07 Columbia or 06 Pete 387

I would go with the Pete 387. The mechanic who said the Columbia would be cheaper in maintenance I wouldn't be so sure on that honestly. The main gripes about the Columbia is the floor getting hot from the transmission due to lack of insulation and the dash is well cheaply made. The Pete 387 will hold up a lot longer.

 

With the Pete looking at Bigtime Electrical issues the 387 is basically a T-2000 with a Pete nameplate stuck on them. Also what will you be hauling if heavier watch out the 387 is HEAVY just beacuse it says Pete does not mean their better. I drove a new 1998 379 that had to have been built on a Monday after the Cowboys lost or something. I had more issues with that thing than you could want exhaust FELL OFF the left side the LF steer tire bearing failed with 6K miles why Peterbuilt left the bearing Loose the 5th wheel was left loose and other things. Try sleeping in a truck that rode like a bronco.

 

No Contest here
Get the Freightliner and roll . . . . . . .
Hot floor,cheap dash LMAO!!
I'll take cheaper to repair,Superior fuel mileage all the way to the bank over "anything" Peterbuilt which contain just as much
cheap plastic.
My proof is in actual ownership,currently running six 06 Columbia's

 

The Columbia will have a bigger and better service network, probably get you better fuel mileage, and depending on how it was spec'ed will probably have more and better cabinets to be more long term liveable.

 

I worked on both makes both Petes and Freightliners and I will be honest Freightliners are easier to FIX. I boss had an Ex-Werner FLD120 that blew an airbag on the Rear suspension 4 hours later back up and running. We had a Pete 379 lose a freaking blower motor in the bunk. Only could get the part from pete took 3 days to get it. The FLD our local KW dealer had the replacement instock.

 

the pete looks more comfortable in the sleeper, and will probably sell for more when you decide to trade in for a newer one.

 

Not the 387 they SUCK big time. Why think of a T-2000 and Freightliner combined now give it a Volvo Electrical System. That is a Pete 387. Even TMC was smart enough to get rid of them. Put it to you this way I see Freightliners selling Higher than a Pete 387 used around here. There was a company that tried out 5 387's and 5 Columbias 3 years ago they still have the Freightliners. The petes went back after a year and were REPLACED by 5 more Freightliners.

 

You sound more like mediocre technician working part time in local TA. No wonder you like older trucks, common multiplexing takes some classes. Oh boy. In this industry you gotta learn. Especially being mechanics. Now, what serious O/O would trust you after you praised Columbia ?