The going price of semi-trucks probably isn’t a concern for most folks, even if you consider yourself a car person. Indeed, if you aren’t directly involved in the freight industry, that’s something you don’t really have to think about much. But it’s my guess that you as well as many others reading this will be surprised to learn that a used 2017 Peterbilt 389 just sold at auction for $350,000.
It isn’t every day that you see a tandem-axle tractor like this fetch more than a new Lamborghini Huracan or Ferrari F8. That’s why I thought it’d be good to try and explain why it brought this much money, even if I can’t exactly justify it. A rig’s ultimately worth as much as someone will pay, and apparently, someone felt like this white Pete in Chillicothe, Missouri was worth a lot.
That’s likely because it’s fitted with a glider kit. If you aren’t familiar with that term, here’s what you need to know: Gliders are new trucks with remanufactured engines and transmissions. That sounds strange for obvious reasons, but pre-emissions powertrains offer big advantages for owner-operators. They’re simpler, mechanically speaking, and repairs can often be made in-house a lot quicker—and for a lot less money. Not only that but they can also be tuned to make big power; for instance, this C15 Caterpillar 6NZ with an original manufacture date of 2003 is said to make 650 horsepower.
Production of these glider kits has all but come to a halt in recent years. The Environmental Protection Agency began changing regulations big time around 2017, back when this truck was assembled. Manufacturers were limited to 300 glider kits a year, a huge cut from the thousands that companies like Fitzgerald were pumping out annually beforehand. This is because, according to the EPA, gliders could emit 55 times more particulate matter than new trucks that meet the most current regulations.
Because they aren’t being regularly produced at such high volumes anymore, those already in service command big premiums. A quick flip through the Truck Paper classifieds shows other gliders listed for six figures. A different 2017 Peterbilt 389 with a recently rebuilt C15 Caterpillar is posted for $164,750, while this 2020 Freightliner Coronado running a 500-hp Detroit has an asking price of $127,750. That’s a lot of money, no doubt, but it still isn’t $350,000.
Mileage seems to be the key difference. While the truck we’re focusing on today is used, it only has 34,493 miles on the odometer. That’s nothing when trucks like this so often rack up seven-digit mileage. Those other examples included above both have more than 400,000 on the clock, so by comparison, this sparkling white day cab has plenty more life to live.
Then you have to consider the fact that it’s super nicely spec’d. The 215-inch wheelbase is rightly sized to aid stability without being impractically long, and the fact that it’s a tandem axle means it’s better suited to pull more weight. All the aluminum is nicely shined up and so is the white paint, with only a few blemishes on the fender covers. Everything inside looks like new, from the leather seats to the wrapped door cards and headliner. All in all, it’s just a spectacular truck.
Now, whether or not all this makes it a reasonable buy at $350,000 isn’t up to me to decide. Lots of commenters on Machinery Pete’s post debate that, saying there’s no way this rig could ever make enough money to offset the premium. Maybe that’s true, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the person who bought this isn’t worried about it too much. Oftentimes, big spenders are willing to pay more for their toys than anything.
Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com