1978 MCI 5C - 35' 6V92TA w/Allison automatic

[SkellBell]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/rvs/4092357640.html

Another MCI for your thoughts?

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Very heavy price in this market, don't believe the 10 miles per gallon, not with an automatic. I like the description that lays out all the details, even if some are suspect.>>>Dan

[SkellBell]

Dan - what is a fair price in this market if it really does have all these bells and whistles?

[Lin]

Whoever did the listing seems to generally know what he/she is talking about.  That's a good thing in the sense that the buyer would have a lot of valuable information up front.  The downside could be that they may have a hard time dealing at today's market value.  If it has everything listed in good/excellent condition as mentioned, I would think in terms of 30k or even less depending on what you would think needs to be done.  Let me add though that I am by no means qualified to make an accurate estimate but am willing to guess anyway.  One problem with trying is that the pictures are not very good, so the interior could be better or worse than the impression I get.

[luvrbus]

$40,000 will get you a mid 80's Prevost by a pro converter that was never a bus with low miles that guy is dreaming he has a $20,000 unit if he is lucky in today's market

[lostagain]

I would look at the 5C before the 9. A 5C is like a 9, only 5 feet shorter. If everything is as described, it would be a bargain even at $40 000. Unless you really want to look at a Prevost ... If the A/Cs are in the baggage compartments, with the plumbing and electrical, there won't be much space left for baggage. I have a 5C with the same powertrain and I get around 7 to 7.5 miles/US gal., which is normal. Great bus.

JC

[muldoonman]

Gave $57,000 for a 91 prevost xl mirage 3 years ago with 52,000 one owner miles. Heck the 15 kw Kubota gen set only had 25 hours on it.  Have spent upgrading things though. I guess if you feel a price is right for you and you have the green go for it. Enjoying it rat now parked down on the Gulf Coast in Texas.

[Dave5Cs]

I know a guy who looked at this one the 5C and said it was pretty dated on the inside and was not impressed. He said the guy told him he had worked on it for 20 years??? Said he was a nice guy but wanted to much and would not go below 38K for sure. Motor was in good shape, cabinets not finished.

Dave5Cs

[SkellBell]

Dave5Cs - the pink shades would definitely have to go but did he say anything about the mechanicals? Would he be willing to talk with me?

[Dave5Cs]

Look him up in the members, "Geom" I am sure he would be willing to talk to you about it. His name is George.

Dave5Cs

[SkellBell]

Much thanks Dave!

[tekebird]

I'd steer away from anything that has been repowered with an engine the bus did not come with........too big a risk of cooling issues

[lostagain]

The 6V92 and Allison transmision is a common upgrade in a 5. It has worked very well for numerous happy owners. Mine with 90 injectors, does not have an overheating problem.

JC

[luvrbus]

The 8v71 radiators in a 5 should handle a 6v92 without any problems they are about the same engine in cubic inches

[bevans6]

The real expense that is not usually foreseen in buying a conversion is running gear, engine, and with MCI's the air beams, springs and other rust.  If this bus has an original 42K miles and 9K on the engine and trans, the shell is probably worth $20K at least.  Add in a usable conversion that is updateable, add $10K.  I'd give in the mid $30's for this if the story checks out.  It's probably worth a lot more than that given the miles.  It's effectively a new old bus.

Edit:  Satellite system, dual central air, Trace 4KW inverter, 350 AH of industrial Batteries, 6500W Onan, Webasto, stainless steel water tanks, put that basically new conversion stuff on a credit card and you'd spend close to $25K  Ross integral steering upgrade too, missed that the first time.  I think that for anyone who wanted a bus conversion and wanted to actually use it as opposed to have it sit in the driveway and get worked on, this bus could be ideal.  It's selling for less than I've spent on my 5C and mine has a couple of million miles on the frame.

Brian