If you were buying a brand new tractor unit
what make and model would you buy
too many variables to give a reply , type of work, working environment, local distance, type of typical load- you spec a truck to what the work is, and your question is too open
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Rikki is right. Are you talking about a day-cab urban artic at 28 tonnes gross? Or a 44-tonner working round the clock at constant max weight? Or a European tramper with LHD? Or a long-haul unit on TIR-work? Does the unit need 300 bhp or 600 bhp? 4x2, 6x2 or 6x4? Is it doing off-road on constructions sites? There’s no such thing as the ideal unit: it all depends on what work you’re doing, cost restrictions, owner / driver preferences (gearboxes & cabs in particular).
Why not create a hypothetical scenario and give us something to work on. I’m taking it for granted you are thinking in 2025, not 1985.
New 44t tri axle ssp cab 500
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Of the 3 I drive at present , actross , daf xg , scania
The actross I just can’t get used to 4 th step , gone flying about 5 times forgetting about it , and the centre tray not having hardly any lip means I have to empty sandwich box & put keys / phone & glasses in it as they go flying otherwise
Daf xg , I have to say can’t think of many negatives , knit-picking id say interior light switch , pushing brake to start , not had one for week / two but does get on
My nerves
Scania , love them , drive so nice , smooth , everything is so well thought out ,
I’d have a scania , but I must admit those daf xgs do run the scanias close .
Volvo FH. Boss truck. Puts Scania fannys in their place 
I’d go for the much cheaper option.
A box of pins to stick in my eyes…
(Or… maybe spend the cash on a GOOD investment instead.
)
It’s probably a testament to how limited units are today compared with thirty years ago that this thread is so threadbare of enthusiastic delight and badge loyalty. Lorries have been dumbed down, drivers’ work has been dumbed down. The transport industry in UK has been dumbed down.
Used to have that happen at my old job MAN TGX 3 steps
Actros 1,2,3 argh
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Whores , or booze
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Either or both are less hassle and pain than owning a 'kin truck.
Partly agree bit 420?..and is that the ‘Topliner’?
Can’t decide.
I had the 450 version at that time which was ‘The Dogs’.
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That Scania looks a cracking motor don’t think the new ones are a patch
don’t know anyone that has anything good to say about new Scania’s
If i had to choose one today i think i would lean towards a Volvo
The new Volvos are good ,had a driving assessment in one this week
Brakes are very very sharp , mirror cam system is way better than DAF and screens are bigger plus you can turn the guide lines off
Should imagine the mirrored version is good
Buy one?..Not a chance in hell.
But my flavour of the month truck is my high cab Renault…lurrrve it.
A French dream truck.
I’ve even took to calling myself '‘Robair’ and speaking like Officer Crabtree off ‘Allo Allo’.
'Good moaning I was just pi5sing by to sue you
No idea, I could never tell the difference between a Topline and a Streamline, despite being a truck geek. Not so much these days but the 143 brings back good memories of my old man carting me around Europe. Think his was a 450, he always worked for Irish, lives there now. Always remember, he’d pootle around Germany, Italy, Spain etc but once we got off the boat at Dover it was flat out back home
Bit of a rogue but I love him.
Was envious of the Renault Magnums we used to see though, still want a go in one now lol.
I agree about the Series 3 Scania 450: I reckon it was the best Scania ever, especially the earlier ones which still had the older 10-speed 5-over-5 manual box.
Here’s one I drove on European.
