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 have a 4 door truck with an 8’ bed. Parking lots must be approached very strategically.
It’s not new, but it has some vintagy features that I like, such as a 385 series engine (7.5L gas V8).
I'll echo the Toyota Tacoma comment! My 2023 TRD OffRoad is an amazing vehicle!
Great ride, mine's fully loaded w/leather interior, moonroof, the complete tech package, locking rear diff, full tow package and factory lift. There wasn't another option available to put on it, I got it all.
The 3.5L VVT engine has plenty of power and torque, it accelerates well (don't know what they did to it between 2017 and 2022 that people complained so much about that, mine's a rocket off the line) and actually has some style compared to the other trucks in its class.
I like my new Taco TRD quite a bit.
I have a 2011 F150 Lariat crew cab. Bed is 5 1/2’.
“All of the stuff you listed, other than bad rust can be fixed for a fraction of that.”
I find that the combined price of all the major replacement components quickly exceeds the price of a new vehicle. We normally hit that point around 200k miles. I’ve been in the trap before where we are at 180k on the clock and something big fails. Should we replace that bad part for $4,000? We rationalize it by saying “The rest of the vehicle is in good shape. Let’s repair it.” Then, of course, six months later another major part breaks and you fall into the sunk cost fallacy. “Gee, we already spent $4,000 getting it running, let’s do it again.” Another $4,000 out the window.
Then it happens again six months later and the deep regret sets in: “We’ve blown $8k. I wish we hadn’t done that.”
I’ve learned that lesson too many times on too many products.
“The price of new trucks is insane. Used prices are just as bad, and many want top dollar for a ragged out, abused truck.”
The prices are right where they should be. Prove me wrong.
Identify as a short person. You'll fit according to the leftists.
My neighbor bought a new F-250 diesel, club cab, 6ft bed to pull his 5th wheel.
$84k.
Payments like another house when insurance is added.
Just walk away.
I've never seen a 4 foot bed on a pickup truck. Shortest I've seen is 5' and a few inches. My Tacoma has a 6' bed. With the tailgate down and a fold-down rack I put in, I can accommodate anything I'd need to, and I can't think of a reason I'd need to lower the tailgate and rack to hold anything as I'm not in construction or the trades.
For someone like me who's going to use it to tow a camping trailer and do some light to medium offroading, it's perfect. And that's exactly why I bought it.
I second you. I won’t give my money to these idiot electrified green buttwipes at Ford or GM.
How h are you expecting to pay for rebuilding the tranny? $3500?
“the sales rep will try to get you in there for the hard sell on things like extended warranties...”
And the True Coat. Don’t forget the True Coat.
All conveniently placed where you can't reach them without a blowtorch and a six-pack.
I drive an ‘07 I bought in late ‘06 and it has 350k miles on it and I will drive it til it dies before I would even think of another ride. It ain’t pretty annd has no bells-whistles but it is reliable.
How do you avoid the finance guy when you literally have to deal with him when you’re not paying cash
Just saw this deal on Bringatrailer.com.
If you are ready to buy something.
You might notice my nom de plume in comments.
There is no problem with cars, trucks or their pricing.
Buyers are the problem. Most people want a much better car/truck than they can afford, that’s all.
Buy what you can afford.
His official job is to work out the dealer financing. If you do your own financing, there’s no real need to see him. For many years, I would get a pre-approved loan from my credit union before car shopping. Last time around, the dealer had zero percent financing, which is still sort of a scam as they will not budge as much on price, keeping the margin they would have gotten through financing in the deal.
No financing, cash only? Good luck with that.
Have you looked into Lido Mounts? Heard a lot of good about them. I run a cheap QYT KT-8900 from the dash-mounted accessory port (formerly known as the cigarette lighter socket) and a cup-holder radio mount.
And what’s with all of the 4 door trucks? How does one get anything done with a 4 foot bed?
It’s called a crew cab back-in the day.
You, Hook up the equipment trailer, load up the crew
and go to work.
Back then Rubber floor mats, vinyl bench seats, no a/c or radio was st’d equipment
Now, I guess that some folks will own the well equipped sissy versions as their automobiles, kind of replaced the station wagon?
The boot when 4 foot? must be enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.