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School Bus M8
Top Member
USA
617 Posts |
 Posted - 01/16/2008 : 09:35:51 AM
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If you had a choice of a 77 passenger brand new front engine bus, what would be your first, second and third choice?
My first choice would be a Thomas Saf-T-Liner Ef, followed by Bluebird All American Fe and last an Ic-Fe.
What do you think is the most reliable to the least reliable and what do you think rattles the most to the least? |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 1:57:59 PM
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Blue Bird All American FE with Cummins. - Most reliable, most comfortable, quietest, smallest doghouse. Doghouse flips out and is on hinges, no unbolting required.
Thomas EF with Cummins (only choice). - Reliable, quiet, small doghouse but outdated ergonomics. Have to unbolt the entire doghouse to work on engine.
IC FE with MaxxForce DT. - Body reliability questionable at best in northern environments, HUGE doghouse (can't emphasize huge enough), loud, have to unbolt entire doghouse to work on engine. |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 2:12:01 PM
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All American - Cummins
Thomas FE - Cummins
IC FE - Cat |
I'll show you my air brakes if you show me yours. |
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origcharger
Top Member
United States
619 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 2:55:13 PM
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We have an almost all Internationl fleet, I want to try a Forward Advantage.
Currently all we have for transits are 2004, 2006 & 2008 FE 300s, each one was better than the prior.
My second choice would be the Thomas. |
Operating; Seven T444Es, One MaxxForce 7, One VT365, Four DT466s, One E-450 6.0 and one Mercedes in a C2. |
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busgeek++
Advanced Member
United States
253 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 3:20:53 PM
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| Personally, I'd take the IC, then Blue Bird, then Thomas. The IC only because the Maxxforce DT (DT466) is a good engine, and wet sleeve. I'd love the old AmTran Genesis (late-93 and later, not 92-early-93) doghouse back, huge, but flips up. |
Buses are not a way of life, they are life |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 10:13:52 PM
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1. BB AA FE: Cummins ISB (6.7)
2. IC FE-300: MaxxForceDT
3. Thomas Saf-T-Liner EF: Cummins ISB (6.7) |
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Bluebird62
Top Member
USA
530 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 05:21:05 AM
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1. BB AA FE: Excellent drivers area and quiet! Built very well.
2. IC FE 300: May be loud and have a huge dog house but at least it's been updated over the years.
3. Thomas Saf-T-Liner: Out of date!! |
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98TomFord
Top Member
USA
812 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 6:16:37 PM
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#1 - BB AA FE W/A Cummins ISB
#2 - IC FE 300 W/A M.F.DT
#3 - Tom STL EF W/A Cummins ISB
I think personally out of the three transit lines, Blue Bird is still the one to go with for quality and looks. |
My Ford Can Turn On $50, Can Your Int? ~Ford Buses - Gems To The Eyes~ |
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93CarpFord#11
Top Member
USA
1382 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 6:33:53 PM
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1. IC FE 300 w/ MaxxForce DT
2. BB AA FE w/ Cummins ISB
3. Thomas STL EF w/ Cummins ISB
I personally like the doghouse on the IC FE. |
Johnny
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Schoolbus56
Senior Member
United States
128 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2008 : 09:25:48 AM
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| The only FE I'd take is the Blue Bird AA FE with a cummins. The thomas EF's, outdated drivers compartment. And we have to see how the Forward Advantage holds up in the "salt belt" |
wow. |
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Topic |
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Out of the three buses what would you choose?
