Buy a model sitting on the lot for over a year??

[mrennie]

Looking at new tractors ... What is this "budget" you speak of. :confused2:

LOL...the maximum amount of $$$ pre-approved by my wife who didn't want me to buy a tractor in the first place = "THE BUDGET"

 

[joes_427_vette]

Among small dealerships they frequently trade inventory to keep from stocking many models. It was the same price to get a year old sun baked, weathered TC 55 as ordering a new one. I was told it may take up to 3 months to get one off the line but I wanted the 270 loader also. I waited and I believe it was the best choice. My new tractors never sit outside in the elements. They still look new years down the road.

 

[radman1]

A dealer had a JD 4720 on his lot. The 3 pt was very noticablely faded and had to be sitting 1-2 years. Of course he wasn't going to volunteer that information. I even mentioned the fading. The price of that tractor was only a few hundred less than if I ordered one. Drawbar paint was scraped off from use and had about 25 hours. That tractor probably already sat outside more in its 25 hours than I would let a new one sit out in its life time.
An older "new" tractor would need to have a great price for me to consider buying.

 

[buck12]

Yes, it is true. Not like the autos and their years (which change about mid-year when new models come out). Quite a different industry than the tractors industry.

Autos now seem to be changing years even sooner. A buddy bought a 2011 car in April.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have ordered my tractors and trucks primarily to get the exact specs and add ons I want. That said I wouldn't have a problem with buying off the lot if it is equipped the way I want. But would consider the fact that the dealer has had a year or better to sell the tractor with no success, he needs to lowball the price for you to get his money out of it. I would think about 25% off of list sounds about right, otherwise I would order in a new tractor spec'd out the way you want.

 

[CurlyDave]

How long is heavy construction equipment expected to last?

I see that stuff sitting out, rain or shine, all the time and I have never heard any complaints about failures due to exposure.

Of course, they probably only get maybe 10 years out of a machine, vs. a CUT which is just starting its life at 10.

If the price is right I don't care about faded paint -- I know the metal under it is not deteriorating.

 

[sweettractors]

If a tractor sets on a dealers lot for a year, what does that say about the demand for said model in that area? Low resell value may very well be a factor in a few years. Ken Sweet

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm not totally sure what this shows, but I think it's a sign of desperation in our economy and life style. FYI - 2012s will be out in November.

Desperation seems to be an accurate assessment. I looked at an F450 chassis cab truck this morning with the new diesel (2011) with the XL package (cheap) with an MSRP of over $52,000. That is gonna be a hard sell.:laughing:

 

[buck12]

I'm not totally sure what this shows, but I think it's a sign of desperation in our economy and life style. FYI - 2012s will be out in November.

Guess I am really behind the times because I bought a new truck in August and it was a 2009. By today's standards it was old before I wrote the check. However resale and model year mean little to me. The truck it replaced is 17 years old (I kept it).

 

[beppington]

Maybe there actually are model years; This site lists tractors' model year: tractorhouse.com

 

[Nitro-Fish]

I would check to see what people on here have paid for the tractor you are looking at, in the model year you are looking at i.e. if it's a 2008 of whatever model, what did the tractor sell for in that year, compare the price paid in the model year to what the dealer is asking for it now, then compare that price to the price of the same tractor in a 2010 model. I would think you should be able to tell if you are getting a decent deal after comparing the difference in model year price, just remember if it is two years old there have been at least 2 price increases since it was placed on the lot; most dealers will want to make a customer a decent deal just to get the older equipment off of the lot which will give you more buying leverage. The local dealers in my area will give the same finance rates on the "new older year" machines as they do on the current model year. Hope this helps.

 

[jinman]

I would check to see what people on here have paid for the tractor you are looking at, in the model year you are looking at i.e. if it's a 2008 of whatever model, what did the tractor sell for in that year, compare the price paid in the model year to what the dealer is asking for it now, then compare that price to the price of the same tractor in a 2010 model. I would think you should be able to tell if you are getting a decent deal after comparing the difference in model year price, just remember if it is two years old there have been at least 2 price increases since it was placed on the lot; most dealers will want to make a customer a decent deal just to get the older equipment off of the lot which will give you more buying leverage. The local dealers in my area will give the same finance rates on the "new older year" machines as they do on the current model year. Hope this helps.

I'm not trying to be contrary because you make a very valid point. However, if you look at the current prices on tractors on a dealer's lot and then look at the price of the 2-year old tractor, you can certainly make a valid extrapolation of the selling price of the older tractor. If both tractors are unused and the older one is $2000 cheaper when configured the same, you can be sure that the older tractor is a significant savings over new. It works your way and my way, you just have to work with whatever info is available.

 

[sweettractors]

If it setting on the dealers lot for 2 years, I would almost bet that he would cut it loose at cost or maybe less. Every day it sets there, it is costing him interest one way or the other. Ken Sweet

 

[doall]

My dealer knocked $1500 off for a 3040 that had been on his lot since march of this year. He had 4 other ones he had for 3 weeks. He must really not like for tractors to sit around.

 

[lawn_king]

I have purchased 3 new kubotas in the last 10 years. The bill of sale declared the model year of each tractor in bold black print.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have purchased 3 new kubotas in the last 10 years. The bill of sale declared the model year of each tractor in bold black print.

May I ask why? Up graded, like the new tractor smell, wore them out, just needed more tractors? :confused3:

 

[Nitro-Fish]

I'm not trying to be contrary because you make a very valid point. However, if you look at the current prices on tractors on a dealer's lot and then look at the price of the 2-year old tractor, you can certainly make a valid extrapolation of the selling price of the older tractor. If both tractors are unused and the older one is $2000 cheaper when configured the same, you can be sure that the older tractor is a significant savings over new. It works your way and my way, you just have to work with whatever info is available.

Definately, both ways work! I have seen several ads (as well as been to many equipment auctions) and notice the resale values of tractors that are just a few years old with low hours on them. If you compare the prices that are being fetched for these used machines, I would not hesitate one minute to purchase a New Old Stock machine that would still carry the manufacturers warranty and allow you to be able to capitalize on the great finance plans available today. Again, if you go this route, don't just settle for what they were selling for in the model year you are looking at; make sure you negotiate the best deal for you and are comfortable with it. Remember the dealer may have been able to sell the given tractor for a given price in it's current year, but he still did not pay suggested retail for the machine (or even 15-18% below suggested retail as some use for a purchase price guideline here), therefore he should just be looking to get his money back as well as move the machine. The deal you negotiate should be more in line with what the dealers invioce is for the said machine, not retail value at the time. I was just referencing retail for the model year at the time for a starting reference, then you will have some kind of idea where you need to be so you are not being taken advantage of by the dealer, it's at this point that you can work backwards from until you are comfortable with the deal, remember, he wants it gone just as much if not more than you want it!