The prostar have low resale value, so is there a year/ engine/ trans combo that makes it a value buy

I'd go ProStar with the ISX and a 10 speed. Plenty available as fleets trade them out, and the ISX motor is a fairly decent engine despite all that DPF crud. And you can't get much simpler or more bulletproof than a 10speed. Avoid the autos and any "collision avoidance" crap at all costs.

 

Check out Rawze forum if you want some in-depth info on the ISX with DPF. Great resource.

 

CM870 or CM871 builds of the ISX. Make sure you change the oil lots. Extended oil changes were the main cause of problems with those engines.

 

The real question is does it, no matter what, fit / meet your needs. Some prefer older trucks, like me, some think newer is better. Does your operation lend itself to the coming EOBR mandate? Are you a guy who buys and keeps or will selling in a couple years come up? Sorry about being no help on with motor / model is better.

 

A Prostar is a general fleet truck. International's answer to providing huge fleets, with low purchase-price power units, that will have little to no value at trade-in. To increase the potential trade-in value, the truck has to be more versatile to a wider range of used-truck buyers. That being said, if you buy the traditional "cookie-cutter" spec'd truck ex: 450 ISX / 10spd / 12k & 40k axles, you eliminate yourself from selling to potential heavy-haul buyers.

 

They have their quirks, most issues are easily resolved once the motor/emissions are sorted out. Stay away from the MaxxForce. One nice thing, parts are readily available as the body and frame had a long production run. I own one, and the only real issue has been the motor and emissions, that was finally sorted out thanks to Rawze.

Honestly it is a pretty good truck, I have had few issues with the Navistar side. The other good thing, many of us owners have sorted out and remedied many of the more common issues. For the money, it is a good buy in my book, if it fits your particular application.