Really cheaper to run a new truck?

I've looked into the advantages/disadvantes on purchasing new or used equipment a little while back.when my wife and I were considering a team operation. According to my accountant, we would be much better off to purchase a lightly used piece of equipment. We would avoid FET, and still be able to retain a portion of the warranty, and be able to still keep California as an option. Besides, have any of you looked at the cost of a lightly used truck(2-300000 miles or less)? There are some incredible deals out there on just one or two year old trucks.

 

Basically this is what I did at first. I purchased my truck in 2000 as a '98 truck. I have saved some money, but I always worried in the last 12 years. But she proved herself. Anyway, I would not recommend either way for somebody new in this business. I did with fresh license out of the trucking school. I made it, but so much stress and panic.... Do not do it. Now I will buy a brand new one. It loose a lot of value in the first few years if for some reason I have to sell it. But I plan to keep it for 15 years, and I know it will be a gently driven, extremely well maintained at any age. If you can find a used one like that, that is better deal than to buy a new one.
The big buyers can get around 10% discount, at least this is what I heard from James Hebe, from International. No question, the big companies have more discount on different areas than we do, and can work with smaller profit margin because of the large number of trucks. And also they can not keep the trucks as long as we do, because employee who drives it, and employee who maintain it. I think for me the best option to buy a new. Also I think in the long term I can save a bunch of money if I do my own specification for the job what I do.
Somebody who just start I would recommend to drive a couple of years for somebody else, save money like crazy. After patiently look for a gently used, very well maintained truck with service record. After that, keep your finger crossed, drive ten ours and pet her a for couple. When you made enough money, buy a new one.

 

Have no clue. Carrier picks up all the filing and paying of IFTA with no cost to me. Out of sight, out of mind with nothing reflected on settlements. I only have to worry about finding the cheapest fuel I can. I can only go by my fuel mileage pump to pump calculated using odometer, and that is averaging 7.6 mpg.

 

Your new truck will be in the shop more than a well maintained 2004 or older truck. I have a 04 Westwrn Star with 812,000 miles on it and it has seen the shop twice in a year and a half. My buddies 202 T660 has been in the shop at least a dozen times with EGR and other issues, plus he has a $2,500 month payment.

You are worried about loss of revenue, but if you buy an older truck you won't need to worry about making that $2,500-$3,000 month payment. Even if the used truck sits for a month in a shop, your still going to be $2,000 just in the payment difference.

Learn how to run your business profitably and not just pay day to pay day. Because with a brand new truck, all you're going to be doing is working to make that payment.

 

Well, the trouble started in 2004 and peaked from 2007-2010. What I hear the 2010 SCR engines (mainly started in 2011 model year trucks) are much better. I have a few buddies with recent Cummins and DD15 engines, and they are quite happy, at 1-200.00 miles no problem at all. And a fuel economy also much better than before. Also I plan to buy the truck with a big down payment, at least 50%. I want to keep my monthly payment around 1.400$.

 

wait until you have a turbo failure and they blow that DPF box full of oil.

Got to see the paperwork on a truck out in Washington last trip. The company is looking at $20,000 to replace the DPF box, the turbo and other emissions repairs to that truck.

 

Geezuzz that's ridiculous ! Well my opinion is in my actions. I bought a 2005 w900 with a c15 cat. It's cost me in the time since I bought it but I think over time when the small repairs are taken care of it will be better for what I want to achieve from my purchase. I like the fact that I own the truck and don't have a long commitment to paying for something that will be worth a lot less when the payments finish. It depends on what you want in the long term. I want a truck that in a couple of years I can park in my shed and leave there while I enjoy my ( by then) kids . When the time comes I will pull it out and go make some money with it. For now I am happy with how it's working out but I know for myself a new truck wasn't the right choice. And I did look into the new options and financing etc, was just too much in payments and too much commitment for my liking.

 

Yeah, it can happen. Just like the lightening can struck me too. I have a buddy who had a blown up series 60 at 400.000. Seriously. From 2007 to 2010 Cummins had a scrood turbo design. There are guys who had to change it almost yearly, but 99% it was only turbo replacement. Listen I do not say this emission stuff is not pain in the ....., but I think the technology is mature enough to live with. And a new truck is new , guaranteed nobody beated it up before and comes with warranty. In my case 3 years 360.000 miles bumper to bumper, 5 years 500.000 miles full engine and emission system.

 

See, everybody different, everyone's situation different. I do not think somebody stupid who want to drive a classic truck, or buy a used one. For me the commitment is less stresful than to buy the unknown.

 

And you can get a similar warranty on a rebuilt engine as well. Take your pick being it Cat, Cummins or Detroit.

The ONLY reason I didn't buy a $6000 truck right out of the gate is because the bank didn't want to go that route.
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/entry.php?b=5184

It comes down to what a person wants to spend their money on.


Tires, Brakes, oil changes and such will cost you the same. I don't care if it's a brand new truck or one with 1.4 million on it. They are consumable commodities that simply wear out with each mile driven.

Engines, transmissions, clutches and rear ends do as well. More dependent on preventive maintenance plans and operator abuse or care in operation.

I will run my 07 Century until it is no longer financially feasible to do so based on fuel economy. And with it getting 6.9 to 7.4 MPG on my IFTA reports right now, it looks to be a LONG time before it will go away.

Even if I have to put in a Level III rebuild on the engine. I will KNOW what I have for a truck and still be money ahead in the end.

I have driven a shiny new truck with less than 1000 miles on it. It looked nice, but it was no better or even WORSE in the amount of time it spent in the shop. Especially in the first 100,000 to 150,000 miles it took to run the truck out. From leaking windshields to loose wiring connections to engine issues.