I went to the Prevost website and was surprised at the much lower prices and large inventory of really nice units on the market. So I am guessing that it is more of a buyer's market on buses than ever before? I'd be happy to see one of those in the driveway even if I couldn't afford to fill the gas tank. Cathy

Buyer's market yes, if you look at some of the sale web site (busnut) the prices are falling.

The thought is weather I could affort to get one of the nicer ones, I see or finish mine.

I think, that as the price of fuel climbs even higher that there will be even better deals.

I feel sorry for the people who have invested so much time, money and effort into the unit, and think they have to sell, at such a loss.
George Meyer's always said in his book that we should just use the bus, unitl it falls apart and then take it to the scrape yard.

david

I agree with George. No RV, even a bus conversion, is an appreciating asset. Run it, enjoy it, and don't worry what it will be worth down the road. With any luck at all, I'll die before the bus does and it will be my kids' problem to dispose of.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick Russell:
...No RV, even a bus conversion, is an appreciating asset...

GEE, Not even an MCI???

We'll run until one of us gives up! I've already told David that if he kicks off before me... I'm going to keep on going!(He started back smoking... again ) At least until they chase me down and take my driver's license away!! I'm pretty sure the bus would outlast me but the Class C sure won't!

I would like to know where some of these Prevost sites are. One thing that I have to understand is if the 8V92 engines are as good as the Series 60 Detroits. Also did Prevost install ever use Cat engines.
Any Info would be appreciated.

Phil Barr , Clinton, Michigan

I just use the Yahoo search engine and put in "used Prevost for sale" and it brings up several sites to browse. I don't anything about engines. Cathy

Clintonmotor, try this one.

http://www.prevost-stuff.com/ Steve

clintonmotor ... Prevost only uses Detroits. Series 60 is a million mile motor 12 & 14 liter and a Silver 8V92ta 475 hp is good for around 1/2 millions miles. The series 60 will also get better fuel milage.

I have a new Silver 8V92ta in my bus and with proper maintenance it will out last me ... and then some.
Ron

I have also noticed that there are alot of Prevost on the market. I still can't help but think many Prevost owners are having trouble selling thier coaches (without slides)close to their asking prices. Can anyone out there confirm or deny my suspicion. Also, how does one determine a fair market price for a Prevost? Are the consigment dealers keeping the asking prices inflated? My dream RV would be a Prevost H series with two slides under $200K. Does anyone think this is possible?

seamo

This is a website I keep bookmarked: www.staleycoach.com. Cathy

Bluebird vs Prevost vs Newell vs Beaver Patriot vs Gulf Stream Tourmaster vs American Eagle?

Looking at all of these, I am finding that I need at least 400hp to 500hp. This is what I need.

The only thing that scares me is that buying a 1990 , 91,92,93,94,95 etc. That we are getting into a Money Pit.

Someone educate me. I have looked at a ton of these coaches. What is a good deal and what is not.

Phil Barr - Michigan

quote:

seamo

"My dream RV would be a Prevost H series with two slides under $200K"

I think you'll be waiting for awhile for that ... running around 450 to 500K for a double slide.

I wouldn't shy away from a 90's coach. A good deal would be..for an early 90's coach, 130 to 180K for a 8V92ta. And for a mid 90's 200 to 250K for a series 60. JMO
Ron

My first choice would be a Prevost, second would be a Bluebird and the others mentioned wouldn't be mentioned in the same breath especially a used one. Prevost is timeless like a brick house. Bluebird - The Wanderlodge - like a well built stick house but the others - mobile homes and while mobile homes can be nice they are stick houses or brick houses either. Beware the decor - like "lemon tree very pretty..." Cathy

I agree with Nick. I'll pass away and let the kids worry about the bus (truck and Airstream, too).

Cost? When I purchased our MC8 the going price was about 20K. The MC9's were about 45k (shell prices). About a year after I purchased our bus, Greyhound dumped their MC9's on the used market. Needless to say, the MC8 and MC9 prices dropped like a rock.


So what? I have our MC8 and enjoy it very much.... let my kids worry about it!!

I have a Detroit 8V71NA in the bus and a Detroit Series 60 in the truck... Wow!! no comparison. I only wish the Series 60 was in my bus. Then no need for the truck.

don

quote:

Originally posted by clintonmotor:
Bluebird vs Prevost vs Newell vs Beaver Patriot vs Gulf Stream Tourmaster vs American Eagle?

The only thing that scares me is that buying a 1990 , 91,92,93,94,95 etc. That we are getting into a Money Pit.

Someone educate me.
Phil Barr - Michigan

I appreciate your concern - if it were a car we were talking about, buying a 15 or 20 year old vehicle would be a cause for serious concern. Four years ago we bought a 1981 Prevost chassis that was converted in 1992. I put some serious money into the drivetrain shortly after buying it - in hindsight I probably did not need to but I did it anyway and I know it will last longer than I will now. You have to see the construction on these coaches to appreciate how well built they really are. There truly is no comparison to a production motorhome. For example, we put new bearings in this unit. The shop that did the work runs heavy trucks in the northern Alberta oil patch. They had never seen bearings as heavy as Prevost uses in this coach and ended up ordering the bearings directly from Prevost because they couldn't find them locally. Now that's a serious problem if you have to do work on the road but its also a serious advantage once the work is done.

If you are absolutely green then find a bus or truck mechanic to take with you to look at coaches. If you can afford to look at coaches in the 90's then you can find an electronic engine. Detroit's electronic engines (which Prevost uses) are called "Series 60" engines. They will get mileage that is substantially better than what I get with my 8-92. You will likely never have to work on them but they are also relatively economical to work on (c/w Cat for instance).

The other maintenance items you will want to look at are pretty obvious - tires and brakes are the two biggies. I just put new drivers on our coach - $2700 Canuck bux down the drain. I put new steers on when we bought it - $1500 for a pair of Michelin steer tires. My brakes will likely outlast me - I'm not quite 50 so that is a lot of years yet. Batteries are a biggie too and here in the frozen north you can't have too much battery.

Probably the most important attitudinal change you have to make when you own a large coach is to switch from repair mode to maintenance mode. Maintenance is something you do ahead of time; repairs are what you do when you have to. Most of us probably repair our daily drivers and aren't really accustomed to doing vehicle maintenance. Maintenance is MUCH more economical but it is also pretty easy to neglect.