Need advice getting my 1st truck

I realize that this is a pretty broad question, but I have a few that I'd like to ask you O/O.
i have pretty much decided on getting my truck through lone mountain. By early summer I hope to have the money I need and a truck! I checked there site out. For a 2015 cascadia (mid roof) is 11,500 down. Now my question is should I go with an older truck? I'm not a mechanic I have no idea how to work on a moter, something I do plan on improving. I figure with a newer truck I'll be taking less of a risk, yes payments are higher but I'm ok with that, I do plan on having the truck for a good while. So that's why my first thought was buying new. HOWEVER, if I can find an amazing deal on a PRE EMMISSION 03 and earlier I'd be happy, maybe a classic XL or 379. I'm really trying to aim myself in the right direction and do the smartest thing here.

My credit is not the greatest, im in the process of clearing some credit card debt, a few bills here and there. By early spring im estimating my total money in savings to be somewhere between 8-10k. I like the idea of getting an older truck (before '03) Thats in good enough shape, the problem is most places I've looked want a cash payment for a truck 30k, the ballpark for a 379 in good shape is around 40-50k and Thats also between 99-01. No problem aslong as there mechanicly sound. I'm looking to get advice on what route to take, im in the beginning stages of all this and want to do as much homework as I can. Appreciate any help!

 

I've been looking on truck paper. TONS of trucks in a 10-20k price range.
what do you think the chances are of a dealership with a 30k older truck accepting 10k as a down payment and paying off the rest. Is that very possibl even IF I have bad credit?

 

I hear ya and thanks a lot for the advice I really appreciate it. The practical side of me is wanting a columbia or century I know they are easy to maintain and cheap! I'm curious about a down payment because I figure if a dealership has a 30k freightliner say 02/03 that's in good shape for around 25k-30k if I put 10k down I wouldn't have any problem making payments to pay it off, but it will take me awhile to save up 30k cash. And if places actually do finance older trucks then I'd be interested in something like that. What's the big difference between a 06 and a 07? Can you tell me the years that I may want to avoid? I always thought if getting used always go before 04.