Need advice on my bus search

[windtrader]

Newell is one of the ground up builders that are very durable and well built. And very good deals from time to time. With so few built, it's pretty insightful how tight that community is when they pretty much all discuss the different specific units by serial number. A good thing when doing research since there is a good chance more is know about that specific unit, its condition, and how it was cared for.


Bill- thanks for the contact in Fresno.

[luvrbus]

Prevost is not really a rich mans toy they can be had at bargains owners that buy one new just write one off for 5 to 7 years then a dealer grabs it.Prevost is the only player left in the game you see a few Vanhools,the Vanhool people like the Eagle and MCI they wanted the shell paid for when delivered.if you are on the Prevost converter list entertainment or RV conversions they will send a shell for no money till the bus is converted and sold or in the entertaiment field till it is finished and in revenue service. When you start paying 5 or $600,000.00 for a empty shell to convert you save a lot without any interest till it is sold.MCI rules the commuter bus business so they don't need the conversion business,the poor old Vanhool people now they have to beat on doors to sell theirs       

[Jim Blackwood]

I guess that explains the existence of those 1 and 2 million+ dollar rigs. They have to find well heeled buyers to make the build affordable to do in the first place. And of course that means the very finest in fittings and furnishments in order to be able to sell to those well heeled buyers. Hmmm, and it's not a rich man's toy you say? I'd love to see the explanation for that one. Let me guess, a used Prevost coach costs about what an MCI does? Can't say I've seen that. Maybe a really run down Prevost vs a really nice MCI?

Was a time when you could buy a used Ferrari for almost what you'd pay for a Chevy..... nope, that never really happened either. Except in very rare and isolated cases. Never anything I was going to see, or any other average person either.

Jim

[windtrader]

Clifford - you must be a billionaire to say Prevost is not a rich man toy. Here is a Marathon you can pick up at such a deal $2.5 MILLION, really? Yes, real deal


https://www.marathoncoach.com/product/marathon-coach-1327/

Oh - budget buster you say, used ones are nice at $1 MILLION +

Or there's this one for a real steal at $500K and it even includes a VCR. now that won't last long. lol

[richard5933]

Clifford - you must be a billionaire to say Prevost is not a rich man toy. Here is a Marathon you can pick up at such a deal $2.5 MILLION, really? Yes, real deal


https://www.marathoncoach.com/product/marathon-coach-1327/

Oh - budget buster you say, used ones are nice at $1 MILLION +

It's possible to pick up a Prevost professional conversion for under $60,000 in really nice condition. Under $40,000 for one in decent shape. Lots of professional conversions can be purchased for pennies on the dollar if you don't need slides and other things.

[luvrbus]

LOL my doctor just paid $2,985,000.00 for Foretravel converted Prevost,I did buy a new Vogue Prevost in 1997 but not for that kinda of money,for awhile I would buy Prevost trade in from Blades that owns Newell sell and make a few bucks lol but 2008 taught me a lesson,you can get good buys on used Prevost though we looked before buying our Country Coach   

[windtrader]

True and for those who have a few more coins to spend upfront, some of the older Prevost are a great option. All complete, probably had basic maintenance and in fair running order, documented, and ready to roll.

But as you say, there won't be slides, none on a DY bus either (for most) and you have to like the ultra Vegas brothel mirrors and lights.

Of course you can remodel one but then you need to tack some number of thousands for the out the door, down the road price.

Still, some make the jump like RJ and others.


And to be fair and not scare off noobs, I'm sure Marathon rolls out fewer than a 100 a year, so it is a rarified clientele buying a personal mega buck RV. Entertainers are a different breed than what we want for our purposes.

[luvrbus]

True and for those who have a few more coins to spend upfront, some of the older Prevost are a great option. All complete, probably had basic maintenance and in fair running order, documented, and ready to roll.

But as you say, there won't be slides, none on a DY bus either (for most) and you have to like the ultra Vegas brothel mirrors and lights.

Of course you can remodel one but then you need to tack some number of thousands for the out the door, down the road price.

Still, some make the jump like RJ and others.


And to be fair and not scare off noobs, I'm sure Marathon rolls out fewer than a 100 a year, so it is a rarified clientele buying a personal mega buck RV. Entertainers are a different breed than what we want for our purposes.

They are way over inflated to start with all you need to do is look at the prices on the build sheet a friggn CB for $800.00 you buy for 50 bucks,paint jobs for 85 grand

[chessie4905]

 Prevost Marathon older units resold to a buyer are in for one hell of a shock for repairs if they can't do the work themselves. My nephew has service records for the 92 he just bought. Most work is in the thousands or two. Oil change and lube at a Prevost service location in Fla. $880.00

[luvrbus]

Prevost Marathon older units resold to a buyer are in for one hell of a shock for repairs if they can't do the work themselves. My nephew has service records for the 92 he just bought. Most work is in the thousands or two. Oil change and lube at a Prevost service location in Fla. $880.00

John tell your nephew to read up on the air system they have the most over designed air system of anything lol 1 Norgren valve may control 5 more Norgren valve on a H-41 I bought one time the thing had 5 Norgren valves to close the door,thinking about a Prevost Service center is why we do not own one today Sonja remembered some of those bills   

[chessie4905]

He is. He did show me the seal kits available for those valves. He'll probably do them all. I got onto the Prevost owners Facebook book page. They are really helpful for problems. Seems every issue posted gets 20 helpful replies right away. Majority are very useful. Their thoughts on the Norgren valves mirror yours and Vans,btw.

[Jim Blackwood]

Wasn't that a Prevost that it was going to cost something like $3000 to replace the windshield? A new one for my DL was about  $350 from MCI at Louisville and I got a used one (actually 2) for about a hundred and I think I could change it by myself if I have to.

Jim

[windtrader]

For certain, Marathon, for example, when designing a product costing north of two million dollars barely considers economic operating and  maintenance costs; it is all about the very best at basically any cost.


It does make one think twice about owning one of these, even older ones, as ongoing upkeep costs may be a lot more than our basic MCI and GM based ones.


That said, it's not mentioned much that buying an older Prevost conversion is going to cost more to run.

[RJ]

That said, it's not mentioned much that buying an older Prevost conversion is going to cost more to run.

Don -

Explain, please.

[chessie4905]

Seems Cliff mentioned his windshield cost $$$$. You get glass coverage with a reasonable deductible. Then it is not a worry.