Age old question: New truck vs used truck?

With all the emissions stuff on the new trucks is it really true??

 

You have not calculated the saved taxes for either.

 

I prefer old iron. There will have to be everything not spend set aside to savings because at some point that engine will essentially blow. (Not blow up, but rather blown with defects requiring rebuild or replacement)

Anything without emissions. Preferably mechanical or first generation computer stuff.

The kind of trucking I would be doing is transferring medical loads from Memphis to a local drop lot for benefit of western teams so they don't have to endure a 5 to 600 mile double back. My revenues would be expected to cover and make a profit over miles, fuel and what not. Nothing too awesome. Just a tired truck on a essentially a regular route on I-40 which is flat. Subject to construction and weather issues.

So a relatively tired old rig would do well here.

 

I will add that the state of Alaska sometimes applies for and gets a variance on dot regs and mandates. for instance the hos rules, I do not know if they actually got an exemption for the eld, but they have not started enforcing them, the companies that have an MCnumber and run trucks outside requires the OO's to have them though.
As far as I know, if you run for a strictly Alaska company, you can even talk on a phone, I know I have never ever heard of them ticketing anyone for it, texting is illegal in any vehicle though.
Many Many older mechanical rigs still working every day here, I think it would cause some sort of war if they jumped up and outlawed them.

 

I see a lot of old Petes and KWS in the SD, NE, KS, and OK area I stay in, I've seen a few in the early 70s range that somebody stuck a pile of money in fixing and making look like new again.

 

1986 Peterbilt 359 with newer turbo, nozzles, in frame, rear diff bought in March 2014

Maintenance Items to date:
rad
CAC
water pump
2 new steers
8 recaps
2 stereos
front diff
U-joints
headache rack (used)
heated mirrors
fan belts
alternator
backup lamp
TOTAL PARTS: ~$15,000

PURCHASE PRICE: ~$25,000
ESTIMATED VALUE: ~$35,000

I challenge anyone to do better than that with a new truck. I used to say, I wouldn't buy anything newer than 1997 but this week I discovered that the current Cummins free ECM software no longer works on Celect+ and older ECM's. That's pretty much a deal breaker for me. Not sure If CAT or DD60 are still supported. I may have to only consdsier mechanical engines now.

 

Threads like this below and many others is why some will prefer the old compared to the new..


PLEASE HELP!

 

400k truck for 90,000? I have a 2014 with 528k for sale for $49,000. Your number seems off there. You can buy a new truck for 145,000 to 150,000 with 5 yr 500k warranty.

You could buy a truck for around 80,000 with 300k miles. Make sure it has a Cummins and you are the 2nd owner. Google Encore XT1 Cummins warranty. You can buy 2 yr 200k for $4500.

The 3rd part wannties are not worth anything. It’s gotta be a factory warranty for you to count on it.

I’d go with the 2nd owner truck with 300k on it and the XT1 warranty. Run it 200k miles and if your doing well sell it and buy a new one.