What is a bus conversion actually worth?

[bevans6]

Here is a question I have been pondering for at least 20 minutes this morning   - what is a good solid bus conversion actually worth?  Not current market worth, maybe "worth" is the wrong word, more that combination of what would it take to buy or buy and build a good, solid, well converted motor-home with the normal modern amenities, on a chassis with a reliable engine (old school or new) with current, recently fettled suspension, brakes, tires, steering.  No rust issues, a nice paint job, no cracked windows, can pass anyone's DOT inspection without a worry.  A solid, workman-like interior that functions well, but not necessarily LED's everywhere, disappearing TV's and mirrors on the ceiling the way some brand new conversion motor-homes seem to feel they need to be.  Something that a good handyman could build and feel proud of.

What can you expect to pay to buy this turn-key, or what can you expect to pay all-in if you buy a bus out of passenger service and do the gut/build yourself.  I think the number is right around $50K.  And up, or course, but at least $50K at the end of the day.  What say you all?

Brian

[Tikvah]

I think we have someplace close to $50 or $60 or more into ours.  We kept all the receipts, but I'm afraid to look.
It's a nice 102a3 with a new motor.
Could use a nicer paint job.

I think it would probably sell for around $25.  Would love to think it's worth more, but in this economy, there's a lot of cheap deals out there.

Dave

[Oonrahnjay]

...  What can you expect to pay to buy this turn-key, or what can you expect to pay all-in if you buy a bus out of passenger service and do the gut/build yourself.  I think the number is right around $50K.  And up, or course, but at least $50K at the end of the day.  What say you all?

Brian

    I promised myself I'd keep receipts, records, etc.  and I mostly didn't.  I bought most of my electrical stuff at good "discounts" and if you add up generator, inverter (modest), breaker boxes, transfer switch, and shore cord you come to about $10K.  That doesn't include wiring, light fixtures, sockets, HOUSE BATTERIES, light switches, etc.  Can you do a "livable house" bus conversion for $50K (US)?

[bevans6]

Part of the buy vs build issue is that even the most contentious owner has things that are on the "tomorrow list".  I keep on top of my bus mechanically because it goes through a complete commercial DOT inspection every year.  It's as up to date with maintenance as it can be, with new suspension, brakes, steering, etc.  But a recent trip revealed a worsening clutch issue so it's getting a new transmission update, and it needs four new house batteries to be really trip-worthy.  So anything you buy will need work, guaranteed, that will add to the price - even if the work can be justifiably delayed for a while. 

Brian

[lostagain]

A number is not worth it to me. Be it market value of my bus, it's fuel consumption, or maintenance cost.

My bus (our bus) is worth it to me because I enjoy maintaining it. I keep it in a state of readiness to be able to go at a moment's notice. And when we go, for a week end, or for three months, it is both the nostalgic feel of continuing my bus driving experience started 43 years ago, and the good feeling of travelling in a solid, well built motor home.

It's market value, or cost to me, is really not much compared to bigger, more luxurious motor homes. It is more than a lot of beat up, old rusty buses I see at bus rallies. But hey, the owners of them have as much fun with them as I do with mine.

Most people have a hobby. Some spend a lot more money enjoying their hobby than I do. If a day comes that I can't afford to keep and run my bus, I'll sell it. It might have to be less than $50000. And if I go before the bus does, my wife and kids get to see how much it is worth at the estate sale. By the way, I paid way more than 50 for it a few years ago, before the values went down.

But it is worth it to me.

JC

[rip]

I'm also trying to figure out prices.My wife wants a newer coach with four slides so I guess my bus will be going up for sale soon. I build my bus as a forever bus but I guess plans change to keep the wife happy.

[TomC]

Worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay.

[Bill B /bus]

I think the market for bus conversions, our kind ie starting with a used seated coach, is somewhere between 5-10K for the older coaches. And 40-50K for the newer 40foot coaches.
We are a different market. Mostly owner built. Mostly owner repaired. We built for our family not for sale.

With the usual IMHO

Bill

[luvrbus]

Now days you can buy shells for 10 to 15k with the series 60,when I bought my 1974  Eagle shell in 1999 I paid 55k just for the shell with a 8v71 which was removed as soon as I returned home, now the same shell would be no more 5000 to 7500 bucks

[sledhead]

kind of sad as like many of you I paid 38k usd for the shell and built from there with a slide at a cost of 100 k+ the 38 k = 138 k . now  the mci is up for sale for just less then 50 k and as bus conversions go it is in top shape with a out of frame rebuild with only 55klm since rebuild . what I do not under stand is like most of the guys looking for a bus now they only want to spend 5-15 k on a bus then do it them selves as I have been there the cost just to rebuild the engine today is over 15k and if you think the old bus will be fine with 300-400-500-900 k on the engine when you get it you are nuts and to do it your way is fine .
I am working on a 2000 feather lite rv that I got for a song ( new it was 589k )as nothing had been changed since new inside , with only 120 k miles on it I decided for me to rip out the interior and redo it the way we wanted it was a lot less money then redoing a 2000 model year bus with 700 k-900 k miles on it and getting the engine , transmission rebuilt then starting on the rv inside and tanks and all that I did to the mci . so if any 1 wants a great coach call me

http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=2&b=2258

thanks   dave

 

[Oonrahnjay]

... ,when I bought my 1974  Eagle shell in 1999 I paid 55k just for the shell with a 8v71 which was removed as soon as I returned home, ...  

   What did you do - replace it with an 8V-92?  Was that too early for a S-60?

[luvrbus]

   What did you do - replace it with an 8V-92?  Was that too early for a S-60?

Yea I went with 8v92,the 60 series were available but I didn't want a 325 hp 11 L series 60 and the 12.7 L were pricey then.The 8v92 served me well and was a easy install too   

[Utahclaimjumper]

   21 years ago I converted my first bus,, a 4106,, my wife & I gutted and converted at our own pace and time as we were both working at the time...I befriended a Multimillionaire that was converting an Eagle at the same time...Three years later when traveling together , he asked my what I had "invested" in my coach,,about 20K I replied ,,,,,,,,,,"You piss me off!" , he said,,," I've got $675.000 in mine and I'm not having a damn bit more fun than you are"   This Eagle had been stretched to 40 ft.,,widened to 102" raised 8"  exterior reskinned,, two slide's,, and a full custom interior,,series 60,,B500,,  (did I say he was and is a mutimillioaire)..>>>Dan

[Lin]

Okay. I paid $7500 for my 1965 5a, about 12 years ago.  I knew it needed work, but I certainly did not know how much work or how much it would cost.  I guess, including putting in the Allison, I have put another $30,000. into it, which to me seems like a lot of money for what it is.  I made a decision at some point that no matter what I did with it, the value would not increase, so I pretty much am stingy with what I will do.  I keep it safe, reasonably well maintained, comfortable, and ready (for the most part).  My son-in-law volunteered to redo the floors.  Even there, I am careful not to spend much.

If I could get 20k for it, I would consider selling it since due to my wife's medical issues, we do not use it much.  On the other hand, it serves as a good guesthouse, and I like having an emergency backup in case of unforeseen events, and I enjoy even going on day trips with it.  My dog loves it too.

Dave--I looked at your ad.  It certainly looks great.  Did you do the work yourself?

[Utahclaimjumper]

  The ad stated it was profesionally converted