Nine MCI 45' buses up for auction Feb. 23

[Geoff]

Last time there was only 3 buses up for bid, now there are 9ea 45 ft. MCI's.  I am not involved in this, I only got a flyer in the mail.

The auction will take place Feb. 23, 2019, 10 am.  Vallejo, CA

For more information go to:
www.1stcapitolauction.com

[windtrader]

Thanks Geoff,


No details as yet. Only mention of the buses is the brochure that says what you put in the subject.
May check it out in person. I lost the last one I bid on, not that I need another one. lol

[Dave5Cs]

Why are they auctioning them. They are in Vallejo they will get stolen anyway,lOl

[kinson]

What is the purpose of "DEALER ONLY"?  Do they require you to prove?

*Edit* Yes.  Dealers License and Sellers Permit. 

[Geoff]

Not quite "dealers only".  If you are from out of state you can buy a non CARB approved bus by having an out of state ID and Bill of Lading, which also exempts you from paying CA sales tax.  If you win a bus, you pay up and drive out the gate-- or haul it out on a trailer if you follow the rules. 

[windtrader]

details up. 2003 d4500. no bids. says no minimum, no reserve.
These are from commuter fleet.
Looks CARB compliant.
https://1stcapitolauction.proxibid.com/First-Capitol-Auction/Asset-Seizures-Government-Fleet-Vehicles/event-catalog/156173

[Geoff]

These buses are 15-16 years old (2003), and most of them are retrofitted to current CARB Standards. The ones that aren't are CA Dealer or out of state buyers only.

I'm wondering if the CARB compliant buses have lower engine hours since that is probably when they were rebuilt.

Well, the last three MCI D's that sold at this auction were non-compliant, and went for 8k each.

[windtrader]

What is really surprising is how little interest this auction has generated here. If anyone is at all serious considering this coach for conversion, why nada? That many units going to auction with ZERO reserve and minimum has gotta deliver a super deal or two. These will probably go for more than the last batch as these seem able to be titled as working transport vehicles.

[chessie4905]

I'm willing to bet interest in doing a conversion is waning due to the realization that getting insurance is a major hurdle, especially before it is an official conversion. Major then changes to a significant one. Liability insurance not so bad. It's the collision part that is the bugger, especially if financing through other than a personal loan or younger than, say, 35 to 40 without an exemplary driving record, or significant employment history.
Notice how many units show up on Facebook for sale after short ownership of the shell having conversion just started or not.
  Then we get into problems on where to park or store it without the ire of local jurisdictions.

[neoneddy]

I've got the sickness, I looked at these  with an eye towards "what would I build when the kids are grown?, 45 feet would be nice.

I'm not even doBe with the first build yet, and my oldest is 13.

I love my city, it's 1 minimum acre lots by law / ordinance and for the most part we stay out of each other's business. I've been able to convert ours in or next to our driveway with nothing but eagar questions, smiles and honking as they drive by and see it progressing. 

[buswarrior]

Typically, peeps are here because they already have a bus.

Don't let all the noise on social media distract you, huge percentage of those are penniless enthusiast posers.

And living life large online encourages others to bid against you, and/or string out their authoritative criticisms.

I'm not telling anyone that i'm bidding on the whole set so we can start shooting Gary's bus conversion reality show...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

Could be interesting, those being in Cali. Pretty much a long transport whoever buys them. And you'll have other transpo companies interested. For the right price one of those just might buy the complete set. But they should be very nice buses if not too badly abused. Whether or not a deal is possible won't be clear until the dust settles.

Jim

[luvrbus]

I read somewhere that those buses are being replaced by new MCI's with natural gas engines

[kinson]

2500 miles to get it home or I'd be pretty interested.

[windtrader]

Insurance hurdle is something new to me as mine was titled as an RV when purchased. Clearly, these are presently commercially equipped so it'll require insurance that covers commercial not private use; maybe, there are different classes for type of use such as driving myself, no passengers, very little use during conversion, etc. vs driving parishioners on Sundays or the HS football team to games.


The lure and pull is strong to DIY convert commercial bus to RV but there are so many hurdles including where you park and work on the thing for the required extended duration. Most haven't access to legal/affordable space for storing and working on the project.


Finding and buying a great quality coach that is really good shape, cheap, close, documented, etc. is rare. Transporting these after sale to home can cost a wallet full of bucks but in the overall total spent cost once converted it isn't all that much. It is tough to decide to transport a bus a couple thousand miles even if it's a gem. Unless you live a hour away. LOL


Well, I've decided to check it out. Really hard to know if buyers are interested in purchasing for commercial use, in CA or other states. Actually, draw a blank who's going to bid. If they go really cheap and drive well, I very well may buy one as a rolling storage unit, cheaper than what I'm paying now.