Options, Advice, Decisions Part 4 - Shopping and acquisition

[windtrader]

Thanks to all, research is complete, time for serious shopping and acquisition.

Criteria
-> Already converted 2 stroke bus
-> Likely GM or MCI
-> 70's - 80's vintage
-> Converted to auto
-> $20k - $25k spend
-> Priced at market or owner knows the current market and prepared to sell at market
-> Owner allows 3rd party inspection and test drive
-> Bus located in western states, no further east than Colorado.
-> Complete documentation
-> Long history of ownership
-> Clear and clean title
-> No deferred maintenance (running gear)
-> Bus ready for the road
-> Expect dated interior
-> House system built to professional standards using quality components

Inspection
Checklist attached

Shopping
All Craiglist cities in Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado
http://www.bargainbusnews.com/
http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/
http://www.busconversions.com/bcmclassifieds/index.php
http://www.tejascoach.com/consignbus.html
facebook bus conversions for sale (still waiting for reply)
http://www.sellabus.com/gm.html
http://mci102.com/index.htm
http://www.lancerinsurance.com/classifieds-bus.html#
http://www.rvclearinghouse.com/listings/browse/recreational-vehicles-bus-conversions/7
http://transitsales.com/
http://www.rvt.com/
https://www.rvtrader.com/
https://busmag.com/

[daddysgirl]

I only have a couple of minor points...

Don't totally rule out a bus from the east. Mine spent its service life going between NY and FLA, and there was only one minor rust spot, but better than 90% of it is stainless steel below the interior floor.

Don't rule out a small oil leak say, from the pan. I know many 2 stroke mechanics who will tell you if it isn't leaking, it has no oil. Your pre-purchase mechanical inspection will address both of these points.

I place emphasis on the suspension, steering and drive train...but that is just me At your price point, I will be surprised if you hit everything on that list. If you do? You go dude! But if not, don't get discouraged. Your coach is out there.
And remember, this is an undertaking that will make you a nut, take a few years, and be a fantastic learning experience. It's a lifestyle.

[luvrbus]

That is a nice wish list but I don't see it happening for 20k sorry and I would add a automatic to the list the clutches in manual transmission buses are costing around 4k to replace now,plus the 4 speeds manuals are a real PITA for use in a RV   

[lostagain]

You have to pay $40K, $50000, for the quality you are wishing for. You also need to be prepared to put on some coveralls and get your hands dirty to fix this and that once you get it. Just trying to get a little reality into you.

All the best.

JC

[windtrader]

oops

[windtrader]

@Daddysgirl, luvurbus

Thanks guys. Updated OP accordingly.

Setting search to the western states is more geo/travel/distance related than the northern rust issues. If these couple don't work, will expand search further south to Texas. Will only entertain northeast unless super selective before any onsite visit. Maybe arrange a mobile visit first, then if it checks out, make the trip.

This bus exceeds my criteria by a fair bit. It sold in less than a week, first visit by guy flying in from Oregon. Deal done. I set appt to check it out but it was raining so I called to reschedule. Couple days later, I was congratulating the owners on such a quick sale.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15178408/bus/sacbus.png

[lostagain]

Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual - ICBC

This contains one of the best pre trip inspection  I have seen. A good reference.

JC

[daddysgirl]

Anytime...I mean it. If I can post anything that can help another nut...I'm proud of myself. I've received so much help from these guys.
Good point about the ICBC.
And the automatic tranny needs to be a must. Our 2nd bus was a DA*% double clutch. PITA is putting it kindly 

Oh, I forgot...if you find a bus that still has it's coach heat/ac, (partly on your list) make sure the owner took it all the way down and either cleaned and/or rebuilt the air ducts. I can't overstate this point.

But at the end of the day, when you find "your" baby...all but critical logic goes out the window...you WILL know her.

[windtrader]

@lost again - Eureka find! That is awesome. There is so much info in there I will suck it all up. It got me thinking about another source of running gear expertise. Here in Ca, CHP requires regular full inspections. When looking at bus coming out of service by a tour operator, he explained how major the inspection is. It sounded like a couple mechanics come out and spend the better part of the day, going over the buses with a fine tooth comb. Maybe I can tap into those folks who want a some extra money to take a look at the running gear.

