[GMAN]

Originally Posted by carolinatrucker

GMAN, you are absolutely right!! I was in a hurry. I had the money and did not do a whole lot of research at all, and I was "excited" to become an o/o. the excitement and hurry cost me. and to this day I am playing catch up. However, I have learned more from the experience, both financially and mechanically, than I would ever have, had I done everything right and things went smoothly. It's made me a better person, a broke better person!!!! LOL

We learn from our mistakes, carolinatrucker. Unfortunately, in this business, mistakes can cost us dearly, as you have found. At least you didn't buy a Select truck. I am sure there was financing available, but they make a lot of extra money with those Select trucks.

[pepe4158]

Yeah I cant say Ive made out to bad, following the advice I got here from Big, Gman n others to at least give auction a try.
N I want to repeat I do have at least some mechanical experience going into that venture, I was very grimy and dirty by the end of the auction day I will tell ya from crawling around and under trucks......i think the dealers thought I was crazy going under them but when I told them I had a few years experience working as a suspension man with 4 wheelers they started coming up to me latter and asking me what I saw when I came up for air lol.

[Truckdobe]

I prefer to buy my trucks from individuals, trailers I buy off the lot b/c I buy new.

[Joymax_Trans2]

I purchased our truck through SelectTrucks in McDonough, GA and did not have a problem and here is why.....financing was already done through my commerical bank where I have other businesses, researched the market value of the truck that we selected, my husband new the company that SelectTrucks purchased them from so we had some inside information about how the company maintained their trucks and the configuration. We had a diagnostic test done and whatever problems were shown, SelectTrucks fixed them, we had it re-tested, we purchased it below market value and we have been happy with our truck ever since. I used to sell SUVs so I had some sales background experience. I knew what to say and why not to say. I knew how to approach the deal without having to finance through them gave us the upper hand. I would use this approach whether I was purchasing from a private seller or a dealer.

[pepe4158]

I do have to admit Joy, you are dealing with more reputable people usually working with Select Vs the shaddy auctioners I dealt with where I was constantley rechecking if my shirt was still attached :-p

[BoyNextDoor]

How about ebay? i've seen a couple of good deals up there too...

I'm starting to look into getting my own truck, i'm planning to get it in the next couple of months, but by spring the latest...

[slacker]

I bought my truck from a small dealer and he let me (insisted), I have it checked out, so I had it dynoed, oil analysis, and put 300 miles on it driving around Dallas in all kinds of traffic. I would hate to have to do that more than once, but it's too scary to me, to not check one out thoroughly.

Its a 2001 FTL, Cummins ISX 450, Smartshift, with 526,000.

I paid 29K, but the truck was exceptionally clean and had no signs of abuse. I looked at a lot of newer trucks that I rejected because of mileage and abuse.

[carolinatrucker]

Originally Posted by jonboy

I bought my truck from a small dealer and he let me (insisted), I have it checked out, so I had it dynoed, oil analysis, and put 300 miles on it driving around Dallas in all kinds of traffic. I would hate to have to do that more than once, but it's too scary to me, to not check one out thoroughly.

Its a 2001 FTL, Cummins ISX 450, Smartshift, with 526,000.

I paid 29K, but the truck was exceptionally clean and had no signs of abuse. I looked at a lot of newer trucks that I rejected because of mileage and abuse.

Congratulations on your "new" truck jonboy! Can I ask where did you purchase it? Are you leasing it on to another company? Or are you completely independent? Good Luck

[Cyanide]

Another option...

...that I'm aware of is where you actually buy, not lease, an older fleet truck from the company you are currently driving for. I know that several chemical tanker companies offer this, mine included.

Here at Superior Carriers company drivers do have the option of outright buying any of the fleet trucks ready to be sold/retired from service. The trucks on the "chop block" so to say are primarily 2001 models (FLD 112's, Intl. 9200's, and a few Mack CH613's) with 550,000-700,000 miles. They have been serviced every 3 months or 20,000 miles, and of course are still outfitted completely for performing the duties we are assigned. The average cost for each truck is $12,000 dependent upon the mileage, and will be paid in full over the course of a year. There is no down payment required, no credit check, and minimal interest.

If a driver were to do his/her homework and know fully what they were getting into (especially with the guidance and assistance of other successful I/C's), this could potentially be a successful business venture in my opinion... :wink:

[Fu Manchu Express]

I bought my 2003 KW T-600 from MHC Kenworth in Tulsa. Did alot of shopping around and talking to other drivers plus many phone calls. Frank Nichols at MHC really took care of me and is a great guy (I attended church with he and his family over the Easter weekend I was there). I bought an ex-Melton truck as I was working for them before becoming an O/O and they really take care of their trucks. MHC gets first dibs on Melton's sell backs (no, they are not leased from KW) so I researched mine while still employed at Melton. I live in Tucson and saved over $10,000 by buying in OK (5k on sales tax and 5500 on price of truck in AZ). I will buy my next KW from Frank at MHC Tulsa in a couple/three years. I also bought my new 2007 Utility flatbed in Tulsa (great folks too).
I'm leased on with Mercer Transportation and doing very well flatbedding. This site and forum are great learning tools as well as learning from the many seasoned drivers out here who are sincere and love to pass on their knowledge. Life is good!