Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

@graphicguy - thanks for that great explanation.

At the end of the day, finding a great deal is nigh on impossible. Folks all over the lease boards are complaining about lack of discounting and marked up money factors.

A friend of mine is looking to replace a 15 year old RWD Explorer (!) with a similar sized SUV. They've hit two CarMax lots and report they are pretty empty, and what they do have is expensive.

stickguy

Probably a better time to buy than lease.

My daughter was planning to submit her car to carmax again today to see if their offer went up too.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

this is nice. Wouldn't mind having it.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9aLNwWbm/2006-saab-9-2x-aero

That's cool. At one time, we were shopping for one for my son. The Aero turbo models are hard to find. @nyccarguy went to look at one in NJ for me, but it was uber rusty, underneath. A luxury WRX at a much cheaper price!

I remember going to that extremely shady part of NJ to go and look at that car for you. Even the dealer was sketchy. When I asked to test drive the car, he said; "you drove here? Can I just hold your car keys?" He didn't ask what kind of car it was or where it was parked.

@nyccarguy is a good guy!!

sda

Michaell said:

@graphicguy - thanks for that great explanation.

At the end of the day, finding a great deal is nigh on impossible. Folks all over the lease boards are complaining about lack of discounting and marked up money factors.

A friend of mine is looking to replace a 15 year old RWD Explorer (!) with a similar sized SUV. They've hit two CarMax lots and report they are pretty empty, and what they do have is expensive.

The local CarMax lots I visit are fairly empty. The vehicles they have are more expensive, not as clean and have higher miles than what I'm used to seeing. The Cadillac dealer down the street from CarMax has used cars with 125K miles. Generally they keep the cream puffs.

nyccarguy

What do you guys know about X-Plan? It seems I am eligible through a buying group I am a part of. It looks like under normal circumstances I might be able to do better than X-Plan, but depending on the offers I get due to "current market conditions."

Seems like it gets me an additional $1,750 incentive

explorerx4

I know that X Plan is fixed price. Not positive but it seems like you only get the $1750 incentive if you use X Plan.
Not sure what the regular incentives are, but I think you get those too.
You might want to try your work zip code, NY region can have different incentives than CT.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

What do you guys know about X-Plan? It seems I am eligible through a buying group I am a part of. It looks like under normal circumstances I might be able to do better than X-Plan, but depending on the offers I get due to "current market conditions."

Seems like it gets me an additional $1,750 incentive

Bought my ‘05 Mustang GT with X plan using a friend’s/Ford Engineer sponsored X plan purchase. Best I can tell, in order to get a better deal, you’d have to be a Ford employee or retiree. If you can get it, go for it.

au1994

28firefighter said:

Really great insight, @graphicguy. It also seems the manufacturers have reallocated chip supplies to the most profitable models to keep inventory moving.

Example Jeep has kept Wrangler moving but shut down other factories for lower end models.

Excellent summation!

au1994

nyccarguy said:

What do you guys know about X-Plan? It seems I am eligible through a buying group I am a part of. It looks like under normal circumstances I might be able to do better than X-Plan, but depending on the offers I get due to "current market conditions."

Seems like it gets me an additional $1,750 incentive

That matched what I’ve heard in the past, you can actually do better than Xplan on your own nowdays.

Good luck! Explorer looks like its a solid choice.

Michaell

au1994 said:

28firefighter said:

Really great insight, @graphicguy. It also seems the manufacturers have reallocated chip supplies to the most profitable models to keep inventory moving.

Example Jeep has kept Wrangler moving but shut down other factories for lower end models.

Excellent summation!

Many brands are using the chips they do receive to continue building their more expensive (read: profitable) models.

If you want a 3-series or C-Class, you may be out of luck, IOW.

stickguy

My son works in a chip research fab. I should tell him to start whipping up extras in his garage.

stickguy

Hopefully I don’t get backed into a corner. My daughters company (big bank) told them today that they will start bringing people back to the office 5/17 or so. She might make some trips down from Boston to visit the DE home base, and is already talking about taking our car (meaning mine that I don’t currently own!). So now I’m wondering if the wife will be asked to come in a few days a week soon. She actually doesn’t want to mow, after getting used to WFH.

