Finding & Buying an Freightliner M2 106

[Don Rob]

I'm looking for a used M2. Preferably a 03 to 07 (pre-emissions) crew cab.
Those I have seen, seem high priced to me. In good shape with less than
100K miles, the asking price is $80K or more. That's what they cost new
back then. Ads for a new 2016 M2, are at $120K, with storage bins & gizmos,
I won't ever use. So, the $80K, for a 9 to 12 yr old truck seems high to me.

Any idea where I could bet accurate pricing info (like loan value) on this
type of truck? Having one would allow me to tow really anything I want. A
new Ram reg cab work truck, prices out around $40k, so that would be $45K
out the door. And then I would have to deal with troublesome and expensive
to repair emission equipment.

I was thinking a used M2, 9 to 12 yrs old. Should be around $20K to $50K.
But, you don't see low prices unless they have 250K miles on em and are
almost all used up. That would be of no use to me

[grassy]

Don,

I think condition / mileage is more important than model year. If you are not handy, it is better to buy one that has already been modded for RVs and the title changed to camper.

Unfortunately, 98% of them are white and the other 2% are red

I went slightly older but with low mileage. With a cat 3126b engine..you need to do a head job around 4-5K miles and a full rebuild around 1M.. so 250K is ok... but I agree, too high for me as well.

There are deals out there..you just have to be willing to ship (like I did) or go collect.

If you are looking for used, scout out the horse websites..I counted 100+ for sale when I was looking a couple of years ago.

[JEEPOHOLIC]

try Medium Duty Truck Store - Dixie Horse & Mule Co. Dixie horse and mule

[JEEPOHOLIC]

theres an 07 for $55K on the site

[Don Rob]

Originally Posted by JEEPOHOLIC

theres an 07 for $55K on the site

There are some F650s for even less. I wonder if they are as good as a
Freightliner M2. Both would easily meet my towing needs. Looks like I
may need to do some more research. I have noticed Navistar makes a
medium duty truck for "recreation use" as well. But, are few and far between.

Anyway, thx for the info. Looks like a good place to start.

[JEEPOHOLIC]

Don what you wont get in a 650 is air ride seats, air ride in the rear, and air ride cab

[grassy]

Originally Posted by JEEPOHOLIC

Don what you wont get in a 650 is air ride seats, air ride in the rear, and air ride cab

I think to add to that, you get a normal sized cab so you cannot retrofit the most excellent air ride seats into it...

[JEEPOHOLIC]

Originally Posted by grassy

I think to add to that, you get a normal sized cab so you cannot retrofit the most excellent air ride seats into it...

also a good point, that 650 is only going to be as wide as a normal pickup, that means your mirrors will need to really be sticking out there to see down the sides of a fifth wheel, our Freightliners are wide trucks to start with so seeing down the sides with room to spare is not a problem, I have towed my trailer with a pickup and my Freightliner, pickup weight=@7000 pounds, trailer empty weight is 14,400 so almost a 7000 pound difference, sometimes the trailer would push the truck, now with the Freightliner it scales at 13,500 pounds, I never feel that chucking and bucking you may of heard of from people towing with a 350, 450, 550, 650, when your towing at almost your capacity your going to wear out your truck twice as fast, my transmission limits my towing capacity to 60,000 pounds

[dadej]

You need to check horse trailer world web site. Lots of nice trucks. I sold my M-2 there and bought my 2014 volvo with the heren bed there also. Before you buy look at the escapees classified. Several nice class 8 trucks there. After owning both truck classes I would sure drive both before a purchase.

[AaronM]

We bought an '06 M2-106 box truck for somewhere around $25k. It had the box which we sold. It had 160000 miles which is still pretty low for those. Air ride, air seats, air brakes, allison 3000, 800ft-lb CAT engine. We bought it from Ryder's website and it had COMPLETE service history. Every tiny repair was detailed. It was a lease to a siding company.

[myalpharv]

Originally Posted by Don Rob

I'm looking for a used M2. Preferably a 03 to 07 (pre-emissions) crew cab.
Those I have seen, seem high priced to me. In good shape with less than
100K miles, the asking price is $80K or more. That's what they cost new
back then. Ads for a new 2016 M2, are at $120K, with storage bins & gizmos,
I won't ever use. So, the $80K, for a 9 to 12 yr old truck seems high to me.

Any idea where I could bet accurate pricing info (like loan value) on this
type of truck? Having one would allow me to tow really anything I want. A
new Ram reg cab work truck, prices out around $40k, so that would be $45K
out the door. And then I would have to deal with troublesome and expensive
to repair emission equipment.

I was thinking a used M2, 9 to 12 yrs old. Should be around $20K to $50K.
But, you don't see low prices unless they have 250K miles on em and are
almost all used up. That would be of no use to me

Don a good place to find used truck is horse trailer world.com they have a truck section. I just bought my international off the sit from a private owner I got it for under $ 30K. I am going Az. after the holiday to pick it up.

[grassy]

From my experience searching for a MDT (and this applies to HDTs too) that they are not priced like cars and trucks by the age of the rig... which is far less important than the condition of the engine / trans and the rest of the truck.

If you don't pay the price for a rig in good nick, then you are going to pay more to maintain...or fix. Many deals look good from the outside but when you start digging..

It doesn't sound like you are looking for a Freightliner SC..your quoted numbers are too low..

If you want to save a bit of coin..go a bit older..to the FL series. I found a well maintained one with 100K on the clock. The bonus in my opinion is that I like the FL looks better than the M2 and you don't have to deal with all the electronics.. but that is just a personal opinion.

You didn't mention specs.. these rigs come in various configs from 200 to 450 hp with the suitable drive train...ultrashift/Allison or std ?... and that makes a big difference too..

I paid cash for mine..I don't like owning monies but if I understand financing.. esp with cars..there is an age limit ..

I agree with dade..look at the horse world..

Good luck with the search.. MDTs are well worth it..