I plan on buying a new F250 PSD and maybe trading my current '02 F150 KR. I've purchased 4 new vehicles in my life, and have always walked away feeling I was taken advantage of. I plan on driving this truck a LONG time, and I don't want to compromise. So here's my questions to you guys; How would you go about it? Order a new one, buy off the lot. Where would you start? At the local dealer and trade, or sell my truck and look online? When is the best time to buy? Should I look for future incentives? I know there is no one answer to all these questions, but I'd appreciate to hear how you guys go about it.
I'm not in a big hurry, and I don't mind driving out of state to pick it up. I'm determined to walk away feeling good about it this time. Thanks in advance!

 

1) You can no longer order an '05; '06s start production next week. No rebates on '06s (yet), so it's out-of-stock time if you want the rebate and an '05. You'll find slim pickins in '05 PSDs right now, and you said you don't want to compromise.

2)The '06 is virtually identical to the '05, so I think you know where I'm heading: if you can't find what you want in an '05, just order an '06. You'll get EXACTLY what you want, which to me would be much more important over the long haul than the price difference due to a rebate.

3) The next advantage to ordering is that you get to trade AND sell your truck outright. Huh? Let me explain: have the dealer give you a number on your trade when you place the order. While the new truck is on order, advertise your truck on your own. If you sell it for more than what the dealer would give you, you're money ahead. If you CAN'T sell it for more, then the dealer must have given you a pretty good deal to begin with. Just make sure you have a clear understanding with the dealer (ie, everything is in WRITING) about the trade value (guaranteed except for possible future damage, that's only fair) and that you have the right to sell the truck yourself before you take delivery of the new one.

Okay, end of free advice, time for shameless plug: You can order the '06 from me for $500 below invoice, and you'll get the rebate if Ford decides to add one by the time your truck arrives. The trade gets a little tricky, but we can talk about that later. I do have a few '05 PSDs in stock, so maybe you'll luck out and I'll have something that works for you. Let me know what you want and we can go from there, either here or via private message or e-mail.

 

1956MarkII 1) You can no longer order an '05; '06s start production next week. No rebates on '06s (yet), so it's out-of-stock time if you want the rebate and an '05. You'll find slim pickins in '05 PSDs right now, and you said you don't want to compromise.

2)The '06 is virtually identical to the '05, so I think you know where I'm heading: if you can't find what you want in an '05, just order an '06. You'll get EXACTLY what you want, which to me would be much more important over the long haul than the price difference due to a rebate.

3) The next advantage to ordering is that you get to trade AND sell your truck outright. Huh? Let me explain: have the dealer give you a number on your trade when you place the order. While the new truck is on order, advertise your truck on your own. If you sell it for more than what the dealer would give you, you're money ahead. If you CAN'T sell it for more, then the dealer must have given you a pretty good deal to begin with. Just make sure you have a clear understanding with the dealer (ie, everything is in WRITING) about the trade value (guaranteed except for possible future damage, that's only fair) and that you have the right to sell the truck yourself before you take delivery of the new one.

I can't add too much to that, other than to mention that although the '05's are slim, there are a few out there. Just depends on what you want vs. available inventory. Everything Jeff said is correct, but I'm wondering out loud about what future book changes will do to the trade-in value, since it's so late-model (they happen quarterly), and the fact that there's rebate money to be taken advantage of now as opposed to later.

Finally, one shameless plug deserves another . There a West-Coast FTE thing going too. Sooo...ask away.

 

Thanks guys, I pm'd both of you.

 

You cain't go wrong buying from Jeff. You will not come away feeling you were taken advantage of. Quite the contrary, you will feel you got a fair and honest deal. That was certainly my experience and that of many others who have bought from Jeff.

 

Polarbear,
Could you explain what you meant about the trade-in value?

 

Polarbear,
Could you explain what you meant about the trade-in value?

Sure- the Blue Book changes every two months. On a very late model vehicle, it takes hits through every book change. When a model year changes, there's typically a pretty big hit.

Sooo...hypothetically, you could wait until August to pick up a '06, but go through three book changes and a model year change in the process. On a very late-model trade, this could amount to many thousands of dollars. If you're trading a truck (or car) that's 4 or more years older, it's really not as big a consideration.

On the same note, Jeff and I have both mentioned why you never want to lease towards the end of a model year. Same reason applies, except the lease company has a years depreciation already factored into the lease. Right now, I'd bet lunch that a '05 lease payment will be higher than the same '06 in a month- even if the '06 is more money.

 

Got you, thanks Polarbear.
Phil