That’s my tipping point to get a 2nd car. I’m fine sharing now, but I refuse to be left stranded at home alone without wheels!

au1994

stickguy said:

Hopefully I don’t get backed into a corner. My daughters company (big bank) told them today that they will start bringing people back to the office 5/17 or so. She might make some trips down from Boston to visit the DE home base, and is already talking about taking our car (meaning mine that I don’t currently own!). So now I’m wondering if the wife will be asked to come in a few days a week soon. She actually doesn’t want to mow, after getting used to WFH.

That’s my tipping point to get a 2nd car. I’m fine sharing now, but I refuse to be left stranded at home alone without wheels!

That’s a bit of a perfect storm, unfortunately. Used market high, new inventory low. Maybe pick up a beater until the Santa Cruz and Maverick are released? Cheap lease on an econobox?

I am not sure what the hesitancy is for companies making a decision on what the ‘new normal’ is going to look like. I don’t like that phrase in this instance. Any time you have been doing something for 12-18 months, its THE normal not the NEW normal.

The vax numbers are what they are. Those who haven’t taken it are not likely too at this point, thus won’t move the numbers much. We are WFH till end of June but still do not have a definitive plan as to what, if any, return looks like. I really feel for the people (including my 2 employees) that will need to rearrange child care since this falls right in the middle of summer. The hope is the hybrid model that a lot of people are wishing for. Like your wife, I am completely comfortable WFH with an occasional trip to the office.

Michaell

My local office is opening up today.

Man, the rules and regs for going in are numerous. Had to sign a form understanding what they were.

There is an app I need to download to show I'm symptom free, every day I come in.

Office is only open on T-W-Th of any given week.

You have to reserve a cube or meeting room in advance - no reservation, no entry.

Coffee is available, but no sodas or snacks.

Masks are mandatory.

I think I'll continue to WFH.

stickguy

No sodas? I’m out. Don’t drink coffee so sounds discriminatory.

My local office has been open all along with limited staff, and similar rules. I haven’t gone in, but I almost never did before so no big deal to me.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

My local office is opening up today.

Man, the rules and regs for going in are numerous. Had to sign a form understanding what they were.

There is an app I need to download to show I'm symptom free, every day I come in.

Office is only open on T-W-Th of any given week.

You have to reserve a cube or meeting room in advance - no reservation, no entry.

Coffee is available, but no sodas or snacks.

Masks are mandatory.

I think I'll continue to WFH.

These companies are terrified of liability. There are hungry lawyers waiting to pounce if anyone should get sick because they didn’t take uber careful steps and make employees sign releases. My company is no different. We had to sign agreements just to get to ride in a more comfortable vehicle.

fintail

If anyone wants to gift me 100K or so, I'll order that blue on blue G550 and keep it forever (and these days, delivery of such a car might be a year or two in the future).

Still think there's a decent chance I will buy the wagon at the end of the lease, residual could be far under market price, and there's not a ton of new stuff out there I like anyway.

cdnpinhead said:

I hope you keep it for a long time. I had my TSX shipped down from Denver over a decade ago to get the manual transmission and color I wanted. Many on here have their vehicles for a few months or years and don't care so much about things that they'll live with for decades, as if. . .

Yeah, right. There's a real possibility that you'll put it on the block in the next few years, but I hope you'll enjoy it as much in the meantime as I have my TSX.

Michaell

fintail said:

If anyone wants to gift me 100K or so, I'll order that blue on blue G550 and keep it forever (and these days, delivery of such a car might be a year or two in the future).

Still think there's a decent chance I will buy the wagon at the end of the lease, residual could be far under market price, and there's not a ton of new stuff out there I like anyway.

cdnpinhead said:

I hope you keep it for a long time. I had my TSX shipped down from Denver over a decade ago to get the manual transmission and color I wanted. Many on here have their vehicles for a few months or years and don't care so much about things that they'll live with for decades, as if. . .

