GM trucks have slipped

[Copperhead]

I agree, they have priced me out of the market.. I buy one year old vehicles with 20K or less miles on them, if there is anything to fix the dealer fixes it at no cost to me, I save a crazy amount of money from buying new.. I do it about every four years because I have to have something that's reliable to drive to and from Florida several times a year..

Yeah, my 2015 2500 was my last new buy. I am only targeting used stuff now if I need to get something. Wife got a very nice 2017 Equinox in early summer for significantly lower price than new stuff. Even my JD Gator. I bought a 1 year old Gator that had been used by the Des Moines John Deere plant for a year. Only 168 hours on it, warranty, and $2000 cheaper than new.

Let someone else eat the depreciation.

 

[dodge man]

Maybe its just me but Ford went to the front of the line with the aluminum bodies. I get tired of things rusting out so that seems to cure that problem.

 

[bigtiller]

Yeah, my 2015 2500 was my last new buy. I am only targeting used stuff now if I need to get something. Wife got a very nice 2017 Equinox in early summer for significantly lower price than new stuff. Even my JD Gator. I bought a 1 year old Gator that had been used by the Des Moines John Deere plant for a year. Only 168 hours on it, warranty, and $2000 cheaper than new.

Let someone else eat the depreciation.

Ha! Hey neighbor, Funny you mentioning that. That is where my first Gator came from also.

 

[ruffdog]

Maybe its just me but Ford went to the front of the line with the aluminum bodies. I get tired of things rusting out so that seems to cure that problem.

Aluminum will still CORRODE though, just like we have seen with wheels transmission cases, hoods, and lift gates for years.

 

[5030]

Have worked for a FCA preferred supplier of non cosmetic steel for 29 years and seeing the junk that FCA routinely bought and knowing the 'quality' of UAW workers in their plants (I live close to Jeep and Global Engine), I'd never even consider one to buy. I don't believe any one is light years better than the other but I know one thing, they are all way over valued. Having said that, I would put all FCA products dead last on my wish list fort a new vehicle or truck.

Guess if you want to be indentured to the finance company for upteen years, go for it. You'll be paying notes long after that jalopy has corroded away.

Lots of new vehicles on the road today, lots of thick payment books too and lots of financial lenders making big money on extended loan terms.

 

[atsah]

That's what makes the world go round... If someone wants to spend twice what I spend on my mortgage for a vehicle good for them, it's their money they can do what they want with it..

 

[5030]

My last three vehicles have all been off lease vehicles , most with the remainder of the factory warranty left and the ability to extend it, which I do because of the complexity of newer vehicles today and the the failure rate of lowest bidder parts and sub assemblies.

Why would I pay 50 or 60 grand for any vehicle when an off lease one is less than 1/2 of what the vehicle cost new, has the same warranty and the original owner paid the depreciation and got the bugs worked out, if any.

A vehicle is the worst investment you can make anyway. I buy them and run them until they are shoot and get another, always off lease.

Do that with tractors too. My large frame Kubota ag tractors were all bought used. Not old beat out junkers but used a couple years and traded in because the owners wanted the 'latest and greatest. I don't need the latest and greatest and I especially don't want any Tier 4 final unit and I won't buy one even used until the bugs get worked out.

 

[atsah]

My last three vehicles have all been off lease vehicles , most with the remainder of the factory warranty left and the ability to extend it, which I do because of the complexity of newer vehicles today and the the failure rate of lowest bidder parts and sub assemblies.

Why would I pay 50 or 60 grand for any vehicle when an off lease one is less than 1/2 of what the vehicle cost new, has the same warranty and the original owner paid the depreciation and got the bugs worked out, if any.

A vehicle is the worst investment you can make anyway. I buy them and run them until they are shoot and get another, always off lease.

I completely agree with you and I pretty much do the same but someone has to take the hit so we can buy the off lease or 1 year old's so let them do it so we have a good assortment to choose from...

 

[5030]

That's what makes the world go round... If someone wants to spend twice what I spend on my mortgage for a vehicle good for them, it's their money they can do what they want with it..

I agree and that works until the bottom falls out of their financial portfolio and then the vehicle get's repo'd or they have to trade it in and get a reality check. Ecomomy is always cyclical, how it works.

My 'money' is better spent or shall I say invested in something other than an object that depreciates and an astounding rate.

Only truck I ever bought new was my 97 Ford F350 and I still have it.

 

[5030]

I completely agree with you and I pretty much do the same but someone has to take the hit so we can buy the off lease or 1 year old's so let them do it so we have a good assortment to choose from...

Plus 1 on that. I'm all about automakers leasing vehicles. Gives me the selection I want.

