Buying used is buying other people's problems imo. Now, I do like to wait until the buzz has worn off the new models, reliability has been proven and rebates been made available...

-Rob

 

Im currently waiting on mine. Not a single one on the lot yet. But they quoted me at $650 over invoice. (actual researched invoice) not there "invoice".

On the 61k model with the extra 1500 there running right now u should be able to get it for around 54,500 at most dealerships.

 

I will never pay sixty thousand dollars for a pickup truck I don't care how nice it is. The claim of so much over the invoice is a joke, the dealer does not pay that much for a vehicle they would never be able to stay in business if they sell at or below what they claim thier invoice cost is. And there are some people who are stupid enough to pay that price, my brother in law is one of them. He paid thirty thousand dollars for a small dodge pickup regular cab and financed it at 14 percent interest.

 

That's your opinion which you're entitled to, but i disagree.

However waiting until the vehicle has been proven is a good idea.

 

Statistically, a 2 year old vehicle is the best value for the following reasons:

1. The vehicle has taken up to a 50% hit on depreciation.

2. The vehicle is still in the factory warranty period.

3. The vehicle can be easily financed.

 

People do it every day without any problems. I just think you don't have any appetite for risk.

I've bought new and used. For a private owner, the most financially sound path is to buy used. That's a well known fact. Cars are an expense so you're going lose money no matter what. The only question is, how much money do you want to lose? Most number crunchers would agree to buy a used vehicle between 3-5 years old. This lets you drive a very nice vehicle with little risk of needing repairs, and, compared to new, lose many thousands less from depreciation after you sell.

Bottom line is that people who buy a new vehicle do it just out of personal preference. Maybe it's the lure of the new car smell. Maybe it's just knowing that you're the only person that ever touched the vehicle (any car nut would like that). Maybe it's the security of a warranty. Maybe it's the false sense of security that the vehicle won't break down and leave you on the side of the road. That's okay because there is no right or wrong answer here. It just comes down to what you want for yourself and how you want to use your money.

Personally, I like to keep my money and not hand it to somebody else. The approach I take is I figure what monthly payment I'm willing to make, and then cut that in half to figure how much vehicle I can buy. Then after I buy, I make double payments anyway and own the vehicle outright within 2 years. If I want a better vehicle then I have to put more cash toward the down payment. I've bought both new and used with this method, most recently my wife's 2007 Subaru that we bought new (I couldn't say no to the blue eyes). I have 4 cars in my driveway and all of them are paid off. I spent $400 last year on repairs between all those cars. If I had bought all those vehicles new, then I'd be in the poor house by now.

 

You guys should live in Canada (Alberta) since 2004 we have bought 3 new f350 king ranch c/c trucks,

2004 $ 63,000
2006 $ 58,000
2008 $ 64,000 cad dollar in 2004 the canadain dollar was worth about 25 - 30 % less then the us dollar. the 2006 we got rid of due to injector problems replaced all injectors twice under waranty and with less then 5000 km left on the warrenty we decided to buy a new 2008. The 2008 is so terrible on fuel empty we get may down wind 850 km ( 529 miles ) out of a tank of fuel and pulling 34 ft g/n horse trailer we may get 400 km ( 249 miles)out of a tank of fuel. So im hoping the new 2011 wil get better fuel mileage I have a 2011 king ranch c/c white on order. And have not herd the price yet.

Two years ago some guys are buying lifted f350 c/c p/s from a dealer and paying up $ 75,000, now that is stupid.

SDF

 

All sound advice but my approach is to make enough money that I don't have to worry about $20K or $30K difference. Instead of pinching pennies, put your money to work and make ten times the amount you're scrimping to save. There's not a soul on this board who, if they are being honest, wouldn't prefer to have a shiny new one in their garage. Invest your time and money into money making enterprises and the returns make all these conversations academic. Having said that, no one should throw money away. I tend to drive my vehicles for a long time until either reliability comes into question or just plain old boredom gets the best of me.

