Who can afford a new truck anymore?

[Jstpssng]

Get the payment low enough ,and they will buy them.. Does that mean they can afford them ??? I see people with new vehicles, at the pay day loan places all the time..Probably getting a pay day loan to pay the power , water, grocery bill,etc, so they can drive their new vehicle...

The problem is that 5years down the road they're still upside down on what they owe and the vehicle is starting to need repairs (because they couldn't afford to keel up with the maintenance), so they go back to the same dealer who says "Sure, I can give you what you owe on it... We'll just extend your new payments out another year."

Despite what I said earlier-and there was a time when I should have been buying new instead of used- one thing I can never understand is why anybody would borrow money for a vehicle which is more than they need. (Or put Christmas and vacations on a credit card when they don't have the money to pay it off.)

 

[check]

The problem is that 5years down the road they're still upside down on what they owe and the vehicle is starting to need repairs (because they couldn't afford to keel up with the maintenance), so they go back to the same dealer who says "Sure, I can give you what you owe on it... We'll just extend your new payments out another year." Despite what I said earlier-and there was a time when I should have been buying new instead of used- one thing I can never understand is why anybody would borrow money for a vehicle which is more than they need. (Or put Christmas and vacations on a credit card when they don't have the money to pay it off.)

They advertise LOW lease payments all the time around here, which is what brings the customers in. The advantage is that after the lease is up, the customer owes nothing.

 

[Jstpssng]

They advertise no lease payments all the time around here, which is what brings the customers in. The advantage is that after the lease is up, the customer owes nothing.

That isn't quite accurate. The way that I understand it, the lease payment is only an estimate of use with mileage limitations among other things. When the lease is up the consumer owes a per-mile cost over what they were asked; us they pay for anything over "normal wear and tear."

 

[check]

That isn't quite accurate. The way that I understand it, the lease payment is only an estimate of use with mileage limitations among other things. When the lease is up the consumer owes a per-mile cost over what they were asked; us they pay for anything over "normal wear and tear."

Absolutely true. You have to be able to estimate your mileage usage, and you can't abuse the truck. But of course those same factors apply to the value of your used truck if you purchase it and then sell it later (in my case with my previous truck, 5 years later).

Actually, although I have now leased a total of four F150 trucks, I would probably never lease a different vehicle, simply because Ford seems to be the only company that offers such amazing lease deals (although not every year). Like I mentioned elsewhere, I leased my 2014 F150 Supercrew XLT with the XTR option and a "302A" package with a whack of lovely options (like a rear camera), when it was advertised for $238 per month with $1300 down and $1700 freight, and 12,500 miles per year mileage allowance. (I actually negotiated a slightly different deal.) I had to move fast when the ads came out, because the trucks were flying out the door!

 

[Jstpssng]

You knew what you were getting into. Too many people just see that monthly payment and don't read the fine print. I've never considered it because I'd be over my 3 year mileage allocation in 9 months... and tend to run them until they're junk. (Or longer )

 

[NoTrespassing]

IF I were in the market for a truck I'd buy something like this; 2012 Ford f150 regular cab, 20K miles for $16,400, and I'd pay cash. Would that be a good buy? What is the least expensive new f150 available today?

When I buy a truck it's only for hauling things that won't fit in my car or suv. I don't care if it has power window, locks or any other frills beside AC.

Kevin

 

[buickanddeere]

People who live in the arid south west telling us about 10-15 year old vehicles . They keep forgetting about the rest of us following trucks spreading salt on the roads from November to April.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Interesting article on F150 today. Link below. Quote from Ford CFO: "We’re not done plumbing every dollar of revenue we can out of that product. "

How America?s truck, the Ford F-150, became a plaything for the rich - The Washington Post

 

[sdef]

Interesting article on F150 today. Link below. Quote from Ford CFO: "We’re not done plumbing every dollar of revenue we can out of that product. "

How America?s truck, the Ford F-150, became a plaything for the rich - The Washington Post

When I was looking at GM and Ford HD halfs early this year, I could not get a F150 3.5 Ecoboost with max towing, etc within 5 percentage points of what I could get on a Chevy or GMC. Ford was just not willing to deal much and this article tells why. I have watched trucks move very quickly from the GM and Ford new car lots. I do not live close to a Ram dealership, but they also appeared to be moving a lot of trucks. I think this climate made it more difficult for me to get the deal I was looking for and I was willing to wait until this fall for a new truck.

 

[ultrarunner]

People who live in the arid south west telling us about 10-15 year old vehicles . They keep forgetting about the rest of us following trucks spreading salt on the roads from November to April.

It's not just the arid southwest... Northern California has plenty too.

The SF Bay Area has a lot of old, rust free iron... cars are sent to the crusher/wrecking yards for two reasons... cost to pass strict emission requirements is prohibitive or "Voluntary" retirement where the vehicle is sold through the State program that can put $1500 or more in your pocket for "Volunteering" to send your vehicle to the crusher...