Yeah, right. There's a real possibility that you'll put it on the block in the next few years, but I hope you'll enjoy it as much in the meantime as I have my TSX.

I’ve been looking at used German wagons, just for fun. I see some 350’s, but no used 450’s at the moment.

Found a nice A4 allroad in Austin for around $25k - white P+ with 40,000 miles on it.

nyccarguy

Happy Birthday @stickguy

fintail

E350 wagon was 2016 and before (W212), at least in this market. IIRC E400 badged wagon didn't start in the USDM until the W213 for 2017. I think one can find nice enough late run/facelift 212 wagons in the upper 20s, and you'll pay at least a 15K premium for an E400/213.

Michaell said:

I’ve been looking at used German wagons, just for fun. I see some 350’s, but no used 450’s at the moment.

Found a nice A4 allroad in Austin for around $25k - white P+ with 40,000 miles on it.

breld

I've wondered if there are good opportunities out there to assume a lease (like through leasetrader).

As long as the monthly is reasonable, and/or for a short period, wouldn't you get the opportunity to then buy out the lease at presumably a good price?

[Deleted User]

You know inventory is low all around when @breld only has three cars on his tag line...

corvette

stickguy said:

No sodas? I’m out. Don’t drink coffee so sounds discriminatory.

I can't speak for @Michaell , but I'm guessing they're free to bring their own sodas and snacks.

stickguy

breld said:

I've wondered if there are good opportunities out there to assume a lease (like through leasetrader).

As long as the monthly is reasonable, and/or for a short period, wouldn't you get the opportunity to then buy out the lease at presumably a good price?

Sounds like it. Not sure how the legal stuff works to know if you could flip it to Carvana. Though you would think a person with the lease would try that first!

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

Happy Birthday @stickguy

Thanks! I should go buy a car. Too bad about the inventory issues. I’ll save it for next year. That’s the “big one” that I’ll deserve a treat for.

au1994

Inventory is truly crazy. In today’s browsing that included some dealers further out than I normally look:

Zero Bronco Sport’s at 3 dealers
11 Expeditions at 3 dealers
8 Tellurides at 2 dealers
One dealer had 5 Tacoma’s, all SR 2wd while another must have just got a transport in as they had 25 across various trim levels.

rny421

Punch pending to replace mom's 2016 XC60 T6 AWD.

Went car shopping with her yesterday, and drove both the T5 and T6 Volvo XC60, and the Cadillac XT5. Mom is a creature of habit, so she went with the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD. The T6 is a big premium ($3,500) for not a lot more performance on paper, but I did agree with my mom that it felt a lot more responsive than the T5, and she was used to the power of her 6 Cylinder T6, which was pretty quick.

My parents aren't as cheap as me, so the deal isn't great, but it's not the worst either. Also, she wanted the exact color combination (blue exterior, blonde interior, T6 Inscription) which is relatively hard to find. I sometimes have to take a step back, and realize that not everyone is like me who enjoys the hunt of getting the absolute best price. I think MSRP of $60K, discount of $2K, plus $2.5K in rebates, plus they are adding a Volvo towing hitch which my parents use. Again, not the best deal, but could be worse. I'll post pictures when they pick it up (Friday?).

tifighter

28firefighter said:

cdnpinhead said:

I hope you keep it for a long time. I had my TSX shipped down from Denver over a decade ago to get the manual transmission and color I wanted. Many on here have their vehicles for a few months or years and don't care so much about things that they'll live with for decades, as if. . .

Yeah, right. There's a real possibility that you'll put it on the block in the next few years, but I hope you'll enjoy it as much in the meantime as I have my TSX.

Well. I’m leasing it, so likely a maximum 3 year stay. But my 4 yo loves pointing Jeeps out (and BMWs but only if they’re stick shift) and I figure we can have some fun together with this one for however long I have it.

I could be tempted by a 2-door 4xE. Fortunately, it's 4-door only.

au1994

tifighter said:

28firefighter said:

cdnpinhead said:

I hope you keep it for a long time. I had my TSX shipped down from Denver over a decade ago to get the manual transmission and color I wanted. Many on here have their vehicles for a few months or years and don't care so much about things that they'll live with for decades, as if. . .

