How Much Would You Spend on a FIRST Truck?

Depends on your mechanical ability. Shop rates are around $90/ hour so it can get expensive. The more you can do yourself the better your bottom line. For newer trucks warranties keep the repair cost down but warranties only cover what happens to break, if it wears out its on you. You dont necessary have less down town with a newer truck, like anything else new, takes a while to get the bugs out

 

With used truck prices as low as they are right now, I'd be willing to bet there are some 06-09 models with low miles out there. I don't have truck buying experience, but I have done a little real estate finagling in my time.
Just my 1 cent worth...I'm a wannabe afterall!

 

This used to be an easier question to answer before truck values went south, but I think about $40,000 ish will get you a good decent starter truck. The payments are low enough and the maintenence costs are managable. Plus you wont get killed on drepreciation, at least not to bad anyway

 

Can you finance it through your local bank instead of commercial lending? If so, the interest rate will be lower as well as the down payment may be more negotiable.

Would think that as new as you would want to go would be an '06 or '07 that was still pre DPF.

 

I am a fan of older trucks ( b/c models aswell as E model cats). Stay away from the new motors! If you are pretty handy, an older truck is pretty easy and straight foreward to work on. Because of the lack of electronics and EPA crap. There are alot of nice older trucks out there right now for a really good price. Just look really carefully at the electric system of older trucks. Make sure it isn't hacked up or eaten up.

 

I bought a 05 Freightliner Columbia with 443,000 on it last month for $24,000. 475 Cat, 10spd with 3.55 rears. By no means is it my Pete I owned a few years back but I got out of it for a couple years and with the economy and fuel prices I went the more economical way this go around. My two cents is no matter what truck you decide on, check the ECM and get some test ran on the motor. Good luck in your search and your endeavor as a O/O...

 

I've noticed that some companies list a max truck age so that could be something to consider when looking.

Don't have the first hand experience but my buddy bought a 90 freightliner, heavier spec truck to haul some of his equipment around. Drilling company. With things quiet he has gone to haul wood out of the bush. Truck keeps up with the new kenworths. Has had to replace some of the suspention bushings and did install an 18 speed but other parts have been great. Engine runs like it's just broken in.

Obviously that isn't a great OTR truck but can find decent trucks for good prices out there.
If your mechanically inclined and can do some of the maint I think that would be a huge benefit.

 

Well I am a fan of older trucks with no payments.
But as stated above it depends on you ALL trucks break and most of the time they find away to wingle out of the warranty.
Id get a truck and put boxes on it with all the tools you got and fix everything you are able to.
And let me ask why are you buying a truck and leasing on to landstar? if you are ready to buy a truck you should get your own thing setup and work for yourself.
More money,more home time and run where you want.
Thats the way i feel anyway good luck
And btw most places do have a truck age limit but MOST will accept one older if its in good shape and will pass dot. I have seen some old old trucks that look and run better then a new truck