Bus Buying Guide - Do's & Don'ts when buying a bus.

[richard5933]

There are LOTS of threads about inspecting a new-to-you bus for potential problems, including some with checklists and diagrams showing potential problem points for particular models.

When I first came to this forum, I spent many hours reading through all the threads which were even remotely related to what I was looking for. I still had lots of questions, but at least I knew a little more than nothing and could ask better questions.

There are many existing bus conversions out there for sale at great prices right now, some in excellent condition. Interior design is relatively cheap/easy to upgrade, mechanical systems not so much.

If you are unfamiliar with inspecting a bus, you will want someone with you that is if at all possible. Or, try and find a shop which works on buses to do an inspection on the bus with it up on the rack to eliminate some expensive surprises. A few hundred spent on an inspection can help you avoid a money pit which has no hope to ever be safe to drive.

[chessie4905]

I think your realistic price range of how much you are willing to spend on a Coach should be 1st. Before you start a conversion.THEN, we can give you a better idea what to look for. 35 foot models are fewer and older. Majority of them are 40 foot. Now newer ones are common in 45 foot models.

[DoubleEagle]

Hey SomeDude, you need to cool your jets son. There's a nice lil' link at the bottom of every post for you to press where you can lodge a complaint . That's how it works around these parts, other wise just change the channel.

  Happy bus shopping.
   Van.

Sound advice, but SomeDude/Someguy/Paininthebuttguy, might not listen.

[usbusin]

Drew, you have a fellow Manitoban  about 300 km from you.  His name on this board is "Jim eh",  Maybe he will chime in.

[buswarrior]

Sound advice, but SomeDude/Someguy/Paininthebuttguy, might not listen.

Someguy should check the amount of silent readers on the Board.

And consider himself lucky that he is able to type his thoughts at length.

Many busnuts are not interested in typing their thoughts, but they will bend your ear for many a long night, with hands-on, real experience, not $#!% they regurgitate with no personal validation.

Thorough research, find a seller that will put up with this days long inspection...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Beluga Bus]

Dan, The change was made sometime after its time in Utah.

Somedood, the experts have replied to Drew. I personally know luvrbus and Van, and between them they have more
than half a century owning, fixing, driving, and coverting buses, both privately and commercially. Also, you were the first to hijack this thread with your discussion of a E/J4500s, which had nothing to do with Drew buying a 1945-1967 classic bus. You are the one who seems butt hurt that no one wants to go into a deep discussion of that bus with you.

[Van]

In my experience budget has quite a lot to do with practical expectations when inspecting a potential bus purchase candidate and how much the seller will put up with. "You get what you pay for" Not always true The question is how much $$$$ & sweat equity are you willing to invest after your purchase.

[Van]

Sound advice, but SomeDude/Someguy/Paininthebuttguy, might not listen.

 Me thinks him listens, it's hearing that is the?? Is that even possible

[windtrader]

Me thinks him listens, it's hearing that is the?? Is that even possible

Van, you da expert on boulder, living in a city full of them. I always thought boulders didn't have ears, do they listen by vibration?

[Van]

I always thought boulders didn't have ears, do they listen by vibration?

 LOL!

[Busted Knuckle]

Somedude or whoever you are I know to YOU I am just a newbie that just showed up, but let me tell you I know a whole lot of these guys that you bad mouth from here on the boards and from rallys personally.
You know your not the first "google" or "youtube" expert we've had on these boards and I am 100% sure you won't be the LAST!

Now I am just a nobody that knows nothing and a sure idiot for sure for owning 14 buses at one time, but I have had a little real world experience and one thing I can tell you fer sure is that if you'd tone it down a bit and not feel you know everything (because we all know it must be true because you read it on the internet!)

You could actually learn a little from ALL the others hear on the board but I can tell you fer sure that "Yoda" and several others hear have forgotten more than any of the rest of us here on the board knows and even as much as he might have forgotten he still knows more than the rest of us including YOU!
On top of that if he doesn't know the answer to something he KNOWS the people to ask as he has vast friends in all places.

Thank you and have a great day !
Signed new guy
   BK 

[DoubleEagle]

And how practical is it to tell everyone that they should travel half way across the country to talk to a few supposed "experts" at the next event, which will happen who knows when, given COVID ?  Why aren't those supposed experts contributing something to this thread ?  They seem to have endless energy when it comes time to bitch about something they don't agree with.

Well, "someguy", the supposed "experts" have been talking to you, including the Supreme Yoda. If you don't realize who he is, then you have not been paying attention at all. Be sure to wear a "someguy" identification badge at the next bus event you go to so everybody can give you the benefit of their knowledge. 

[Van]

I guess if you have to explain why you need to go to a bus rally to a busnut, they're really no Busnut at all. Says alot in my book. "Nuff said"

[muldoonman]

Budget is the deal on most purchases or is in my books. Get one cheap and wrap up 10 or 15 grand with tires , batteries and such. Might find a hell of a deal on a newer coach.



Like mine. 

Hope you find a good un.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 They are all "good ones"......until they break..>>>Dan