Is it ok to buy a truck with high miles? Need some advice!

keep looking. and saving. for something more expensive and less miles.

that's all i got to say.

upwards of 1 mill miles is time for a complete overhaul of engine, trans, and rear ends.

i just spent 25g in 4 months for repairs. and the truck is still broke.

 

If you spend the money you have saved for a truck, how do you plan on paying for fuel?

 

Ok, so you've driven trucks for 16 years. How does that qualify you to become a Motor Carrier and run a business?

 

I don't think that was the question he was asking.

 

I am a lease operator with a 2000 Century with over 1.5 million miles on it. I don't have any worries about it being in working condition on a day by day basis. In fact I think it is one of the most reliable trucks in the fleet I work out of. Everything on a truck will eventually wear out, but almost everything on a truck is repairable or replaceable. It is the timing of those repairs that does people in. I bought the truck with 640k miles on it, and over the last 8 years I've had a front wheel bearing freeze, an engine rebuild, a clutch rebuild, the brakes redone twice, switched from duals to super singles, etc etc. Overall my long term maint costs have been about 10 cpm, which for me works out to be about $10k per year. Once you get your maint account built up to $10k, and you have it firmly in your head that that money belongs to the truck and not you, high price repairs lose their sting.

If it were me, I would try to finance the purchase because (to me) it's better to have the cash in hand for emergencies. You should plan ahead on having the engine rebuilt or replaced at the 1 million mark.

Good Luck

 

First, look for a truck that's spec'd for the type of trucking you plan to do. Look at used trucks at truck dealerships with warranty left. These trucks may be trade-ins or repo's. Usually, the dealerships keep the good used ones and get rid of the ones with problems. Unless you have $10K-$20K to set aside for your maintenance fund, better consider financing the truck.

 

I went to the House of Trucks and the good used trucks I saw started at 40K, 16-18K is not a truck that's a toy truck and a used one at that. But that's a good down payment. I know you don't want to finance...but you gonna have to...or save some more.

 

With only $16-18K you will run into a brick wall the truck will eat all that up what about trailer($8-12k) insurance($2-3K down) fuel($3K to start) an extra $2K in case of breakdown and and all the small stuff. With your buget you would be better off buying a truck and leasing it on to a company, If I lived in you area I would find out if bullhauler ran in your area they seem to be doing pretty good this would give you a lot of experence before going out on your own. There are some leased drivers that make more than indenpendent due to the fact that less time involved in finding freight better time mangement fuel discounts and so on. Being independent is not easy for many and not at all for some. Lots of drivers go broke wanting to stay at or close to home. Companies like Bullhaulerswife run can give a better begining experence. Heck Bullhauler might be able to help you find a good truck in your price range