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05 /19/ 26, 3:42pm

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Subject: general Author: CARY BROOKS [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 02/ 2/ 09, 1:45pm Hi guys, I'm a 1st time poster, but I've follow this site for a number of years. I'm in the market for a coach (3-5 years)& I've decided on a Bluebird. I even have my wife on board with the whole idea! But my questions are many. I have looked at the coaches for years and I'm pretty familar with years, models, powertrains etc. My budget has me in a mid to late 80's coach. Problem ONE is, I've never driven one. I grew up with a Newell (please don't hate me it was an awesome bus) in our family, and was bitten by the coach bug at a very early age. I'm very certain I can handle one; But would really like to drive one to know what I'm in for. Secondly, I would really like to hear some thoughts on what I should be looking for in a coach. Far beyond "Clean inside & out" and "only driven on Sundays to church and back". I mean questions like, Cat VS Detroit, 8V92 VS 6V92, Allison VS Zf trans. I undersatnd that the year and model will have a great deal to do with powertrain combo's.I've been thru "Buzzy's checklist" which is helpful. But are there any combo's that are an "Ideal" set up in the rigs? What I'm hoping to find is a PT40. Any thoughts would be a great help. I have lot's and lot's of questions; Hope it will be OK to pick everyone's thoughts. I've noticed that none of these bad boys have spare tires.? So..... Whattya do? I'm all over the tire maintenance thing; but you're in Hells Half Acre and you lose a tire. Looking forward to hearing some thoughts Cary Brooks Valparaiso IN [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: general Author: Ernie Ekberg [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02/ 2/ 09, 3:30pm Cary, the first thing to look for in a perspective coach is mileage. If it has low miles and is 20 years old, that may be a problem. Second I would look at if there are any body fluids leaking on the ground. 6v's- which I have a PT40 is underpowered. I can live with that. 8v's are more powerful and can pull hills without downshifting. BMC's are nice, also but were built in the 90s. AS for a blowout- get Coachnet roadside assistance. It is available from around $125+ a year. Money well spent. Ernie [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: general Author: CARY BROOKS [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02/ 2/ 09, 4:41pm Ernie, Thanks for the input. Not real sure what the BMC is. I've seen them for sale labled as Bluebirds but I noticed they are built on a Spartan chasis, and they don't look like a Wanderlodge. Were these a "budget coach" line? I've also noticed alot of Wanderlodges for sale that show rebuilt or replaced powerplants, but the total mileage on the coach in most cases is under 150K miles. It has me a bit suspicious; I've always heard that diesel engines were barely "broken-in" until 200k miles. Could it be a sign of neglect/abuse? Thanks in advance, Cary [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: general Author: Ernie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02/ 5/ 09, 2:15pm The BMC's were introduced as the "affordable" way to own a Wanderlodge. They are built just as well, not as many features, but on a Spartan chassis. I would not hesitate a bit to own one of these.As to the powerplants. Yes, with more hours and days of just sitting, things deteriorate rather quickly. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]