To buy an auction truck or not? What would make it worthwhile?

Auction, and try to find a highly reputable mechanic to inspect. Don't get caught up in the bidding and overpay.

Personally I would pay a premium for a one owner non fleet spec truck.

That guy probably took great care of his equipment.

 

There is a hell of a lot of missing information about the trucks.

Both sound like they are sub-20k trucks, the auction truck won't have a threshold. The dealer truck is over-priced.

Both would need at least $30k in reserve, and both will need a Dyno/OA/ETC... due dilgence.

BUT there is an important question that has to be answered - are you a new driver or how many years (hope more than 5) driving?

 

Heh...
Buy for 20k and fix it... My first truck that was my thought. Non-stop problems. 2 years later ordered one from the factory.

I have a custom 2020 Western Star 5700XE. 505hp DD15, 10 speed, 308 rears. I get about 8mpg at 75mph, and 8.5 at 70. Over the last 60,000 miles, counting idle time, Im averaging 7.3 mpg. Single 82" bunk, tan leather and cherry wood interior. Leather heated driver seat (I lived in Minnesota) and block heater. Refrigerator doesnt work anymore (like $500 to replace I think). Disk brakes all around. I replaced the steers about 50,000 miles ago. Drives are still original and have about half their rubber left (full of fuel, the steers are 10,800 pounds so they wear faster). Only damage that was done to it was I hit a deer about 5.5 years ago that took out the left fender (insurance covered it). around 260k actual miles, havent run much the past 2 years (maybe 10-12 runs total). I dont smoke, but I do take 2 of my dogs with me. Already talked to a guy about detailing it. No APU. Wouldnt have saved me enough money to justify the 13k for it.

Im leased to Landstar so the truck is inspected every 120 days and is well maintained.

You interested?

And yes, Im serious. Im almost 69. Seems I spend more time at the VA than home lately and Ive been doing this job for over 40 years now. Ready to hang it up. Good truck.

 

I've always bought from reputable dealers. When they buy a truck from an auction, they send a trained inspector there that does this all the time. They don't want to buy a problem truck any more than you do. The only truck I would ever consider buying from an auction is if there were a bunch of Wal-Mart trucks. Then you could assume that they're just the trade cycle trucks that have been maintained properly.

 

I wonder if the $60k one is the one @Dave_in_AZ left at the stealership.

 

@ nightcrawler. That sounds like my kinda truck
Western Stars are my favorite....too bad I'm a company driver now lol

 

It's a crap shoot either way you go.......I'd go for the low money.
Dealer at Selectrucks said my warranty was as good as the end of the driveway.
Frankly, I'd look hard @Knightcrawler rig.

 

Bought mine with an extended warranty. Should be good for 8 years or 500k miles which either way should still put it under warranty.