[Deleted User]

Welcome to the insanity of bus ownership. I am sure if you have poked around you know there is a small spread between an older Prevost and a new one. I don’t think it would be incorrect to suggest the spread is around $2.5 million, give or take a few cents.

So as a long time owner of 3 coaches over a 30 year period your initial steps regarding buying a coach have to be to establish a budget, and then decide on your wants and needs. How you intend to use the coach will certainly influence what model might work best and how you might want it configured.

As to doing your own maintenance anyone with the desire and some basic tools and devices can certainly do that, but as a practical matter that is something that should be done in a garage that houses the bus. So if you are starting to set a budget you need to factor a garage into the equation, or give up that idea and have others do that work for you.

Here’s the bad news. It takes money to own a bus. It doesn’t matter if the bus is new, 10 years old or is a vintage Greyhound that was converted. They burn a lot of fuel, insurance is getting to be a serious expense, age related items such as batteries and tires are not cheap, and the older the coach the greater the amount of maintenance is required unless you bite the bullet and replace everything needed to restore it to the serviceability of a new coach. The greatest expense however is one nobody discusses, and that is depreciation. Depending on the age of the coach it can range from $1000 per day (not a typo) to mid five figures per year, to as little as $5000 per year.

But there is good news. There is nothing that can compare to the lifestyle. This forum is a perfect example of the great people that share an enthusiasm for a Prevost coach and they will become friends. We all share a love for the freedom our coaches provide. When not in the grips of a pandemic Prevost owners jump at opportunities to get together at events, rallies or parked next to each other’s garages.

And a Prevost conversion is unmatched. I will not suggest one is trouble free because they are complex and loaded with features and devices and equipment and we all know stuff breaks, but compared to anything else out there our coaches are of the highest quality, robust, and with maintenance will go more miles than just about anything.

[David]

Dave…

Have you a favored body style (XL, XL II, or H3) or length (40 or 45)?? I know that Jeff at ETLC has several for sale at his shop. One of them is/was a ’98 or ’99 riveted (a good thing, IMO) Country Coach XL 40′ that has pretty much been totally redone with very nice upgrades inside in the last 2-3 years, and the only thing needed on the running gear side that I noticed was a set of tires. If I recall correctly, the asking price was more than reasonable. Worth a call, anyway. The good ones have a tendency to move fast…

Welcome to the asylum…enjoy the hunt!!

[David]

Thank you Jon for taking the time to respond. It’s wonderful to meet you through this new cyber world. Much appreciated.

I will heed your many years of wisdom and experience in moving forward. I know the venture will be expensive (an understatement I’m sure), and I understand that a Coach is not an investment to build money equity … As you suggested the opposite is true, but I do look forward to the prospect of becoming a Prevost owner. I am aware that an addition to my garage will be in the plans; How extensive the structure will be is still in the planning. Since I now live in the boondocks’ (safer here than NYC since I retired) space is not an issue.

If you have any additional guidance I would greatly appreciate tapping into your wisdom.

Stay safe.

Dave

[David]

Dave, we have almost 4800 members and if the information we get is an indication well over 1000 per day visit the site. The collected knowledge is amazing and anyone asking questions is going to get answers. Silly as it sounds, sometimes the answers are correct.

You have available to you something those of us never had when we got into Prevost ownership and that was the internet and an opportunity to do a lot of research prior to a purchase. Take full advantage of that and remember one very important thing. Nobody on here started on the path of ownership knowing everything. In fact almost 100% of us were clueless and the school of hard knocks became our education.

Please ask a lot of questions. Every question makes people think and for the hundreds that never post you likely will be doing them a big favor by asking questions they have but are reluctant to ask.

If you wish to ask questions in private we do not have the means through the web site, but all of us that are willing to communicate via email enable that feature in our profile and you can get that person’s email address by hovering the arrow over the user name at the top of a post. If it turns color right click and copy the email address.

There are many coach versions, not only XL or XLII or X3, but H3 models. There are non-slide coaches, slide coaches with up to 4 slides, and numerous converters so you have a large number of variations to consider. It can be difficult to focus on what you will find best for you if you lack ownership experience so ask questions. This group is not shy about offering opinions.

BTW, send your dues money directly to me. Do not let Tom get those dollars. If you wish I also accept small tokens of appreciation, such as a gold Rolex oyster chronograph.

[Jim]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for responding!

I think I favor the X, XL or X-3 models. 45 Ft. preferred. I read that the fiberglass models though very beautiful have a delamination problem regarding their outside panels.

I would appreciate the phone number of the person that has the Coached for sale.

Thanks again Mike for responding.

[Deleted User]

Hi Jon,

Thank you for your friendly and candid responses. I definitely will ask questions and use this website as a reliable source and wealth of information, because I am clueless regarding Bus ownership … Lucky me that you and others are available that I can turn to for help J.

Here’s one question that I often wonder about: I know that it’s a personal frame of mind, but I’m 68 years old … Is that maybe to (how should I say this), mature to start this venture? What is the average age of the typical Prevost owner? I hope this is not to personal a question.

