new cover looks great (jan)

[scottie]

yah i know ,everyone has finished reading FEBURARY B.C.M.
but i just got the janurary in the mail today (feb 1st)
it looks great...nice new look .....better late than never.....

p.s. just got a lead on another bus....
1985 MCI 102A3...yah whooo its a wide model...darn its a 5 speed lol
new batteries,starter,and clutch (yet to be installed...)
asking $4800.00.....price is right
has a few foggie windows,and the a/c doesnt work,and i think there is some body damage...
i would go and look at it this weekend but...i have a foot  of snow in laneway,with a nice topping of freezeing rain,and more snow to come...8 more weeks till spring 
scottie 

[tekebird]

That is a don't even bother wasting your time to look price.

[Slow Rider]

Why do you say that Doug?

Frank

[tekebird]

beause a 102 is worth more as scrap than the asking price.

generally a deal too good to be true is.

convienient that the clutch is bad which makes road testing impossible more or less.

[tekebird]

4800.00

new batteries................................................ 200.00 conservitively
steel wheels.................................................. 200.00
Tire casings................................................... 200.00
then whatever scap metal and engine core is worth now days.

my guess....and yep...only a guess.

Needs tires all around
needs brakes
engine problem?
we know it has body damage of some sort.

looking for a bus project...before you start your conversion project.....might be worth it

buy the best bus you can afford...............if 4800 is the best you can afford we will likely see you bus on ebay down the road...in partial converison...or left somewhere when it breaks down and the couple thousand dollar tow and or repair bill is more than you can swallow.


I think Scottie should share with the group what he wants....what he can afford, what kind of time he plans on building what it is he wants...etc etc........so the educated masses can guide him correctly for that sake of his own insanity, that of his family and favorite pet.....not to mention his bank account

[Slow Rider]

Thanks for answering my question.....

Frank

[TrevorH]

Is there something wrong with 102A3's in general or do you just have a feeling about this one?  I am about to purchase one so this is kinda important

[tekebird]

no I think the A3 is a great bus......but there are alot out there that need thousands in work to make them safe...and more thousands to make them look good...and thats before doing any conversion.

an A3 in passable condition should  cost you alot more than 4800.00

areas of concern

Rust: rear suspension
         bulkhead fro and aft of rear axles
         Supports holding up radiator blowers
         visible skin rust
         wavyness of the sides (painted areas)
         if the plenum intakes show signs of rust

         

[scottie]

when i go and look at it ill keep you posted
yes your right $4,800.00 is cheap.
the guy told me on the phone that he was going to convert it but his wife liked their 5th wheel better.
it sounded like he was doing one and his buddie was doing a mci-9 too at the same time.
i think hes a x driver
the owner of the small bus lines died (KERR) and the two of them bought all their buses,the 102,two mci9 and a few school buses...
it doesnt hurt to look,and yes i can allways learn more by looking at another bus.
what am i looking for...mci...seated...good shape ,great shape,,,the cheaper the better...going to converted it my self in the next 5 years...no rush...
cheers
scottie 

[tekebird]

still too cheap, a family or an estate administrator or even the IRS would know to get more than 4800 for a 102A3 unles s it was s non runner....and even with that I have seen non runners selling at aalmost twice the 'asking" price of this one.

if your looking cheap you ought to be looking at MC-8's or 9's. true a 102 is nice to have that extra 6" on the insde. but properly laid out you will not know the difference.

keep in mind a cheap bus is just that a cheap bus.......and do you want a whole bunch of bus mechanical work to add on to your 5 year conversion?  Do you also really want a 5 year project?  There are not alot of people in the world who will stick out a 5 year project to completetion.

although every once in a blue moon you might find a bus of the vintage I think you think you want for cheap, I would not expect to pay less than 10k for a good runner, maybe shave off a bit if there is body damage, super high mile worn out engine, tires with no tread etc etc.

if your looking for a deal go to a GM or older MCI.

I would also suggect buying one that is a partial or already converted as a base for your project......you will be ahead of the game starting there than a blank slate.

[Tom Y]

Scottie, I would look at it. I drove 7 hours to look at a 5C for 5000.00 in NYC. I felt I was misled by the seller and told him so. I few months later I find a # and call not knowing what bus it was. It is now going to be scrapped and is free minus motor and trans. I should have hauled it home for the amount of work I have done on mine, it would have worked for me. You never know unless you look.  Tom Y