VNL 670 or FL Columbia

My very first truck was a 670 Volvo. 2005 model with an ISX 450 and one of those crumby Meritor 10 speeds that I hated. The motor was pre-DPF and never gave any trouble and returned very good fuel economy but the rest of the truck was a lot of trouble. Had the air ride front suspension they could never seem to get adjusted properly. They really have to be treated with kid gloves or they fall apart, and this one had seen some abuse. It sprang air leaks all the time and one time the air leveling valve broke while I was going down the road and dumped all the air out of the rear suspension...cheap plastic part on that truck that are metal on the Freightliner. It was a very easy truck to drive/see out of and turned sharp but I'd never buy one for myself. I'd take an FLD any day.

 

My company had an 08 Columbia with the 14L Series 60 and that thing never ran right either. Had partial throttle hesitations and mis-fires, bad power, etc. They got rid of it finally.

 

I love my Volvo

 

Your ahead of me then. I was only commenting on what I hear people who drive Volvo's say to me. They say it enough and enough people say it,.. so I assume there must be some kind of truth to it?

Like I said,.. other than an old 96 day cab single axle Volvo (That actually wasnt a bad truck btw) I have no real experience with Volvo.

Hurst

 

SMH Why is no one telling OP to stay away from trucks year 2007-2009, They always have problems with DPF. You can find a nice 2010 2011 cascadia with a dd15 around 500k for $45k, Have a credit union do your loan.

 

I said the truck without the DPF is going to be less of a headache. I don't know the exact year they started showing up on different makes and models but if he needs an EPA motor to go to CA I'd stick with an EGR only truck which would be roughly 2003+ but prior to DPF which was what, 2007 or 8?

 

You need DPF in CA, 2003 would be too old.

 

Oh okay. That 05 Volvo I had was EGR only and it was still legal for CA back in 2011-12 as far as I knew. Unless the company was doing something they weren't supposed to be doing or they've gotten more strict since then.

 

As the owner of a Volvo 2007 780, I can tell you absolutely the Freightliner is the better choice.
Parts for the Volvo are considerably more expensive. As stated by others, independent shops will not work on them, and anything engine related, wont even touch. Most parts are only available through Volvo. You can expect a 3 day wait for any warranty repair.
Even a simple engine light reset will cost you 300.00. You can expect to go back 2 or 3 times for a recurring engine light, and pay 250.00 to 300.00 for "I dont know"
My truck has a D-16 pre DPF/DEF engine with an Eaton 13 spd and for the most part I'm happy with the truck.
It comfortable, quiet, and very strong.
I am not at all happy with the dealer network. Look at some different dealers, look at the large number of trucks (mostly newer) waiting to go in.
While you are there, count the incoming tow trucks.
I would avoid anything 2008-2011 regardless of manufacturer.