Buying a bus

[mjmckelvey23]

Hey I know I haven't been on for a while but I'm ready to buy a bus! I live in Monument, CO and can anyone point me in the right direction?


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[djkeev]

What kind of bus?

A VW Bus?
A school Bus? (Front engine)
A metro commuter bus? (Rear engine)

 

[mjmckelvey23]

What kind of bus?

A VW Bus?
A school Bus? (Front engine)
A metro commuter bus? (Rear engine)

School bus, mostly


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[squatting dog2]

Quick google search brought up this... myself, I'd start searching craigslist. these others are a bit pricey.

http://www.rockymtnbus.com/

http://www.nationalbus.com/Colorado/Default.aspx

 

[mjmckelvey23]

Quick google search brought up this... myself, I'd start searching craigslist. these others are a bit pricey.

http://www.rockymtnbus.com/

http://www.nationalbus.com/Colorado/Default.aspx

Yeah, I looked at them.


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[Almost There]

I just stumbled on this forum:

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/

Didn't know if you'd already been there.

 

[mjmckelvey23]

Quick google search brought up this... myself, I'd start searching craigslist. these others are a bit pricey.

http://www.rockymtnbus.com/

http://www.nationalbus.com/Colorado/Default.aspx

And yeah those prices a bit much for me...


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[djkeev]

The down side of an old bus is that they don't retire them young.
Well, actually more affluent school districts may retire them young but the retired buses end up at poorer districts for extended use.
Your State may have a mandatory retirement age for School Buses, well guess what? Other States don't.

Those retired older buses go even longer after moving to those different States.

Most often a School Bus for sale has literally been around the block a few times.

I'd not run to one without being very very wary of wear and weariness.

Dave

 

[msbarth]

What is the purpose of buying a bus, is it to live in? If so you would be prudent to check out local codes about buses. I am fortunate that I live outside of city limits and codes are pretty much non existant. After living in Memphis, TN, for many years and fighting with code enforcers just to keep a licensed, insured and fully functional motor home in my driveway that you are wise to check code and also home owners associations which are as bad if not worse. One neighbor can cause you much grief.

Most times you cannot park them or work on them and storage is expensive. I live in the sticks now and for the last 9 years I have not been visited by code or HOA and it is wonderful to be able to do what you want on your own property.

Good luck on your search for a bus and I am not trying to talk you out buying one, just don't want you to have any surprises.

Oh, by the way my bus is a 1984 chevy short bus.

 

[mjmckelvey23]

What is the purpose of buying a bus, is it to live in? If so you would be prudent to check out local codes about buses. I am fortunate that I live outside of city limits and codes are pretty much non existant. After living in Memphis, TN, for many years and fighting with code enforcers just to keep a licensed, insured and fully functional motor home in my driveway that you are wise to check code and also home owners associations which are as bad if not worse. One neighbor can cause you much grief.

Most times you cannot park them or work on them and storage is expensive. I live in the sticks now and for the last 9 years I have not been visited by code or HOA and it is wonderful to be able to do what you want on your own property.

Good luck on your search for a bus and I am not trying to talk you out buying one, just don't want you to have any surprises.

Oh, by the way my bus is a 1984 chevy short bus.

Yeah, I know people don't like unconventional lifestyles. I am out of the city though and Have some spots across the country to park without harassment.


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[Optimistic Paranoid]

Just be sure to talk to your insurance agent first and verify there won't be any problems insuring it before you spend any money.  In some states, it's not a problem.  In other states, it's the next closest thing to impossible.

 

[LoupGarou]

^ Make sure you can get insurance on it before the purchase. Getting some isn't impossible, just problematic. It's not the insurance companies that's the problem, it's their underwriters. If you still want to get one, insure it for what it is, not for what you intend to turn it into.

After the conversion and RV certification, then insure it as an RV. Keep all your receipts for the big ticket items. It helps assign a value to the effort.

 

[masterplumber]

Hey, glad to see you guys are ready to buy. Maybe get on Search Tempest and do a search within however many miles you're willing to drive. It searches Craigs List, Ebay, etc...Let us know when you find the right rig. I'd love to help you guys put it together. I assume you're a family of 4 now, counting the pup? Rocky Mountain Bus Sales used to have a really cool old camp bus with a 4 wheel drive conversion, low mileage, auto road sanders and auto chains etc. They are pretty pricey though - that particular one they wanted $17K for.

 

[mjmckelvey23]

Hey, glad to see you guys are ready to buy. Maybe get on Search Tempest and do a search within however many miles you're willing to drive. It searches Craigs List, Ebay, etc...Let us know when you find the right rig. I'd love to help you guys put it together. I assume you're a family of 4 now, counting the pup? Rocky Mountain Bus Sales used to have a really cool old camp bus with a 4 wheel drive conversion, low mileage, auto road sanders and auto chains etc. They are pretty pricey though - that particular one they wanted $17K for.

Hey, yeah that would be great to swing by! It would be great to get the help as well! I feel bad not keeping in touch but we've been ridiculously busy with Evelynn, our pup ( now 50lbs), and working it's been hard, but once we get the bus we're gonna need All the help we can get


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