Just go to Charlotte and look at all the SFI trucks sitting there getting caked in dirt. Then ask yourself how long till yours joins the rest behind the great yellow line.
Even if you work your ### off all the time you will still be sitting there? How come all these guys with brand new 2017 Peterbilt 389's are making all this money?
Lease it either way. Through the company or outside leasing company. Lease payments are 100 % tax deductible. If you buy the truck, you can depreciate it but can't deduct the interest.
I talked to an IC last night in Charlotte who boasted netting $55,000 after expenses but before taxes. If that works for him, great. To me it doesn't seem worth the risk. At the end of October I've grossed $53,000 not counting TE pay. Add in health insurance and I've already made more than him with two months left. If you adjust for missed miles due to training I would be kicking his hiney. Met a different IC this morning who was asking me about how the bunk heater works, he just signed for an old company truck. Did what I could to point him in the right direction. Last question he asked was "when I turn it off the screen says 'maintenance required', is that normal?". I told the poor guy that there's a dozen potential things and he'd need a knowledgeable mechanic to take a look. Just because there are loads to haul doesn't mean they're profitable. Just because a truck looks affordable doesn't mean it is. Every last IC on here has had maintenance issues, some warranty some not, some stupidity some not. If this is something you really want go thru the beginning of sadwar, desielfuelonly, chickanwing, and tennman threads, then come back and ask specific questions.
How much is he getting to move the neighbor girl's Barbie bed? Bonus points to those who get the reference.
