Price of a Bluebird

[bubblerboy64]

I think it is very important to try to make a good estimation of how
you will be using your BB before you decide year and type (meaning FC
or PT). I own an older FC and it works well for me but I can tell
you that I would not pick the FC if I was living in it for weeks at a
time or if I was going to drive it for extremely long trips. Not to
say that the FC is not perfectly capable of doing both but the newer
coaches I feel would be much more comfortable to use in that manor.
The FC might be like comparing a small car to a larger one. I would
rather drive from Pa to Texas in a Lincoln or Caddy but the VW would
certainly get you there. I can't speak from experience about the
PT's but they appear to be much more complex then the FC's. Being
larger and less fuel efficient they are nearly out of my reach. I do
agree with the statement that a mid 80's PT can likely be had for a
reasonable number considering what you are getting for the money but
I also think that the FC certainly is to be considered especially if
it fits the use to which you intend it. I could afford to move up to
a PT if the cost of purchase was all that was in the mix. Considering
that the fuel costs would likely double makes it a no go for me.
Repairs and maint. are difficult to factor but my suspicion is that
that the PT would be more expensive on the average. Yes, I know they
must be much nicer in many respects but I think to worn a person off
and older FC is not being completely realistic either. Most of my
use is under 250 miles round trip and usually one or two nights at a
time. I don't need any thing more at this time. I would also suggest
that if a fellow can find a "good" FC it is an excellent place to
start the journey. Really depends on the depth of your wallet and
your needs. That being said if you need a PT then buy one because
you likely will not be happy with less.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
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> Joe,
> I agree with many of the posters that a well-maintained mid-80's
coach can be a good value. The Cat 3208 and Detroit 6V and 8V
engines are still reliable and easy for most truck shops to work on.
If there's been no rust or wrecks or leaks, you'll avoid a lot of
headaches. A Blue Bird is fairly complex for the first-timer- lots
of switches, valves and controls spread throughout the coach. A
really thorough orientation by an experience BB salesman and/or
technician will save you a lot of frustration. If you're not in a
hurry, the 3208 is very satisfactory. But the 8V92 gives you a lot
more performance. Brad Barton 00LXiDFWbbartonwx@...
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> To: WanderlodgeForum@...: jsrnfl@...: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:22:08
+0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Price of a Bluebird
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> Thanks, I am one of those asking what the cost of ownership is. New
to the RV scene but quick to recognise quality, I'd love to own a
BB.I did go to LA last week and look at and drove the 1967 that was
advertised. The steering wheel had about 3" of play and I had a hard
time keeping it in between the lane markers. Scared me away.......I
find I prefer the older style with wood cabinets. The 1970 pusher
interests me, but I'm too new to make a fair offer. Is it fair to
assume I could own a BB if I planned on $1 per mile to cover fuel and
yearly maintenance costs. Would that be reasonable? Or should it be
more? I'd do my own routine maintenance. Upgrades and convenience
items become a separate category.Joe3--- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:> Hope this helps those who were interested in understanding
some first> year ownership costs. Of course these will be different
for every> person and every coach.> > -Ryan> '86 PT-40 8V92>
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