NEW or USED that's is the question ? All welcome to Chime in on this

I hate to say it, but there isn't a short cut for having cash reserves. What they don't tell you about warranty repairs is that it isn't done on your schedule. You get to wait in line. The repair bill may be zero, but you could wait a week or more for something simple that an independent garage would turn around in a few hours if you weren't depending on warranty. Meanwhile, that payment is due each month whether you're working or waiting at the shop for a free warranty service.

DY is right, $15k is cheap. You aren't the only one out there looking for that unicorn. With any truck in that category, expect to spend about $5k on tires and another $5k on fixing everything the previous owner avoided, generally some time in the first six months.

I know he hates hearing it, but if you step through all of Ridgeline's steps I give about 99% odds someone else will come along and buy it right out from under you. The market on pre-emissions trucks is that hot, and the buyers you're competing with are more knowledgeable to begin with, and aren't being as picky. Don't take this the wrong way - what he says is solid advice. What I'm saying is you need to have cash ready and move fast when you find that unicorn. As in already lining up a shop to dyno and inspect asap when you get eyes on it and decide it's worth a deeper inspection.

Here's the good news: if the used truck passes a reasonable inspection, odds are you will be able to make some money with it before the first breakdown. So that $10 k I mentioned? Probably not on the first day, although I wouldn't rule it out entirely. Once you get on the road, you need to save every dollar like it's the last one ever, at least until you get a healthy cash reserve established.

 

There is no way I would buy a new truck today.
In the past I have bought new once, and it just about broke me.Downtime will come with any truck you buy, and a week off with 2 grand a month payments is way worse than having a week off with 800 dollars a month payment. Downtime is considered breakdown, vacation,sickness, slow freight time, etc.It will happen more than you want it to.
These new trucks are nightmares to work on. Very complicated and complex, and they have not got the bugs worked out in most of it. The mechanics working on new stuff are still learning how to fix them , and that ain't cheap for the owner.Some parts are few and far between.Look in the dealer shops, they are full of late model trucks needing repairs.And they sit there, costing somebody many $$$$$.
As others have said, it takes time to find a good,dependable used truck. But they are out there. Last truck I bought I paid 28,000 for 8 years ago, and I can sell it now for 17,000. It has been in a real shop once, and has been a good purchase. But I looked around for several months before I bought it.
Don't buy a new truck yet.There is a reason GOOD used trucks bring a premium price. Drivers want them more than they want these new head-aches.

 

Is a new glider truck an option for you? No emissions and a warranty. All of the posts are giving great advice. I would like to add that with a new truck payment, your cash reserve is for making payments while the truck is down instead of trying to cover large repairs. I've had both large repairs and large payments, the reserve fund doesn't change because the truck is new.

 

I have a 2000 fld if ur interested,truck was leased to mercer december 2013 i never used it since cause i have another truck.truck is not that pretty but very solid.new starter,new alternator,new radiator,new drive shaft,new water pump less than 200k on turbo and head gasket.needs new drive tires and a front axle king ping replaced(not right away but eventually).million mile but the engine doesnt burn oil at all,i dont add oil between pms.the only problem i cant transfer the title cause it got a lien on it.you can put a small downpayement and pay the rest weekly.12k

 

I'll take your challenge,but it will be 20k.Still leased to Landstar till next Tuesday,as I'm still using it.Always passes their(and DOT) inspections,because Its maintained meticulously.Have a short load for Monday then I'm retired.Too bad you are so far away.

 

Sorry I don't like to fly,and I don't go over the road anymore.Been running local for the last 5 years mostly,and have really got used to being in my own bed at night.That's why the mileage is so low on my truck.