Buying a new Truck

[TheGoose]

OK, the Chevy is still going strong at 9 years old but no matter what I do it will never be a Crew Cab and I really need the room (kids aren't getting any smaller).

Current truck is an extended cab, moving up to a full crew cab. The only brands I will consider have to have a full 6.5' bed and 4x4. No 5' beds. I am only considering half-ton trucks, I really want to stay away from the HD's.

What I am looking for is good solid adivce on how to make a deal. I probably plan on selling my current truck outright rather than trade it in, but that can change if I get the right deal.

Please don't mention anything about "ask to see the invoice", only a fool would follow that route. I have bought several new vehicles, but none in the last few years.

Ford F-150 Eco-Boost is at the top of my list, but I'm open to Dodge, Toyota, or anybody. GM doesn't make the cut because they don't/won't make a 1/2 Truck crew cab with a 6.5' bed or else they would be close to the top. I'm not really crazy about their styling anyways.

No hurry to buy, 3-6 month timeline. Probably finance anywhere from $20-30K with a good sized down payment. I plan to shop several dealers and see who has the best deal/incentives like I always do. If I can't make a deal I like I might just wait a while longer.

For god sakes, please no more brand bashing. We've had enough of that. If anybody has any recent prices please feel free to post up total drive out cost.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Im not loyal to any brand but just bought a new dodge cple months back,I got a one ton but looked at the 1/2 tons on the lot.I just dont think you can beat the warrenty they have on them,interiors really nice. I also have a 2011 crew cab 1/2ton 4x4 ford with the 5.0 and it doesnt get all that great fuel mileage,it does have alot of room in back seat,I find that I keep the tow/haul button on so it will go without having to put my foot in it. I dont think you could go wrong with either but I would/DID go with the dodge.

 

[CAgnoli]

I've always made my vehicle purchases on the last day of the month, they typically need more units sold to get commission, so they deal easier.

Bought a Ram 1500 for 10k under sticker that way. Go in, tell them if they need one more unit to make their number, and will match your offer, to call you, it's that simple. No always wins the negotiation.

They need to sell you the truck remember that. I'd offer somewhere near $4500 off the sticker. My F250 SD I bought on Fords Xplan through my job, and the xplan pricing is no hassle, and It knocked 3800.00 off the sticker.

Check at your place of employment or credit union to see if you can buy via xplan. You'll be surprised how many organizations are included in that.

 

[Pixguy]

I get the invoice price through ConsumersReport and after going to the large Ford dealer in my area, thinking they could deal, cuz they had the F150 EcoBoost on their lot, I walked out.
I then went into the small, little inventory dealer closer to home. I walked in, told the sales guy I know what they paid, and said he'd give it to me 500 over invoice and order it, which was thousands off sticker. The owner keeps the hold back and I got a great deal. Win, win all around.

Enjoy.

P.S., love my F150 EB !

 

[timswi]

Does anyone make a crew cab short bed that isn't in the 5ft range...I haven't seen any...Maybe I'm wrong.

As far as price...Invoice is a joke...There are only 3 or 4 people in a dealer that actually know what they paid for the truck...I put a number in my head that I'm willing to pay and go from there (I don't chase payments either)...So far it's worked for me.

I don't negotiate either...I just tell them I'm not sitting there all day while we go back and forth..Give me the bottom number via e-mail, and if it's acceptable I'll continue with the rest..If they won't..I walk.

 

[two_bit_score]

Goose, locate a dealer with a good fleet department and talk to the fleet manager. Skip the showroom vultures.

 

[TheGoose]

I really doubt that the "invoice" price is a real number.

Please don't mention anything about "ask to see the invoice", only a fool would follow that route. I have bought several new vehicles, but none in the last few years.

 

[TheGoose]

Ford makes a crew cab with a regular bed-6.5 ft. GM does not. I'm not positive about Dodge/Ram. Toyota makes a "crew cab" with a regular bed, but then also makes a "mega cab" type with the shorter bed.

I HAVE to have the full sized bed.

Does anyone make a crew cab short bed that isn't in the 5ft range...I haven't seen any...Maybe I'm wrong.

As far as price...Invoice is a joke...There are only 3 or 4 people in a dealer that actually know what they paid for the truck...I put a number in my head that I'm willing to pay and go from there (I don't chase payments either)...So far it's worked for me.

I don't negotiate either...I just tell them I'm not sitting there all day while we go back and forth..Give me the bottom number via e-mail, and if it's acceptable I'll continue with the rest..If they won't..I walk.

 

[PapaPerk]

If forced to buy a 1/2 ton, I'd buy Toyota Tundra. But 3500 is what I would buy. (0:

 

[TheGoose]

I would have considered $4500 off sticker a failure on my last truck purchase, but I know things have changed. Rule of thumb used to be $6-8K off sticker for GM/Ford years ago.

I can also get the X plan price, but from what I've seen it's mostly a gimmick and was able to swing a better deal on my last truck by negotiating.

The hardest part about buying a truck is all the mis-information from people who just bought one and they are either lying about what they pay for it or they honestly don't really know after the trade-in's and finance shenanigans. Guy I work with claim he just bought a new Ford 4x4 (XLT) Crew 5.0L for 29,000+TTL. 3-4 other guys I work with just bought same truck and paid about $34K-36K depending on options. None were fancy, most just regular trucks.

I've always made my vehicle purchases on the last day of the month, they typically need more units sold to get commission, so they deal easier.

Bought a Ram 1500 for 10k under sticker that way. Go in, tell them if they need one more unit to make their number, and will match your offer, to call you, it's that simple. No always wins the negotiation.

