Buying A Bus: Part 2 of 3 - The Physical Inspection/Test Drive

By: Jim Michaud
President, BusesOnline.com

Once you have narrowed your search down and are able to focus on a few select buses, it is strongly recommended that you physically inspect and drive these buses. In this article, we will cover some basic pointers on what to expect and look for when the physical inspection and test drive takes place.

If you are looking at a vehicle that requires a CDL license, and you do NOT hold the proper class of license, you have two options:
a) Bring a qualified, properly licensed driver with you
b) Make sure who ever is selling the bus will be able to take you for a long drive

I would also recommend that if you do not have a good mechanical background or knowledge of the type of vehicle you are looking to purchase, that you bring a mechanic with you to inspect the drivetrain and chassis of that bus. These vehicles are pretty complex and it is important to know what you are looking at. If the bus is far away, and you can only afford to have one person inspect that bus, I would send an experienced mechanic. They can sometimes spot things that you could easily overlook, potentially costing you thousands of dollars if not addressed before the final sale, or negotiated into the final sale price ahead of time.

Before the test drive, a complete inspection should be done. Here are some tips on what to look at:

• Engine compartment - check oil leaks, cracked or damaged hoses & belts, exesive dirt, rust, etc.
• Body & frame – Inspect for accident damage, rust and corrosion
• Brakes – brake pedal is working properly and they release correctly
• Parking brakes – Must hold in place when foot is off the brake and bus is in gear at idle
• Gauges – all in working order, temps & pressures are within proper limits
• Check the HVAC system for operation.
• Seats - Check for broken or ripped seats
• Luggage areas - check overhead doors, inspect rear area or under-floor areas
• Condition of the various controls – make sure they work properly and move freely
• Mirrors – broken or not adjustable
• Windshields & windows – for cracks/brakes. Don’t forget to check the emergency exits too
• Emergency equipment – not a must at purchase, but should be in place before any trip
• Signal lights – all working and lens covers not cracked
• Running lights - all working and lens covers not cracked
• Air/Hydraulic system – no leaks and hold pressure when vehicle is turned off
• Tires & spare tire – proper inflation and tread wear, also check for tread depths

Now that your pre-trip inspection is done, it’s time for the test drive. Here are a few things to do when out on your test drive:

Try to have the engine cold before starting, then check for smoke, vibrations & strange noises.

• Test the brakes in the yard before going on the open road. Brake noise in reverse is normal with most S-cam brakes, but should not have any noise in forward.
• If the bus pulls to either side when brakes are applied, have the brakes adjusted and try driving it again. There should be no pull either way.
• Check the transmission in both forward & reverse. If there is significant lag when put in reverse, this could be trouble. See how it shifts over the road. It should have good solid shifts with no slippage between gears.
• On a straight road check for free play in the wheel & see if the bus pulls either way if you were to take your hands off of the wheel. It should go straight.
• See if there is a bumpy road to drive on to check for suspension and other noises.

NOTE: Please keep in mind this is meant only as a guide. For a complete list refer to your State DOT’s requirements for more detailed information about exactly what you'll need in your particular state to pass inspection.

What Road Is the Industry Traveling Down?

By Jim Michaud,
President, BusesOnline.com

During these tough economic times, people have a lot of questions. One of them might be about the state of the current used bus market. What's it like out there? Is now a good time to sell?  Is now a good time to buy? What does the future look like?

Though none of us have a "crystal ball", we can look back at the bus industry and learn from history. History tells us that things will get better.  When there are slow economic times, they do get better, and often times, even stronger than before! Economists are saying that our economy is getting stronger and we are on the rise, though slow, we ARE recovering. In terms of the bus industry, this is excellent news if you are buying or selling new or used buses and equipment.  

Whether you're in the market to buy or sell buses, it appears to be the right time.

Prices are steady and buyers are starting to act so that tells us it's a great time to sell buses. Additionally, lenders are more willing to lend, there is a good amount of equipment on the market, and prices are still very attractive, so this indicates it is also a great time to buy buses for sale and equipment.

The sun is shining, and buses are rolling!  People are spending again, and BusesOnline.com has proven to be a great tool for selling buses, with an increase in customers sales. Now's the time to get on board!

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Buying A Bus: Part 1 of 3 - Where To Begin

By: Jim Michaud
President, BusesOnline.com  

Unfortunately, you can’t just drive around town visiting several bus dealerships to find the right bus like you can when buying a car.  Buses and bus dealerships are scattered throughout the country, and visiting many of them when searching for your next bus would be far too expensive and take far too much time. 

Fortunately today, you have the internet: a useful tool that allows you to search the world for buses.  Now you can compare prices, options and alike directly from your office, home or even your cell phone!  Once you have narrowed your search, you can then contact the owner or dealer to ask more detailed questions and make possible arrangements to view the vehicles.

This makes shopping much easier, faster and far less expensive.  But… you still need to do your homework and make sure you are buying the right bus to fit your specific needs.

Ask yourself these 10 basic but important questions:

1) What is your price range?  This seems obvious, but be sure to factor in insurance/registration/taxes/fuel/routine and unexpected maintenance - consider the age of the vehicle when factoring maintenance costs – the older the bus, the more maintenance it will need.

2) Will you need financing?  It’s helpful to have your financing in place (pre-approval) before your vehicle search and know what your finance company’s requirements are ahead of time.

3) Will you be trading in a vehicle?  Whether you plan to trade-in or sell out-right, make sure you know what your current vehicle is worth. You can research this on your own, or contact a professional appraiser.

4) How many passengers will you typically be carrying?  The number of passengers you will be carrying will determine the size of vehicle you will need.  Be sure to think ahead to future plans and development.

5) Where are the nearest factory-authorized facilities?  For warranty work or a support facility – for example: if a Cummins dealer is 10 miles from you and a Detroit Diesel dealer is 100 miles from you, you might consider a Cummins engine a better option.

6) How far will you be traveling with this bus?  Day trips and casino runs have much different requirements than overnight trips and long tours.  Don’t under-buy or over-buy…buy what you need.

7) What options are most important to you and your customers?  Whether it’s an entertainment system, Wi-Fi and auxiliary power sources and automatic climate control for your passenger’s comfort, or fire suppression systems and tire pressure monitors for safety – make sure you get the options that are important to you and your customers.  After all, it’s your customers who you are buying the bus for.

8) Will you need a restroom?  Restrooms are beneficial and more comfortable for passengers on longer trips, but unnecessary for shorter day trips. Be sure you know the needs of your passengers.

9) Will you need under-floor storage?  Consider the type of trips you will be providing and what is needed for luggage room by your passengers. 

10) How far are you willing to travel for your purchase?  It’s never too far if it’s the right bus for you!

Be sure to look for more blogs about – “Bus Buying 101” coming soon!