Dear gene,
The reason KALMAR is still the best buy for pre-owned machines is not because their quality is everlasting but more because the parts availability globally for their machines are still the best. I am basically talking about the KALMAR DC & DRD models not the DRS which frankly is not KALMAR but SISU modified and acoording to me a very basic and unreliable machine.
the problem with brands like FANTUZZI or PPM is that the support from the OEM for the propreitary parts like Sealkits/some hydraulic components is very poor. otherwise I would personally rate the FANTUZZI reach stackers as the machines which age the least.
As far as the price is concerned, it depends on where you are buying from. In the sense the end user price determines the resale price and the end user price for new units varies from country to country because of the import duties or because of pricing strategy. In india for eg: a new DRS4531 to the end user will be around EURO 300,000 but he also pays a 35% import duty on the same. So when he sells he cant find customers outside India.
A Reach Stacker depreciation is usually double in its first 5 years as compared to the next 5. A 5 year old RS whould be available at 65% whereas a 10 year old will be available at around 50/55 % of the new machine price.
Ideally if you do not have any constraint of the vintage of the RS, then buy DC or DRD model of Kalmar or CS45KM of Fantuzzi approx 7/8 year old. Reliable and extremely easily supported.
Take care....Gopal