Posted on 02/25/2023 7:26:39 AM PST by LouAvul
Inventory is increasing but a long way from pre panic levels. Plus, they don't seem to be interested in negotiating price.
Before, I'd contact (via email) a half dozen dealers with my criteria, they'd respond with a price, and I'd go to the lowest offer and negotiate from there.
No more, it seems.
No trades. No financing. Cash only.
What's the FR braintrust think about how to approach new vehicle purchase these days?
I put a new factory engine in my Truck. $5K installed. Good for another 200K.
Don’t buy new.
My son tried to buy a truck last month. Pretty much what you described.
In my opinion...
Unless your current one is rusted beyond repair, it’s way cheaper to maintain the one you have for the foreseeable future.
And what’s with all of the 4 door trucks? How does one get anything done with a 4 foot bed?
No worn-out tranny, u-joints, springs, suspension parts, differential, master cylinder, brake cylinders, body rust, frame rust, etc?
Like Seruzawa, I have zero plans for a new truck, will maintain what I already have. Also no EV.
Never tell them you’re paying cash.
Got a particular make in mind?
If your not dead set on domestic I can’t say enough about the Toyota Tacoma.
Some might poopoo them because they are at least partially built in Mexico but one of the main reasons Toyota has such a good reputation is they instill the Toyota quality mindset into their employees regardless where the plant is located.
I had a 2009 Tacoma until I sold it and bought a Jeep.......I love my Jeep but the quality of fit form and function is just not at the Toyota level.
Regardless good luck with your potential purchase.
My dad used to say that rust is with you forever but you can fix everything else.
I’d look at used as my first choice. If you have cash (or your own credit line), use that as leverage if you’re still sold on new. let them know you have cash and are a willing buyer and then (this is the hard part), be patient. Do not pay above MSRP (and in some cases not even that. Do not pay for expensive dealer addons they use to pad the price. If they cry say I didn’t want those addons. I’m not paying for them. Be firm. As the buyer, you are in control. Don’t forget that. And when all else fails, go back to buying used. I’ll never buy new again. I’ll replace an engine and go on.
It’s a common belief among auto mechanics and folks who work in the automobile service industry that it’s seldom a wise choice to buy new vehicles.
Drop the tailgate and that gives 6 feet which enables hauling anything 8 feet long. Put ballast at the front end of the load.
Not to mention worn out interior, seats, dash, carpet, floorboard, headliner etc
“Never tell them you’re paying cash.”
Agreed.
Dealers get kickbacks from lenders depending on the interest rate negotiated.
Just make sure there is no prepayment penalty and pay the lender in full when you get your first bill.
I have a 37 inch inseam and the Japs at Toyota still can't deal with that. What? Those people don't play basketball?
I had a crew cab with a 5 foot bed and had very little if any restrictions.....hauled 8 foot lengths of privacy fence with no trouble at all and all I needed was a couple of ratchet straps.....no big deal.
Don’t just look in your state. Get offers from all over.
Never buy new.
Dave Ramsey makes a good point that until you have $1,000,000 in net worth, don’t buy new.
You are who the Tundra was made for
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