Old or Older?

[Pete Masterson]

Let's see, with about a thousand owners on this list, you'll get, oh, perhaps 886 different opinions....

First, for long-term living, you'll probably find that those with the most storage options are a plus and longer is probably better. Note, we've taken several trips of up to 5 months at a time -- semi-full time living.

When I narrowed my choice to a Blue Bird (after first deciding that I wanted something a lot safer than a plastic palace -- and after looking at a few bus conversions), I went through the specs on the Vintage Birdsweb site

<http://www.vintagebirds.com> and started to formulate the specifications I'd prefer.

For example, I discovered that prior to (about) 1980, air suspension wasn't used. Well, I felt that air suspension, while more complex, was likely to be more comfortable. (My experience with heavy equipment having been in the Army where I sometimes wondered if the trucks I drove or rode in even had springs.)

Going through the years, I picked up on "nice to have" issues. (e.g. AquaHot heat is nice.) The extra width of the wide body adds nearly 20 square feet to the interior of a 40' coach -- also nice. And so on. You mention that you like the classic look -- that essentially limits you to the narrow body models, since the 1989 introduction of the wide body also introduced fiberglass end caps and a 'new' look. (I'd have to look, but the last of the narrow bodies were sold in 1990 or 1991 -- I think a 36' may have been available a year or two longer. (Check he Vintage Birds web site.)

Another factor is to look at your budget. I decided on "newer is better" and my budget was telling me that "older is cheaper." Eventually, I selected a 1995 that I got for a decent price. Your budget/desire ratio may be different.

Whatever year you decide on, it's wise to leave aside $5,000 or $10,000 in funding for repairs/upgrades you want. Hopefully, you won't need to spend it, but even a well cared for coach may have surprises.

For example, since purchasing my coach. In the first 6 months I installed/repaired:

Two new rooftop ACs (one was bad when I inspected the coach -- the other had an "encounter" with a tree branch on my maiden trip home.)

New radiator core (I experienced some heating issues enroute home.)

Refurbish and recharge chassis AC system (in hindsight, probably a waste of money.)

These immediate issues ended up costing about $7,000. The radiator core replacement was about $4,500. Roof ACs were about $1600. Chassis AC was nearly $1000. (Prices around the country vary, I am located in a high-cost area.)

Later on:

Align wheels, replace drag link (part of steering) and steering damper system (that was broken).

New bamboo wood floor (do it yourself) and some other redecorating.

new desk, filing cabinets (removed two sofas).

new muffler

fix cracked shock absorber mount

Recently:

Replaced filing cabinets with a sofa/bed

replaced radiator hoses

replaced brake shoes on drive axle

fixed water leak in seams around Fantastic Fan in bath. (Discovered some bonehead caulking by previous owners.)

In addition, there have been annual services that included oil changes, filters, and other maintenance items.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom/PeteMasterson#

On May 16, 2009, at 7:24 PM, richafranco wrote:

Hello,
I just found this group and I have a newbie kind of question. Is it better to buy a newer Bluebird, mid-to late 80's coach or get an older coach and upgrade it to what we need? I like the vintage look of the older Birds. We may live in it for a year or so.
Thanks,
Rich