Thread: Economics of old trucks vs new trucks

With most of the mid-late 90's mid-size trucks, prado's mistrals,hilux's bighorns etc now mostly having huge k's and then all the untouchable late-90's early 2000's dodgy diesels like nissan zd30's and isuzu 4JX1? it is getting tough to find a decent older truck. I was wondering how the maths works out when you factor in depreciation etc a cheaper brand new truck vs an oldy if you are doing say 25,00k a year.

I am thinking an older truck say 10k -maybe 2k per year depreciation, probably average 1.5K per year running costs brakes tires, usual hassles, occasional starter, alternator radiator. there can always be the odd biggy cracked head, stuffed diesel pump, auto, clutch etc. After four years truck might be worth 2-3k -advantages, it's an old truck barging down gorse-lined tracks scratching the paintwork backing it into the sea launching boats etc no worries just adds character

New truck say 38K for a black series triton, more comfortable, safer more fuel efficient, warranty, family happy to travel in it versus stinky old truck but depreciation? hard to judge but with say 100,000k on it at fouryears old still worth 20K?

Obviously you have to have the available coin/finance to throw into a new truck, what do you reckon the best strategy is for the $ old truck, new or newish 2nd hand?