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Approximate Value.. 1996 XL40 CC
Hi all, My wife and I are looking at a Prevost that we both, on the surface, like. Searching around the last few months I see similar year/converter XL40 prices all over the place, from way low to surprisingly high.
I have already reached out to an independent consultant and also a bus mechanic. I see the value in obtaining a pro opinion regarding both house and chassis and I plan to possibly hire such for a much better educated guess at this once I get slightly closer.
But in the mean time I thought Id just just ask opinions… It would make me happy to offer the current owner fair market value minus any repair costs needed for the coach to be brought to a nicely dependable overall condition. There are some items it needs that I already know approximate costs to have professionally repaired/replaced. My question is more along the lines of.. what would be your opinion of a fair current market price of a 100% working, dependable, fresh rubbered, bagged, & serviced, 1996 XL40 Country Coach, 60 Series, 160K miles, w/1500 gen hours, as a starting basis?
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6 Replies
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1996 is a solid front axle coach. IFS started in 1997. With no slides it’s likely somewhere in the $75-$90,000 range.
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I know you’re looking for answers to “what price to expect” but what an incredibly difficult question? There are just soooooooo many things that go into this. Not withstanding those who price their bus way too high and frankly some who pirce there bus too low. I think the first thing is Do You Really Like The Bus? We can forgive some problems we have if we love our purchase!
I get updates when new Prevost Conversions come on the market from 1988 to 1994. These bus’s have the 8V92 Detroit Diesels and fit into the type of bus I have. I see bus’s in this range from $45,000 to $119,000. Both ends of that spectrum are out there!
Find what you like, have someone knowledgeable about a Prevost Bus and even the conversion if possible. And if you like the bus, the price is in line with your budget, BUY IT! Jon here on the forum has stated many times and take it to heart… “Don’t buy anything without $20,000 you can afford to put into the bus!” Or “buy $20,000 less bus” so you have extra working capital. That right there is some of the best advice anyone can give you! And Jon doesn’t have that many good ideas so grab onto the ones you can get!
Harry
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I respond to few things these days but this is one on which I can give some level of perspective. If this coach has new batteries, tires and air bags as indicated by “rubbered and bagged and serviced” … I would encourage you to realize here are some other items that will be aged out if not already… there is not a single item on this list that is not a current consideration for this coach:
bushings and control arms / water heaters / a/c units / auxiliary air pump / brakes / rear axles and seals / air leaks throughout the system / old head lights / out dated interior electronics for television, etc. / pulley bearings / possible roof leaks / fan clutch and assembly and do not forget the radiator … it is rusting …
Harry’s comment about the $20,000 may be disappointing but these are real items and numbers to consider for a 1996 coach …. they will be replaced if they have not already been replaced … from my view.
So now, you have some negotiating power … go get’em.
Pres
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Other than an answer that is a range of values, probably pulled from internet asking prices, the real value of any coach is what a seller will accept and what a buyer will pay. My cynicism will show through, but I have no clue how to zero in on “book” value because buyers typically understate what they paid, and what they had to spend to fix problems with their purchase. Sellers will overstate how much they received and of course every single coach sold was “well maintained”.
From my perspective the best a buyer can hope for is a bus that shows signs of care, records, receipts or log books detailing its maintenance history, and a seller who is willing to have any inspections a buyer wants to pay for done.
A buyer who is looking solely for the best price and is willing to low ball a seller whose coach is well above average should be told to take a hike. Similarly, a seller whose coach has no provable service history, shows signs of lack of care or even abuse, but thinks his coach is worth the excessive price being asked is also a time waster.
The best deal is an open friendly negotiation between a willing seller and a qualified buyer in which the seller is willing and capable of demonstrating everything on the coach and is able to show everything works, is within its service range, and that there are no surprises or hidden problems.
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All great answers.. thank you very much. These are indeed complicated vehicles/homes.
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I would direct your attention to a “95 coach on the site here offered by Dan Hilger on behalf of the wife of a recently deceased wonderful member of this PC group. The coach was cared for by the gentleman who was an excellent, excellent mechanic. The list of replaced items is extensive.
You might look at it.
Pres
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