[Squizzy Taylor]

I've been stewing over this for a couple of weeks:

Here's the deal; the actual numbers are not important its a matter of which new and which secondhand.

The budget is $100K. I need a 3 tonne mini Ex and a small dump truck to carry the mini mainly and tow the tools trailer. The truck will not work hard as a "Dump Truck" but it will also be my run-around, quoting vehicle and general utility. The mini will not work hard as an "excavator" because most of the time it will be laying blocks. Both machines should last me for 10 years plus just on hours/miles alone.

So to the dilemma. Cost of both items new totals more than my budget.

I can afford to get one new and one reasonable secondhand. I was leaning towards the new truck and trying to find a low hour mini but now I'm going the other way. I have never been one for buying crappy machinery but its how I got started. Presentation is important to me.

So what is it to be??? a new mini-Ex or a new Truck???...or maybe both 2nd hand?? I'm open to opinions and suggestions.

[Squizzy Taylor]

Thanks to those five people who voted.