How To Buy A New Chevrolet Truck?

[Oaktree]

I think they gave up on that pint sized Baja, gosh it looked like a bicycle would fill it up...but if all you wanted to haul was your bicycle and your tent, why not? Subaru has always done things its own way.

Never understood the whole point of the Baja (and the Brat before that). As you noted, the bed was pretty useless, even less so in the 4 door version. ISTR the Brat having non-removable seats in the bed.

I've always considered Suburu to be the Japanese equivalent of a Peugeot or other French car...odd for the sake of being odd. I guess there's a certain buying segment that this appeals to, though I'm not part of it.

The issue here on Subaru is the way they view their customers. You feel like they are on your side.
Do you get that feeling from your Chevy dealer? If you do, I think you are in the minority.
Most of the American dealerships have done a poor job of learning from Toyota/Lexus on how to take care of customers.

Never had any desire to own a Lexus, but my experience is that toyota dealerships are every bit as arrogant as a GM dealership was in the 70s. "We're toyota (GM) and we don't have to care". Obviously, not every dealer was or is like that, but enough were/are to give them a bad name. Corporate on both companies is just as bad...look how either one responds to quality problems...stonewalling and denial are the rule, not the exception.
I'm sure there are good, bad and all shades in between for all auto dealerships, including Suburu.

The unusual thing about Subaru is that they have the highest percentage of cash purchasers of any brand. So while pickups have inflated MSRPç—´ and routinely offer $5-10,000 discounts, and many luxury brands come with tons of options because the majority are leased, Subaru owners are paying cash on the barrelhead and demand value. While they used to be a snowbelt brand, sales have expanded beyond that.

I wasn't aware of that. Maybe Suburu buyers have bad credit? There does seem to be a certain personality type that goes for them...not sure how you'd describe them, pseudo-hippies maybe? Car as political statement?

It's like food at your local diner. If you serve good food at reasonable prices in a friendly manner, folks just keep coming back.

Until they don't anymore. Not many local diners left.

Now back to trucks...:confused3:

 

[sklunk]

Wow they still have a lever for the transfer case selection?

It depends on the trim level and package. Floor shifter is still available on the Work trim and some packages (like the Alaska one CADplans got). The mid- and upper-level trucks have a dial to the left of the steering wheel.

 

[daugen]

I wasn't aware of that. Maybe Suburu buyers have bad credit? There does seem to be a certain personality type that goes for them...not sure how you'd describe them, pseudo-hippies maybe? Car as political statement?

Oaktree, come live in the Northeast or Canada and find out what amazing vehicles they are in the snow. They may not work in your locale, but they are remarkably good cars for what
folks buy them for. Folks who don't want or need to drive big pickup trucks. I have both because I need both, but I don't want to drive my 14mpg truck around on shopping errands.
And might I suggest that the reason Subaru has so many vehicles bought by cash is because the owners did not need credit...think about it, they don't have fairy godmothers.
They are financially sufficient to be able to pay cash for cars, particularly 30k Subarus instead of 60k trucks.
It's also saying you're not showing off, which I guess is a political statement all in its own.
Trust me, I'm no psuedo hippie...and never had a desire to go to Woodstock, though I grew up in that era, 67 now.
Subarus have increased sales for something like five years running month by month.
Most are driven by Northern retirees around here. Like me. Who don't want to crash when the road ices over and the locals have
absolutely zero snow removal equipment. One is left to fend for oneself. That's very easy to do in an Outback.

ok, I agree, now back to trucks.
well, almost...
I bought my first new car in 1971, a Toyota Corolla coupe with a 1600 hemi engine and a 4 speed on the floor with a genuine/imitation wood gear shift knob.
I had a job and this was an economical car at the local import dealer. Marvelous experience, though I did not buy another Toyota until an Avalon a few years ago.
It was too much a highly competent appliance and just not enough fun to drive. But I never had service issues. Mainly because they never broke. I guess i was lucky.

 

[Garandman]

As far as back to trucks the OP already bought a nice 2500.

OakTree lives in Coos County, apparently, where you can not swing a cat without hitting a Subaru, but a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Did not think Coos was so political though I believe the county voted for Clinton and Obama last two elections.

Subaru AWD systems work a lot better than most others*, they are reliable, durable, and economical to own. Having driven my Outback back to back with our 2016 Tahoe in the last snowstorm (both equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliita R2) we are taking the Outback to Mont Tremblant. No comparison.

The average Subaru owner income is $88,000: about the same as Honda. The average millionaire paid $32,000 for his latest car, and that is Subaru level pricing.

The $4000 Car That All the Millionaires Love

But they are not just economy cars for the snowbelt: Subaru completely dominates Rallying in the US, from grass roots Rallycross to professional teams. SOA´ rally cars are made by Vermont Sportscar in Williston, and theyæ±*e not like trucks unless you have a Baja racer.....except rally cars must be street legal.

