Ok, I noticed a Western Star dealer here in town. But, I don't see many of those trucks on the road compared to Freightliner or Pete...what's the deal with that?

 

They don't sell as many Western Stars as Freightliners and Peterbilts. :shock: Peterbilt and Freightliner have been around for a long time. Pete's are considered more of an owner operator truck. Freightliners are more fleet oriented. I usually compare Freightliners to Chevrolet. They are a good basic no frills truck. With Pete you have more of a classic truck image. Western Star went through some difficult times several years ago. If I remember correctly, Freightliner bought them a few years ago. I think their image is a step above the Freightliner, but they haven't found the strong market presence as their parent company or Peterbilt. Peterbilt has a long established reputation for building a quality truck that is easy to work on. Any of them could make you a nice truck. You can usually buy a Freightliner for less money than the other two. Peterbilt usually sells at a premium price.

 

I used to think they were a step above the Coronado but I have seen some Coronados with some really nice interiors lately.....

 

I haven't seen the interior of a Coronado. It was originally designed to appeal to owner operators so I am sure it has some nice amenities. Since Freightliner bought out Western Star I am not sure they have the same level of quality they did before the merger. I have heard the quality dropped after the buyout. They still make a nice looking truck. I seem to see more Canadians who driver Western Star than Americans

 

I stopped by the Western Star dealership yesterday. Some of the trucks were unlocked. The WS trucks were nice looking on the inside and out. The Pete and KW's were pretty sweet inside for the most part. I checked out a Freightliner and they were pretty plain Jane for the most part. But, like anything else, it doesn't matter what type of equipment you use as long as you're making money. At least that would be my take on it.

 

You don't ever want to lose the fact that a truck is only a tool to make money. Some tools cost more than than others but the more expensive tool won't make you any more money than the plain jane tool.

 

I have a 2001 WS that I bought used and it has served me well so far. I personally see quite a few on the road, but then maybe since I own one I notice them more. As Gman said, it's just a tool and nothing more. The only thing I do not care for on mine is that it has a 244wb and pulling a skateboard that is a little too short for my likings. When I decide to upgrade, I will ensure I get something with a longer wb.

 

Unless of course your lower quality plain jane truck spends more time in the shop than running the road.I say you get what you pay for.

 

Quality doesnt cost..... IT PAYS :wink:

 

They all have the same engine and drive trains. The extra money you spend is for the extras and skin on the truck. Many plain jane trucks will provide better service than those with a lot of accessories because there is less to go wrong with them. The major difference in the plain jane trucks and the more expensive ones are all the chrome, extended hoods, etc., Many of those plain jane trucks will make more money than one with all the extras due to greater aerodynamics and lower payments. As I said, they all have the same engine and drive trains. Those are the things that are most important. We all must decide how much we want to pay for the chrome and other extras that are not necessary to earning a good living or running a successful business. It takes a lot of pressure off of an owner operator who has small payments. They guy who buys the plain jane truck will save enough on interest to buy a really nice truck and probably pay cash. It is a matter of priorities. The bells and whistles are nice, but not necessary to running a successful trucking operation.