I want.. or do I..???

Definitely a buyer's market where trucks are concerned right now. Trucks are cheap right now, and I think they're gonna get cheaper still for a while, especially if crude $/Barrel goes back up some anytime soon.

About buying a truck: Price also depends a bit on "what" you intend to buy. Everyone has a certain truck that "is" their ideal truck, but the ideal truck does not always make sense, or cents. One one hand, I'd say starting out, buy the truck that meets most of, if not all, your needs without a lot of regard to your wish list, get a good start, set back some money, and then trade into your ideal truck later. On the other hand, I'd say if you're going to live in the box for a couple of weeks at a stretch, you also need to like the box you're in e.g.: Don't buy a truck you can't stand up in. I'm 6'5". I like the look of a Pete, but I wouldn't buy one if I was going to run it a lot because I can't stand up in the sleeper. It's a delicate balance. Lay out all the Specs you need, decide what you can/can't live with for wants, set the search details in The Truck Paper, and click search. I'm sure you'll find pages and pages of relatively cheap trucks at the moment. Good luck. And yes, Dealers "want" to deal right now too.

 

I'll shoot and give my example: A 2003 freightshaker century at Arrow Truck sales with 515K, 12.7 detroit, 3.73 rears, condo sleeper is going for 29,950. I can almost guarantee you that its possible to get it out the door for 25K.

KH

 

So, why don't you show up at the dealers with $20k in hand and give it a shot?

 

I agree with woody, go ahead and show up with cash and see how the trucks you are interested in performs. Then start pestering the sales person and conclude the deal.

KH

 

Given the post I'm quoting, and just to make certain I was thorough before I posted again, I went back and re-read the previous two pages. IMHO, I think we've all put the cart before the horse here in this thread considering your above statement.

If you truly don't want a hiccup here, and if you want to be in the best situation for everything on your end not to "skip a beat", while yes it is important to also be looking for the best deal in a truck, your first consideration needs to be "who" you're going to lease on to.

The truck IS important, no question. But, the company you're going to sign a lease with is more important than the truck. The company you lease onto can make you or break depending on your deal with them. There are so many more considerations with the company than the truck. My advice is to keep looking for the right truck and keep it in the back of your mind, but spend most of your time and energy finding the right company to lease onto. It IS NOT a seller's market where leasing onto GOOD companies are concerned right now. Things are tight out here right now, and the stronger, more stable companies seem to be slowing down the number of people their willing to take on. You need to be very careful who you lease onto, so that you don't have a hiccup in your plan.

I have no doubt what you want to do can be done. I'm not saying "don't" do it, or wait, or any such thing. I'm saying the truck is secondary to the company you lease on with. The truck is the tool with which you make the living, the company is the source that will determine the details of how much or little your tool gets used.

 

Woody,

Let me say this about trucks: My friend has two trucks, his own authority and own trailers. His wife is his dispatcher so finding loads ain't a problem. Its the equipt he cares about. Thats why he is waiting till the right stuff comes onto the market. I mentioned in another thread he might be looking at an intl 9400 but with what bronc said, thats out as he needs something that gets good mpg.

A freightliner will do that and he will most likely get one unless by some miracle someone convinces him otherwise.

KH