What is all of your thoughts on getting a new 03 explorer instead of an 04 explorer. The reason i say this is becuase the 03 had a $4500 rebate and the 04 has a $2000 rebate. I also get the A-plan, and the dealer by my house has an 03 XLT that will give me an extra 1,000 for the 03 X. what would be the pros and cons?

 

The "pros" are obvious: it's cheaper. The "cons" are a little tougher. If you trade vehicles often (every 4 years or less), then the extra depreciation hit you take at trade-in time may be more than the money you saved up-front. Also, I'd want to know how long that '03 has been sitting around (build date is on the invoice). Vehicles that have sat on a dealer's lot for more than 9-12 months develop all sorts of problems, enough that I'd rather spend the extra money for the '04. Since the '03 Explorer is virtually identical to the '04, you're not giving up new and improved features by buying the '03.

BTW, if you give me your ZIP code, I can look up ALL the rebates that apply to both of these vehicles. The rebate on the '04 is $3000 here in New York, and extra A-Plan rebates almost always apply to ALL model years, not just last-year's. It sounds to me like that dealer is making the '03 more financially attractive than it really is so he can move it off the lot. Just post your ZIP or e-mail it to me, and I can get you the TRUE story. Also, what models are they? XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, or Limited?

 

my zip code out here is 98125. the one i am lookin at is the XLT model. I hate the plastic look of the XLS. I dont know how long it has been on the lot, but my guess is about 8 months or so. I wish it was easier with the whole rebates and incentives, that the dealers try to wheel and deal and what not. This is why if i was anywhere near NY i would come to you. Also since i am only 19 they all totally dont wnat to give me the time of day when i go to look at a 30,000 dollar vehicle, and thats when i move on to a new dealer. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Could you look up what's available for the '04 F250XLT SD Crew 5.4L in 78409 or 77013? I'll drive a bit if the deal is good enough.
Thanks in advance

 

jjf100-

Just what I thought. The rebate on the '04s in your area is $3000, not $2000. The rebate on the '03 is $4500, but there's nothing beyond that, unless your A-Plan family member is retired and you're putting the vehicle in his/ her name. The extra $1000 is for retiress only. If there's no retiree in your family and they're still giving you the extra $1000, then they may be doing that out of their own pocket, just to get rid of the '03. Just make sure you're still getting the A-Plan price along with it.

 

When you say you'll drive a bit, do you mean to get a better rebate? That can't happen- the rebate you get is based on where you live, not where you purchase the vehicle. The two ZIP codes you gave me are both $2500 rebates for that truck, but whether you buy it in Texas, Idaho, Florida, or New York, the rebate is exactly the same. It's the deal you make with the dealer on the actual selling price that is variable.

 

It must be the dealer incentives then that are different. Thanks for checking.