I'd have to lean towards it being a "buyer's market" with the freight patterns we're in. When freight is up (in all niches/sectors), and the demand for new/used trucks rises, it will become a "seller's market".

HTH

 

I have a theory. Lots of new drivers buy Frieghtliners so the dealers won't give a good a deal as a Pete or Kenworth. What do you think?

 

Hmmm woulda thought the better deal woulda been on the freightshaker, but the guy selling the Pete will come down 8k....the guy at Enterprise (selling the freightshakers) said he will only come down only 4 to match the 36K for the Pete, then did some dance about his freight shaker being better then the Pete :shock: :roll: granted its 100k less miles but wasnt buying his dance.
Ohh well either way, going to hit the payvement again looking at some other sales lots, what I want is a truck around 500k-650k miles, for somewhere in the neighborhood of 30kish. Starting to get a feel for what the normal proce is out here, and when I see a truck at a competitive price, I make my standard offer of 8k less and see if they will go for it. So far Select trucks is a joke, as they wont drop any on what they want and a real poor selection, doing better at the independent lots.

 

I think it is a buyers market right now. I am not sure where you came up with the $8,000 off the asking price, but I would not use that as a fixed figure. You might find yourself losing out on a really good deal. I would start checking the Truckpaper and other truck sales magazines to see what is being offered. You can also check the auctions to see what is being sold and the price. If you have cash, that is something to consider. You can sometimes get a good deal on a truck at an auction. If you want a Freightliner, find a Select dealer who has other trucks. Get a price on a Select truck, take $20,000 off their asking price and you should be able to find a comparable truck for cash on their lot or another Freightliner dealer. Several years ago, I called about an XL. Under the Select program they wanted $59,000. I could have bought the same, or comparable truck, for $39,000. It was comparably equipped and even the same color. I would also check with some of the smaller dealers. These people have lower overhead and may be more willing to deal. Some of the Freightliner dealer with whom I have talked, don't seem too willing to deal. You may want to check around to see if you can find an owner operator who wants to sell his truck. Some trade on a regular basis and take care of their equipment. Most owner operators take better care of their equipment than some of the big fleets.

 

k....trying to follow you here cuz you really peaked my interest with the take 20k off part;....hmmm your saying get my prices from freightliner, then pay my cash at truck auctions?.....hmmm thought most of the auctions you had to be a dealer to bid at...or not any more? Could you eleborate on this plan some more cuz I'm not quite getting it(especially the part I take 20 k off) :shock: ......the 8 k was just a fiqure from someone saying they mark them up usually 10k

 

Just another thought. If you find a truck you like go home and think about it for a couple of days you might realize you don't really like it.

I think what Gman was saying about Selec Trucks is that if you go there and they give you a price of $50,000 for a truck you can go somewhere else and get the same truck for $30,000.

 

Some of the auctions are open to the public. Ft. Wayne, IN is.

Here's an example that recenlty happened. I guy I know was selling a 2001 Freightliner Classic XL with 800k. He wanted 25,000 for it. A dealer in Fontana offered him 12,000. Another dealer in LA offered him 18,000. After negotiating they finally agreed on 21,000.

I asked the guy that bought it what his plans were. He said he'll put it for sale at 35,000.

 

Yeah...heard some auctions were open to the public, but they are too few n far n inbetween so to speak.
So just do a lot of looking around....even interstate to get my best deal?....hmmm yeah, but doubt I can make a 20k differencee. The auction sounds the best way, think thats what G-man meant, but I thought I had to be a dealer or something to get into the good 1's or pay some $ to a site that knows about em.

 

Pepe...Papa Rick gave you some great advise. What ever truck you settle on, get an oil analysis done, and a dyno if you can afford it. Oil analysis on the truck I just bought cost the dealer $79.00 at Rush Peterbilt. It came back saying that the sample tested as from a new engine, or engine in breakin from rebuild. Had a sample pulled after I took it out for a test drive, brought it back home with me, and dropped it at the Volvo dealership here in Beaumont. Paid $69.00 for the analysis, which came back with the same information and numbers I had from the Rush report. Had the Dyno done, (full test), then bought the Truck. Dealer was asking 33,500, I paid 27,500. Good solid truck.

If there is Oil caked under the truck, inside the frame rails, you stand a good chance of buying a dog. When you are checking a truck out, be sure to check "Behind" the air compressor (between compressor & engine block). Lot's of Detailers get the motor nice and clean, but they fail to clean behind the air compressor most times. Lot's of oil behind the air comp is a bad sign, as to the health of the compressor.

Something to be aware of.

 

Thks Stan....yeah was definitly going to do the dyno-test b4 I buy (even tho it will be hard to work-out n costs 200)....hmmm what Info does this oil test give you again?...I was a little unclear there and thought I knew a bit about mechanics but you stumped me there.