Questions for O/O's

[truckerx_PREV (deleted)]

Here are some questions for you owner operators... I know they're quite a few of you out here, any replies would be much appreciated...

First, I plan to be buying a tractor in the beginning of June '07, would you suggest new or used and why... also I've bought plenty of new cars in my life and there was always room for negotiation... is there much room to bargain on tractors?

Second, I pull flatbed and currently drive for Anderson out of MN, but am thinking of moving over to Landstar. Are there any Landstar Flatbedders here that could shed some light. And what about getting my own authority? Is that something I should wait to do until I can find shippers that I want to work with?

Again, I appreciate any input, Thanks X

[grizz]

There are plus's and minus's to buying a new truck and also for used trucks but my suggestion at this moment take it as you will but now is not a good time to buy with them talking about a resesion ( don't think that is spelled correct but oh well) if I was going to buy another right now I would go with about a 2003 model pre emissions

[justjerry (deleted)]

`first of all STAY AWAY FROM LIE-STAR they are a bunch of crooks almost as bad as kllm, prime,shnieder,werner,jb hunt, maverick,western, minn-tex,and the like.
you really should not try stepping out under your own authority right away call OOIDA from grain valley mo 800-444-5791 they can advise you on compliace , plates , IFTA and others and i would go to one of their seminars on compliance.
i would recomend an old fleet truck as your first purchase because the parts list is generally more common and the truck will be less expensive to maintain also the fuel economy will be much better, i would recommend used of course and about 300K to 500K miles
anderson really is not a bad outfit you might want to stay there.

[milwaukeedallas (deleted)]

`i would agree with most of the previous post except for the part where you by an old fleet truck, i have driven for big fleets as a company driver and there is no way i would buy there trucks ever again. theyre maintenance program is designed to save them money not to preserve the truck because they are getting rid of it before waurenty goes off. buy an o/o truck if you can most of those guys (at least the ones that i know) keep up the maintenace much better than companys.