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.