Buyers options in todays engine market

I'm getting a 2010 Pete or KW......
The choices are Cummins or Cummins....

The upside is that I'll have some work in the ports and more CA loads to and from the state after 2014 because I'll be good to 2020....

California or rather CARB, states that 10 years of use is the "Useful life of a truck"........So by the time you hit 1 million...it's time to buy another one....No more inframes.....

 

I also had this question. While talking with a mechanic I was told to wait. Wait until a better system comes out. He said these newer trucks coming out had 30 diff. sencors on the motor alone at 300 bucks a shot. Here latley I wounder if a lease is the best option. Just put 4or500thsnd miles on her, then trade for another. I posted this in another thread on here, but he also told me this "If a person wanted a rebuild kit for a 318 mechanical detroit it would take upwards of six months to get, because the military bought up all of them. They said that the mechanical motors were far more dependable and much easier to maintain then all this computerized junk coming out now. They also said EPA doesnot regulate them, and if the day should come that they tried to, they would be the ones regulated." Now, my truck has the S60 detroit and I have to say that I am well pleased with the fuel milage. I also have a paystar with a 400cummins (mechanical), the S60 detriot is 500hp and doesnt burn half the fuel my old 400 does. As far as me workin on them, I'll take that 400 any day over that detriot. But I really havent fooled with computerized motors that much, this S60 is my first, and its a 95model. I've had it 3yrs now and I havent really done that much to it. It had alittle over 700thsnd on it when it got inframe just before I bought it. I replaced radiator, starter, clutch, and crank positioning sencor in past 3yrs.

 

One thing I'm positively sure is that:

ONE SHOULD NEVER BUY FRESHLY INTRODUCED NEW ENGINE

Like people are buying new Detroit DD15 now or eventually will buy (totally) new ISX. Thats the most stupid thing that can be done. Being stupid enough to test drive their experimental devices on your own and paying with your own money for development of someone elses engine. It takes many years to get solid reliability info from truck owners who can only be trusted. It takes million miles and hundreds or thosands cases lie that.

All those people praising DD15 introduced in late 2007 are either naive idiots or being paid by Detroit for doing so.

Thats my opinion

 

You dont see one-million milers ISX-es, because it takes quite few years to accomplish. EGRed ones were introduced just about 6 years ago.

You need to realize that VGT turbo IS relatively cheap ($1800 for exchange directly from Holset in MI I was told) compared to other newer engines

I would definitely not buy anything bigger than 2-wheeler till the spring at least, since it looks like we are going to see some real problems with permanent unemployment

 

So buying a new rig that is under warranty is much worse than buying an old rig with miles on it and you don't know exactly what was done or not done to it.....

Somehow I can't buy that logic.....

I learned from my own experience with an older rig.....They cost more to run and maintain than a new rig....

 

I'm not saying I would recommend buying old truck either, thats extremely risky. But 2006 ISX with low miles 200, 300k miles at real low price... Could be something...

Then.... There is no such trucks for sale

On another note, it would be helpful to some wannabies to realize, that they will have to compete with some old dogs, who know their rigs well, coz own them since new. Many are paid off... Not that I got anything against wannabies !

 

Again....even with oil samples and if you can get some mait records.....You still don't know how the drivers treated that rig...

My Pete is a great truck....Engine and drive train are great..but it's the other sheyat that breaks down and stops you from rolling and earning....

Nothing like taking it in to replace the oil pan seal and when you remove the pan...a bearing spins out from the oil pump.....Sheyat like that......

 

I hear ya, Im in the shop right now for gear cover gasket leak, Something what should be done under warranty loong time ago. But I have screw it big time. These are the worst moments... My own mistakes that could have been avoided. Real Shyat

 

I have never owned a new truck. Gonna say this plain and simple. There's more new trucks in the shop getting worked on than used trucks. Ask any dealer. Yeah there's something to be said for the warranties etc but remember this: Old truck-New truck=pay is the same. Just because you gotta new truck doesn't mean you are gonna get paid more per mile whether you are leased to a company or on your own. So what's to do? Well for one thing do some research. I found a 1996 Peterbilt, 15 speed, 3:55 rears, 550 Cat for $35,000.00 in 2001. 2 year, 200,000 mile Warranty on engine. Payment was $1000.00 for 36 months. Say what you want plain and simple-I made money with that truck! Some issues sure, but nothing I would call a major deal. Mostly just small things required by maintenance. There some good buys out there right now. Try to get one with a warranty. Don't know much about the Freightliner deal but it don't sound all that bad. Look the whole thing boils down to how big a monthly payment can you handle. It ain't rocket science. Put a pencil to it. You should be able to average 10000 miles per month all year. Yeah yeah I know you can do better than that. Wanna bet. Take out delays for holidays,time off for personal things,waiting for loads,and all the other aggravating things that happen in this industry and much over 10000 just isn't practical. Now figure what you get paid per mile then start subtracting costs per month and see how big a payment you can afford. The rule of thumb I used is this: Truck payment + all the other fixed costs shouldn't be more than 1800.00 per month. Result: I bought a truck I could afford. Where's the rocket science in that? Saw a 2003 Kenworth T-600 in the truck paper: 475 CAT, 13 speed, 3:42 rears, new tires, 80% brakes, 2 year 200,000 mile warranty, 712000 miles.$28,700.00. Truck's seven years old with 712000 that's just over 100000 miles per year. Looked good in the pictures. Of course if you have to run California,drive a newer truck, make bigger monthly payments than that's probably not a good choice for you. Since I could care less about California,need a truck I can make money with and build some equity in that truck would be a good fit for me. JMO