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MCI Motorhome

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
I was reading the thread about the Prevost vs Newmar (I think). Out of curiousity, I checked some Prevost coaches out on line. I ran across this MCI unit:

http://prevostsale.com/ListingDetail.aspx?ID=13

What are your thoughts on an MCI coach? The Prevost, this MCI, Newmar's, etc., are rather ostentatious for my taste. So, I am not a potential buyer. But, what are your thoughts comparing an MCI and a Prevost?

Regards,
Joe T.
21 REPLIES 21

J-Rooster
Explorer
Explorer
Joe, Football Hall of Fame Coach and Announcer John Madden owns one! John doesn't own or drive junk!

Deano56
Explorer
Explorer
Bill.Satellite wrote:
The coach was converted by a company called Vantare and they are well known and well respected. I suspect you would find very little different in the way a 96 Prevost and a 96 MCI preformed as a motorhome, it just doesn't have the snob appeal that the Prevost game garners. This looks like an excellent 45' coach but without all the details (or any for that matter) no one could know if it's a good deal. We have an '88 Prevost and I would buy that coach (despite the paint job) on price alone compared to a '96 Prevost which likely runs in the 100-120,000 range.
I think its a beautiful coach, well anything that big is a upgrade to mine. haha

Deano56
Explorer
Explorer
OhhWell wrote:
What the heck?
X 2,3,4

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
The coach was converted by a company called Vantare and they are well known and well respected. I suspect you would find very little different in the way a 96 Prevost and a 96 MCI preformed as a motorhome, it just doesn't have the snob appeal that the Prevost game garners. This looks like an excellent 45' coach but without all the details (or any for that matter) no one could know if it's a good deal. We have an '88 Prevost and I would buy that coach (despite the paint job) on price alone compared to a '96 Prevost which likely runs in the 100-120,000 range.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

OhhWell
Explorer
Explorer
What the heck?
1998 bounder 36s V10 F53

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
DRTDEVL wrote:
I don't know much about that era, but older MCI MC9 chassis are sought after for DIY conversions for their stout build and reliability.


One more time, thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

As I said above, I am not interested in this MH. I just saw the ad and realized I had NEVER seen an MCI MH. Thus, the question.

Joe T.

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
bsinmich wrote:
The company I drove for for 10 years had 9 Van Hools and 1 MCI. The MCI was definitely a cheaper version of a tour bus. They ran but were the cheapest ones on the market. None of us really wanted to drive the MCI.


One more time, thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

As I said above, I am not interested in this MH. I just saw the ad and realized I had NEVER seen an MCI MH. Thus, the question.

Joe T.

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
Gsturner wrote:
I have driven charter motor coaches on a part-time basis for over 13 years now. The company I run for has an all MCI fleet (25 buses), from 1996 thru 2014. The D Models (thru 2000) all have over a million miles on them. While I prefer the appearance and amenities of the newer ones, I wouldn't hesitate to take any of them on a cross-country tour. They are definitely built for the long haul.


Again, thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

As I said above, I am not interested in this MH. I just saw the ad and realized I had NEVER seen an MCI MH. Thus, the question.

Joe T.

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
tatest wrote:
Not a bad price, considering that used MCI motorcoaches of that vintage sell for $30K to $45K and are likely showing a lot more miles than you would get on somebodies private travel coach. Starting with one of those, you would spend almost a quarter of a million on a minimalist RV conversion.

MCI of that era should have a Series 60 Detroit Diesel. I think it would be hard to find a better engine than that, on a North American motorcoach in the '90s.

I travel quite a bit on motorcoaches fitted out as tour buses (rather than inter-city, a different trim) and talk to the drivers. Most drivers prefer the MCI over VanHool for construction quality and handling, and kind of drool when talking about a Prevost. Yet they tend toward the idea that the Prevost coaches aren't that much better, considering how much more they cost; that could be a sour grapes thing, and it is a driver's viewpoint rather than an owners.

In most of the rest of the world, you see neither MCI nor Prevost, each nation has its preferred coach builders and multiple chassis choices, but M-B coaches, and other brand coaches on Volvo or M-B chassis, are considered top grade.

Funny that the listing says nothing really about the coach, just pictures of the decor and fittings. I guess that is what matters in that market. They tend to be ostentatious because with what you've already paid for the motorcoach shell, why not?


Thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

As I said above, I am not interested in this MH. I just saw the ad and realized I had NEVER seen an MCI MH. Thus, the question.

Joe T.

DRTDEVL
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know much about that era, but older MCI MC9 chassis are sought after for DIY conversions for their stout build and reliability.
Resurrecting an inherited 1980 Minnie Winnie 20RG from the dead after sitting since 1998..

bsinmich
Explorer
Explorer
The company I drove for for 10 years had 9 Van Hools and 1 MCI. The MCI was definitely a cheaper version of a tour bus. They ran but were the cheapest ones on the market. None of us really wanted to drive the MCI.
1999 Damon Challenger 310 Ford

Gsturner
Explorer
Explorer
I have driven charter motor coaches on a part-time basis for over 13 years now. The company I run for has an all MCI fleet (25 buses), from 1996 thru 2014. The D Models (thru 2000) all have over a million miles on them. While I prefer the appearance and amenities of the newer ones, I wouldn't hesitate to take any of them on a cross-country tour. They are definitely built for the long haul.
SKP 115048
2016 Winnebago View 24M
2015 Harley Heritage Softail as toad
Retired:
2007 Titan LE with the Big Tow Package
2010 Rockwood 8315BSS
2008 Suzuki GZ 250-Response to 3/4 Life Crisis :C

tatest
Explorer II
Explorer II
Not a bad price, considering that used MCI motorcoaches of that vintage sell for $30K to $45K and are likely showing a lot more miles than you would get on somebodies private travel coach. Starting with one of those, you would spend almost a quarter of a million on a minimalist RV conversion.

MCI of that era should have a Series 60 Detroit Diesel. I think it would be hard to find a better engine than that, on a North American motorcoach in the '90s.

I travel quite a bit on motorcoaches fitted out as tour buses (rather than inter-city, a different trim) and talk to the drivers. Most drivers prefer the MCI over VanHool for construction quality and handling, and kind of drool when talking about a Prevost. Yet they tend toward the idea that the Prevost coaches aren't that much better, considering how much more they cost; that could be a sour grapes thing, and it is a driver's viewpoint rather than an owners.

In most of the rest of the world, you see neither MCI nor Prevost, each nation has its preferred coach builders and multiple chassis choices, but M-B coaches, and other brand coaches on Volvo or M-B chassis, are considered top grade.

Funny that the listing says nothing really about the coach, just pictures of the decor and fittings. I guess that is what matters in that market. They tend to be ostentatious because with what you've already paid for the motorcoach shell, why not?
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B

Joe_T_
Explorer
Explorer
OhhWell wrote:
Geeze, I think I can see where the cocaine was cut on the counter in that thing.


Thanks. Some REAL information.

Again, I am not interested in this thing - as stated above. So, no cheesy comments are needed. I am just curious about MCI vs Prevost. Does anyone know anything about MCI based MHs? If so, how do they compare to Prevost?

I realize each bus-based MH is built by a 'customizer.' So, that adds a quality variable. But, are MCI and Prevost 'shells' about equal or is there a significant difference between the two in rigidity, ride, engine choices, etc.?

Thanks,
Joe T.