Need advice on my bus search

[chessie4905]

I guess it depends on where the work is done. Previous Marathon owner took it to some places that appeared to work on trucks. If they found a problem, they just replaced, not repair.
People here have reported high labor rates on their MCI's, Eagles, and other brands as well. This is a do it yourself hobby.
Thank God for those rich people that can write off their rigs in a couple of years, eventually getting down to bargain prices for us. Lets hope they don't loose interest. Newer generations may buy mostly planes or boats or Prius's or bicycles....

[muldoonman]

If you're looking for a low mileage 40 footer I 'm the  second owner bought of a deceased Freinds wife ( me for 10 years) 1991 Prevost XL, 97,000 miles serviced by Prevost Houston. I getting out of the game. $50,000.  I'll pay Gary juice if I sell it on here.

[windtrader]

RJ,
I know you are deeply tuned and current on the bus conversion hobby and was curious about your comment about today's market.


Maybe you can offer some perspective in two areas. First, that which we all play in, mostly older DIY and some conversions from the majors you mention. Then, quite curious about the charter and commercial bus operators and the current crippling lack of business and how that is impacting newer buses being shed off their books in order to stay alive and also adjust to drop in business. Obviously, second choice would be one who wants to relive the glory days of DIY bus conversions.

Quote from: windtrader on Today at 04:12:45 PMThat said, it's not mentioned much that buying an older Prevost conversion is going to cost more to run.

Don -Explain, please.


RJ,
The question is more for you to offer insight to the used Prevost owners and cost of operation vs older GM/MCI conversions like you had previously.


There were multiple comments that Prevost may have more advanced systems and cost of parts and labor. So, my comment was along those lines that probably cost more to keep a Prevost and onboard systems all ship shape.

[RJ]

. . . an older Prevost conversion is going to cost more to run.

Don -

When I asked "Explain, please," I was referring to this portion of your comment. What do you mean that it's "going to cost more to run?"  Fuel? Tires? Batteries? Brakes? Please share your thoughts as to why you're thinking this way.

RJ

[luvrbus]

Prevost are a good bus you need to stay on top of the maintaince if you neglect one long it can cost $$$ bui that applies to all buses,I spent a week upgrading a older Prevost from the Humphrey control valves to the Norgern valves it was supposed to be a improvement hadn't really worked out according to the owner,Prevost doesn't sell parts or the Humphreys anylonger so you change       

[lostagain]

You got to pay to play!

I just spent thousands replacing the transmission on my 5C for example. It will be listed for sale soon. The new owner's gain...

I have to replace the Transynd fluid in the trans in my new Country Coach. That will be a big bill.

It doesn't matter what kind of bus you have, the upkeep is not cheap.

Unless you live in it full time, it is probably cheaper than owning and maintaining a house.

[luvrbus]

You got to pay to play!

I just spent thousands replacing the transmission on my 5C for example. It will be listed for sale soon. The new owner's gain...

I have to replace the Transynd fluid in the trans in my new Country Coach. That will be a big bill.

It doesn't matter what kind of bus you have, the upkeep is not cheap.

Unless you live in it full time, it is probably cheaper than owning and maintaining a house.

 
Yep you are going to spend some bucks JC I had mine change at Allison those 2 filters inside the transmission are nasty to change,lol then the ISX holds 12 gals of oil,I am changing the antifreeze now more money,oh almost forgot the hyd tank for the fan drive if yours is like mine it has 3 filters inside the tank they are fun to change too plus the external filter 
 

[windtrader]

Now being a bus owner for a few years, it is very clear how thick ones wallet needs to be to keep a bus fed and happy.


RJ, for some reason from the various comments about Prevosts in particular, it just seems cost and feeding is more than others such as MCI and GM.


Not specifically brakes, tires, filters, etc. but more that the systems may be more complex and therefore require more skill and specialized parts which cost more $$. That is really it.


So, simplifying this discussion to the core.


Do certain bus brands/models cost more/less than others to maintain?

[luvrbus]

Now being a bus owner for a few years, it is very clear how thick ones wallet needs to be to keep a bus fed and happy.


RJ, for some reason from the various comments about Prevosts in particular, it just seems cost and feeding is more than others such as MCI and GM.


Not specifically brakes, tires, filters, etc. but more that the systems may be more complex and therefore require more skill and specialized parts which cost more $$. That is really it.


So, simplifying this discussion to the core.


Do certain bus brands/models cost more/less than others to maintain?

You need to ask a person that has owned a fleet of different buses for the correct answer MCI rules the highways and commuter bus line use so there has to be a reason,for older buses the Eagle is my favorite easy to work on with lots of off the shelf parts   

[buswarrior]

Do certain bus brands/models cost more/less than others to maintain?

I drove in a mixed fleet, H345, MCI D,E,J models.

Some fleets go Prevost, some fleets go MCI.

Cost to maintain in fleet use is equal, except when one or the other of them tries something new... or the various emissions plateaus, but that stuff hurt everyone the same.

The reason we hear all the song and dance in the conversion community has to do with apples and oranges... and the ratio of neglected chassis. As noted earlier, prevost makes chassis available for really good financing terms, caters to the conversion market, where mci does neither.

There's just a whole lot more prevost out there that had no maintenance done to them when they were being used as bling by the original owner, me thinks...

Ask anyone trying to get an mci kneeling system to work... similar screaming to the prevost crowd...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

My kneel works. It only needed the kneel regulator backed down to the original 20 lb setting.

Jim

[Robert D]

Everyone that has replied, Thank you.
I haven't been able to reply in a couple of days due to preparing for the hurricane but I have been reading all of your input and researching all of your advice. Hopefully in a couple of days I will be able to reply to your suggestions better.
Please keep the info coming, I am learning a lot.
 
muldoonman pm sent

Thanks,
Robert

[dtcerrato]

@Robert D
Preparing for a hurricane...
Where are you located?

[luvrbus]

Everyone that has replied, Thank you.
I haven't been able to reply in a couple of days due to preparing for the hurricane but I have been reading all of your input and researching all of your advice. Hopefully in a couple of days I will be able to reply to your suggestions better.
Please keep the info coming, I am learning a lot.
 
muldoonman pm sent

Thanks,


Robert

Robert I got you PM but it is not me selling a MCI 5 that will be JC (Lostagain ) 1 of the nicest MCI 5 you find when it goes on the market
 

[Robert D]

@Robert D
Preparing for a hurricane...
Where are you located?

I am in the Southern Florida Keys (Little Torch Key). The storm was pretty light here, it hit the Northern Keys and Miami/Dade with a lot of water.