m380

[Pete Masterson]

Blue Bird is primarily a school bus manufacturer. They started making
RVs in 1964. Since then, there have been about 4000 built. That
averages less than 100 per year ... and the number in recent years
has tended to be rather less than the average (not hard to imagine
for a very high-end RV).

The M380 will be solid and durable as expected from an all-steel
vehicle based on a true bus chassis. Of course, all RVs (from all
manufacturers) have compromises, but Blue Bird tends to favor solid
technology. BBs are, however, very complex machines and they do not
respond well to ignored/deferred maintenance. If you're looking at a
used 'Bird, be sure that it has been well maintained -- or understand
what maintenance issues need to be given attention and that you're
prepared to remediate any problems.

Comparing an M380 to a Country Coach Intrigue is difficult -- mostly,
you'll need to consider the floor plan and features of each coach to
determine if they provide the livability for the use you expect. We
all have to accept trade offs (for example, I selected a non-slide
out unit because I didn't want the bother of having to deal with
slide outs and the related maintenance issues.) As for comparable
quality, the CC has an excellent reputation -- but so does BB.
Ultimately, many on this list choose BBs, in part, for the superior
safety that the school bus-like construction provides. Only the CC
Prevost models compare well on that basis.

Blue Bird was acquired by Cerberus Capital Management, a private
investment firm, last fall. The related investment in the company is
expected to give BB improved capitalization and a reduction in the
financial issues that hindered the company in the past -- giving BB
excellent prospects for improved company stability for the future.
With about 3000 employees, Blue Bird is a somewhat larger company
than Country Coach (which reported 1550 employees in 2004).

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Feb 1, 2007, at 11:05 AM, Ross Rosano wrote:

> Will I be happy with an '04 M380 single slide. I own a '97 Country
> Coach Intrigue. I hear the Company isn't making many new coaches.
> Simply, is it a well made rig and if I do most of my work anyway
> should
> ai be concerned about buying one.



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