I am only aware of the X, XL, X-3, and H3 models of the Prevost Coach. As far as the H3 model goes, I’ve seen a video that claims that the H3 Coach has a potential problem of delamination of the exterior panels and a repair costs in the vicinity of 50K.

No problem on that Dues … Just send me your bank account number and your pin … I’ll make sure you get that dues payment .

Oh by the way … Here’s you Rolex watch. Hope you like the color LOL

[David]

I am 72 and 71 as first owner, never had a RV of any type. I entered retirement at a late age looked at RV’s and fortunate enough to meet a person advertising a Tiffin bus for sale that was doing the sale for a personal friend with medical conditions, and sold other RV’s for people as a hobby. As I reviewed the Tiffin he introduced me to his Prevost and explained the qualities of the Prevost.

I then started to look for a Prevost. I found one that was well maintained by the original owner and now in process of upgrading it to our personal taste.

Removing old technology satellite and backup camera system.

Replacing carpet with LVP in front of coach. Replacing Headlights with LED.

Removing the old foam sound sound suppression for generator bay with new technology material.

Replaced numerous push in air connectors with compression fittings to reduce air leaks in air system.

Converted all fluids to synthetic and changed all filters.

Added air line water separator to auxiliary compressor system directly after compressor.

Recovered sofa and ordered new chairs for living area. recovering the valances with matching fabric for sofa.

Refinished the wood tops of several fixtures that were discoloring.

Replaced nightstands tops with granite and did same to to another kitchen cabinet fixture.

Have new airbags to go on coach all way around.

Removed every battery cable and cleaned the connections including the ground points.

New bearing on the accessory drive belt pulley and on the belt adjuster idlers.

New smart tv’s for front and rear.

New tires and centramatics for balancing of tires.

New A frames and several Noregen valves at Prevost with a full alignment.

I am trying to personalize and get bus ready to be trouble free or zeroed out as Jon says

Just giving an insight into buying an older bus, Mine is a 1998 by the conversion date on a 1997 chassis, maintained in air conditioned building and serviced by a fleet shop for it’s life.

Looking to get the corona gone and most important is the crazy people trying to disrupt the highways..when that happens will feel confident on my departure with a great coach.

If you want to talk about the earlier coaches call me 919two five 7220

[Deleted User]

I think you might not have all the correct information on the delamination issues. The XLll is included and might be the culprit of most of the delamination issues. And yes the repairs are not cheap.

This website is a wealth of knowledge and plenty of previous posts to learn from.
Good luck on your search for a coach that fits your needs.

[al]

ETLC is an advertiser here on PC and provides arguably one of the best, most complete, and fair service facilities available. Jeff will take time to work with a new or prospective owner to insure that they understand their coach and systems in as much detail as the owner is comfortable absorbing. ETLC has been the site of 5 or 6 “Getting to Know Your Prevost” weekend training seminars put on and coordinated by Jon, Tom, and Jeff. I would encourage you to enroll in the next offering – I’m a slow study; been to 2 or 3 of them and learn something worthwhile at each one. Many of the regular “posters” here on PC have attended at least one session. Highly recommended, even if you haven’t found “the” coach for you yet…

ETLC
Jeff Rowe (423) 884-6008
126 Horne Dr. Vonore, TN 37885
jeff.etlc@gmail.com

Click Here for Full Details
http://www.easttennesseeluxurycoach.com

[Archived]

Thank you Jim.

I certainly may have the wrong information regarding the delamination of the H3 line.

That’s why I’m here to learn all I can from the Pros before I take the Prevost plunge.

Looking forward to learning and making new friend.

[Archived]

WOW! You’re apparently remodeling the whole Coach! That is really so cool that you can actually remodel and upgrade a PREVOST Coach.

I will give you a call if you don’t mind to learn about the cost of doing all this work, and whatever tips you have regarding purchasing a Pre-Owned Prevost.

Thank you.

[Archived]

Thanks Mike! I’ll try to give him a call tomorrow to get more information.

[Ron]

Does anyone know of any Prevost owners in the New York area?

I would like to reach out to them (if they don’t mind) as part of my quest and research of becoming a Prevost owner.

[Dick]

The coach part of the Prevost, even my 29 year old that We’ve owned for 10 years, is pretty solid, but you will have issues with any of them and be prepared to work on things as they aren’t like your house. I’m getting tired of mine or the working on it part. Wish I could find somebody close to do the upkeep on this puppy. Hope you find a good un.

[joel]

If I understand you correctly Glens, you own a 1991 Prevost Coach. What kind? Please tell me what you’re getting tired of regarding the maintenance and upkeep of your Coach?

How is it different (excluding the obvious) from upkeeping of your house?

What tasks or responsibilities causes you to be displeased, or tired of your Coash?

Do you consider your Coach more of an asset or liability regarding your life and life’s pleasures?

How much of your time and attention does your Coach take from you?

Are you so tired of the upkeep that you’re thinking about selling your Coach?

Thanks for your thoughts and sharing of your knowledge.

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1999 XLV X-6872,  liberty #440