Yeah, right. There's a real possibility that you'll put it on the block in the next few years, but I hope you'll enjoy it as much in the meantime as I have my TSX.

Well. I’m leasing it, so likely a maximum 3 year stay. But my 4 yo loves pointing Jeeps out (and BMWs but only if they’re stick shift) and I figure we can have some fun together with this one for however long I have it.

I could be tempted by a 2-door 4xE. Fortunately, it's 4-door only.

Yes, I have a feeling they will sell a ton of those.

A neighbor down the street just picked up a Gladiator. Haven’t been able to get a good look to see what trim level but its a soft top thats black with black wheels. Not my favorite color combo but its neat looking. Also good to know at 218” one will fit in our garages. For scientific purposes only of course.

stickguy

This is really a nice looking package. Great interior. Not out yet so won’t help Bradd, but if I needed something in the 3 row barge class would definitely look at this too. Especially now that they ditched the CVT, but kept the V6!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH4B-aemRzU

tjc78

rny421 said:

Punch pending to replace mom's 2016 XC60 T6 AWD.

Went car shopping with her yesterday, and drove both the T5 and T6 Volvo XC60, and the Cadillac XT5. Mom is a creature of habit, so she went with the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD. The T6 is a big premium ($3,500) for not a lot more performance on paper, but I did agree with my mom that it felt a lot more responsive than the T5, and she was used to the power of her 6 Cylinder T6, which was pretty quick.

My parents aren't as cheap as me, so the deal isn't great, but it's not the worst either. Also, she wanted the exact color combination (blue exterior, blonde interior, T6 Inscription) which is relatively hard to find. I sometimes have to take a step back, and realize that not everyone is like me who enjoys the hunt of getting the absolute best price. I think MSRP of $60K, discount of $2K, plus $2.5K in rebates, plus they are adding a Volvo towing hitch which my parents use. Again, not the best deal, but could be worse. I'll post pictures when they pick it up (Friday?).

That must be really loaded up! Beautiful color combo. IMO in the SUVs the T6 is a needed upgrade. I wouldn’t have considered our XC90 without it.

henryn

When I went online to setup the appointment for Carvana to pick up my 2016 Chrysler minivan, they asked if I wanted to bring it to them. They offered an immediate transaction, rather than wait several days, and a ride home. Being retired, I agreed, and I just got back from dropping off the minivan at their location.

They have taken over a former car dealership north of Houston, in Kingwood, about 30 miles from my home. When I arrived, I found a parking place (not easy) and tried to go in the front door. Locked up tight. I walked over to what used to be the used car sales building. Also locked up tight. Wondered around for a few minutes, saw that one of the big overhead doors for the service department was open. Walked inside, no one in sight, gave out a very loud “Hello, is anyone here?”. No answer. After standing around a couple of minutes, some guy walked in from outside and asked if I had been helped yet.

Once I made contact, everything went quickly and smoothly. Uber ride home, all good. My observations: This was a fairly large dealership, with room to park a LOT of cars. And all of the lots are full or nearly so, with some of the lanes also stacked up. And it is 90% or better cars. No trucks at all, and not very many SUV’s. Which strikes me as a mistake on their part, but what do I know?

corvette

tjc78 said:

rny421 said:

Punch pending to replace mom's 2016 XC60 T6 AWD.

Went car shopping with her yesterday, and drove both the T5 and T6 Volvo XC60, and the Cadillac XT5. Mom is a creature of habit, so she went with the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD. The T6 is a big premium ($3,500) for not a lot more performance on paper, but I did agree with my mom that it felt a lot more responsive than the T5, and she was used to the power of her 6 Cylinder T6, which was pretty quick.

My parents aren't as cheap as me, so the deal isn't great, but it's not the worst either. Also, she wanted the exact color combination (blue exterior, blonde interior, T6 Inscription) which is relatively hard to find. I sometimes have to take a step back, and realize that not everyone is like me who enjoys the hunt of getting the absolute best price. I think MSRP of $60K, discount of $2K, plus $2.5K in rebates, plus they are adding a Volvo towing hitch which my parents use. Again, not the best deal, but could be worse. I'll post pictures when they pick it up (Friday?).

