But that's the problem since cash for clunkers came along. Used cars aren't 25% less than new anymore.

While I was shopping for my 2011, I was looking hard at the 2009 and 2010 trucks only to find that I paid very little extra for my 2011 than I would have for the used truck with high miles.

I think that used cars were the way to go several years ago, I also think that ship has sailed. Used car superstores like carmax for instance have a one price on the window, it's like buying a fricken loaf of bread. Most dealers hold onto their used car prices because this is where the cash comes from. They typically don't make much on a new car sale anymore till it needs warranty work or you're willing to pay for dealer add ons and service contracts.

 

Sure, "need" is a loaded term for sure, would suggest if your brand new truck was inoperable though you'd at least want to get it fixed. For most of us, it "needs" to run, be capable of hauling stuff.

Trucks, cars and motorcycles cost money just sitting in the garage whether they are driven or not - registration and insurance.

 

I should have never sold my 1993 straight 6. Engine never gave me any trouble, overall repairs were fairly minor and when I sold it with 160k miles it was still running well. My 04 fx4 has had a bunch of big repairs, and has currently been sitting at the dealer since Tuesday the 10th, it starts, then stalls when you put it in gear, they can't figure out what is wrong and are seeking Fords assistance. sometimes simpler is better...I think my 93 still had a distribution cap?

At any rate I bet they reach out to me and tell me I need a new engine or something like that, at which point I will pick up truck then decide what to do....my truck engine should not fail with only 125k miles since it was meticulously maintained. They had an F250 power stroke diesel, King Ranch edition for sale, 68k...really? For a pick up truck?

 

not the purse TSEEKINGS!

 

If I were buying vehicles for "status" symbols, forgive me, but I wouldn't be buying Fords. I'm not the "status symbol" type...I just like Fords because I grew up around them...my uncle had a dealership from the late 1930's to the early 1980's and I worked for him during the summers while in high school. Aside from a GT500 or yet to be released GT350 or Ford GT, could any Ford be considered a "status symbol", unless of course it's a fully loaded Platinum or King Ranch? Mine is neither.

I've also probably owned more POS vehicles than the number of total vehicles you've owned Let's just say that vehicles are my biggest hobby...whether they're new or used...doesn't matter. But I am at a point in my life where I can afford a new one or two.

I'm just not sure why so many seem to come into a thread talking about new vehicles just to bash them...that's what I'm seeing after reading the entire thread. Don't like them or think they're overpriced...don't buy them..but don't make it sound like those of us who do either have too much money, or are looking for "a status symbol". As much as I enjoy wrenching on my stuff, from time to time, I have too much else I want/need to do to be wrenching much, so I like having that warranty. The first thing I had to fix on my wife's '09 Lexus (out of warranty) was last week when I replaced a bad "air/fuel ratio" formerly O2 sensor. That gave me a good excuse to buy the scan tool I'd had my eye on for awhile. So I will wrench to save myself some $$ if the need arises. I'm guessing the dealer would've charged WAY more to fix it than the $250 I spent on the scan tool and sensor.

So, back to MY post - drive whatever makes YOU happy...life's too short to waste your time trying to impress others.

 

It is all relative!
I saw a Lexus sport type car in a dealership last June with price of $360,000, and it will carry only 2 people and NO dog boxes or the celebrated 4 X 8 sheet of plywood in the back. It sort of makes my SuperDuty seem like a bargain.

 

Exactly, Mike!

 

ya ford is not a status symbol forsure, working mans vehicle.

 

25% depreciation isn't a very good deal. We have a $48k 2015 XLT on our lot. Ford shows the residual for two years and 30k miles to be 66% of MSRP, so just under $32000. Now you could get this truck for around $42000, so that is your 25%. However, it's also accepted that there is about .20 per mile deprecation, so that's another $6000 in value. Now we are at a $4k difference, and for my money the factory warranty is worth most of this. There is one other huge factor and that's the actual value of the truck to YOU. I'll order you the perfect truck and sell it to you at the same price. It's got every option you want to pay for and not a single accessory more. Just think how much money that could be worth!?! When you buy used, you are mostly stuck with what the market has. Now you can travel, but that comes out of cost. At the end of the day its often a wash a best, so how is a two year old truck a better deal than going new? For most people it isn't.

I make far more money on most used trucks I sell, so my bias is actually a bit reversed on individual sales. But, I'm a logical guy and if I help my customers make the better choice I have a better chance they'll come back to me for their next truck. A .300 batting avg is better than the occasional home run.

 

Yupp!!! The purse.

 

Redford thank you for your service to out country!

 

I went in to a True Price dealer and drove a really nice XLT 4x4 stickered at $42k. After rebates & incentives it would have been ~$31k out the door no trade. Reasonable reduction I think. Current models are too large so I make do with my dependable and status laden '92 Ranger 4x2 with 101k miles. There's no profit in a new Ranger so the few mature citizens like me who want one are out of luck. Used are sometimes found with excessive miles or a poor service history at a truly unbelievable price, but few 4x4s which I now need.

 

I looked at all this and while I make a decent living, could not justify the payment against my other financial priorities and unwillingness to feel any loss of lifestyle due to a truck payment. As an employee I can't write off a truck either...big issue. In the end, I chose a clean 100K mile 1-owner 99 F250 7.3 CC 4wd, SB for $13K and am very satisfied with the purchase. Seeing ~14mpg in town, plenty of room, a 6.5' box that's usable, and will pull our travel trailer no problem. Only downside is catching up on maintenance but, at least I can work on it. Also, when I drive down the street in the morning, the kids come running out thinking it's their school bus. :-)

 

That's funny right there! LOL