* Find an ice patch on a downslope. Park your AWD SUV so the front wheels are on the ice. Now try backing up the hill. Most small SUV “AWD” systems cannot transfer enough torque to the rear wheels to back up off the ice. Along with All Season tires it’s a massive fraud on consumers.

 

[TnAndy]

I decide on what I want, test drive a version or two at dealers, then I get on the phone and call 3-5 dealers around.

Ask to speak to the sales manager (they can cut out the salesman's commission). Tell him what you want, you're ready to take delivery this week assuming they have in stock, or put down a hefty deposit if they have to get one in. Tell him you're doing the same call to other dealers, you'll call back in an hour and whoever has the best price is where you're going. One call, lowest price.

Some of them will moan and groan 'we don't do business that way'....fine hang up (had one tell me "well wait a minute.." and then turned out to have the lowest price) and move on. Some places want to move vehicles, some want to play games.

You'd be amazed at the price differences. I bought one of Honda's that way.....guy at dealer here in town asked "how did I do ?" Told him he was 1500 over the best price I had so far, but thanks for the quote. "YOU CAN'T BUY THAT CAR FOR THAT PRICE !"......Well, you could be right (he wasn't) sir.....I haven't bought it yet....but if I do, do you want to wave on the way back into town since it's past your place ?


My last truck, 2003 Chevy 2500HD, still driving, I bought from a dealer about 30 miles away....picked up the truck, never seen them again.


And our 2012 Subaru Outback.....paid cash for it too.

 

[CADplans]

I致e heard it doesn稚 do anything and it痴 still an electric shift transfer case. True or not?

It depends on the trim level and package. Floor shifter is still available on the Work trim and some packages (like the Alaska one CADplans got). The mid- and upper-level trucks have a dial to the left of the steering wheel.

I own a floor shifted 1995 Silverado, a 1999 push button shifted Silverado,, and now the 2018 floor shifted Silverado.
The two floor shifted transfer cases are definitely mechanical,,, no solenoid, or electric motor.

All three have to wait for the front axle to engage,,, vacuum, I presume?

The 2018 is my second truck with hydraulic assist power brakes (rather than vacuum boosted).
WOW,,, :thumbsup: the hydraulic assist is incredibly better than vacuum.

The mirrors on the 2018 are so much better than previous mirrors,,,
I am considering retrofitting my 1999 with the mirrors.

The spit mirror is almost like having two backup screens.
I can almost see behind the truck with those mirrors.
There is no blind spot for a car to travel in when they are traveling in the passing lane.
I would have bet that such mirrors would not have been possible.
Literally,, 100% of the blind spot is GONE!! :cool2:

 

[MossRoad]

No more stick-on convex mirrors from the auto parts stores? :laughing:

 

[George2615]

I own a floor shifted 1995 Silverado, a 1999 push button shifted Silverado,, and now the 2018 floor shifted Silverado.
The two floor shifted transfer cases are definitely mechanical,,, no solenoid, or electric motor.

All three have to wait for the front axle to engage,,, vacuum, I presume?

The 2018 is my second truck with hydraulic assist power brakes (rather than vacuum boosted).
WOW,,, :thumbsup: the hydraulic assist is incredibly better than vacuum.

The mirrors on the 2018 are so much better than previous mirrors,,,
I am considering retrofitting my 1999 with the mirrors.

The spit mirror is almost like having two backup screens.
I can almost see behind the truck with those mirrors.
There is no blind spot for a car to travel in when they are traveling in the passing lane.
I would have bet that such mirrors would not have been possible.
Literally,, 100% of the blind spot is GONE!! :cool2:

I have the same tow mirrors. Its nice that they also slide out further for wider trailers such as campers.

 

[CADplans]

Chevrolet (or the dealer? :confused2: ) made a BIG mistake today,,
they sent me a customer survey,,,

After reading the questions,, I realized all of the prep work the dealer DID NOT do,,,

They did not link my phone,,, heck, they did not even set the clock time,,,

Then,, the list went on from there,,,
I would not have thought about the discrepancies,, if they had not asked SPECIFICALLY about each item.

On and on,, there were about 5 pages of what they did not do.
I think the dealer did so bad,, they will write me off as a disgruntled customer,,
that is not at all true,, Chevy just possibly expects too much out of the dealer.

Heck, they were supposed to set up my first service visit,,, didn't happen,,,:thumbdown:

 

[JFoy]

CADplans: "Chevrolet (or the dealer? ) made a BIG mistake today,,"

What all that is called is "Delivery" and they obviously did not do it. As for the survey, oh yeah, they'll see it. It's possible you will get a call from GM about it. From GM's standpoint, Delivery is a big deal as it is a long term relationship building step.

While disappointing that they dropped the ball, fortunately I suspect you're sharp enough to figure it all out for yourself. I should mention that you are entitled to some OnStar trial period services. You may not care for the "Customer agent at the push of a button" part but the three year vehicle issue emails, phone app utils, etc. may be of interest to you.

JFoy