Potential truck purchase

Depends on the miles you run and what you are hauling, imo.

I've talked to a few customers who run equipment that old (or older) and is happy with the maintenance those higher mileage trucks generate, because he isn't wedded to payment.

That said, he was a little surprised when he saw what a 2mpg improvement would do to his bottom-line.

I don't think there is a wrong way to go, just what works for you.

 

Of the options you gave I would go for #3. You should avoid the 08-09 motors as they are full of problems. Go with something older and cheaper or get a newer DEF engine. Which way you want to go is up to you. Running on no payment is nice. Driving a new truck is also nice. For myself I don't have experience with the older engines so I am of no help guiding you in regards to Cat, Cummins, DD. The only thing I will say is which will positively affect your bottom line the most.

 

If you're going to buy a volvo go with D13 or cummings, a friend of mine has a one with D16 (lots of power) but spends way too much time in shop. His is an '08 and its been in shop more than on the road in last 3 months.... good luck whatever you buy

 

If you are going to go newer than 07, (EPA04), then skip the EPA07 engines entirely. That would mean model year, 2008 to 2010. Do not get anything older than a 2011 MY to get the EPA10 engines.

Otherwise, stick with something older than an EPA04. That would be a 2004 or older MY truck. And pay attention to the 03/04 MY trucks as you could get that lone morphedite that is also an EPA04 engine.

You know I am really partial to the S60 engine, and it's getting a lot better mileage after the overhead was done.

 

I work in trucking maintenance. Mixed vintages.

Were I to buy a truck right now - I'd stay pre-egr/DEF for sure. While we have new trucks under warranty, I'm keeping tabs on what the trucks are going into for - even tho we're not paying the bills.

I've done this a while, not forever but today's not my first day. Seeing Detroit authorizing A LOT of 6 injector replacements under warranty. It's unheard of for most of us. Guys that been doing this 20+ years can't remember ever doing it in the shop but here we're seeing Detroit authing them, multiple times a week. Also seeing a lot of codes for DEF quality, DEF dosers, harnesses (they corrode easily) etc. The troubleshooting is time consuming, parts are expensive and typically on back order.

I'm here to see about returning to the driving side - I love trucks, trucking etc but the budget/maintenance side of me says - buy something older, even if you have to do an overhaul because the down time, delays and costs associated with the new iron isn't worth it to me when I approach it from an O/O or small fleet mindset. I'd gladly stay out of Cali too if they want to go that route.