Your real acquisition number isn’t just the sticker. It’s purchase price + taxes + plates/IRP + insurance + day-1 readiness + financing cost—and the order you handle them in affects cash flow. Model it first in the Calculator, then choose the structure (Equipment Loans vs Equipment Leases) that fits your lanes and seasonality.
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Quick cost breakdown (illustrative)
| Bucket | What’s Included | How to Control It |
| Purchase Price | Truck invoice, dealer/admin | Negotiate apples-to-apples (spec + ECM history) |
| HST (Ontario) | 13% applied on taxable amount | Finance taxes to protect cash; claim ITCs where eligible |
| Plates & Registration | IRP/apportioned plates, ownership/permits | Confirm jurisdictions & weights before quoting |
| Insurance | Auto liability, cargo, physical damage | Bundle coverages; manage deductibles; clean safety file |
| Day-1 Readiness | Tires/brakes/fluids, ELD, decals/lettering | Budget upfront; use repair financing if needed |
| Financing Cost | Interest/fees over term | Pick term/residual that matches slow months & renewals |
Worked example: turning sticker into a monthly (illustrative math)
Scenario: You’re buying a late-model sleeper for GTA ↔ Midwest lanes.
- Target price: $120,000
- HST (13%): $15,600 → Taxable total: $135,600
- IRP/plates & registration (est.): $2,500 (lane/jurisdiction dependent)
- First month insurance (est.): $1,800 (combination policy; varies by profile)
- Day-1 readiness: $4,000 (tires/fluids/ELD/decals)
Cash options:
- Pay plates/insurance/day-1 from cash and finance price + HST, or
- Roll taxes & fees into the facility to smooth cash (common for growth phases).
Structure compare (illustrative):
| Option | Principal Financed | Term | Payment Feel | What to Know |
| Loan (own & keep) | $135,600 (price + HST) | 60 mo | Higher monthly than lease; builds equity | Good if you’ll keep 5–8 yrs and value resale |
| Lease (10% buyout) | $135,600 (price + HST) | 60 mo | ~9–13% lower monthly vs comparable loan | Buyout due at end; protects cash in early months |
Tip: If you plan to refresh in ~5 years, a lease with a 10% buyout often keeps monthly strain lower than a comparable loan—handy when onboarding drivers or covering fuel spikes. Run both in the Calculator, then we’ll price your exact file.
Plates & permits: Brampton/GTA realities
- IRP/apportioned plates depend on registered weight and jurisdictions (ON only vs ON/QC/US). Lock your route plan before quoting.
- Have VIN, unladen/registered weights, and jurisdiction list ready to avoid re-issue delays.
- If trailers are part of your award, align timing with Trailer Financing on the same approval clock.
- For specialized moves (hazmat/oversize), budget permit admin and potential escorts into your first-month cash plan.
Insurance: what underwriters really scan
- Equipment type & stated value, lanes, driver experience, loss history, and garaging.
- Combining cargo + physical damage and tuning deductibles can shift monthly premiums meaningfully.
- If the truck needs immediate work to pass binding/inspection, use Truck Repair Financing to keep policy timelines intact.
Lower your total cost: three practical levers
- Structure: Lease with a residual to drop monthly; choose a loan if you’ll hold long and want equity.
- Timing: Stagger delivery to contract start dates; consider an Equipment Line of Credit for mid-year adds.
- Equity: Already own assets? Refinancing & Sale-Leaseback can cover plates/insurance without starving operations.
See sector context: Transportation & Trucking and confirm asset types on Eligible Equipment.
Cash-flow tactics that help Brampton carriers
- Finance taxes & fees in the facility when onboarding multiple drivers or adding lanes quickly.
- Pick the shortest workable term your slow months can carry; use the Calculator to test downside assumptions.
- If A/R pays in 45–60 days, keep iron on a loan/lease and use a working capital tool to bridge gaps:
Brampton buyer checklist (copy/paste)
- Final invoice confirmed; 13% HST modeled
- IRP/apportioning set (jurisdictions/weights)
- Insurance quote bound (liability/cargo/PD)
- Day-1 readiness budget (tires/brakes/fluids/ELD/decals)
- Calculator run (48 vs 60; loan vs lease; taxes/fees financed?)
- Docs ready; book delivery/plates/decals
- If adding trailers, sync with Trailer Financing
FAQ
Do I pay 13% HST on used trucks?
In Ontario, most taxable transactions are 13% HST. Discuss ITC eligibility with your accountant, and model both “tax financed” vs “tax paid upfront” in the Calculator.
Can I finance plates and taxes?
Often yes—rolling them into a lease or loan preserves working capital.
What’s the fastest way to close?
Send a clean file (invoice, business details, bank statements, insurance plan) and pick a single structure. Approvals are typically 24–48h via Contact Us.
What if I need cash right after buying?
Consider sale-leaseback on owned units or a working capital loan.
Can I spread costs if the truck needs work?
Yes—use Truck Repair Financing for immediate safety/mechanical items.
Where do I see options and run numbers?
Browse Inventory and model payments in the Calculator.
Next step
Price your all-in number in the Calculator, browse inventory, and feel free to Contact Us for a Brampton-ready approval in 24–48 hours. Learn more About Us.
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