Would you buy an ancient lorry?

[nbn]

I'm selling my Iveco as I need more horse space and it's just not big enough length wise. I've seen a very very old Merc 814 that has a perfect loading set up for my horse but it is well over 30 years old, albeit incredibly low mileage and looks immaculate with clean plating for years.
Would you even consider it? It's obviously a lot less than I was looking to pay but still as much as my 22 year old box I'm selling!

 

[Cortez]

I bought a 24 year old lorry, drove it happily for 6 years and then sold it for what I paid for it. It's still tootling around, full of goats!

 

[nagblagger]

Yes I would, but i would get it checked over by a specialist first. But all my vehicles are old.
I bought an old bedford tk in 2001 that kept going for 10 years.

 

[Landcruiser]

I'm not sure I would do it again. My Daf was well over 20 and I had it properly inspected before purchase. It lasted me a few years but there was always something came up at plating - I don't think I ever got it through for less than a grand. Getting parts can be an issue too.

 

[BSL2]

I'd have to know parts were still available for repairs.

 

[ycbm]

I'd have to know parts were still available for repairs.

This ^^^^

 

[SadKen]

I had an F reg one. It was absolutely rotten and I think it had a fake MOT. That was a big issue, but the bigger problem was that the gearbox had such a long throw that I couldn’t actually wrangle it into reverse or 1st gear from the seat. You needed even longer man arms, and I already have gorilla ones for a woman, and I am quite strong. Still couldn’t drive it. Wouldn’t do it again - yet all my cars are old by choice.

 

[gallopingby]

My lorry guy thinks we’re all crazy having newer lorries. He reckons a merc properly looked after will go on for ages given the comparison in mileage between the small amount ‘horsey people’ do and the amount they would do if used for the original purpose. I suppose it depends if you’ve a handy mechanic to make sure things are ok.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Old lorry’s do not have computers and are easier and cheaper to fix.

 

[View]

While older lorries are simpler to repair IF you can get the parts, do bear in mind that as low emission areas multiply, where you can venture will become more and more limited.

 

[marmalade76]

Yes. My OH & I prefer old vehicles.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yeah, if it's not rotten and parts are relatively easy to source.

It's easier to work on the old stuff, generally. Less plastics and electronics. Some were even built better than today's. I love old stuff, but OH is mechanically inclined, and knowledgeable, as am I, so that helps!