When looking at used 2017-2019 F-150's on Autotrader, what % off the asking price would you consider average or reasonable?

Is $4,000 off of $40,000 (10%) in the ball park or would that be a bridge too far for most dealers and private sellers?

Thanks,

 

With used vehicles you don't know the back story and how much the dealer has into it. Some of these dealers get into them at wholesale price which means they can't move them for less. Others wait and make sure they sell them high through 3rd party low credit lenders for under qualified buyers. I have seen it done many ways, back when I was selling we would make sure to get buyers into over qualified vehicles and then do some magic and use a percentage of the sale to show as their down payment. Then take points of their interest for the life of the loan. This practice is still alive and well and makes dealers money. That's why often you can get better prices on new trucks with rebates or a pco.

 

I should have specified, I'd be a cash buyer for the F-150. I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense (probably not) to hold off on buying a new 2019 F-350 until the 2020's have had 6 months to work any bugs out. I don't "need" the F-350 right away and could easily get by with a F-150 until the summer of 2020 and then order a 2020 truck at that point.

My quandary is $35,000 for a used Lariat not spec'd exactly the way I'd like it or $75,000 for a new, well sorted and likely problem free 2019 KR ultimate. Every angle I approach this from keeps pointing me back toward the newer and heavier duty truck. If I got the F-350, I'd likely keep it for many years and forgo the 2020 platform. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks,

 

The F-350 for 2020 is just a refresh, not entirely new. The 2017 F-350 was a complete redesign and it won't happen for another few years. By 2019, Ford should have gotten the bugs out.

 

One tactic you can use is to go in stating that you will be financing it, and you're looking for a low monthly. They will sometimes knock a lot off the retail price, with the belief that they will be taking their profit through the carrying interest. Then when you go to do the deal, pull out your checkbook (or wad of cash).

 

I tried the wad of cash approach once, they flat out refused to accept my cash because they didn't want to be associated with drug dealers. I guess being near the Mexican border does that.

I had to go back to the bank, get a cashier's check, return to the dealership. I did not want them to run a credit check, that was the reason I brought in cash. Apparently, nowadays, you can also use your own regular check, they can verify the funds immediately so I'll keep that in mind the next time.

I'd probably buy new and enjoy the incentives. The resale value is way too strong for me to justify a used F-150. Lariat's don't get a lot of incentives compared to XLT's so I got a nicely loaded XLT and got $11k off.

 

Best tactic! Play their game against them!

 

Yup, a cash deal means writing a bank check.

 

 

Maybe. Or maybe they think you're not interested enough. I recall a time years ago when we had been negotiating a deal (and I don't even remember what car it was). We had gone back and forth a few times, even to the point of filling out a bit of paperwork. They at least had my phone number. I ended up walking out because I felt there was too much fat in the deal. They called me back within minutes of me getting home (this was pre-cell phone days). So they let me walk out, but they still wanted to do the deal.

 

I've had this happen many times. Sometimes we come to an agreement, sometimes not.

Years ago, I was looking at a new Bronco II. I made what I though t was a fair offer, more in my favor than theirs, but fair considering that it was a 5 speed.. They said no, I walked. 3 week later, Three Weeks!, they called and agreed to my terms. Unfortunately I had bought Jeep Wrangler. I know I would have been happier with the Bronco II in those days. I told them that I was going to but something within a week. Ahhh, if only they were quicker to come to terms.

 

My stepson sells to and services drive through car washes for Ecolab from DC to NC. 2 weeks ago he took me over to Virginia Beach to check on his new account and then we went to his Carmax account as they have a fully automated drive through on the premises.

This Carmax is one that all of their cars in the region end up going through for reconditioning.

The run two full time shifts and each car goes through every station for inspection / repair no matter what the repair is. In fact, there was a 2014 F-150 with a 5.0L sitting next to it on the floor.

Carmax is a "one price" dealer but, their factory like assembly line reconditioning process was impressive to me. Their extended service plans are very good as well, no doubt bettering Ford's CPO warranty.

If one is looking for a used vehicle, Carmax is worth a look.