Thinking of joining the birders!

[brad barton]

Damien,
I'm new to the group, but a longtime Blue Bird fan. I think the coach you
are looking at is a black and silver coach with modern decor..and it's at a
truck dealer. We were considering an LX but cooled off. A retired dealer
with whom we did business twice (for our first 84-35FC and a 1986 Newell
Classic) nearly came unglued when I brought it up. He was a longtime Blue
Bird dealer in the 70s and 80s. I have since found out some things about
the LX. You're free to accept or reject all of this but I believe it is
true. Most of it came from a Blue Bird rep I spoke to just weeks ago.
Blue Bird has constantly searched for ways to a lower price point. The
WanderlodgeII was the first attempt..and pretty sad. Then as Wanderlodges
got more expensive, Blue Bird looked for a new approach. Their engineers
said it would take two years to come up with a less expensive 37-40'
chassis, so they bought Spartan chassis with Cummins M11 engines. They were
known as a Blue Bird Motor Coach..or a BMC. The only thing Blue Bird on it
was the dash and the label. The BMC is NOT a Wanderlodge. Not bad, just
cheap. By the time those chassis ran out, the engineers had a new 40'
platform. They kept the fiberglass body, put new caps on front and rear,
kept the Cummins engine but used their own superior Blue Bird chassis with
Ridewell air suspension. Of all the "cheep" Birds, the LX is probably the
best. But it's still fiberglass outside, virtually no chrome, ultraleather
vinyl inside, smaller in tank capacity, lacking in design, especially around
the windows and roughly $150,000 in overall quality, fit and finish. We bit
the bullet and moved on to the LXi and we're very glad we did.
LX owners asking 165K and up don't like to hear their coach is only little
more than "half" bird, but the truth hurts. NADA book prices on the 2000 LX
are very harsh..upper 90's to 110's. LX owners have every right to feel
bitter, but as a buyer, I asked several dealers (who had nothing to gain
from me) what they would offer. One said 95K, one said 110K and the one
whole actually knew the actual coach said 150K was a serious stretch. Not
only are LX owners unhappy, but WBPT and LXi owners are mad, too because
their own manufacturer made it harder for them to sell their high-dollar
coaches. And Blue Bird has done it again..most recently wiith the M380
which was a disaster (Blue Bird rep's word). I can't confirm it, but I
heard every one of them was recalled for various problems, mainly electrical
and wiring. They are not made any longer except by special order.
All that being said, there's nothing wrong with a Cummins M-11 or Allison
4060, or Ultraleather or fiberglass, for that matter. Just make sure you
understand it's not the steel-bodied full-fledged Wanderlodge most of us
think of. A poor man's Wanderlodge LX is probably still a lot better than
most coaches, new or used. If you want the best LX currently on the market,
look at this coach. It's garaged in Michigan and virtually pristine. Nice
people, too.

http://www.rvtrader.com/rvdetail519280.htm

BBarton in Dallas


>From: "remiksjewelry"
>Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Thinking of joining the birders!
>Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:33:14 -0000
>
>Hello -
>Thanks for having this group! We currently have a Safari Trek and are
>looking into upgrading to a Bluebird. We found one we like - it is a
>2000 LX Millenium edition. It is for sale in Maryland. Does any know
>anything about this particular coach? The price seems right, but we
>would have to travel quite a distance to see it for ourselves. Also,
>would love to know about the ride and handling of a bird.
>Is the M11 450 cummings a reliable engine?
>Any comments or advice will be greatly appreciated.
>Thanks!
>Damien
>

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