New Tractor

[Scuba]

Has anyone been looking at the new freightliner? their web site has the new one tracked by gps it is loaded grossing 80,000 and it says it is getting 9.2 mpg @ $4.00 per gallon thats close 4000 gallons less fuel than a 6mpg truck doing 80,000 miles a year thats a savings of $17780 per year now thats real money

 

[Crazynuff]

International says their tractor beat the Freightliner for mpg on a test track . I think somebody should do a survey of leasing companies keeping real world accounts of fuel usage by each vehicle .

 

[piper1]

Both are very slippery trucks. I haven't seen any good (same spec) comparisons yet from a fleet but the folks I know report better numbers with the FL. With the big rad the fan hardly runs at all (saves fuel) and the Int folks complain about the cab (doors leak, wiring).

Both are FULL of computers. Extended warranty might be a good idea now. FL mechanic I know says you don't go near a Cascadia without a laptop. Int is the same.

 

[LDB]

I checked one out at Stoops while my truck was being serviced. The cab was nice and I'm sure would be comfortable. The one I looked in was either nice company driver specs or entry level O/O specs. The sleeper wasn't nearly as nice looking as the photos of that new funny looking International. If it just had the 86" from the KW and the sink from the Volvo it would be THE factory sleeper.

 

[Scuba]

Well i have been talking to both freightliner and international in little rock they are both close on numbers. Since i have been buying used I would like to pick the brain of someone that has been buying new how much haggle room do they have in these units anyone care to take a shot at it?

 

[piper1]

Most dealerships need to make 5 to 6 grand per truck so a lot depends on what the factory charged them for it and what incentives they got from other suppliers (i.e. Bridgestone would give the dealer a rebate for specing it with a certain one of their tires). There is a lot of this that goes on and it's almost impossible to find out. A good sign is if your sales guy who told you Fontaine fifth wheels were the best for the last 3 trucks suddenly tells you Hollands are the best or something like that.

A reasonable spec Cascadia tractor with a Detroit engine, 10 speed and Freightliner axles should be under 120,000.

The last ones I did for a fleet came in at 113,000 but they were fleet trucks and we did 10 of them. A similar spec'd Pro-star came in at 106,000 but it is just not the truck that the FL is.

Keep in mind the above prices were for fleet trucks and even a small change in specs can have a HUGE difference in the price.

 

[nightcreacher]

According to my dealer,that 9mpg was with the mercedes diesel,and it isnt going to suite the people that haul heavy in the mountains.I have a friend that has a fleet of mercedes diesles,not very reliable with the heavy loads and mountains

 

[nightcreacher]

Well i have been talking to both freightliner and international in little rock they are both close on numbers. Since i have been buying used I would like to pick the brain of someone that has been buying new how much haggle room do they have in these units anyone care to take a shot at it?

The haggle room is hard to figure,list price on most trucks is way over 200000 bucks,but as they put your truck together,you get a discount for this and then this and so on til your truck costs what they say that you are getting it for.where you have room is in your trade in.Most dealer will give you retail on your trade in truck,at least thats what I have had in my experiance.I was offered 60k for my 2004 on a new Freightliner,but the freightliner was 125000 bucks,the same truck i am driving now that i paid 115 for.They wouldnt equip that 9mpg truck the way i wanted it,said it woudnt get that good fuel mileage