used Freightliner

centurys hold up a little better

 

Id say judge each truck by motor type, miles and condition. make pros and cons of each and decide from there.

 

Bought a 2006 used Columbia ( Detroit 14.0 ) approximately 2 years ago with 480,000 on it and it just turned 700,000. The only major issue has been the clutch and it was replaced for a major issue price of $2200. Needless to say hasnt been to bad - thought about getting another one since the prices are decent.

 

Having owned both, there is very little difference. Certainly nothing to make one "hold up" better than the other. I have put @600k miles on my last Century, and have @770k miles on the Columbia. Freightliner wise, no difference between the two. Both were/are owner op specs.
Choose the motor and specs you want, then go from there.

Martin

 

yea I would go with dude on this one. I personally own a columbia and the only difference other than the obvious sleeper size difference and the exposed tanks, is the motors. Me being a fan of the Detroit 60 series, thats what I would look at. If I'm not mistaken theres the mercedes engine and the other one is a Cat. My buddy has had nothing but trouble out of the Cat, and I dont have any experience with the mercedes. Then theres the EGR issue. By 2007 they seem to have worked the bugs out. But if you can a good 99 model to 2003 thats your best bet. Other than getting beat to death I like the Freightliners.

 

-if you looking to buy Detroit engine then look for 2003 and older, good engine, easy fix, easy deal, parts everywhere BUT dont going to california
-Detroit engine model years 04-07 ( not equipped with PDF ) go meet Mr. Haney, he will let you know what you wanna do to reduce maintenance cost (8/10 unit problem with EGR system). Again not going to california.
Century better than columbia at the body and suspension, but engine will be the same...

 

either one w/13spd and gr in 3.50s will do just fine. Century is slightly better, but columbias have pretty decent prices. Buy either one, than work your way up.

 

I'm not an owner operator but I would be concerned with the transmission and the collar . . If it's orange it's a pos they change the oil every 60k no good, if it's a 13 speed it's going to cost you 5k.