Buyers' guide on pre-tier 4 trucks finds steady prices

Used truck buyers seeking to avoid the maintenance headaches of emission control components enacted by Tier 4 standards (required on most over-the-road trucks after 2007) have been putting a price floor on such vehicles regardless of growing age and mileage. A spot check on an assortment of 2007 trucks finds their asking prices have fallen, but only nominally, compared with prices from two years ago.

"No doubt, values of pre-Tier 4 trucks continue to be strong," says Bill Nelson of US Auctioneers. "Strong relative to their mileage, however. As a rule, prices do slip as miles go up."

Asking Prices for 2007 Trucks

* Freightliner Columbia 120

Average price: $25,125

Price range: $19,500 to $31,900

Average miles: 737,750

Mileage range: 458,000 to 886,673

* International 8600

Average price: $20,144

Price range: $10,500 to $26,750

Average miles: 446,289

Mileage range: 193,110 to 858,112

* International 9200i

Average price: $27,306

Price range: $14,500 to $45,000

Average miles: 651,736

Mileage range: 258,700 to 1,146,404

* Kenworth T800

Average price: $42,677

Price range: $19,750 to
$74,500

Average miles: 572,343

Mileage range: 217,419 to
806,128

* Mack CHN613

Average price: $37,481

Price range: $14,900 to
$59,900

Average miles: 469,500

Mileage range: 330,775 to
904,285

* Peterbilt 378

Average price: $50,903

Price range: $26,500 to
$74,900

Average miles: 633,500

Mileage range: 492,939 to
1,020,425

* Peterbilt 379

Average price: $53,429

Price range: $40,500 to
$89,500

Average miles: 594,333

Mileage range: 440,046 to
722,687

* Volvo VNL64T300

Average price: $21,163

Price range: $13,000 to
$35,900

Average miles: 666,773

Mileage range: 347,909 to
1,200,100