What would an experienced o/o buy?

Cascadia's are nice trucks, but I would opt for the International. I think they are better made than Freightliner. I also prefer a straight shift over an ultrashift. Without knowing the gearing it would be difficult to estimate the fuel mileage. I think that you will find that a straight shift will usually get better fuel mileage than an automatic. Both should be comfortable.

 

Neither.

Spending that kind of money will crank your overhead (unless you're paying cash). Puts you WAAAAY behind the 8-ball.

 

I wouldnt buy either one of those trucks you listed, like gears said to much overhead starting out. Youll be setting yourself up for failure. Look for a good used 99 to 03 model truck. Then after a couple years you can start to work your way up or you may just decide to keep what you have. Dont tie yourself to a large payment. Ive seen to many guys dive in head first and sink.

 

I'd be hard pushed to spend that much on any truck. I can't see making cost of operation work with those numbers. Even if I paid cash, I'd need to consider replacement cost and/or return on investment.

Considering the condition of the economy and the direction it's headed in overdrive, that would drive me to drinking. I'm sure if a good living was all you needed though it could work if you pay cash. If a man invests that kind of money he needs more than a living and a worn out truck at the end. It would be close to recover your investment before it was time to overhaul. In addition, you would need lots of miles to make it pay.

I'm looking at 6 - 8 year old trucks with zero miles on an engine rebuild, new virgin rubber and some with new brakes and drums. They are priced in the $30,000 - $35,000 range.

I think the key factors for success are controlling costs, a firm grip on cost of operation and fuel mileage. That makes cost and fuel mileage tops on my purchase criteria. I don't want to lock myself into more miles than I can get when things get worse again.

 

My answer is neither... if you have buckets of cash buy a pre 03 emission truck and save the rest for operating expenses. Better engines and fuel economy.

 

I have zero experience with a Cascadia or a Prostar, and never will, but can say with certainty that I personaly would not buy either. I say this for 2 reasons;

1- they are not built with long lasting quality in mind.

2 - they are both butt uglier than a meth addicted lot liz.

You can get a 2009 Kenworth or Peterbilt for around the same money and have a better built truck, or as BigJohn recommends, buying a 6-8 year old truck with a fresh inframe and 10 virgins for half the money.

In a nutshell, you can buy a coffee maker at wal mart for $19.99 that will last you 8 months. Or, you can pony up the jack for a Bunn that should last you a lifetime.

Cheap shixt aint good and good shixt aint cheap.

 

Looking well into the future neither of those trucks will be worth much on the used truck market....

As stated above buy an older pre emission truck with owner/operator specs and I might add find a good trustworthy mechanic..

 

I did (or am doing) as BigMike1 suggested. Started with an older truck with the plan on upgrading as I go along. Can't say it's the way to go for everybody, but it's worked for me.