Where is a good place to buy a used semi truck under $10k

I’m not trucking anymore
But when I was , in the early 90s, the most I ever paid for a truck was $15K

I bought cabovers because they were dirt cheap , and had the same drivetrain as a Pete 379 , but a 5 yrbokd pete was $45k and a 5 yr old COE with the same drivetrain was $7k

I also bought Ford LTL 9000
Same age, miles and drivetrain as a Pete but 1/4 the price

I got paid the same per mile ,as the guys with brand new trucks and a payment of $1,700 a month

So when they got offered a load at .65 cpm they had to take it , I would laugh and deadhead home empty
Since I had an unlimited supply of loads leaving Biloxi at $1.25 a mile

 

I bought cabovers because they were almost free
And Ford LTL 9000s because they had no resale value , same drivetrain as a Pete , 400 Cummins or 425 cat w/ 13 speed
But a 5 year old pete was $47k and a 5 year old ford was $14k

I wasn’t willing to pay $30k for the statusy name

 

Good point

Get all the details worked out before you buy

And a years worth of insurance will cost more than the truck anyway

 

May have been doable 2 years ago. Couple guys on here were able to find some nice trucks for around that money. But all wisely put money into them after they bought them to make them road worthy.

Now with the introduction of no EDT pre 98 all those old trucks are worth GOLD as are any trucks preemission.

Lately I have looked at a lot of Junk for 25000 that needed 10 thousand worth of little stuff out of the gate. This is stuff I could see.

Than add on new tires for 5 grand. And new drums and shoes. Couple grand there.

Than absolutely all new hoses , belts and water pump. Because if it hasn't failed yet , it will.

Throw in a radiator for good measure. Another 1500

Now all new batteries and cables. Another grand. While your at it why not a starter and alternator.

And if it was mine a new Turbo to keep it off the hook.

The way the crazies are driving out there and the limited shoulder we have with all the construction going on the Last place in the world I want to be stuck is on the side of the road..



And just because they Run doesn't mean for how long.

 

I bought three semi trucks that I used.

1) '1984 Ford LNT9000 bought from industrial company auction for $2,300. Super old truck, worked great, small engine and spring ride. Used it for four years and sold for $3,600 or so IIRC.

2) '2000 Freightliner FLD on eBay for $7,500, 360k miles. Great truck, this is my main driving truck. Very lucky deal overall. Had it for about 4 years or so.

3) '2009 Freightliner Columbia on IronPlanet for $16,000, 320k miles. Great truck, autoshift three pedal transmission. This is my drivers' truck. I own it for almost two years. This one blew head gasket on one of the heads, we found a local guy who fixed it for the total cost of only $2,000.

I also just bought a '2001 Freightliner FL112 on DoveBid, for 3k, but this one I will resell or part out. C12 engine and 10 speed trans. I do not need a third truck.

Here it is:

2001 Freightliner FL112 6X4 Tandem Axle Tractor. Approximately 407,844 miles. VIN: 1FUJBGAS01HH74156. Additional notes:

Overall, I would buy my next truck from industrial auctions, IronPlanet, DoveBid, BidSpotter or some such, but would stay away from Craigslist or dealers. I would also be leery of buying from O/Os and any "consignment" trucks that make their way to auctions. My eBay purchase was extremely lucky but I would not recommend that route in general.

WHO you buy a truck from is in many ways more important than what truck you think you are buying.

Also, you have to BABY all old trucks and to be really proactive with all maintenance, spray them with oil etc. And of course yes, you have to be mechanically inclined or have someone work for you who is. Trucks 1 and 2 needed clutches, batteries etc. You always need to put money and labor into old trucks. It is their nature.

 

Also go look on back roads at farms and such. Farm trucks are parked in good running condition. Because they felt they needed new equipment.

 

Well the old saying is “nobody sells a truck that is making money”, the only exceptions I’ve found are; owner ops who have done so well that they are retiring in good faith, an owner who’s health has took a turn for the worst, or possibly small fleets who are downsizing due to lack of drivers or etc.

Not unreasonable to find a 10k truck from this crowd. Maybe one good enough to ride for a while before doing the 10 to 20k into it that it needs.

I would buy a 10k dollar truck with the right specs and a motor and driveline I’m familar with before I’d buy a 60k used emissions truck.

 

I have a friend doing that keto diet. 21 grams of carbs per day. Not for me, man

 

1 medium banana for breakfast and I'd be in violation LOL. A medium banana has 27 grams of carbohydrates.

 

I guess, I might as well forget about it.... I can't help to devour 2 lbs of fresh cherries by the time I finish typing this.

 

I'm trying to finance my first truck in the range up to 25,000 ..but I'm lost bc I don't know which trucks are piece of crap and would cost me more money or limited dealers to fix issue..and I don't want a truck with electric engines.csn u help..are internationals any good bc they are cheap .