is it worth the risk

At that price you could always resell and not lose any money.
If I had that opportunity I would buy it. Even if it needed some TLC.
How long were you planning to sit on the truck. Make sure you drive it around a little every month. Keeps the seals, bearings and gaskets from drying out and rusting. Also removes moisture from rusting the insides.

 

This could well be a great truck but the story you have been given does not add up.
The truck is from the early 2000s and this guy has had it the whole time?
He has a dedicated from NYC to Los Angeles and is such a &*^% that in all that time he has only managed to complete the run 250k worth?
Getting a story that does not add up is a huge red flag. Way worse than no story at all.

 

If you reeeeaaaaallly trust that mechanic, I would follow his advice. 10 grand for a truck that has half a million low maintenance miles left in it is pretty hard to pass up.

 

I would not be surprised if there is more to that story.

But even if it is true at 15 years old these are the parts you have too look at replacing in the near future: door seals and weatherstrip, belt line moldings, air bags should have signs of starting to crack, soft airlines should be suspect, air line push fittings, engine, axle and steering box seals are aging, hardening, and seeping, oil, frieghtliner wiring has a habit of cracking, fuel lines, exhaust? Tires? Many old frieghtliners leaked water in the cab? Are you up to fixing this crap? Got the money for it? Got a place to park this thing?

You know most o/o make less then a company driver and work harder doing it. Just because you have your own business does not mean you work when you want; especially in trucking, it is just not that kind of market now.

 

Where do these facts come from. I find it hard to believe. I work when I want. Market does not dictate when I work. True I work harder while running. Most days I max my log book, don't lounge in the truck stop and fortunate enough to haul freight. Shippers want to load in a timely fashion and Receivers want to off load it as quick as possible. When I sit, I want it to be at home not on the road. I usually have a round trip scheduled before I leave the house.
I doubt I am an exception to most O/O's.

 

ok..the boss is an arse...his drivers drive and quit...

do you wanna believe the trucks were not abused by the quitting drivers..??

then you go right ahead and buy one.......

let us know how much work it needs.

i'd rather buy a used truck from a corner used truck lot, in a trailer office, hooked up to a dually.....
(not really, but you sure had better get the point)