Are they serious?

Yes demand an oil sample before you buy any truck it will tell you the condition of the engine.

 

That seems about right. There is a ton of used trucks on the market at all levels. Pricing is relative. When compared to a new o-o spec'd truck selling at around $140k, $50k all the sudden seems cheap. But that's a good thing. When buying a new truck you need to know there is going to be some worthwhile trade-in value down the road.

But, I think we may soon see the used truck market bubble bust in the next 9-14 months. These prices can't hold out this long with these kind of trucks flooding lots and with new regulations coming online making many of them essentially worthless to the nationwide carriers. The only thing saving the used truck market is that only California is the turd in the punch bowl. If a IL, VA or NJ ever threatens to enact similar laws then you better buy stock in Cummins and Paccar because your old truck is destined for South America.

 

What to look for in a used truck?

A good mechanic.

I've got over half dozen threads started that describe various things I've had issues with.

Just commented on a thread identical to this one last night. Linked to a few of them in that one.

 

I would wanna oil sample on all the boxes as well as engine. Be really leery of one that is sitting on lot with a fresh major service ready for work, with the cost of oil and truck jockies in it for almighty dollar that is a red flag they are hiding metal. Also check the cooling sys it is most overlooked and under serviced any rusty looking water or residue is a good sign that electrolysis is working on a cylinder liner which could lead to an early over haul. And I agree with what earlier poster said get it looked at by an independent mechanic that doesn't do work for that lot so he won't have a dog in the race so to speak. And a little faith won't hurt, local lot that I do a little work for called me earlier this week sold a big IH to a grainhauler trans went down on week 2 Davenport said fix it right send me total bill, no hurry i loaned him a truck to use. Shocked me actually but goes to show they are not all bad

 

If you fish thu these threads you'll quickly see who the problem group is. 08' and 09's is what my dealer told me to stay away from.

I'm also very shy on twin turbos and Cat's . Certain groups of those have built in issues and that yellow motor is expensive. Injectors are running over $600 each on the C-15 plus install down this way. 2010 Maxforce engines stay on the hook.....


Somebody told you to ignore mileage under a million? Not true IMO. Miles are everything in my book and must be verified back against the ecm. Any good buy candidate has to have ecm and all oils checked. Any claim of overhaul / rebuilt MUST BE supported with an ORIGINAL shop invoice or the claim is bs. ( Before the buy )

Tell you who has a good package for sale....Freightliner has more Maverick units here in Houston. 10' Cascadias , Detroit and 10 or ultra shift and a 2.62 rears and low 400's for 57k....... which I'm calling a bit steep but worth looking at. We have several from the 07 group and they are real solid. Way better than the JB group we bought.

Good luck and buy on the hub...it's what pays you

back.......

JMO

 

I would recommend having a dyno done on the truck prior to buying along with an oil analysis. Ask for the maintenance records, if available. Check the interior. If it is trashed, then you can bet the mechanical side of the truck has also been trashed. Check bushings, king pins, etc., It is worth the cost of a mechanic to check out the truck before spending your money. While there are no guarantees, having a mechanic go over the truck can give some assurance that everything is in good working order. When the miles approach 1 million you would expect to see an inframe. However, one truck that I own has almost 1 million miles and is in excellent shape. It will go over the million mile mark, but you should expect an overhaul within a year or two with that many miles. Having said that, I have seen older trucks with over 1.3 million that are still running strong. It is all in the maintenance and how the truck was taken care of by those who owned and drove them.

 

If you do not plan on going to California, then an older truck is a huge plus. Something that is cheap and easy to fix and repairs that you yourself can do and save thousands on labor costs.

I personally would try to find a used truck with lots of receipts and paperwork and a 98-00 Detroit 12.7

 

Don't forget to do a rig dig report. Like carfax but for trucks. $20 or is a cheap way to find out the history of the truck (damage, accidents, out of service violations etc.)