Peterbilt vs. International?

99% of all elctronics made in the world are produced outside the US.

 

Run, dont walk, away from an international engine !

 

I can't give you specific information on the Lonestar, but I have owned both Peterbilt and International. I received much better service out of my International than I did from the Peterbilt. Pete makes a nice looking truck, but the 72" pro-sleeper is much more comfortable than the Peterbilt sleeper than I had. It was a 63" flat top. Granted, it was a little different, but the International sleeper was much better laid out for driver comfort. Unless you buy new, you can get much more truck for the money with International. Peterbilt's cost more to buy, usually burn more fuel but do retain more resale value. I would expect the Lonestar to hold it's value better than other models of International, but if you plan on keeping a truck for several years, I would go for the best value and that includes mpg and driver comfort. It is still early to see much in the way of resale for the Lonestar. They have only been on the market for a short time. International makes a very tough truck. Parts are not all that expensive unless it is proprietary. The same can be said of Peterbilt or other brands. All have some parts that are proprietary.

 

I would stay away from any of the brand specific engines. Getting parts and service could be a problem and the cost is likely to be higher than for the standard engines such as CAT, Detroit or Cummins. The Navistar engine block is made by CAT, but there are not enough of them on the market and for a long enough time to prove themselves in the U.S.

 

The LTL company that I work for has always used Internationals exclusively. International does not want to sell a Cummins engine with their units. The International trucks we have with their MaxiForce engine are unreliable. They are switching everything to the new KW aero model

 

It will be interesting to see how well the new International's with the new engine do when it comes time to resale. My guess is that it will probably be just like the Mercedes engines in Freightliner's. Peterbilt are also likely to take a hit with their Paccar engines.

 

I've always had good luck with International, but my current one will probably be my last, unless they ditch the steel cabs and make the Maxforce engines more reliable.

 

i always liked Farmall's because they had an excellent dealer network... at least when most every implement dealer also sold trucks.

The old 4300 series conventional was one of my favorites.... I sold my '74 a few years ago but wish now that I didn't....