which is a better choice for first truck????

I was talking to AMPM_wayne about this earlier today and comparing some numbers.

I've been getting really beat up lately but my position hasn't changed. By expenditure I'm way ahead of the game. What gets tricky is figuring the lost opportunities. My latest repair and tow will be about $600, but I also would have generated $1100 by this time tomorrow with a preplan for another good paying haul. I've lost both and no telling what I will get instead.

My truck I stole for $25k. I pay $1076 a month and will own it in 24 months.

A new truck is 10% or 12k down ($30k or 25% if first time buyer) and $1800 a month for 5 years, a long way off for ownership. While I fix the 2nd 5 years of repairs, someone else paid the first 5 years worth as well, especially toward the end of ownership.

Opinions will vary wildly on this.

The question is, will I pay 90k out of pocket for repairs and tows in the next two years when each of us would then own the truck outright? I really don't think so.

 

This question is on par with the Chicken/Egg one. I have done both. Started with a 6 year old truck, paid it off and traded it in on a new Pete 387. Then within the year I had a chance to sell it and did. Still the best decision in trucking I made, I believe. Anyhow.... I don't think I should have bought the new truck that comes with the new truck payment.

This is exactly why. While my 98 KW was nickle and dime-ing me a lot, it wasn't going to cost me what the new truck would have when you compare payments to repairs. My suggestion to someone looking to buy a truck... go in between. Get something a couple years old that still has some warranty while you run and save money for when repairs are needed.

 

what will you be hauling drivva???

 

I would buy an older truck nothing older than an 04 and no more than 500k. There are a lot of good deals out there now.

 

I think that's a money-maker myself. Go with the Columbia of the two though, you'd be happier with it. You have to live in the thing. No point getting the rock-bottom cheapest thing out there.

 

I would go with the columbia too

 

03 379EX-HD 7CZ C16 # 600hp, RTLO20918B, 3.55s, 315"wb with a 51' stainless 12' spread and a SB210 whisper.

My friends first truck, lost it under half a year lol.

 

If you're going to lose a truck though, I can't imagine a nicer one to do it with lol.