Dell is considering replacing one of its material handling systems. The old system was purchased 7 years ago for \($130,000\) and was depreciated as MACRS-GDS 5-year property since the system is used in the manufacture of electronic components. It has an annual O&M cost of \($48,000,\) a remaining operational life of 8 years, and an estimated salvage value of \($6,000\) at that time. A new system can be purchased for \($175,000.\) It will be worth \($50,000\) in 8 years, and it will have annual O&M costs of only \($17,000\) per year due to new technology. If the new system is purchased, the old system will be traded in for \($55,000,\) even though the old system can be sold for only \($45,000\) on the open market. Leasing a new system will cost \($31,000\) per year, payable at the beginning of the year, plus operating costs of \($15,000\) per year payable at year-end. If the new system is leased, the existing material handling system will be sold for its market value of \($45,000.\) Use an 8-year planning horizon, an annual worth analysis, a tax rate of 40 percent, and an after-tax MARR of 9 percent to decide which material handling system to recommend: keep existing, trade in existing and purchase new, or sell existing and lease.

a. Use the cash flow approach (insider’s viewpoint approach). 

b. Use the cash flow approach (insider’s viewpoint approach), except note that a Section 1031 like-kind property exchange is to be used. The equipment replaced will continue to be replaced by like-kind investments in the United States indefinitely. Recall that a Section 1031 like-kind property exchange does not apply to leases.