W900 vs 379 (Not a pis-sing match)

That's a good point how many 20 plus year old trucks you see running up the road and what brand still has the most on the road?

 

And lastly get what like. I never driven a w9 but i drove a t660 it had a nice sleeper berth with those sky lights it's really nice to up to those. I really like kw cab /sleepers it's top notch.

 

I have seen situations where drivers always want a Peterbilt, but they don't have the cash for a well maintained one. But, they still want that long hood. SO they go out burn all their cash on a older worn out 379, but hey, its a 379. Then the problems start to rear their heads, but they don't have any money to fix them because they burnt all the cash on the truck purchase. This continues until the truck is close to being scrap and then they start to ##### how terrible Petes are even though it has nothing to do with the truck model, its just the fact its a neglected abused truck.

Neglected abused 379s are still worth money. Beat up internationals /freightliner go to the scrap yard.

 

Parts aren't significantly more expensive than any other truck brand when you compare apples to apples Sure a Columbia grill is only a few hundred vs a couple thousand for a new 379 grill but that's an apples to oranges comparison cause the Columbia is a one piece tiny plastic grill and the Pete grill is 4 separate sections of high quality polished aluminum, the grill itself plus 3 sections of the grille surround. An apples to apples comparison would be the price of a door assembly for each in which case the Pete mark up is less than 5%

 

Peterbilt peterbilt peterbilt peterbilt I owned a few they are pretty decent and break just like the rest. It's like a Harley vs Goldwing Freightliner makes good rides Volvo make good rides International makes rides and so does Pacaar. If I spend 40000 on 2015 freight with 300-400k mi I can make the same or clear more due to fuel economy. Take a 2015 389 80k+ 400-600k mi getting 5 - 6.5 at best. If you want to make money get a reliable truck.There are no guarantees when it comes down to it. You can buy w9 , 389, t680, cascading, Volvo, and international and experience good or bad.

 

I own and run a 01 Pete with a cat. No major complaints, most have been mentioned already. Always wanted a W9. I wouldn't be afraid of any cat motor up to 07. In stock form anything before the MBN is best but anything after with just a little work can run amazingly well with great reliability and power. I'd love to have an accert. Many people hate on the compound turbos but they can make awesome power with great drivability. Just my .02$ from a horsepower junkie

 

Overall you are in a good place. Both the W9 and 379 are reliable, proven trucks, with a large support network along with OEM and after market parts availability. 4 well known, great looking trucks, all within your fiscal capabilities.

As others have said, pick the best truck for your operation, taking all the different variables into account. Then make that truck your own. You are talking about 4 USED tools, so they are not all "equal". Different miles, usage, maintenance logs.

When you actually do make a choice, don't forget to post some photos here!

 

Having driven mostly 379’s , w9’s and Western Stars for the better part of the last 25 years I have to say my current t680 is head and shoulders way more comfortable truck and way more manuevable truck than any of them. It doesn’t have the prestige of a “long hood “ truck , but I could care less. KW W 900 is like trying to turn a tug boat in a bath tub , the turning radius sucks in tight situations. The cabs are narrow The t680’s fuel mileage is hands down better and makes a long day less tiring with a comfortable, quiet ride, and I really like the disc brakes , any new trucks we get will all have disc brakes. I would have to say for heavy hauling like we do a Western Star is hard to beat , it does have a wide cab which you get used to and like after awhile but so far the T 680 has made a believer out of me that a modern aerodynamic truck Is a better tool to make money and have a less tiring day. Before being sold on the prestige and nostalgia of a long hood truck , spend the day driving one first, you might just find yourself wanting that T680 back.

 

I seriously like Freightliner it's been to pull good to linehaul with. I drove a kw680 the dash too high but it's nice 579 pretty darn good. I like the way the same thing keeps getting sold as new. These trucks are just remakes of 1990s tech with emission systems and fancy gauges. Nothing special. The cascadia reminds me of the century. The t680 a mix of t600 and the t2000. I make excellent money using freighliner. I would buy a cascadia in a heartbeat. I like them and this comes from pete diehard. The truck really solid. I respect freightliner dealer near the house. I was told Detroit are now 4-700k engine before overhaul of it. I seen multiple units there for overhaul.

 

Do you have additional specs on the 2 W9s and 2 379s you are looking at?