[Kirby]

From my perspective a low mileage bus throws up warning flags for two reasons.

The first is that our coaches are built on a chassis that was designed to be run daily and that frequent exercise seems to minimize some issues. Our suspensions rely on a lot of Norgren valves and if you combine inactivity with even the slightest amount of moisture in the air system the valves have the potential to stick or leak. That is one example of mechanical issues that might be caused by lack of use. Some rubber compounds are designed so flexing or exercizing the item releases chemicals that resist aging. We all know tires age far better when driven regularly than those that do not get that constant flexing. I don’t know if that applies to other things like air bags but I would try to be aware of the potential for items such as air bags, suspension bushings and the like to deteriorate.

My other concern about a coach that has a lack of use is the maintenance program. Will an owner who perhaps only puts 4000 miles a year on a coach be inclined to change coolant in two years or transmission fluid in four years when the cost of such service is very expensive when you consider it in terms of dollars per mile? If the owner isn’t driving the bus often he isn’t going to be thinking of service for it either.

I think a coach used routinely and maintained to the recommended schedule would make me feel more comfortable than a low mileage coach, especially if it was accumulating those miles when it was new, and then ended up being a garage queen in later years. I think most low mileage coaches sit for very long periods prior to being sold rather than being driven a constant but low mileage over the life of the coach.

[Corey]

On my coach I bought 6 years ago, it had 50,000 miles on the 8V92TA since new and we have put 39,000 on it. For a Total of 89,000. I know folks like Peter puts that on in a season with his horse training clinic. I have the oil changed every 8,000 miles and, Trans with synthetic once, radiator flush and fluid once. Everytime we go into Prevost for an oil change (about once a year) it gets the Level 3 service. As far as outside it has never spent over 2 or 3 days outside in the sun as it’s always been stored inside. Prevost factory paint Still looks new. Wouldn’t concern me to buy a low mileage coach if it had been watched over and taken care of by folks that are in the know.

[Archived]

Larry, Jon is correct on all points. Being at least a bit “Scottish”, I am willing to only spend X number of dollars on a bus. I find the sweet spot in value to be a 10 to 15 yr old bus and look for mileage of at least 8K/yr. While researching a particular bus, I will try to determine service intervals and how it was used and if mileage is less than my threshhold will only continue if I can determine that it was used regularly but not for long trips. I will not buy a “sitter” as the zeroing out process will unboubtably be more extensive and expensive. In addition, I will not consider a bus with low gen-set hrs and look for at least a few hundred hrs per year. Geo.

[Peter]

Thanks guys for the input. I generally agree with all that was pointed out. I am trying to determine if at some point a low mileage bus can be brought back to life or do you feel it will always be a source of uncertainty and expense . Of course the selling price should reflect these concerns. Thank

[Larry]

Larry, just because a coach has low mileage it does not mean it is a dog or needs a lot to make sure the low mileage hasn’t harmed it. Without proof any coach, regardless of mileage needs at least a comprehensive service including coolant and transmission fluid change. Tires and batteries are date coded so you may have no issues there. Where the low mileage coach can be an issue is as you use it things can pop up needing repairs and can be annoying such as waking up and finding the coach is leaning all the way to one side.

Dealers treat low mileage coaches as something special and a lot of buyers seem to agree because they pay a premium for them. But low mileage may be perfectly fine or it may be a bus with ongoing problems. One thing to consider is if the low mileage coach was used as a second home in an RV resort, it could have low miles, but the house devices and appliances can have had lots of use and the chassis might be OK, but the house may have had a lot of wear and tear.

[Archived]

Good points about house systems with a resort bus. Interior wear and tear might be less on a bus that has spent it’s life in storage but, that could be another source of problems.

I guess doing one’s home work and have a very complete pre buy inspection is the key, as is the case with any bus purchase .