What's so special about Peterbilts?

[quote="Jumbo"][quote="Prodigy"]

New 07 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.58 rears, 260" w.b. 70" condo sleeper, 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels. $120,500

I then searched 06 used trucks with comparable miles:

06 Pete Ex hood
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.36 rears, 270 w.b. 70" sleeper 24.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 190,000 miles. Price $125,000

06 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd. 3.58 rears, 260" w.b., 70" sleeper 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 166,450 miles. Price $79,900

I tried to keeps specs as close as possible and not use special editions for either comparison. It is interesting though.

Oh boy! I could get a brand new '06 pre-DPF FL classic XL for $87,000 from Crete.

379's suck. Unless you like living in a sardine can.

[coastie]

I drove Frieghtliners mostly. But I did Drive 3 Petes. 2 Conv.and one COE.

Some like Petes some do not. Just as everything else. I liked their looks, and the are well built. But like some said they are crampt in the front part of the cab. One good thing, I did go through one Toll booth wehere it was on the right side and All I had to roll down the right window from my seat.

I've asked Pete Drivers what they liked about them, many said not as rough ride. Of the 3 I drove, all were rough. Last one I felt every little crack in the highway. If I was to buy a truck today would I buy one? If the price was right and would do the job I want it for. Only truck I'll avoid buying is a Volvo.

If I had the choice to make between a pete 379, Freightliner Classic I'll go with the Frieghtliner Classic. Basic same looks and larger space up front. Not worring about the resale value. Plan to keep it for a very long time. BUt plan and actual maybe 2 different things.

[Mackman]

I just ask my oldman why he only buys petes for a dumptruck. His words CUZ ITS A PETERBILT. i asked him for a more detail answer and he said he likes the truck all away around.

[GMAN]

I think most people have a difficult time explaining their fascination with the 379 Peterbilt. Peterbilt has managed to keep the classic look that others have lost along the way. While minor changes may have been made over the years, Paccar has made a fortune out of using the same molds for so many years. I still love the look of the Pete, but they are grossly over rated. If I found an exceptional buy, I might buy another Pete, but it would need to be a very good buy and catch me in the right mood to spend money. I am somewhat thrifty and don't buy anything unless I get a good deal. I also don't buy anything that I don't need. Right now I have trucks and don't need another, but for the right deal I would consider it.

The 379 Peterbilt brings back a lot of memories for me. When I grew up and during my early years trucking, trucks looks more like the classic Pete and there were many were cab overs. I still remember the Autocar with a hood that would go on forever. It seems to me that most of the hoods were run by independents or owner operators. There were a number of so called "outlaw" drivers and/or companies. I think some of the mystique goes back to that time. I think there is still a little bit of the outlaw mentality associated with running a Pete.

[Jumbo]

[quote="Prodigy"][quote="Jumbo"]

New 07 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.58 rears, 260" w.b. 70" condo sleeper, 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels. $120,500

I then searched 06 used trucks with comparable miles:

06 Pete Ex hood
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.36 rears, 270 w.b. 70" sleeper 24.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 190,000 miles. Price $125,000

06 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd. 3.58 rears, 260" w.b., 70" sleeper 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 166,450 miles. Price $79,900

I tried to keeps specs as close as possible and not use special editions for either comparison. It is interesting though.

Oh boy! I could get a brand new '06 pre-DPF FL classic XL for $87,000 from Crete.

379's suck. Unless you like living in a sardine can.

Your original quote was that pete owners love to throw it in your face how petes hold your value but what they don't tell you is the price difference in comparably equipped trucks. I showed you there was only a $5000.00 price difference and the difference in 1 year resale prices. If I wanted to spec a comparably equipped pete fleet truck I'll bet it wouldn't cost that much more than $87,000. But, in one year with similar miles and in similar conditions which would have better resale value. And isn't that the name of the game, buying a truck that performs and can hold it's value.

[Jackrabbit379]

I think some of the mystique goes back to that time. I think there is still a little bit of the outlaw mentality associated with running a Pete.

Ahh haa! No wonder those cow haulers run 110 at night. :P

GMAN, who bought Autocar? What ever happen to them? I remember seeing them.

I also remember Marmon. I knew a man that had a Marmon with an air starter. It used to scare the daylights out of me when he cranked his truck.