@daddysgirl - no doubt. Like every vehicle I'ved owned, I can tell if something is off in merely seconds. I'm certain will be same with the bus.

[ol713]

@lost again - Eureka find! That is awesome. There is so much info in there I will suck it all up. It got me thinking about another source of running gear expertise. Here in Ca, CHP requires regular full inspections. When looking at bus coming out of service by a tour operator, he explained how major the inspection is. It sounded like a couple mechanics come out and spend the better part of the day, going over the buses with a fine tooth comb. Maybe I can tap into those folks who want a some extra money to take a look at the running gear.

@daddysgirl - no doubt. Like every vehicle I'ved owned, I can tell if something is off in merely seconds. I'm certain will be same with the bus.

      Hi
         After 20 plus years with my coach, never had an inspection of any sort.
         Just had to get a class "B" license because of the weight.  (over 26K pounds)
                                                  Merle.

[Scott & Heather]

Don, I will say your humble approach to getting advice on here and actually moving forward to purchase a bus versus just talking about it for 6 months on the forum is refreshing. We've had some colorful experiences in the past with individuals just bantering about getting a bus and the conversations were hashed rehashed and rehahashed. Lol. And not a touch of respect was shown to the brilliant minds that make up some of the guys we know on this forum. You are truly the opposite of that and I appreciate your disposition on here. I have to say I can apply all of that to Andrea too. She's been a champ and seems to know a lot already about buses and could teach me a few things. Here's to hoping you find a coach and join us in the madness. I look forward to meeting you someday at a rally


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[lvmci]

hi Don, call Gary at B&B advertised here, he has a nice MCI96A with an 8V92 and another, both conversions, lvmci...

[RJ]

Don -

A few things. . .

On your shopping list, scratch bargainbusnews dot com.  That site is well-known for grabbing for sale listings from other sites, putting them up on his own as his inventory, and marking them up several thousand dollars more than the original ad.  Then, if you fall for his scheme, the list of excuses goes on and on as he, behind the scenes, tries to buy the bus from the seller to resell to you.  Caveat!

Same with mci102 dot com.  That's one of the dozens of sites associated with Sam Walker, another individual with an extremely questionable reputation.  He bilked several naive busnuts out of thousands of dollars, and served time for doing so.  A google search can provide several hours of reading material about this guy.

Check out this ad for a GM 4106:

http://www.rvclearinghouse.com/listings/view/7/recreational-vehicles-bus-conversions-1963-gmc-4106-bus-conversion/1617

I called this fellow over four years ago inquiring about his bus, and it had been sold two years prior to my call!!  He told me he has tried and tried and tried to get that website to delete his ad, to no avail.  Another Caveat!

Oh, to speed up poking around on CL, use www.searchtempest.com

Kudos for doing your homework, now be patient - it took me four years of searching to find my MCI, and I found it thru my network of industry contacts and busnut friends - it never hit any type of classifieds, either print or electronic.

FWIW & HTH. . .



PS: We have three individuals here at the Pahrump rally today who are interested in purchasing conversions. They came to ask questions, take tours, and continue their education before purchasing.  You should be, too!

[luvrbus]

I hope he finds one soon this is starting to drag on like the Ross saga of the past.He is cautious and he should be the best laid plan on a old bus can put you in the poor house in a hurry.
One thing he keeps missing is the parts availability on the bus he is searching for.Luke does his best to try and keep the GM's going but it is getting tough for even him same with Jefferson on the Eagle,MCI and Prevost are your best shot for parts. 
Now even MCI has sold off all their old model bus parts and another party is selling those at a price  ,it is good you can MCI parts through WW Williams now   

[daddysgirl]

Thank you, Scott.

I appreciate your words more than I can convey, and the collective knowledge on this board covers just about everything and really can get a nut, novice to expert, through the times when one might be ready to scream.

And Don, don't sweat the small stuff