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View Full Version : 15K a good deal for this? Ideas needed.


windcatcher
July 20th, 2006, 03:03
Man in his late 60's has 1995 GMC/ Volvo in what looks like mint condition. Paint job in good condition except where company decal lifted some paint on door.
Odometer reads 1,236,000.
Engine was rebuilt 29000 miles ago, 2 years ago.. and he semi- retired for a while... then put it back to work with road fever...until he decided time to call quits for good... except maybe run some hot shot time to time:

Cat engine.
New virgin rubber on all 10 tires.
Aluminum wheels
Self balancing rings installed
Super 10 Speed
No leak air ride seat.
All brass fittings on air hoses look clean, tight, rubber looks/feels good.
Steering adjust up and down (but not near and far.)
Passenger side remote window works
Cold AC
Oil looks good.
Bleeders on air canisters
280 gallon capacity deisel tanks
Engine looks clean
Rubber hoses/belts look pliable and secure
Visible oil seals on steer tires.
Steel shaped bumper.
Some rust but no dents, holes or signs of repair/ abuse on the exhaust pipes.
Compressor rises and holds to 125 psi., even with steady break pedal.
Has cruise control.
Oil pressure at 60 psi
Oil temp guage doesn't work
Fuel guage doesn't work
Not prettiest dash... some guages missing.. duck tape visible behind... but Alternator guage also works...
Trailer hand break.
Cat walk and tractor entrance steps well secure
Air bag suspension
No ABS.... but know to pump...
Over 1/2 inch of brake shoes on drives.
(Front Steer have protective ring....?)

It has mirrors I can see out of....even passenger side fender mirror.
Rubber floor except for 12in carpet at sleeper berth.
Upper berth make secure contact with the overhead cabinets separating the compartments... full stand up sleeper.
Open clothes rack.... No cabinet interference between sleeper and jump seat.
Lights work... Head lamps the small easily replaceable pop in kind.
Hood is heavy to open... must be willing to swing free.....weeeeeeeeeeee

Air slide fifth.... however old release hitch of lift pull anchor... may be a bugger.

Fender fairrings have been removed but mounts still in place could serve for tool storage mounts or generator mounts.

CB but no radio.

Steering linkage looks solid
Was told that oil and lubes been done every 15-17 k.upholstery on doors, seats looks well kept.... few tears on drivers side door... where increased wear might be expected. Well padded, insulated interior, no signs of water leaks.
Brake pedal already blocked up for short legs :D

Another person has already placed an earnest deposit, but then expressed reservations about some pressure test on the engine, so the owner reported. IFTA taxes already paid for this year.....Owner reported the truck can turn tight circles like a dream.

Former boss man says I was carried on his insurance... and tells me I'd only have to supply tags, collision, liability and bobtail if I went leased to run his trailers.... Would split 80% to me: I'd be responsible for fuel and maintenance. Trips to West barely cover fuel, but trips East with multi pickups, much better pay.... Rounds out to about 9K before split, on round trip.....

If I can find the money... should I go with this?
One question I stumped him with "If you were to guess what the next 3 to 5 repairs would be.... what would expected them to be, based upon your knowledge of what has and has not already been done to your truck?" He said it was a good question, and as he kept his truck up (owned since 2002), he expects it to do fine... and can't guess what might go wrong next.

Preacher
July 20th, 2006, 03:17
Jennie, I wouldn't give over $8000 for it. For $15k you can get a whole lot more truck than that. Even though it's a single axle, I only paid $9000 for my '97 International 9400 model with 532,000 miles in MINT condition, inside and out.

Capt._Chaos
July 20th, 2006, 08:30
I agree with Preacher on this. Besides, it's hard to get parts for a Volvo these days, especially an older one.

If that truck was truly cared for, ALL gauges (especially the fuel gauge) would have worked.

To be quite honest, I learned a LOT about getting parts & service on different makes of trucks when I worked in the truck rental & leasing business & I had to handle occasional breakdowns on the road. That's what led me to being a loyal International owner during my time as an Owner-Operator. My trucks were almost NEVER down waiting for parts.

Another reason I liked the Internationals so much is the sleeper configuration I had in my '98 Eagle with a 72" Hi-Rise Single-Bunk Sleeper. Instead of a top bunk, there was a HUGE storage shelf that went around the rear and sides of the sleeper. The clothes closet next to the TV rack was also roomy. If you get a chance to, go check out one of those- you'll be glad you did.

Uturn2001
July 20th, 2006, 12:32
Keep looking. For that 15-20,000 price range you can find a lot more truck.

tommy
July 20th, 2006, 13:48
Keep looking. For that 15-20,000 price range you can find a lot more truck.


Why not show her a few that are in good shape for that price?

tommy
July 20th, 2006, 13:54
http://www.sell.com/229VKR


http://www.truckpaper.com/modelList.asp?bcatid=27&manu=Volvo&pdcl=1


is this what your thinkin of WC??

Bryan
July 20th, 2006, 14:27
Ill look it up on truckpaper just give me make of truck price range and miles since i know your a busy trucker :)

windcatcher
July 20th, 2006, 16:34
Thank you for the links and tips, guys.

Is there one engine better than another?
Easier to understand and work on than another?

Cat, cummins, Detroit, others I don't know about?

LSMR
July 20th, 2006, 19:51
Good replies that everyone gave.I'll just add my 2 cents worth :rofl: :rofl:

I'm assuming that 15-20 thousand is the most you can afford.

My belief is that at this price range a person can't be to picky.Cummins,Cat or Detroit doesn't matter.They are all good solid engines with their good & bad points.For every owner that says a cummins is a POS another will say it's the greatest engine made.The same can be said for transmissions,rears and the truck mfg.

Make sure that cab & chasis parts are available for the model you're buying.You can buy a nice IHC 9670 cabover for cheap but when a piece of linkage or other chasis part needs replaced you'll find out soon these parts are no longer available.Same could be for the truck you're looking at.

Another good selling point is if service records are available from when the truck was new and if you can trace the life of the truck from new.

As far as what repairs will be needed next-who knows.I good friend of mine and 30+ year trucking company owner told me he always figures he'll be putting 5-6 thousand dollars into a used truck in the first couple month's.After getting my IHC on the road fulltime I believe him.

Good Luck in this new venture Jennie.Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have

SUNSHINE
July 20th, 2006, 22:08
RUN, JEANNIE,RUN

I have to agree with Preacher. Way too much money for a truck that old.
Duct tape behind the dash :yikes: Its probally whats holding the dash together. Check with your local truck dealer. He can find you something in your price range. Have a qualified mechanic that you trust check the truck our before you sign anything.

Jennie, I am assuming your short. I'm 5'3" and have no problems reaching the pedals in my Eagle :D
Cap't is right.Once you've had one of those 72" pro sleepers you are spoiled. Owning your own truck is an adventure of a life time.

wombat
July 21st, 2006, 22:24
In a word



NO
.
.
.
.
.
.

magicman
July 22nd, 2006, 03:40
In a word



NO
.
.
.
.
.
.


I think that says it all.

I know how many folks dislike Freightliners, BUT let's be real, they are everywhere and that makes for decent deals.

As far as engines are concerned, I prefer a 12.7 Liter Detroit. Decent power, usually good fuel mileage and lots of Detroit dealers around. Even some decent Freightliner dealers around, too if you luck onto them.

Most of these mid 90's fleet trucks have 3.90 gear ratios. If the computer hasn't been messed with, you can get great fuel mileage and pull BIG hills like a breeze.

Big_Dave
July 22nd, 2006, 04:47
Jennie, after reading this thread and your other thread, I'd say NO to both options.

Why you ask?

1. The truck is too old. Someone mentioned that most companies have an age limit on tractors leased on with them. I was running into that problem 3 1/2-4 years ago when I was looking to lease my '95 Pete on with a company. At the time I almost had it paid off and had no desire to buy a newer truck and have more payments in the future. Besides, at that age, as far as trucks go, if it hasn't been completely rebuilt (suspension, driveline, motor, trans, etc.......), it'll nickle and dime you to death.

2. You mentioned that the 'big bucks' was on the return trip from CA. What's 'big bucks' to you? Since breaking even on the cost of fuel out bound, the return load would have to pay more than double for me to even consider accepting a run like that. There's too many variables that can (and will) go wrong!

That truck.......scratch that! ANY truck that is run down the road NEEDS to turn a profit for EVERY MILE it rolls. That means that ALL associated taxes are covered, truck payments are covered, repairs and potential repairs are covered, fuel covered, etc.........but most importantly, DRIVER PAY has to be covered also!

Would you work a 8-5 job that only paid you to be there during the morning hours? I doubt it. Basically running to 'break even' on the fuel going out, is doing just that.

There's much better deals out there.......truck wise and job wise. I suggest that you do some more research. Serious!

windcatcher
October 31st, 2006, 21:26
I decided to revisit this topic, since I've been reading what Happy (for now) Trucker has been saying...
One thing he's got going...is he's young enough to learn from his mistakes and plow through or take the hit and run from more losses.

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of yours replys, guys and gals, and feel solidly certain I made the right decision not to buy this truck.

Thank you for contributing good advice.