I have never bought a new vehicle of any kind. However, with some dealers deserate to move their gas guzzling trucks, now may be a good time to buy new.
Has anyone bought a 1/2 ton truck in recent months, and if so, what type of deal did you get?
I'm mostly interested in a Silverado or Tundra short bed regular cab truck with large V8.
I've sent emails to several dealers, asking if the cash back and 0% apr offers can be combined, but no response yet.
On the other hand, maybe I should wait. If GM decides to offer the 5.3 in their Colorado truck, and the 4.5L Duramax in their Silverado, I'll be all over it.
Very hard to say...... I have a friend at a chevy dealer and he said they are just dead so Im sure the deals on the full size trucks are more than sweet right now..... the market I would say is at the bottom, knee jerk reactions to high gas prices made alot of people dump their full size trucks for more economic vehicles so there is alot of inventory which obviously translates into good prices. Oil prices are dropping and most likely will continue to drop as the bubble has bursted somewhat. If gas prices go back down under $4/gallon which it looks like is gonna happen very soon I think you will see a bit of rebound in the truck market as well as people hanging on to them instead of trading off.
It amazes me that someone will go out and take a huge hit on trading something like a full size truck in for something that gets a bit better economy (going from a 13-15mpg truck to a 20-22mpg replacement vehicle). If you have a 30 gallon tank and gas is $1/gallon more than it was 1 year ago you are spending $30 more per tank, figure 4 fill ups per month and it costed you $120 more..... at the end of the year its an extra $1440...... take the extra $5-6K you just got whacked on your car because its a big truck any you could drive for approximately 4 years before recouping any savings....... KNEE JERK feel good reaction that doesnt save a dime.
If your in the market for a truck I say jump all over it now, take advantage of it.
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2002 Electron Blue Z06 Mods: LG Longtubes, Donaldson Blackwing, Speed Inc. Dyno Tuning, 19" CCW 505A Wheels Best ET (Drag radial) 11.661@118.86 1.70 60' Best ET (stock tires): 11.79@117.9 1.81 60' (best trap MPH: 118.82)
Best stock ET: 12.07@114.1 1.80 60' (best trap MPH 116.28)
SOLD 1996 Grandsport Coupe #775:
12.27@115.68(Motor)....10.995@127.44MPH (Nitrous)
It amazes me that someone will go out and take a huge hit on trading something like a full size truck in for something that gets a bit better economy (going from a 13-15mpg truck to a 20-22mpg replacement vehicle). If you have a 30 gallon tank and gas is $1/gallon more than it was 1 year ago you are spending $30 more per tank, figure 4 fill ups per month and it costed you $120 more..... at the end of the year its an extra $1440...... take the extra $5-6K you just got whacked on your car because its a big truck any you could drive for approximately 4 years before recouping any savings....... KNEE JERK feel good reaction that doesnt save a dime.
I agree! It's astonishing how people can dwell on fuel prices every day, but completely ignore things like depreciation and maintenance costs. I've always driven older "gas guzzlers" that are cheap to buy and maintain. At times like this... I scour the ads looking for people dumping nice old cars. But unfortunately for some reason people are still dumping junk and keeping the cherries. Smart sellers know the value of what they have.
__________________ Monstrocity
2009 Toyota Sienna LE (Silver pine mica)
2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Wedding white)
1992 Corvette Coupe M6 (Bright aqua metallic)
1968 Cadillac Pillared Hardtop Sedan (Medium blue metallic)
I agree! It's astonishing how people can dwell on fuel prices every day, but completely ignore things like depreciation and maintenance costs. I've always driven older "gas guzzlers" that are cheap to buy and maintain. At times like this... I scour the ads looking for people dumping nice old cars. But unfortunately for some reason people are still dumping junk and keeping the cherries. Smart sellers know the value of what they have.
Just in the last 2 weeks, I've seen several very nice trucks make it on to the used car lots locally. It has taken some time, but I believe we will be seeing the nice ones now.
Location: Apparently a little too near the blast radius..unlucky me
You might find some better deals in the 2-3 year-old market, as people are dumping these (or coming off lease). Should be some good deals on new ones, too.
