Finding the right church bus for your congregation is important. It should get your passengers back and forth safely, and economically. If you take many trips during the year, the kind of bus you buy will vary. There are many options to choose from depending on the number of people that you want to seat. A full-sized bus can hold at least 50 people, but in many cases, you will not need a vehicle that size. Many churches purchase small buses or passenger vans for transport, instead of large buses, and this is probably going to be your best option.
One thing you will want to keep in mind when buying a minibus for sale, is what kind of features you are looking for in your vehicle. Newer minibuses, like the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, comes fully loaded, and has other optional add-ons, such as iPod integration, and navigation. But you might want to focus more on the practical details, including gas mileage, heavy duty transmission, and of course, how much you want to spend. The average V-6 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Minibus for sale costs at least $36,000. Used buses, as well as the four-cylinder model of this bus, is cheaper.
Another item on your checklist should be deciding if you want to buy a bus, or lease one. When you lease a minibus, it is generally cheaper and you can choose a nicer model. You can always exchange the bus in a few years, and keep driving new buses. The downside is that like leasing a car, there are mileage restrictions that can be costly if exceeded. On average, churches put at least 7,000 miles on their bus, which adds up over time. When purchasing a bus, you will need to spend more money, but there are no restrictions. If your congregation takes many trips during the year, especially long distance ones, this might be a better option.
You will also want to make sure you test drive the vehicle once you have decided on which one you want. Like any car, you do not know what it is really like until it is on the road. If possible, take the church’s driver to the test drive, and even some congregation members. Have the driver take the passengers in the minibus out into regular traffic,and the highway. He or she will be able to get a sense of the brakes, steering, and maneuvering. The driver might also be a valuable person to consult when buying a minibus for sale, as they will have a better idea of what to look for.
There are other things to consider such as wheelchair accessibility, seat belts, air conditioning, and warranty. After filtering out exactly what you want out of your church vehicle, finding the right minibus for your congregation will be easy.
Continue: www.carpenterbus.com
