1.5-2yr experience driver looking to buy first truck

Well that’s always the question. Condition looked like 700 not 1.7. No telling though? It wasn’t all hacked up. Pedals, door panel and steering wheel looked original. Seats looked recovered but were original.

That was the point. Was asking him to think about that same question.

 

Another question would you rather sink $30,000 into that '98 Volvo or a '98 W900 or 379 instead? You can argue aerodynamics and fuel all you like. But reality is that '98 Volvo will never be much more than a $15,000 maybe $20,000 truck on the open market no matter how much you sink into it. My buddy recently sold a '99 W900 for $17,500 more than what he paid for it about 4 or 5 years ago. That won't happen with an aero Volvo or Freightliner.

 

I sincerely wish you the best bro. You're clearly a sharp person.

 

true, but you also wont buy a 99 w900 with 700k miles for 15k...

 

Hurst, if you decide not to go ahead with that truck, I would like to take a look at it also

 

Go ahead brother. Dont let me stand in your way.

I'm going to call on it on Monday. But through conversation with Tug it might not have enough wheel base for what I need. What intrigued me was the engine, tranny and gear ratio. And of course the exemption status. Perfect for what I want it for.

Problem is that I have a guy that I do 55ft sheets for for and is a regular steady thing in part of the lanes I run. I need to be able to have a headache rack and still be able to have a 2ft over hang on the front. I can theoretically do a full 5ft front over hang easily with both of the trucks I have now.

Tug sent me some pics,.. and its difficult to really tell from the pics if it will work or not. I was going to ask the guy to measure the 5th wheel to the back of the sleeper for me.


Hurst

 

I'm the kind of guy that will buy that $15k truck,.. regardless of brand,.. and sink another $15 - $20k into it with out thinking about resale value. I look at it as a business expense and tool to get a job done. Nothing more.

The way I look at it,.. your gong to have $30k - $60k one way or the other tied up into a used truck. At least this way I know where the money went and whats in the truck. I bought my W9 for $28k and put another $22k into it before I ever pulled the first load.

I've got well over $60k tied up in my Columbia over the years. I get a return on my investment with every load it hauls. Say what you want about it and the black hood. Its been a money maker for me,.. else I would not still be here.

Hurst

 

1 word: DONT

the 1-box system in the Cascadia's will set you back 7-9K should emmission systems start acting up

Get the rosy eyed glasses of "new truck" off your nose.

If the old man (mentor) is making moolah with an old truck, so can you. Creature comforts are for company drivers (UNDER-paid by cents per mile, but hoodwinked with satelite TV, APU, Inverters etc)

The truck is just that...a tool

Let me say this slowly... all. trucks. break. down.

Question is: what will happen when you get downtime? and that truck note is due?

I went to a volvo dealership (with my 18yr old volvo) and there was new 2017 volvo getting a new motor. apparently it took 4 weeks for them to decide to swap out the motor.

I paid cash for my "unappealing" (your word, not mine) and I only drive when I choose to - weekends only - and I still gross $2+/mile just like the dude with a 2018 truck. 1200 miles grosses me $2600 without even trying....and yes, she is still pretty to me.

Heck, I park my truck 5 days / week and she still makes me money...hahaha. Question is: Will you be able to do that? or will you be chasing miles, to make that weekly payment?

Your call.

PS @Hurst and @Tug Toy that volvo sure looks purrrty...I'd get it too

EDIT:

wrt to going to Cali...I thought you can pay an "exemption" for a quick in-out trip even with pre-emissions motor? or simply, dont stop for the CARB officers - they DO NOT have FMCSA/DOT authority anyways...so just blow by and watch them in the rear view...

 

I like your way of operating par

I like your idea of running part time. I farm and I've had trucks semi trucks since about 1991 and I'm thinking about putting one of them on the road for starters. The biggest thing that scares me about it is where to find profitable loads. Advice?