Buy a new truck or not?
Would I be better off with a more expensive newer model truck, say 2-3 years old, or an older less expensive truck for my first truck? Is it more desirable to have a higher payment in exchange for better reliability as a new O/O?
I have a good credit rating, but not much experience (1 year)
I bought a very new truck with barely any miles for my first. Ended up having a hard time making ends meet. If I had to do it all over again, I would opt for more miles on the rig and a lower payment.
I bought a 05 Freightliner Columbia with 443,000 on it last month for $24,000. 475 Cat, 10spd with 3.55 rears. By no means is it my Pete I owned a few years back but I got out of it for a couple years and with the economy and fuel prices I went the more economical way this go around. My two cents is no matter what truck you decide on, check the ECM and get some test ran on the motor. Good luck
This used to be an easier question to answer before truck values went south, but I think about $40,000 ish will get you a good decent starter truck. The payments are low enough and the maintenence costs are managable. Plus you wont get killed on drepreciation, at least not to bad anyway
I am sure in this economy there are a variety of used trucks you could purchase with low miles that are mechanically sound. Make sure if you do buy a used truck to get it thoroughly checked out by 2 different mechanics before you buy.
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Ive been there that situation , No way
O/O Its a headache