Paying cash for an older semi tractor vs. financing a new one

The not being in a hurry part is of the greatest importance. Anytime you are in a hurry gets you into trouble faster.

You have to look and look and look and keep looking and look again and again and again and again. And you can't be afraid to walk away from something.

The deal isn't always in the price that you pay, it's what you get in the end.

 

Exactly, looking, long before buying, will educate You. There will be the deal you should have gotten, and hesitated and missed out on. But there’s always another deal around the corner. Only this time You recognize it. Unless You’re 100% sure, always give it a day or 2, think it over. Easy to get caught up in the moment. Some Salesman are so good at applying the pressure. Even the best can get rushed into s purchase.Even whenYou do the best you can, anything can happen, mechanically at any time. Buy it right, and it’s not so bad when If costs money to repair.

 

That, I don’t know about.You would think all things would be equal. But I’m not sure about Some emissions, I would definately look into what are the common problems, on the Truck/ engine/ trans combo, for whatever Truck your considering. Volvo’s and Internationals are fine, but have some unique ways of doing a few things. I haven’t really kept up much since ‘02. EGR valves, originally were a big problem, but def systems and all the expensive problems associated with them, including high heat from the systems, causing wiring harness issues, make egr seem like a minor issue.

 

You are getting raped on parts. I pay less for oem than you are paying for aftermarket.

A basic inframe is pistons and liners. I'd do bearings also since you got the pan off. And consider doing the oil pump. You can also do injectors and replace the head if you want but that isn't considered part of a basic inframe.

Detroit used to offer 4 levels of a rebuild. Everything from the basic liner and pistons to a brand new crate engine.

Having done well over a dozen i would recommend a new head injectors and oil pump while doing one. Last time i bought a head it was 1653$ from Detroit.

 

"If it ain't broke don't fix it" is a statement I'm a HUGE believer in. Funny you mention airplanes. I've ended up on two unscheduled landings in the ever glades on two separate occasion. Both times my uncle had just got his Cherokee out of the shop with a clean bill of health.

Taking that philosophy to a truck engine means do oil samples and rebuild when the lab says its time, not over some arbitrary mileage number

 

Which Dealer do you get the good deal from?

 

Tampa freightliner. Been dealing with them since... #### near forever.