10X better then the MCI and it had four full size bunks. Surprisingly it also had essentially no rust from what I could tell with my flashlight in the engine bay or scanning the bottom of the bus. Engine was started up and I didn't see any smoke and it sounded great. I was unable to take it for a drive as a Prevost was blocking it in but it looked good (yes in the dark!).

With Walter (DoubleEagles) help he quizzed the owners of the bus via a conference call with myself, my wife, Walter, the owner and the owners boss in business and in the Gospel group and it sounded good and everything matched up with what I had seen and previously heard. We will be picking up the bus sometime around the 28th (Sunday) and then taking a trip up to see Walter and show off our new Eagle and he has offered to show me around the bus and provide some tips and pointers.

We will be performing a smaller conversion by adding a bathroom (does not have one now), setting up the back area for my wife and I, redesigning the kitchen area and the front sitting area and other upgrades.

Attached is a picture of the Eagle and I thank you all for your support and especially DoubleEagle (Walter) and we look forward to waving at you as we pass and seeing you at campgrounds and rally's in the near future.

[luvrbus]

Yea I saw that bus for sale on Buck's F/B page buses for sale,you will like a Eagle they are 1 of the better older buses on the road.
I heard that 1 needed a little front end work it probably a needs a good 3 axle alignment , the radiator needed attention and has some rust,this is second hand information from a guy who looked at it  

Have fun and enjoy your new buy  

[ScharpeStGuy]

Thanks Cliff, with the boards advice and wisdom I will get it fixed up properly. I am paying $15,500 for the Eagle so I think that is a pretty good price. I didn't see any areas of rust that concerned me but then again it was at night and I was inspecting with a flash light and it's Bus so it has tons of nooks and cranny's.

[luvrbus]

That not a bad price the guy I was referring to I think he offered $8500 or $10,000 but he low balls everything

[ScharpeStGuy]

I felt the $15,500 was more then fair. Overall it seemed like it was in pretty good condition (body, chassis, engine, etc...) but I guess I will find out soon enough.

Next steps (am I missing anything?):

Pay Gary Hatt some money: http://www.busconversions.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=51_55&products_id=163&osCsid=6c4rk1u8m3p9g6occj9be93sf7
Join FMCA: http://www.fmca.com/join-family-motor-coach-association/family-join.html
Join Eagles International: http://www.eaglesinternational.net/wp-content/uploads/application.pdf
Join Coach Net (towing/tires/etc...): https://member.coach-net.com/Secured/Membership.aspx?ProductID=motor&Yrs=1
Join Good Sam (Great Discounts and towing/tires/etc...): https://www.goodsamclub.com/join/

Am I missing any organization? I also need to call around about Insurance for the bus and will share my findings in a later post.

[luvrbus]

Coachnet and the BCM is all I see on the list you need,no great savings with Good Sams they are so expensive to began with, the Eagles are a club you can attend the rallies without belonging and FMCA is FMCA it changes like the wind.Lol I belong to all the above mentioned save your money but you have to be a member of FMCA to join the Eagles International 

[Bill 340]

If you can make it to the Arcadia rally  after christmas there are plenty of eagles there,  arcadiarally.com

[DoubleEagle]

Coachnet and the BCM is all I see on the list you need,no great savings with Good Sams they are so expensive to began with, the Eagles are a club you can attend the rallies without belonging and FMCA is FMCA it changes like the wind.Lol I belong to all the above mentioned save your money but you have to be a member of FMCA to join the Eagles International 

I agree. I am a lifetime member of Good Sam's (before Camping World took it over), but when it comes to Camping World member discounts, even the discounted price is on the fatter side. Coachnet is preferable to Good Sam's according to some, but AAA RV coverage should also be considered, they have many contractors already lined up in advance rather than searching for someone willing and available. I can't say from experience which road service is best for service because I have never had an occasion to use them! I used to be a member of FMCA, but their magazine was too glossy and elitist, the dues were high for what you got, and you had to pay more dues if you joined a subgroup like Eagles International. I would like to support the Eagles group, but not FMCA, unless they have a lower rate.

[edvanland]

Congratulations We have Triple AA RV Plus, be sure to get the RV plus. We have used this service 3 times, once to tow the bus 95 miles at night and the final amount I paid the tow service was  ZERO AMOUNT. Had another time flat on my trailer late in the day in the middle of nowhere they were there within a hour again ZERO AMOUNT.

[DoubleEagle]

Thanks Cliff, with the boards advice and wisdom I will get it fixed up properly. I am paying $15,500 for the Eagle so I think that is a pretty good price. I didn't see any areas of rust that concerned me but then again it was at night and I was inspecting with a flash light and it's Bus so it has tons of nooks and cranny's.

Judging by the owner's comments about running this bus up Tennessee mountains and runs to Florida, and knowing the previous two owners (who were also Gospel Groups), it really looks like this bus will be a good beginning for Fraser. We expect that some things will need fixing, but it will be worth it. I would have seriously considered this bus for myself if it had been for sale when I was looking last year, but I got a 1984 Eagle that was owned by another Gospel Group (I said previously that Eagles were Sacred).

[chessie4905]

Looks really nice (for an Eagle). If it were mine, I'd  remove ac covers and have them painted to match.

[ScharpeStGuy]

Based upon your advice I will sign up for AAA and Coach Net.

When that moment comes and I am sure it will when I find myself coasting to the shoulder who do you call first? AAA or Coach Net if you have both?

[eagle19952]

Yoy can get your own Michelin Advantage account without joining FMCA for zero.
an online appliction is all it takes and then you can get tires for you and all your friends..busnut or others..

They have discounts on Michelin and one other...maybe Firestone

https://www.michelindealerincentives.com/michelinadvantage/advquestion.aspx

http://www.michelintruck.com/services-and-programs/michelin-advantage-program/

[luvrbus]

The FMCA Medical emergency & travel assistance they brought back is a good deal but it can go away again just as fast when Charlie's term is up in another 1-1/2 years   

[Dave5Cs]

If you will be using RV parks, We have "Passport America" and frequently save 50% on Park fees.
Dave