Location: Member: Double Yellow Dirt Bags San Diego, CA
I have read more than once that fuel prices will never get back to $3/gallon and that it would NOT be unheard of for gas prices to hit $6 within a year or two. I'm not trying to be the purveyor of gloom, but this slight drop we are seeing is just a teaser. I think you may have plenty of time to buy a guzzler.
Another note: I do see quite a few people around here dumping their 15 MPG SUV and buying a Prius that averages 45 MPG. It doesn't take a math wiz to realize that payback will come rather quickly, given that scenario. I agree that going from 15 to 20 isn't a big enough jump, but people like my sister-in-law who had a Honda Odyssey are getting Honda Fits that average 36 MPG (vs 17 with the van). THAT's significant.
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2001 Mag-Red Coupe 6-Speed, 1SC, Z51, Born: May 17, 2001, delivered June 7th, 2001
315.9 RWHP 337.7 RWTQ (Dynojet) 6/8/02 (no mods)
328.8 RWHP 352.2 RWTQ (Dynojet) 5/22/04 (mods listed below)
Quad Round Borla Stingers 9/6/03
Halltech Stinger-R intake system 4/17/04
Cold-air scoop mod 5/20/04
TPS Z06 shifter (replaced BPP on 12/26/11)
Intake install, oil trap, and CAI mod: http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
As far as gas goes I think it will continue to go down..... $3/gallon again, not likely but I think we will get down into the $3.25-3.50 range and stay there with prices slightly increasing at normal levels each year. Similar to the housing bubble gas is doing the same thing but gas went up way faster (percentage wise) in a much shorter time. Anything that jumps that fast tends to correct itself eventually.
I also will agree that it does not take a math wiz to realize purchasing a vehicle that gets 30 more MPG's will pay off rather quickly. I dont see the huge benefit of the hybrids though. Dave.... Take your RX400 vs. the RX350
(data from automobile magazine online)
RX350 AWD costs: $37,400
RX400 AWD costs: $42980 (both are sticker price less destination)
The RX400 gets 25mpg combined and the RX350 gets 19 combined...... at 15,000 miles per year the RX350 consumes 789 gallons of gas and the RX400 consumes 600 gallons of gas..... at $4/gallon this is a $758/year difference..... based on the price of both vehicles you would have to wait 7.36 years to see any benefit I dont know about you but I hardly ever keep a car that long and at 15,000 miles per year you would have to drive over 110,000 miles to see the benefit..... majority of people dont hang onto a car that long.
Hybrids are simply a feel good purchase that really dont reap any signifigant savings up front, in fact they cost more, most people wont own one long enough to see any benefit. You are better off buying an efficient gas engine car and saving your money.
__________________
2002 Electron Blue Z06 Mods: LG Longtubes, Donaldson Blackwing, Speed Inc. Dyno Tuning, 19" CCW 505A Wheels Best ET (Drag radial) 11.661@118.86 1.70 60' Best ET (stock tires): 11.79@117.9 1.81 60' (best trap MPH: 118.82)
Best stock ET: 12.07@114.1 1.80 60' (best trap MPH 116.28)
SOLD 1996 Grandsport Coupe #775:
12.27@115.68(Motor)....10.995@127.44MPH (Nitrous)
On top of all the offers we've already seen, keep in mind that GM just granted all its employees the right to give one "friend" the true employee discount. AFAIK that pricing CAN be combined with the 0% for 60 or even 72 most dealerships around my area are offering on full-sized trucks. I'm very, very tempted to make a move on a new Silvy.
As far as gas goes I think it will continue to go down..... $3/gallon again, not likely but I think we will get down into the $3.25-3.50 range and stay there with prices slightly increasing at normal levels each year. Similar to the housing bubble gas is doing the same thing but gas went up way faster (percentage wise) in a much shorter time. Anything that jumps that fast tends to correct itself eventually.
I also will agree that it does not take a math wiz to realize purchasing a vehicle that gets 30 more MPG's will pay off rather quickly. I dont see the huge benefit of the hybrids though. Dave.... Take your RX400 vs. the RX350
(data from automobile magazine online)
RX350 AWD costs: $37,400
RX400 AWD costs: $42980 (both are sticker price less destination)
The RX400 gets 25mpg combined and the RX350 gets 19 combined...... at 15,000 miles per year the RX350 consumes 789 gallons of gas and the RX400 consumes 600 gallons of gas..... at $4/gallon this is a $758/year difference..... based on the price of both vehicles you would have to wait 7.36 years to see any benefit I dont know about you but I hardly ever keep a car that long and at 15,000 miles per year you would have to drive over 110,000 miles to see the benefit..... majority of people dont hang onto a car that long.