Let me ask you this GMAN, do you remember Diamond T?

[Shawnee]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

The best I will ever get with my w900 is about 5 mpg, I also have a flat top, which I originally bought for flat bed but I now haul vans so it affects the fuel ecomony

As for the Pete's, I have never been a fan, and I have never been one to jump on the bandwagon for anything just because everyone else thinks it is cool. I have this argument with other drivers all the time and when you ask them why Pete's are the best they can't give one good reason why.

[Mack2]

I think some of the mystique goes back to that time. I think there is still a little bit of the outlaw mentality associated with running a Pete.

Ahh haa! No wonder those cow haulers run 110 at night. :P

GMAN, who bought Autocar? What ever happen to them? I remember seeing them.

I also remember Marmon. I knew a man that had a Marmon with an air starter. It used to scare the daylights out of me when he cranked his truck.

Let me ask you this GMAN, do you remember Diamond T?

I think Volvo bought Autocar not sure though. :?

As for Marmon don't have a clue what happend to them.

[Jackrabbit379]

Well, thanks to International, Marmon is no longer around.

[Sheepdancer]

think Volvo bought Autocar not sure though.

Yes, volvo bought autocar, but then sold it to Grand Vehicle Works, who still produces trucks under the Autocar name....but mostly garbage trucks I believe.

[marcel27208]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

Most owners I talk with do good to get 5 mpg. I looked at a 2005 W900 with a 86" studio, 18 spd., C-15. I don't recall the gears. The guy said it got 4.5 to 5 mpg. :shock:

ouch! with my freightliner i get around 6.8-7.4 running 55-68mph,,, you mean i cant get 6.5mpg on w900 w/86" studio? i was looking at an truck w/exact same specs and wondered about the mpg

[Overloaded]

think Volvo bought Autocar not sure though.

Yes, volvo bought autocar, but then sold it to Grand Vehicle Works, who still produces trucks under the Autocar name....but mostly garbage trucks I believe.

Volvo ruined Autocar by mostly just re-badging a Volvo truck and calling it heavy duty. All of you Mack boys had better take notice - you're next.

[Teal 95 KW]

Pulling my HHG trailer, I typically get 5.4-5.8 running 65-70mph with my w900l. 475 Cat, 3.55 rears and 13 speed...72" aerocab..not the most aerodynamic truck out there, but I love it. I don't run a roof fairing, nor do I keep the trailer pulled up close to the truck..I've got a bout a 6' gap between the back of the sleeper and the front of the trailer. I don't hot dog it to speed, I let the truck pull itself up to speed, and I also accelerate up to hills...I'll speed up, so I've got more momentum going to help the truck get to the top.

As far as looks go, I like the KW W900 over any of the other trucks...I'm not biased, as I almost bought a Classic XL before this truck, and I've tossed around the ideas of buying a 379 with a 48" flattop sleeper, with the ISX cummins in it..but can't get over the narrow cab. I think KW has done the best job of keeping the "classic" look around, and they really haven't changed much exterior wise, and look to be keeping the look around for a few more years.

[Mackman]

think Volvo bought Autocar not sure though.

Yes, volvo bought autocar, but then sold it to Grand Vehicle Works, who still produces trucks under the Autocar name....but mostly garbage trucks I believe.

Volvo ruined Autocar by mostly just re-badging a Volvo truck and calling it heavy duty. All of you Mack boys had better take notice - you're next.

I know MACK is going to go down hill after volvo got there hands on them in 02. MACK went down hill after they stop making the RD. That grantie is a nice truck but it will never replace an r model. Am a MACK fan of 01 and older

[Mack2]

think Volvo bought Autocar not sure though.

Yes, volvo bought autocar, but then sold it to Grand Vehicle Works, who still produces trucks under the Autocar name....but mostly garbage trucks I believe.

Volvo ruined Autocar by mostly just re-badging a Volvo truck and calling it heavy duty. All of you Mack boys had better take notice - you're next.

I know MACK is going to go down hill after volvo got there hands on them in 02. MACK went down hill after they stop making the RD. That grantie is a nice truck but it will never replace an r model. Am a MACK fan of 01 and older

10-4 on that there is guy that hauls for my dad and has a 2005 Granite and that thing isn't like the old Rd's.