They need to sell you the truck remember that. I'd offer somewhere near $4500 off the sticker. My F250 SD I bought on Fords Xplan through my job, and the xplan pricing is no hassle, and It knocked 3800.00 off the sticker.

Check at your place of employment or credit union to see if you can buy via xplan. You'll be surprised how many organizations are included in that.

 

[TheGoose]

I'm not asking the brand. I'm asking for pricing and buying tips.

The Tundra is on my list but I've heard they are $5K more than a comprable Ford/GM/Dodge. I have yet to verify. I'm not crazy about their styling either.

If forced to buy a 1/2 ton, I'd buy Toyota Tundra. But 3500 is what I would buy. (0:

 

[crazyal]

Have you gone down and sat in them yet? When I was last looking for a truck, 12 years ago, I took everyone I was interested in for a drive. At the time I liked the Ford the most but for whatever reason it kept shifting in and out of overdrive while driving on almost flat roads at 50. I just didn't like the GM and a friend was having issues with his Ram so I didn't even look at them so I ended up with the Tundra (it had the least amount of things I didn't like).

 

[US American]

Go test drive some different models and then determine which one(s) you wouldn't mind owning. Then determine what are YOUR acceptable terms (do research on going rates and shop around). The last day of the month is a good day to sneak a slightly better deal, as mentioned.

Its all about the dealer you are working with. Nobody should ever ask you to fill out paperwork before a number is agreed upon. Monthly payment targets are garbage pitches. Stick to bottom line figures and agree on your acceptable number. The patient buyer has the most leverage. Being friendly but firm with the salesman always helps. You are probably just a mark to him but you can manipulate most people at least a little bit by being personable and cooperative.

Consider volume dealers too. Dave Smith in Kellogg, ID comes to mind. They move massive volumes and don't negotiate much, if at all. But their sales prices are rock bottom. Dealers in my area get angry when Dave Smith comes up because they have "stolen" so many sales over the years. From 8 hrs away!

Good luck!

 

[powerstroke444e]

I agree that you should go test drive them as I have never liked how the chevy's set? Its just me, that how I got started on dodge's drove a couple differant trucks and really liked the dodges prior to that all Fords.

Not till the newest group of superduties have liked the Fords. If I was buying I would look at the eco boost or dodge. I have been on a 2 day trip in several new f15o crewcabs and they had a ton of room.

At dealer's ask someone who they have had good luck with ie your insurance guy may have a good realtionship with.
I have 2 good ford dealers in town with only one saleman at each that I would deal with. The dodge dealer I will only deal with the general manager.

 

[TheGoose]

Again, I'm not looking for BRAND advice.

I'm looking for BUYING advice.

I'm gonna look at all of them, as I stated. Right now the Ford EB is at the top, but I have yet to drive one. When I bought my tractor Kubota wasn't even on the radar but that's what I ended up with and I'm very happy.

Thanks for the post.

Have you gone down and sat in them yet? When I was last looking for a truck, 12 years ago, I took everyone I was interested in for a drive. At the time I liked the Ford the most but for whatever reason it kept shifting in and out of overdrive while driving on almost flat roads at 50. I just didn't like the GM and a friend was having issues with his Ram so I didn't even look at them so I ended up with the Tundra (it had the least amount of things I didn't like).

 

[timswi]

I would have considered $4500 off sticker a failure on my last truck purchase, but I know things have changed. Rule of thumb used to be $6-8K off sticker for GM/Ford years ago.

I can also get the X plan price, but from what I've seen it's mostly a gimmick and was able to swing a better deal on my last truck by negotiating.

The hardest part about buying a truck is all the mis-information from people who just bought one and they are either lying about what they pay for it or they honestly don't really know after the trade-in's and finance shenanigans. Guy I work with claim he just bought a new Ford 4x4 (XLT) Crew 5.0L for 29,000+TTL. 3-4 other guys I work with just bought same truck and paid about $34K-36K depending on options. None were fancy, most just regular trucks.

My 11 GMC stickerd at 43K..Out of the gate it dropped to 36K...Then they gave me 12K for an '04 GMC with 100K on it...In the end, I landed exactly where I wanted..No BS.

 

[TheGoose]

Thanks for the post.

So your GMC was $7K off sticker? That's the kind of numbers I'm used to.

Do you think I could get $11K for my '03 Z71 with 89,000 on the clock and minor hail damage?

My 11 GMC stickerd at 43K..Out of the gate it dropped to 36K...Then they gave me 12K for an '04 GMC with 100K on it...In the end, I landed exactly where I wanted..No BS.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Sticker said 57 so I said I'll will give you 47,take it or leave it,I bought it and drove it home total price with tt&l 49,600. I walked out of 4 dealers before this one,never gave my phone number to any just said whats your bottum dollar price,they got one shot...... Oh yeah deal at the end of month,there are really wonting to move something.....

 

[Pixguy]

As far as price...Invoice is a joke...There are only 3 or 4 people in a dealer that actually know what they paid for the truck...I put a number in my head that I'm willing to pay and go from there (I don't chase payments either)...So far it's worked for me.

Invoice is not a jke if you get that person. The sales guy in the small dealer I bought from also sat and ordered the truck with every option I wanted and the prices I got from CR matched perfectly.

I don't negotiate either...I just tell them I'm not sitting there all day while we go back and forth..Give me the bottom number via e-mail, and if it's acceptable I'll continue with the rest..If they won't..I walk.

I've done that with two dealers and worked them against each other with the wife's Honda, some dealers have a person that that's all they do. The Honda dealer I dealt with had a guy who sold more online than the walk ins.

Let's face it, everyone has the "best" way, very few admit they screwed up.

JMO

 

[WilliamBos]

Whatever brand you buy get the FACTORY brake controller!