That must be really loaded up! Beautiful color combo. IMO in the SUVs the T6 is a needed upgrade. I wouldn’t have considered our XC90 without it.

I have seen some lease deals on the XC90 that looked tempting until I realized they were for T5s.

henryn said:

And it is 90% or better cars. No trucks at all, and not very many SUV’s. Which strikes me as a mistake on their part, but what do I know?

That's probably all they can get right now. My local CarMax seems to have a better mix of pickups and CUVs, but they are not cheap. They still have a total of about 100 vehicles in stock in their online inventory, which I think is about half of normal.

roadburner

Michaell said:

My local office is opening up today.

Man, the rules and regs for going in are numerous. Had to sign a form understanding what they were.

There is an app I need to download to show I'm symptom free, every day I come in.

Office is only open on T-W-Th of any given week.

You have to reserve a cube or meeting room in advance - no reservation, no entry.

Coffee is available, but no sodas or snacks.

Masks are mandatory.

I think I'll continue to WFH.

Our timid Kentucky Supreme Court is still restricting access to courtrooms- even though jury trials can start on 5/1. As a result, I'm hosting a meeting with the Judge and defense bar in my office.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

nyccarguy said:

What do you guys know about X-Plan? It seems I am eligible through a buying group I am a part of. It looks like under normal circumstances I might be able to do better than X-Plan, but depending on the offers I get due to "current market conditions."

Seems like it gets me an additional $1,750 incentive

Bought my ‘05 Mustang GT with X plan using a friend’s/Ford Engineer sponsored X plan purchase. Best I can tell, in order to get a better deal, you’d have to be a Ford employee or retiree. If you can get it, go for it.

Ford has extended X/Z plan to nieces and nephews of Ford employees/retirees- so I can use it if I ever see something I want.

corvette

Mostly positive first drive of the 4xe. This review seems to be of higher quality than many of the recent TTAC reviews I've read.

Sandman6472

Like you Stick, I don't drink coffee but love Pepsi and Sprite, 7-UP. Not a Coke lover but if I have to, drink it. Besides water, have Hawiian Punch like when I was a kid. The taste is the same as it was years ago...and I love it.
We had to also sign a form that we have had our vaccinations and are willing to go back into vehicles with 5 or 8 people. No problem with that and am hoping I get put into a minivan as it's easier with my spinal issues. I don't really want to be a lead but will if I have to.
Was called about a job at a local Toyota store as a shuttle driver. Can't take it because they want too many hours and I'd have to work about 6 days a week to start. That's pushing it a bit too hard for me and been there, done that. It was back in 2014 and I was working 7 days a week at two company's and it just got too much and I was overwhelmed by it all. Even my pain doctor agreed with the family that in the short term, I'd be fine but after a few months, I'd be missing more and more days due to the increased pain. After the third month, they were right, it was just too much to handle, so I gave the second job up. And never looked back. Even if this shuttle position was just 2 days/week, I'd still be working 5 longish days, and deep down, I knew it wouldn't work, so I had to decline it. Right now, I'm happy where I'm at and I know in time, we'll be back to 30 hours a week instead of the 24 we're doing now. If my body were healthy, I'd of taken it with no issues but at this point, it's the wrong time.
Lastly, am very glad I don't need to buy right now. Think in about a year from now, with enough chips to have decent inventory to chose from at the dealerships, it'll be my time to finally land on something I really want. And, think I want to go with an even year vehicle going forward. Seems like I've been doing this odd, even, odd, even dance with my last four vehicles. And it's evens turn again!

