Considering 91 SP36

[fastring]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/rvs/3345690967.html

I'm considering a bird, specifically the one above. We currently have a 1975 GMC and I work on it myself but it needs a lot of work and doesnt tow well (use it for the desert mostly). Looking at a bird or buying my siblings out of an inherited NewMar NewAire that my parents had owned.

What I like about the Bird:
- I work on cars and the all metal, heavy duty, lots of gauges appeals to me
- compared to the NewAire, there are lots of Bluebirds around for finding solutions to problems (like having this forum, no such thing for NewAires)

What I like about the NewAire:
- MPG is better, its 11 to 14mpg, I actually got 18 in it in Oklahoma once. I'm still reading on bird, but looks like 7 maybe 8mpg?
- Length: NewAire is 29 feet, I like smaller RVs but have diesel autos/trucks and want the diesel for towing. If I found a nice 35' or less bird, that would help as I camp at CA state parks that are 35' limited for spaces. I've heard that this isnt enforced and am guessing a 36' bird would be fine.

The initial purchase price isnt a big difference or consideration.

[isp2952]

Welcome. You might want to add a signature so we know who you are or how to address you. Anyway that is a good looking coach. If it has been taken care of as well as it appears it will most likely serve you well. Hopefully it wasn't done to cover anything up or to make it look better than it is. The service records would most likely reveal that. I don't think you can go wrong with a Bird or the support on this forum. It is second to none for helping people that own Birds or want to own them. Good luck no matter what your decision is.

[MarkYuma]

It just so happens that I have a 91 PT 40. Got it 2 years ago and knew littel about them. The Wanderlodge is one of the more sophisticated rigs on the road, but the WOG has been indispensable. We are retired and spend 5 months a year in our bird. Ware ever we go people want to see it... They are all "one of a kind" and if you are mechanically inclined with the help of the WOG you can have as much fun as we do with ours....
I can be a bit intimidating to learn, but you will.

I think I have talked to the owner of this rig before, NOT sure.
If it is the one I thing it could be .... ask him if it was ever in an accident.

I tell everyone about this guy that hit a soft spot on the shoulder of the road and slid down a hill and just drove the buss home.

but spent 3 years getting it all fixed up again.

Not saying any thing good or bad about the rig if this one is it...

just be sure you know what your buying.

The price is a little low in my book.

[Gene Mehr]

I had a 1975 GMC before my bird and so did the owner before me. Its a good upgrade. We have no problems stuffing or 33 footer in any hole. Ive been watching that sp even been tempted to take a closer look good luck

[Lee Davis]

Since you like a smaller coach, you might want to consider a BMC. Some might argue this but if I were advertising them I'd say "All the benefits of a Wanderlodge but a lot simpler" And 8 1/2 - 9 mpg. Best Cummins engine (300 hp 8.3 turbo) they ever made (quote from a Cummins person). And, Spartan Chassis is still in business. And, at this point, they are priced very reasonably.

We have been extremely happy with ours, and if you want to add all those unnecessary gauges, it's probably not hard to do.

Best,

[kb0zke]

That coach caught my eye, too. Jo Ann and I really like a mid-entry coach, and I wasn't aware that any 'Bird DP coaches had that. I thought they were all front entry. Have to check this out more.

[bubblerboy64]

VERY few PT's with mid entry. Likely single digits. The buses with mid doors are the SP and the FC models.

If I was buying a BB today I would buy a BMC after my experience helping CowDoc bring his home. Why? Wide body, walk through bath, Cummins and Alison engine transmission combination. Relative simplicity as compared to the coaches of that vintage. The right size, not too big not too small. Better power to weight ratio.

Only thing missing is the mid door.

Now this doesn't mean the other buses aren't great and I love my old 87 Tank but when you consider it all the BMC is REALLY hard to over look. If the mid door is a must have then an SP is the bus to buy (unless you could find a PT mid door.)

[kb0zke]

Thanks, John. We're still a year or so away from buying, but we're into the fine-tuning stage now. For us, the two advantages of the mid-door are that Jo Ann is seated closer to me, which makes it easier for her to tell me where I'm going, and the idea that the mid-door is somewhat quieter up front than a front door since the wind noise is farther back. On the other hand, she gets more leg room with a front door. A bigger issue is ceiling height. She's about 6' tall, and hates having her hair brush the ceiling. That's not an issue with the BMC or the WB PT models (we've been in one each). Don't know about the SP models.

I think that, at this point, a BMC would be my choice, too, but we'll have to see what's available when we start shopping.

[Hank Hannigan]

MY 90sp36 IS FOR SALE AT $39,000...........LISTED ON....VINTAGEBIRDS DOT COM......
HAS SOME CLEAR COAT PEELING BUT IT IS A GOOD BIRD.....44,000 MILES....I AM IN AUSTRALIA FOR A COUPLE MORE MONTHS.....WILL MAKE SOMEBODY A GOOD BIRD WITHOUT HAVING TO FIX BIG TICKET ITEMS.......
REGARDS,
HANK

[bubblerboy64]

The advantages to the mid door are two as I see it. If you have more then two people sleeping you don't have to go past the coach while it's made up as a bed to get out of the coach. The second is rather unimportant but you enter right into the kitchen dinette area. Some times that might be more convenient then passing through the front of the coach. A possible third is getting out of the bus without disturbing the co-pilot.

Look'm all over and you decide. The door is only one of many things you need to consider.

Your budget will be the MOST deciding factor. Isn't it always?