I would have ordered this bus on the International 3800 chassis & cowl with the DT466 and not the T444.

Also, since this bus was produced at the time the Thomas Vista was still in production; I would have maybe considered ordering a 48 passenger Thomas Vista with a wheelchair lift on the International 3600 chassis & cowl that was specifically designed for the Vista with the DT466 instead of this Thomas conventional on the International 3800 chassis & cowl.

I am only fond of the 6.9 and 7.3 liter IDI diesel engines and the T444 diesel engines as one of the available engines in Heavier-Duty Ford pickup trucks and in the Econoline, and not in IH/Navistar Medium-Duty trucks. Yes, I am aware of the problematic VT365 and MaxxForce 7, and both of these later engines are what had prompted Ford to terminate their agreement with IH/Navistar to supply Ford with these diesel engines; and for Ford to design and build their own diesel engine for their Heavier-Duty pickup trucks from the ground up.

Also, I am only fond of the Cummins B-platform engine as one of the available engines in Dodge Heavier-Duty pickup trucks, and not in Medium-Duty trucks and in School Buses such as the Blue Bird, Thomas, later Carpenter, and later Wayne Transit style School Buses.

I think that only the Cummins C-platform, L10, ISL; and the Caterpillar engines are suitable for Medium-Duty trucks.

1997 International School Bus – Snohomish School District Surplus

Source: Public Surplus: Auction #1631125