The Price of Converion Bus

luvrbus · July 31, 2018, 06:30:34 AM

Just when I get to thinking prices are on the rise I came across this a 1990 Prevost factory conversion with 96,000 total miles they are asking $52,000 or BO no way can person buy and do a old bus this caliber for $52,000.I cannot link it but for lookers it is www.rvt.com ID 82548857

TomC · July 31, 2018, 06:52:32 AM

Do you have another link? The one you provided doesn't work.

windtrader · July 31, 2018, 08:26:30 AM

Try this link
https://www.rvt.com/-Prevost-LeMirage-XL-1990---ID8254857-UX279633

Seems like the market is seriously melting down. Found another in same range https://www.rvt.com/Prevost-Le-Mirage-XL-XL-1989-USA-CA-ID8171744-UX134179

Saw this morning. Maybe potential reason for the lack of demands for these grand petrol gulping dinosaurs.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/07/30/millennial-interest-drives-wave-new-rvs/796785002/

Timkar · July 31, 2018, 08:59:03 AM

Totally agree with you Clifford. That 90 Liberty H340 that I worked on for my friend went for $58K CDN ($44K US)

luvrbus · July 31, 2018, 09:06:47 AM

The trend I am seeing is no one wants a 2 stroke engine,they want a series 60,they don't want a 35 or 40 ft bus ,they seem to want a 45 foot,which is ok they handle better and the turning radius is amazing compared to the older buses,then comes the slide deal.I am afraid to buy a bus now to try and flip for a few bucks.I been through the cattle business where you buy high and sell low lol I don't want to go there on a bus I just wish it would reach a level on price.I have friends that have spent 30 to 100k converting their buses and cannot sell it for 20k

PP · July 31, 2018, 09:08:24 AM

Too much supply and not enough demand. Lots of people stop and gawk at our older Prevost, but nobody wants to own it-unless you're a little unbalanced

Took it out yesterday and while I was backing into a sight at our latest address, a small crowd gathered to admire the old girl (BUS-not my DW). Lot's of nice comments but sounded more like a walk down memory lane and the good old days of rock star transpo.

luvrbus · July 31, 2018, 09:11:00 AM

Quote from: Timkar on July 31, 2018, 08:59:03 AM
Totally agree with you Clifford. That 90 Liberty H340 that I worked on for my friend went for $58K CDN ($44K US)

We know huh Tim my last bus I bought for fast bucks the model 15 cost me 17K to get rid of it after sitting on it for over a year

Jim Blackwood · July 31, 2018, 09:22:00 AM

Good news for me though, maybe I'll be able to buy at the bottom of the dip. Or I might miss it. Either way it's still fun looking and knowing if the right deal comes along I can jump on it.

Jim

HB of CJ · July 31, 2018, 10:03:29 AM

Yep, perfectly good Bus Conversion buses are becoming available dirt cheap. Will we reach the point where the value goes in the other direction and the owner offers how much HE WILL PAY YOU to take the coach off his hands? We are starting to see the beginning of this with estate sales in SW Oregon USA. The Old Coot finally dies. He lived in rural Oregon.

He was a pack rat. The family comes up from Los Angeles CA to settle his estate and they do not want to deal with all of his golden treasures ... including a nice 1984 Crown Super Coach. A shop full of mechanical goodies. Every shop tool you can imagine. The family pays you. You do not pay the family. A buyers market. Perhaps even a takers market in places.

chessie4905 · July 31, 2018, 11:05:28 AM

1990? That is a lot of years old for younger people. Also, their desires (and pocket books)are different. Witness these tiny homes and school bus conversions.

Lin · July 31, 2018, 11:10:18 AM

Are RV sales in general weaker than they used to be?

luvrbus · July 31, 2018, 11:22:01 AM

Quote from: Lin on July 31, 2018, 11:10:18 AM
Are RV sales in general weaker than they used to be?

No the factory rv sales for trailers and motor homes are at a high right now

windtrader · July 31, 2018, 11:22:20 AM

Clifford - I was wondering the same thing about buyers wanting 4 stroke/Series 60 coaches. We know how brutal it is for sellers of 2 strokes, even those early 90's until 4 strokes came online around 1995. Y

These days, there aren't many Series 60 bus conversions for sale. Not having lived through it, it seems the big conversion fad was the 90's so a 4 stroke coach would not have been available. Probably like today, the number of conversions from professional converters was very low. By the time prices for the oldest 4 strokes became feasible for a diy conversion, nobody wanted to do it, fad was a dead hobby by 2010's.

Even though the market is quite small, anyone care to venture what the true street selling prices would be between early 90's and late 90's professional conversion?

DoubleEagle · July 31, 2018, 11:43:55 AM

Seems like the advice to buy someone else's conversion that is in good shape is still the soundest advice. As far as 2 cycle vs 4 goes, many of us love the sound of 2 cycles because it brings back memories. As time goes on, there will be fewer people who have that fondness, but as long as I am kicking, that is the sound I want to hear coming from the rear of an Eagle. If the prices of conversions stay low, that will help make up the cost of fuel.

chessie4905 · July 31, 2018, 11:58:46 AM

One big thing effecting the resaleability of older conversions is financing. Other than getting a home equity loan, financing is a big problem. You buy a new sticks and staples, no problem, just sign on the dotted line.