First time truck buyer

good afternoon,
I suggetst you buy the truck that YOU want. NOt a truck thats easy for another driver. Why? becuase if you only have 9k to put down on a truck, you wont be hiring a driver anytime in the next 10-15 years. You wont even have money to pay your bills. So with that being said, maybe now you have more options when you are looking. The statement about the ENTIRe industry moving to automatics only applies to big companies. There isnt gonna be a law past requiring automatics.

 

My first question is this ... do you drive right now?

If not go get your license and drive for a few years.

my second thought is with millions of trucks available, get in your mind that it isn’t like buying a car, you need to do your due diligence and this cost. You look at several, narrow it down to a few, and then have the best placed on a dyno to measure the Hp, at the same time get a blowby measurement, have a printout of the ECM dump and fluid analysis.

 

Buy the truck you want to drive. If you have 9k saved, you'll need another 10k for breakdowns and maintenance. I've purchased 2 new trucks, 2016 Volvo (that stayed in the shop every other month) and a 2020 Freightliner (had 3 months and heading to the shop for the 2nd time). So NEW doesn't mean you won't have issues because everything NEW is computerized.

 

I agree with bigboytrucker, I bought a used T680 $15k down and the 1st month I had it $5k in repairs. you need to have a bank roll before you even think about looking at a truck. also I would look at one of the bigger used places like arrow or FYDA freightliner. but I would also say look at fitzgerald and the gliders they have. dont make the mistake of owning a DEF truck. Im in a 2021 lease purchase, due to the miles I run, when the lease is paid off or possible before, i will sell it off and lease another one. for me its easier and more profitable to have a fixed payment all repairs and maint covered.

 

Is Fitzgerald still making gliders?

 

Last year was the last of building gliders although you may still be able to find a new one or at least a nearly new one.

I agree with what these guys say about buying the truck you want and not worrying about hiring anyone for now. You’re years away from that and by then you’ll need a different truck anyway. I’d buy a fairly new Freightliner personally. They’re cheap and reliable.

 

yes I have a friend that just bought 2 from them