Truck dealers mark up their prices because they want to make a profit, not because they're greedy. [quote]

They are greedy. I rub shoulders with them several times a week. I see it from the inside. However, greed is good. Greed is what created jobs for most of you.

 

Freightliner- you get what you pay for. I recently bobtailed to California in a T600 w/ 140" sleeper following the owner in his NEW frieghtliner.

He told me kw/pete makes a wayyy better truck. he only bought the frieghliner because he needed a cabover and custom drom box.

I'd buy a badass KW for 20-25 grand from a PRIVATE seller after you have had it gone through and dyno'd by a reputable shop. that is of course, if you like paying the dealer's markup.

 

Actually my biggest concern was did I get a good deal; less for a freightliner or paying more for another, did I inspect it well, or did I miss something before hand I could have saw?...and would they have come down more $ if I waited longer; um those are my concerns.

 

Repeating what has been stated already, look on truckpaper.com. There are plenty of $20,000 - $35,000 trucks that seem to be decent trucks. I've been searching truckpaper.com for thirty-thousand dollar trucks, and I'm seeing lots of late 90's model Pete/KW with a Cat motor that has received an overhaul and HAS THE PAPERWORK TO PROVE IT. That proof is important! The trucks themselves will usually have nearly a million miles or more, but a proven inframe/outframe rebuild will give you another million. I live in the Central Rockies and will be driving the mountains a lot, so a big motor (550hp Cat) is necessary. Pepe, you're in SoCal and I know ya'll have some hills, so don't skimp on the motor. It may be cheaper to buy a smaller motor in a lesser quality type of truck, but you'll pay for it soon enough pullin' those hills. Like BanditsCousin said, buy a badass KW or Pete that has several years on it and a lot of miles, but has a proven rebuild and records of maintenence and repair. I honestly don't think you can go wrong doing that.

 

good points...ill check them out too. The newer trucks seem to get less looks at the scales, but if I got a really good older truck wouldnt have a worry is the down n up side thks all

 

Really? my concern with a million miles (besides the engine) would be springs, axles, differentials, tranny, and just general vibration problems.

 

I just bought a 2001 International 9400. 35K on Cat rebuild, fresh O/H on Tranny. Diff's have been gone through, with seals and bearings replaced, new brakes all around, and even the rubber gromets in the suspension have been replaced. 810,000 on the truck, never smoked in, and the interior is in awesome condition. So many trucks of same age and mileage I have looked at were trashed inside, and smoked up.

When I took it out for test drive..ran it up to 70 and could not hear any rattles, creaks, or wind rushing. In order to really hear the engine, had to roll down a window. Tranny was nice and tight...as it should have been with an O/H.

Paid $27,500. Might have been able to get it cheaper, but after looking at junk for the last year..feel good with what I found.

 

woa....nice buy I am taking a beating myself as I offer then 8K less on the trucks I see, and no takers so far as they come back with offers of 3 or maybe 4 less which leaves me walking for the door so far ops: Best deal seems so far on a 2002 Pete, high miles tho :x Wher he was asking 44k n I offered 36k....n he said he would get back to me, I have yet to ask if I can dyno it, n had more oil underneath then I cared to see. Usually when I offer the 8k less, they dont even want my #, which is a bad sign :shock:

 

I would strongly encourage you to get a dyno test and oil analysis done on any truck you are seriously considering buy. This is due to the fact that you may be told it has just been rebuilt, and everything is fine, when in fact the dyno and oil test won't lie to you.

I would suggest that you get the dyno and oil analysis done somewhere other than the place you are going to buy the Truck from. Many times a seller will stipulate they will pay for this if you buy the Truck after getting it done. BE SURE to get that in writing if you are told this.

It very well could have just been rebuilt, and have major problems coming up quicker than you want to deal with.

Even though it is still winter time, be sure to check the a/c and see how it works.

When I bought my Truck 1985 FLC Day cab, I took it to a shop that I could trust, and told the mechanic that I wanted to know everything that was wrong, or looked like it could go wrong.

4 Hours later (the reason for so long was I was watching him do the inspection to learn what to look for, and asking questions).

I was told what was wrong with the Truck, and figure up my cost from there.

In your case you could use this for a bargaining point on the price of the Truck. Mine I could not due to the Fact that I only paid 12,000 for the Truck and Trailer you see in my avatar.

I haul logs for a living so I did not want a fairly new Truck to take in and out of the woods.

The main thing is to check, double check everything, and then get someone you trust to check it out.

If you know a mechanic you can trust, it is well worth some $$ to have them check it out.

 

Say I was wondering, this is going to be the first truck I ever bought (if I can find a decent deal). Was wondering, is there such thing as a, 'buyers' and, 'sellers' market? If so, which is it now?
Thks Papa for the response, yeah not really fixed on a make or model, just want the best deal I can find and so far taking a beating ops:
Looked at some freightliners from Select and a leasing outfit, but neither was willing to come down more then 4 k which was pretty disssapointing to me....hmmm the guy selling the Pete wenr from 44k to considering 36K The guy with a bunch of freightshakers said he would only go from 40k to 37k :evil: as I offered him 32k :idea: