Is It Worth Buying An Older Truck?

Like the title says, is it worth it? I have a deep affection for old cabovers. Would it be worth it in terms of Miles per gallon and upkeep or would I just be buying a new way to burn money? I'm talking late 80's to 90's like a 93 K100 or something along those lines. Also asking this with the assumption that in addition to the purchase price there would be an initial investment in repairs and paint and other things like that.

You aren't likely to get much response here as this site caters to new cdl holders and those considering going into the trucking industry as a company driver. Sorry. Wrong website.

Huh, That's... A pretty good point. Just like it here so I'm like "ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS!"

Yeah, we do have some experienced owners here, but it's not recommended that anyone purchase or lease a truck until they really understand the business. You know the profit margins are incredibly thin, so its something that isn't discussed on TT. Personally, I'd say if someone were in the market for an equipment acquisition, if that equipment had been well maintained and had useable life before an end-frame was an impending reality, and that purchaser understood fuel prices, had the skill to turn a few wrenches themselves, enough cash reserves to carry them through inevitable repair costs and related shutdowns, and a business arrangement that ensured profitable freight, it might be worth it.

Understood. Well thanks for going over those points despite the fact that it's not the point of this forum. You've given a lot of good points and it's not something that I planned to jump on until I had a couple years in a company driver anyway if at all. But again, I really do appreciate the response!

Hey Remy, it depends on what it is that you are after. Is it worth it from an economics point of view, or is your question "can I make some good money by buying a nice old truck and running freight with it?" I'd say no, if it were so then why do all these business people in the trucking business run virtually brand new equipment? If it were more economical to buy old trucks and try to keep them going all the time then that is what most of us would be driving!

Now if you want to know is it worth it from the point of "hey I want to look cool while I am rolling down the interstate ," well, heck yeah it's worth it. You'd better have some deep pockets though, because the "Cool Factor" is gonna cost ya! If you like to look cool, and make the other truckers drool, then go ahead and drop that dough into a cool looking ride, you won't make money with it, but you might get a lot of attention...

Well in that case I think we need kit trucks! A cool old school shell on modern equipment!

Remy, Judging by your avatar pic, you appear to be a gear head. I too have a love for Motorcycles, Cars, ATV's and anything that goes VROOM!! I have spent countless thousands ( make that Tens of Thousands) of dollars over the years on all of the above. If you have a passion for those things, go for it. Just remember, "Toys eat money". You never get your money back on those Toys ( I never have). But, it is a rewarding, but expensive Hobby!! If it wasn't any fun, why are there so many people that do it?

Oh, without a doubt, Tractor Man, I love my toys and I love turning wrenches but I think it all stems from my need to be able to fix anything I own myself. So in the end I spend a ton of money in the pursuit of being cheap! You should have seen my first bike. couple hundred for the bike and then a couple thousand fixing it up.

. So in the end I spend a ton of money in the pursuit of being cheap!

Spoken like a True Gearhead! If I added up all of the hours, blood, sweat, tears, etc. Not to mention parts and expensive chrome and billet goodies I invested in my last Sportster, I should have gotten $10,000 for it! But , it was a 1998 Sportster! Sold it for $3400.00. A damn good price by the way! The right person came along. $3000.00 was the high end for that bike. Personal satisfaction, and the "Therapy" aspect of creating a Beautiful Machine, really has no dollar value to "People like US". Keep the wrenches turning Brother!