When I drive down the highway and observe the fancy new trucks and cars I see, I think to myself... There goes a big fat payment book. Best plan ever conceived was Ford's 'Buy new every 2' plan. Haven't has a payment book in years. I pay cash for an off lease. Gives me the best bargaining power too.

Last one I bought, I offered the dealer (I only buy from an authorized dealer, never a used cat lot) what I considered a fair price (because I don't 'love' any vehicle, they cannot return the love anyway. the dealer said no way so I got up and headed for the door. Never got that far. Amazing how business minded dealers come to their senses when cash is involved and they know a buyer has done his homework and the offer is fair but devoid of any fru-fru. Don't need rim insurance or free oil changes or valet service or any of that bs. I want a particular vehicle and my top and bottom line is the same.

I remember my dad telling me.. There is no romance in the finance. My golden rule.

 

[atsah]

I agree and that works until the bottom falls out of their financial portfolio and then the vehicle get's repo'd or they have to trade it in and get a reality check. Ecomomy is always cyclical, how it works.

My 'money' is better spent or shall I say invested in something other than an object that depreciates and an astounding rate.

Only truck I ever bought new was my 97 Ford F350 and I still have it.

I'm pretty sure I know how the economy works... Driving around lately I notice very few vehicles that are more than 10 years old on the roads, I hardly ever see a car broken down with coolant leaking from the water pump like I use to see about every trip I made, seems to me people are making money and spending money, that's a good thing..

Do I think a lot of people are one payment away from disaster, yes I do.. It's not like it use to be, my dad never bought new vehicles and he could easily have afforded to but he wanted to make sure my mom was well off when he was gone instead, a lot of people don't think that way anymore..

 

[5030]

Finally, my personal view is GM puts way too much emphasis on gimmicks and not enough emphasis on the bones of their vehicles. My wife bought a low mileage used Burb LTZ from a Chevy dealer. She liked the LTZ model. I don't. Way too many gimmicks and way to much to go wrong. Nice vehicle no doubt but I can see issues down the road as the gimmicks fail. Sticker was 65, she paid about 30 and it reality, that was about 15 too much.

 

[ovrszd]

5030, didn't you just buy a new UTV? What's the depreciation rate on those?

 

[ruffdog]

There is no way I will plunk down $50k for a 1/2T pickup. It is not worth it to me so I will keep driving my 2013 GMC that has been dependable. There have been no recalls and it has not been to the dealership for any repairs. Maybe it will be my last truck I own...who knows?

 

[atsah]

5030, didn't you just buy a new UTV? What's the depreciation rate on those?

Sidekicks only depreciate if someone else buys them... I read to much...

 

[MossRoad]

I'm pretty sure I know how the economy works... Driving around lately I notice very few vehicles that are more than 10 years old on the roads, I hardly ever see a car broken down with coolant leaking from the water pump like I use to see about every trip I made, seems to me people are making money and spending money, that's a good thing..

Do I think a lot of people are one payment away from disaster, yes I do.. It's not like it use to be, my dad never bought new vehicles and he could easily have afforded to but he wanted to make sure my mom was well off when he was gone instead, a lot of people don't think that way anymore..

You aren't looking hard enough. The average age of a car on the road in the U.S. is 11.8 years old. That means half of them are older than that. Let me say that again...

1/2 of all cars on the road today in the U.S. are older than 11.8 years.

 

[ovrszd]

Just bought me a new truck. 2002 F250 7.3L Texas truck 130K miles $13K. I'm very Blessed to have it.

 

[MossRoad]

Just bought me a new truck. 2002 F250 7.3L Texas truck 130K miles $13K. I'm very Blessed to have it.

View attachment 624506

Very nice. :thumbsup:

 

[gsganzer]

My 2008 4runner has 235,000 flawless miles and I still drive it regularly. I've been keeping it around for my teen girls to reach driving age.

I spent some more time today looking at new trucks. I think I'm definitely settled in on a crew cab long bed. I just can't warm up to the 6.5 foot "standard" beds. I guess I'm old enough that a standard bed was always 8'

 

[Monster5601]

Have worked for a FCA preferred supplier of non cosmetic steel for 29 years and seeing the junk that FCA routinely bought and knowing the 'quality' of UAW workers in their plants

I would put all FCA products dead last

Your post brought on a smile. During my career, I worked for both Ford and GM in multi-engineering rolls and spent many hours in the plants working out assembly issues. I can't argue your comment on UAW workers and the CAW are worse, at least the line people. Because I had Ford and GM inside knowledge, I bought RAM thinking they would be different, at least their interiors are a step above. Likely just fooling myself but my 2013 1500 RAM is doing great and I say that with fingers crossed.