Cost of ownership

[gcyeaw]

Mike, Leroy, I can't disagree that if all I wanted was an RV, then
buying a new or slightly used motorhome would be the way to go. When
I saw an older Bluebird, it just looked so great. It was a true
classic with character and that is the attraction. It certainly
isn't the wisest investment if all you look at is the dollars. There
has to be a return in the enjoyment and satisfaction of caring for
and reviving such a machine.

The reason I ask questions is to make sure I am going in with my
eyes wide open. The more I learn the better I will be able to make a
wise choice when purchasing. And along the way I am meeting new
poeple on the forum, so it's already showing some reward.

Gardner

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
wrote:
>
>
>
> Mike:
>
> I agree with you. When we purchased our bird we planned for
deferred maintenance. I guess if we knew the costs of owning these
beautiful machines up front we could become consultants and charge
$200.00/hr. Then we could be sued for misrepresentation. It's a
crazy world.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40
> Niceville, FL
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mike Hohnstein
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 12:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Cost of ownership
>
>
> Uh, you sure a new class C wouldn't be a better choice? Trying
to see the future with an antique vehicle is very irrational.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: gcyeaw
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 11:54 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Cost of ownership
>
> James,
> Thanks for your data. There seems to be some controversy over
the
> level 2 maintenance cost, but based on an average speed of say
30
> mph, that's 60,000 miles in 2000 hours. So if it's $800 or $1200
> it's not much different spread out over that mileage/time. Not
> knowing the cost of adding a swing radiator, it would seem to
pay
> for itself on the first broken belt or hose. I imagine that
removing
> the dog house and putting down a protective runner before
heading in
> for service might also save some labor and probably please the
> service tech as well.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > Gardner, here are some actual maintence costs for the model
> of 'Bird
> > that you are looking for.
> >
> > If you take the 'Bird to an authorized Cat Center for oil and
> filter
> > changes it will cost $280.00 -- This will include all of your
oil
> > and fuel filters, a complete chassie lube and Cat brand motor
> oil.
> > Of course they do all the work, you watch them and start the
bus
> > when needed.
> >
> > Here are the parts cost:
> >
> > 16 Qts. 15/40 Cat -- $34.40
> >
> > 2 - 1R-0713 -------- $11.20
> >
> > 1 - 1P-0808 -------- $2.46
> >
> > 1 - 1R-0750 -------- $11.88
> >
> > 1 - 8N9803 --------- $20.10
> >
> > Total parts cost is $80.04 -- so, you can save two hundered
bucks
> > here if you do it yourself. This is a once a year task for
most
> > folks.
> >
> > Tires, every five years between $2200 and $3000 depending on
Tire
> > Brand.
> >
> > Cat PM level 2 Maintainence -- every 2000 hours or 10.000
gallons
> of
> > fuel -- Costs $790 at a certified Cat Center and includes
> > everything. This service also includes the above listed oil,
> filter
> > and lube service.
> >
> > 1) All new hoses and belts
> >
> > 2) Performance Analysis report
> >
> > 3) Steam clean engine
> >
> > 4) Valve lash adjustment
> >
> > 5) cooling system service (flush and clean)
> >
> > That is pretty much your ongoing maintenience stuff. You can
also
> > figure on a transmission service every thirty thousand miles
with
> a
> > new filter and fluid for about $175.00 including labor.
> >
> > That's the stuff you can count on doing and what it actually
> costs.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> >
> > James
> > 78FC33SB "Old School"
> > Orange Lake, FL
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello, Gardner.
> > >
> > > The biggest factor in the cost of ownership of a 25 year
old, or
> > > older 'Bird, lies in the condition of the bus that you buy.
> > >
> > > Remember we are talking about older buses here and no two
are
> the
> > > same. You will find "project buses" on the market that may
need
> > > everything replaced on them from the motor and electronics
to
> the
> > > fridge and carpet ect. However, from time to time, a very
nice
> > > highly updated example will be offered for sale that will
need
> > next
> > > to nothing.
> > >
> > > Obviously the cost of ownership will be much higher on
> a "project
> > > bus" than on a Cheery example with newer motor and
everything
> else
> > > in the bus having been already updated and in good working
order.
> > >
> > > I guess my point is to buy your bus wisely! The project bus
at
> a
> > > rock bottom price that needs everying replaced will not be
your
> > best
> > > value. Rather, find a bus that has had on-going care by
folks
> who
> > > were enthusiastic owners.
> > >
> > > Take my bus for example ... the motor is about 4 years old
with
> > > 15,000 miles on it. At the time the motor was replaced so
were
> > all
> > > pumps, fan assembly even the main started motor. All belts
and
> > > hoses are two years old. Trojan batteries less than a year
> old.
> > > Twin 55 amp Iota charges less than a year old. Xantrex pure
> sine-
> > > wave inverter less than a year old. High deffenition Direct
TV
> > > system less than a yera old. 27" Samsung LCD TV less than a
> year
> > > old. Refridgerator about 4 years old. AC units about 3 years
> > old.
> > > Roof deck rebedded, refastened and painted less than a year
> ago.
> > > Polished Aluminum wheels that you can comb your hair in. New
> > carpet
> > > about 2 years ago. I could go on and on, but you get my
point.
> > >
> > > If I were to sell my bus tomorrow I could get around 25 to
27
> > > thousand.
> > >
> > > Now think about that "project bus" that has been sitting
behind
> a
> > > barn for 8 years before someone pulled it out, polished it
up
> and
> > > hung a for sale sign on it. These are two very different
> pictures
> > > arn't they? Certainly you would experience a very different
> cost
> > of
> > > ownewship betweeen the above examples. Now you may be able
to
> buy
> > > the project bus for 16 thousand bucks, but get ready to
spend
> that
> > > much again, and more, to make it into a good looking
reliable
> > runner.
> > >
> > > So shop wisely, and buy the best bus you can find in your
price
> > > range.
> > >
> > > Good Luck.
> > >
> > >
> > > James
> > > 78FC33SB "Old School"
> > > Orange Lake, FL (Mid-Eightys, total over cast and raining)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw"
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have asked other questions on this forum and I do
> appreciate
> > > the
> > > > responses I have received. I have been building a
spreadsheet
> to
> > > try
> > > > to estimate the real cost of owning a vintage Bluebird. I
love
> > the
> > > > look and would enjoy repairing/restoring the systems at my
> > leisure
> > > > prior to retirement.
> > > > The price range I am looking at is under $30,000 for a
1984
> > or
> > > > older FC 33 TO 35. Given that price range I would expect
to
> have
> > > > lots of small things to fix. Also given the age, I would
> expect
> > > > higher incidence of failure in in basic engine/transmit
> > > ion/chassis
> > > > systems over say, a 10 year time span..
> > > >
> > > > Would it be reasonable to estimate $700/year for routine
> > > > maintenance and $1000/year for unplanned maintenance
averaged
> > over
> > > a
> > > > ten year time span? (assuming I don't need an engine
rebuild)
> > > >
> > > > I am really trying to determine the value as the clock
> ticks
> > on
> > > > 20 to 25 year old coaches. They may be well built, but so
was
> I
> > 40
> > > > years ago!
> > > >
> > > > Gardner
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
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