Hybrids are simply a feel good purchase that really dont reap any signifigant savings up front, in fact they cost more, most people wont own one long enough to see any benefit. You are better off buying an efficient gas engine car and saving your money.
I'm not sure on the actually MPG on the RX400 but on my Toyota Camry Hybrid, I think the sticker states 34 city / 33 hwy. I get over 40, usually 43-46 MPG on the hwy. I've put almost 3K miles on it and put in about $250 in gas but that's driving it VERY light footed.
BTW "I" have reaped SIGNIFICANT savings so far, those 3K miles on my M5 would have cost me about $1,000.
Another advantage of hybrids is that I can get on HOV by myself in VA
Last edited by runutzzzzz; 07-30-2008 at 12:13 AM.
Location: Member: Double Yellow Dirt Bags San Diego, CA
Quote:
Originally Posted by MVR 155
Hybrids are simply a feel good purchase that really dont reap any signifigant savings up front, in fact they cost more, most people wont own one long enough to see any benefit. You are better off buying an efficient gas engine car and saving your money.
MVR,
You obviously have never directly compared an RX400h to an RX350
The 400h CVT is a huge improvement over the ancient auto tranny in the 350. In addition, the 400s torque is much more impressive. The only downside is the electric motor noise when you nail the gas pedal - not really unpleasant, especially if you don't have a habit of drag-racing every X5 you meet.
But to get back to your cost savings comparison, I kept my 68 C3 vert for over 21 years and my MX6 GT Turbo for more than 11 years (and still counting). Needless-to-say, I will more than get my money's worth out of the RX400h.
It has been proven that the batteries in a Prius can easily last more than 150,000 miles and some estimate a 250,000 life span. As it is right now, the RX400h (and pretty much all hybrids) are holding their value much better than their non-hybrid counterparts.
Go ahead and check used RX400h prices (if you can find any). They are selling at near new vehicle prices, unlike the RX330 and 350s, which actually average more like 16 MPG (I know a few people who have the 330s) and thus are taking a bigger hit in the resale market.
Yes, buying a hybrid CAN make alot of sense and is one of the few investments that DO pay off, unlike real estate and stocks
Good point on the resale Dave..... but that can be a knee jerk reaction as everyone is just jumping into hybrinds because of "the sky is falling" thing going on right now. For a guy like yourself there is obviously going to be a benefit since you do hang onto vehicles..... most dont though.
runutzzzz.... obviously going from a M5 to an efficient vehicle like the Camry (hybrid or not) is gonna net signifigant savings over a small period of time since the M5 is a guzzler and depending on how many miles you drive per year it can also be a big player in signifigant savings.
Good point on the resale Dave..... but that can be a knee jerk reaction as everyone is just jumping into hybrinds because of "the sky is falling" thing going on right now. For a guy like yourself there is obviously going to be a benefit since you do hang onto vehicles..... most dont though.
runutzzzz.... obviously going from a M5 to an efficient vehicle like the Camry (hybrid or not) is gonna net signifigant savings over a small period of time since the M5 is a guzzler and depending on how many miles you drive per year it can also be a big player in signifigant savings.
As of right now, Hybrids are in very high demand! I can prob sell mine for more than I paid for it!
I drive 15-20K a year
BTW I wouldn't drive a Camry unless it's a Hybrid
Location: Member: Double Yellow Dirt Bags San Diego, CA
Lexus will be coming out with its version of the Camry Hybrid by year-end (I hear) and it should average 35 MPG. Either way, the combination of decent power and great mileage can't be beat. My wife likes the tall posture of the 400h; it allows her to see ahead of traffic and with a major-accident-free driving record that spans 20+ years, I won't argue with her!
Oops, I guess we're hijacking Chuck's thread - sorry! It's probably not a good idea to get Mr. Norris upset.......
Corvette Store
The right time to buy a new truck?
I dont know about you but I hardly ever keep a car that long and at 15,000 miles per year you would have to drive over 110,000 miles to see the benefit..... majority of people dont hang onto a car that long.
but that's driving it VERY light footed. 
