Has anybody here used Arrow Truck Sales? I keep seeing adds for the zero down, low payments with approved credit Volvos; any idea what the deal is with that? What's acceptable credit. Since everybody seems to be down on the lease options, is this a better way to go?

I just went down the road with them - The trucks in the two programs they are offering:
- zero down, payments of XXXX for an 04 and YYYY for an 05 (tight credit requirements)
- 300000 mile warranty of AAAA for and 04 and BBBB for an 05 (higher down payments)

The trucks qualifying are usually Swift and Knight fleet trucks: 4xx hp/10speed/355rears - good MPG setups. Arrow is owned by Volvo, so these deals are limited to Volvo, I believe.

Living in SLC with an older truck as a trade, I could not get a deal done with Curt Holden out of the Phoenix office, but he worked very hard to make it work: I would have to sell the truck outright to come up with the down payment on the 300000 deal, then fly in to get a truck (reimbursed by Arrow), leaving me out of work during the transition, costing me probably a week of work/cash flow.

I believe if I lived in an area that had an office, it would have worked out. My old truck is paid for and running well, but takes about the same amount in annual maintenance as the payments - moving to a newer truck with a warranty was attractive (warranty is through NTP).

I believe this program is much better than a lease-purchase with a company, as you can move your truck if needed. If you have credit problems, a lease-purchase may be the only way to go - - - although lots of folks will argue that LPs should never be done.

While not getting a deal done, I would not hesitate to go back to Curt and Arrow if I did not have the trade-in situation. One caution is that I had the ECM read on every truck I looked at - I was stunned by the poor mpg most newer trucks are getting (5.3-5.5mpg) - the exception are the 04-05 Volvos with Cummins - they are showing 6.0mpg plus, all with company drivers:
- the ECM readout is optimistic by .3-.5mpg - a 5.5 is really a 5.0 to 5.2mpg.
- I believe I can improve the mpg by about .5mpg over the historical - as an O/O I will run the truck only when needed and watch fuel consumption. Most of these trucks had company drivers, many likely new drivers. I also run by the boost gauge - 9lbs gives me a dramatic improvement over 10lbs and can really boost mpg, but may lower your average speed, especially uphill. Most fuel surcharges are calculated at 6.2mpg, so staying at or above that number is key to not being harmed as fuel prices go up.

Hope this helps - I believe Arrow provides value for the O/O who knows how to buy and run a truck - I searched most of the forums for reference to Arrow and could only find one and that poster relayed that he had been happy with several trucks purchased through Arrow.

Paul

From my dealings with them I think they are an upfront honest company. However, unless you have 40% to put down on a truck your out of luck. My credit score is 710 and I own a home and was turned down for financing unless I put down 24K on a 55K truck. Your basically looking at 30-40% down on anything from them unless you have maybe huge equity or a trade or an unrealistic credit rating. My 710 is in the very good range.