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Surprised by the choice

7th April 2005, Page 70
7th April 2005
Page 70
Page 70, 7th April 2005 — Surprised by the choice
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

This month CM is after a fleet tractor to haul at 40 tonnes — but our notional operator has a tandem-axle box trailer so we need a 6x2 tractor with no more than 400hp on tap. Time for the classified ads_

Renault Trucks is currently pushing its Premium 420 DCi tractor, and looking at its ads we saw that it's more common than the 385hp version.The 420 DCi commands respect as a decent workhorse but falls short of our criteria on power alone. The 385 proved elusive, so after a couple of calls we decided to move on to Sweden.

We talk to a franchised Volvo dealership about an FM12 380 with a white sleeper cab and a pusher mid-axle. Plated on an 02 registration and with average mileage the dealer is asking £26,500 (ex-VAT).

It's one of several he. has on the forecourt. Average miles, clean interior and no decals; it's just what we are after.

Also on the forecourt is an FH12 380 with a sleeper cab. It is still 2002registered, but has a 51-plate, slightly higher mileage (440,0001an) and is blue.The asking price is £25250 (ex-VAT) but our newly acquired friend tells us it's a little rougher on account of the mileage. Worth a punt?

Next stop Germany, to check what MAN Diesel has to offer. An ERF ECX11.38 with a 380hp engine and white sleeper cab is cheaper than either of the two Volvos we have already enquired about. The dealer's asking£.25.000 (ex-VAT) for this clean,2002-registered 51plated example with a clean interior and slightly above average mileage.

More expensive

We go across town to find out about an MAN TGA 26.410, No 380hp engines here, it seems, and a post-400hp on a 51-plate from 2001 with an LX cab costs £26,250 (ex VAT). Older, bigger, with more mile age it costs more.We move on.

The ERF has inspired us to look at what Foden has.

The Alpha has strong presence and with a 16speed box and choice of Caterpillar or Cummins engines might well fit the bill.

We're offered one that hasn't been advertised.A 2002-registered 51-plated Alpha 3000 6x2 sleeper cab with a Cummins ISMe 385hp driveline and average mileage is priced at £21,500 (ex-VAT). It's clean and tidy, and boasts a full air management kit, but comes in red, green and white.

It's by far the cheapest candidate and seems ideally suited to our needs despite the colour.

Obvious comparison

The CF from Daf Trucks, Foden's Paccar Group stablemate, with its 380hp engine seems the obvious comparison.

We check out an affiliated but independent dealer to see what a 2002-registered 51-plate CF85 sleeper 6x2 will cost.

It takes a while but eventually we find what we're looking for at £22,000 (ex-VAT). Compared with the Foden it's a hard choice. I

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