Finding a new truck to replace our truck which the motor blew out.

Hi jvb, 1st, welcome aboard. Without question, rent a truck and put a motor in your old truck. I've always been a firm believer in no payments, although, you may have a small payment on the motor. The newer trucks are a nightmare, and I guarantee you'll regret it. You'll get all kinds of responses here, but the 2007 will nickel and dime you to death, that's why the last owner got rid of it. Good luck.

 

"....ex Swift truck..." Swift does PM service at 40,000 miles, and their shop mechanics are not 1st grade. I don't think I'd buy any fleet truck, my opinion. What about leasing or renting from Penske until you can get something you want? Or, find a good used engine for your current Volvo? These trucks are like pets, aren't they, we get so used to them living with us.

A couple years ago I bought an '08 Freightliner so I could run California CARB compliant, just in case it helped me get a load when nothing else was available. Same with HazMat. Now I don't like to run California, expensive fuel, bad roads, scales around every corner, 55mph, CHP inspections, and Big Police everywhere. What was I thinking! Well, I haven't needed to run California, but I didn't know that when I renewed my CDL. Same with HazMat loads, not worth the PITA or the miserable little increase/mile, but that's not part of this post. You might find a good used engine in a truck wrecking yard? Best to you.

 

Hi jvb, I'm with "semi" on this one, fix your truck. Better the devil you know than the one you don't. If you are comfortable that your 2000 is a solid truck with another 500K left in her then put a new motor in it and get on down the road. $50K+ for a 'new' 700K mile truck. $10-15K for motor, no brainer. Good Luck

 

New Motor absolutely, Forget the Headaches of a newer truck, you know what you have verses getting a new truck, REMEMBER A NEW TRUCK WILL BECOME OLD PROBLEMS, EVENTUALLY


Im a firm believer in OWNERSHIP, own own own and own
But thats just my Philosophy, EVERYONE is Different

Some people swear bout new trucks,
I prefer Old & Reliable over New & Unfaithful

Wish you the Best on Your Decision!

 

Excellent advice so far - put a new motor in the 2000 Volvo for sure.
Remember that a 2007 with 700 K on it will be close to 1 Million pretty soon if you are running as a team.
At that point you might be looking at a rebuild on the engine anyway - plus still have a payment on the 2007 truck also ( assuming its a $50,000 truck that was financed.

I run a 1997 Western Star with a 12.7 litre Detroit - will keep this truck as long as I can.

 

Nice truck K-Jack, I have the same but a '99 with 1.8Mil on it, 650K on this motor.

 

You know how you have maintained your current truck. Any time you buy a different truck, you really have no idea how well it has been maintained. Even if they have "records." (May be accurate, may be not at all.) I've never been an O/O, but I have to agree with the others who say rebuild the old one. UNLESS it is giving you a lot of other problems as well.

 

Go with an engine replacement, without a doubt. Just did this myself sort of. 2004 Century with serious engine problems was gonna end up needing a $20k replacement due to it being a unicorn early production egr model. Shot that one in the head and bought a '99 Century with that money instead. 12.7 pre-egr, but otherwise same but better truck. No remorse whatsoever.

 

At the very least take it to a shop, not a dealer , and find out what broke, if you didn't run a rod thru the block a simple in frame could be 10-12 grand and a week off work. It will take you longer to find a truck and get it on the road with no guarantee that it won't blow in the first week.