WHY all this complexity?

thirdroc17 · Mar 25, 2015

Boy, techophiles are touchy, aren't they? If you don't want all the stuff they want, well.................

Standard equipment is just that, standard. Not dealer added packages.

I would like to express my thanks for having choice taken away by techophiles, big auto, and big oil.

bcp · Mar 25, 2015

I've seen state, county, and city trucks they were much more basic than a no-option truck available to a private person through a retail dealer.

They could make a way to add some trucks to those productions runs for private sale, if they wanted.

Bruce

JDgreen227 · Mar 25, 2015

bcp said:
I've seen state, county, and city trucks they were much more basic than a no-option truck available to a private person through a retail dealer.

They could make a way to add some trucks to those productions runs for private sale, if they wanted.

Bruce

I used to drive medium duty straight trucks and 1-ton cargo vans purchased by my government employer, the vans were always low-line models with few comfort options. Usually they were purchased under a fleet service program in large numbers. Problem with trying to something like a basic stripped model is that dealers prefer to sell the ones with all the bling bling and power options because that creates a lot of profit. I remember when I purchased my GMC, and I had to buy a truck with the most expensive option package because according to the dealer "It will take you months to get the basic model in the color you want...."

3930dave · Mar 25, 2015

Fordman1981 said:
All the "wizardry" as you put it is optional. You can get a basic radio basic controls, hand crank windows and manual locks on a ram. The basic radios and controls I would think are standard on most other makes too.

Trucks, maybe. Dodge does march to a different beat, more so than the other 2 at times - I'm grateful that they still make a stick available with the Cummins. As touched on by others, it can be difficult today to buy a really stripped down truck, as a consumer.

That said, cars are getting tough, and probably SUVs here too - in terms of finding hand crank windows.

Rgds, D.

ultrarunner · Mar 25, 2015

Family buys few new vehicles... I have only bought one in my life and still have it 13 years later.

All new vehicles were specially ordered, built to order and I had no problem waiting up to 6 weeks...

txdon · Mar 25, 2015

Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

aczlan · Mar 25, 2015

txdon said:
Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

To a certain extent, yes. There are some things you can't order though. For example, a stick shift on a Ford or crank windows (can't remember which brand, might have been Ford).
IIRC they said that it was cheaper to put power windows in than stock both window regulators, door panels, etc.

Aaron Z

murph1 · Mar 25, 2015

aczlan said:
To a certain extent, yes. There are some things you can't order though. For example, a stick shift on a Ford or crank windows (can't remember which brand, might have been Ford).
IIRC they said that it was cheaper to put power windows in than stock both window regulators, door panels, etc.

Aaron Z

Bull, they make you buy a package deal..Try buying just the heated mirrors.

ultrarunner · Mar 25, 2015

txdon said:
Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

I was able to on the BMW. Ordered in California for pickup in Germany... the Dealer was surprised when I did not upgrade to leather interior and I told him I know how the leather holds up down the road and the same for the metallic paints...

Granted... mom's Toyota was ordered in 2001... even then almost everyone had never heard or believed a Toyota could be special ordered... including the Dealers which was a shock.

Have to say it was like pulling teeth... one sales person told me the turnover is so high that by the time the car arrives the guy selling most likely would have moved on...

In all fairness... we gave every dealer the code for the model and options and all said they could locate one... well... guess what... in the 7 state Western region there was not a single Corolla optioned the way she wanted and this was out of thousands... the factory moonroof and side airbags proved most difficult and the S model had just been introduced and it was the only model with charcoal interior.

Had to literally convince the top guy to put in the order and Toyota would build it and that Toyota was Waiting for the order!.. see what happens when you write a letter to the President of Toyota saying you can't find the car your Mom wants... you actually get a letter back in detail!

Todd727 · Mar 26, 2015

txdon said:
Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

Sure. I've ordered my last two Ford trucks. Ford puts out an order guide. There are some options that are only part of a package, but there is still quite a bit that you can choose from.

Here is a link to the 2015 Super Duty guide: http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums...-super-duty-order-guide-updated-12-1-2014.pdf