 

There is only one dealer invoice. If they show you the invoice, that's it. They pay that amount less hold backs and the like.

 

People buy new because they like the smell, or want that false sense of security or because no one has touched the vehicle? That is a shtas stupid ignorant comment. Lets stereotype people who buy new trucks into a catagory and call them car nuts who do not understand reliability and warranty issues and are lured by a new car smell. For your information I buy new trucks for completly diffierent reasons. The first thing I learned about buying trucks {and I have bought several new and used} is that if you buy a used truck a year or two old from the dealer they mark it up so it is close to the price of a new truck usually a difference of 10 to 20% the price for the same vehicle new. I have actually saw trucks one or two years old that were worked hard and had over twenty thousand miles on them on the lot for the price of a new truck at another dealer. If you but a used truck from a private owner you have to find the financining and that can be a hassle if you are busy, and you have to look around for a good deal and deal with people and their b.s. and both of those options get old quick. Paying for the vehicle all up front is not feasible if you use it for a business, you need the depreciation and notes for writeoffs. So for a time saving and aggravation standpoint it is easier to buy a new vehicle and get the finacing in house, you have more than one choice there at the dealer. And yes, you get a cleaner vehicle with a new warranty and you don't have to wonder about what the vehicle has been through, but rest assured after owning trucks of all makes and types I am fully aware that a new truck can be less reliable than a used one but that is rare. When I get up and go out to my truck in the morning I know that it will perform well and look good as it is a reflection on me when I drive up to someones door. I could probably give you more good reasons for buying new but I think I made my point. From my point of view, and I am not saying this applies to all, the reason most people buy a used vehicle is because it is cheaper, or they think they are getting a better deal which is not always true with the less experienced buyer, or they simply cannot afford a new vehicle especially a 40 to 50 thousand dollar truck. Which catagory do you fall in?

 

My current 2009 was my first vehicle to buy new. I bought new because I was picky and wanted a crewcab short bed with the ZF6 manual transmission. I looked for months tring to find a truck like that. I just wasn't happening. And I was more financially able to handle the price of a new (and much more capable) truck. In a couple of years, I'll be able to see how much this thing costs me both in repairs and in down time.


I bought a loaded out 1999 Ranger used in August of 2001. It was one of those "like new"" trucks: under 25,000 miles, factory remining warranty, and in great condition it seemed. I was able to get into a nicer vehicle by purchasing used. That truck ended up being the worst vehicle I've ever had! Corroded aluminum rims, thrashed rear brake shoes and parking brake cable within the first 10,000 miles, and frozen front caliper slide pins shortly after that. Then came the $1400 automatic transmission that died at less than 75,000 miles. Ball joints, allignments, and tie rod ends went out all by 80,000 miles. That 1999 Ranger cost me quite a bit in repairs for such a "new" vehicle. And the down time was frustrating.


On the other hand, I bought a 1989 Ford pickup in 1998 that had 75,000 miles on it and drove that truck 50,000 miles with only a brake job and oil changes.



But back on topic, those new 2011 Super Dutys look awesome. The higher trimmed models with the diesel engine are def out of my price range!

 

Whoa, tiger! My comments above weren't intended to insult you. All I was trying to do is give a few examples of why people might prefer to buy a new vehicle instead of saving money buying a perfectly good used vehicle. You also gave a few more good examples. And you know I didn't just make this stuff up either. Everybody here knows of people that buy only new vehicles just because they are afraid of having to repair something out of warranty. And I've seen it said a thousand times on this forum how some people just don't want something that was driven by somebody else. You've got to remember that average Joe doesn't think as deep as you do. There are a lot of people who's reasons don't go beyond what I said. Fortunately, we have a lot of above average people at this site.

I guess I fall into the, "it is cheaper category." All my purchase decisions are married with goals for savings.

I know what you mean about high priced used trucks. But for every high priced one there is a reasonably priced one. You just need to be willing to spend time looking, or look at older models.