I know that this topic has been discussed before, but I'd like to get some input on when you guys decide to buy new vs. used. Everyone's situations are going to vary, but how many machine hours per year do you need to justify the purchase of a new machine? Do you wait until repair costs get close to equipment payments? Do you wait until you have too much downtime? Do you wait until you have so much work lined up that you don't even feel the bank payments?
For me, its a function of a couple things. Cost of used relative to new, and how tolerant of breakdowns am I for that particular machine. Things like financing plans, trade in value comes into a lot too.