Sandman6472

GG, thanks for the explanation about how the chip industry works. Seems like the pandemic has really screwed up so many things in our world in 2020 and it'll take some time to get back to the "new normal" as I don't think we'll ever see normal again. More of a "hybrid" in the work environment because we've seen it can be done, maybe not as efficiently, but it can be done with some WFH mixed in with going into the office. And it'll save on gasoline usage, power usage and the number of people just going into the cities. Maybe a 3/2 or 2/3 model could work for some industries which might also call for less business travel which would eventually lead to lower costs in some industries.
Being in the rental business, and being a driver, I must be on site to be able to move or inventory to where it's needed then and there. And they're working on that new system now and deciding where to put 5 members into a minivan and 8 members into the larger transit vans depending on how many vehicles each branch needs or how many vehicles are being sold to the dealers. And once the chip issue gets fixed, we'll see more vehicles being bought & sold. And now with more folks traveling and feeling safer to do it, the number of rentals will be lager than the capacity we currently have. But one must crawl before they walk.
And we'll look back at this past year one day and use it for a model of what not to do in a world crisis like we've had with this pandemic. We'll learn from our mistakes so we can make any kind of shortage just short term, be it chips or toilet paper!

oldfarmer50

I just saw a review of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz and while it looks like a nice little UTE I almost fainted at the $35k to $45k price tag. I’d like a nice run around truck that I could use for some hauling but not at that price. I’d take a low optioned Ranger for about $25k before this.

Was the Bronco sport supposed to start around $20k?

au1994

oldfarmer50 said:

I just saw a review of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz and while it looks like a nice little UTE I almost fainted at the $35k to $45k price tag. I’d like a nice run around truck that I could use for some hauling but not at that price. I’d take a low optioned Ranger for about $25k before this.

Was the Bronco sport supposed to start around $20k?

Yeah, I am hoping that the pricing is wrong on some of these previews. I’m out at that price. I’ll opt for a Tacoma or Gladiator if I still feel the need for something truck like. Bigger of course but the Ridgeline Sport can be had for less than $40k.

stickguy

those Santa cruz previews were all over the place, and just guesses. No way it can start that high. It is really just a Tucson with a bed. I would be shocked if it wasn't 25-35K depending on engine and trim.

oldfarmer50

au1994 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I just saw a review of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz and while it looks like a nice little UTE I almost fainted at the $35k to $45k price tag. I’d like a nice run around truck that I could use for some hauling but not at that price. I’d take a low optioned Ranger for about $25k before this.

Was the Bronco sport supposed to start around $20k?

Yeah, I am hoping that the pricing is wrong on some of these previews. I’m out at that price. I’ll opt for a Tacoma or Gladiator if I still feel the need for something truck like. Bigger of course but the Ridgeline Sport can be had for less than $40k.

Some of those reviews are just plain inaccurate. I saw one that listed the Ranger as having a manual tranny standard but the Ford site says no, only automatic. That’s disappointing since trucks and sports cars are the sweet spot for manuals.

As to pricing, I got that from our friends here at Edmunds. They wouldn’t steer us wrong, would they?

https://youtu.be/_ngnb57Umn0

oldfarmer50

Now I’ve got myself thinking of trucks. Even though I can’t get a Ranger with a manual I’m thinking a basic XL could be what I’d like. I don’t need a lot of fancy electronics or stereos so an XL would be relatively cheap.

Then reality set in.

Every Ranger XL in my area is a 4X4 with a loaded option list $32-$37k. Not the basic truck I need.

I went to Tampa FL. inventory to get an inexpensive 4X2 XL with acceptable options load for a little over $25k. I could get a $79 one-way down there, visit with my BIL and drive back. Am I deluding myself?

https://shop.ford.com/inventory/ranger/details/1FTER1EH5MLD33752?fromPopularBuild=false&zipcode=33672&year=2021&fyear=2021&ownerPACode=04945&altleadsource=bp&Dealer=04945

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Now I’ve got myself thinking of trucks. Even though I can’t get a Ranger with a manual I’m thinking a basic XL could be what I’d like. I don’t need a lot of fancy electronics or stereos so an XL would be relatively cheap.

Then reality set in.

Every Ranger XL in my area is a 4X4 with a loaded option list $32-$37k. Not the basic truck I need.

I went to Tampa FL. inventory to get an inexpensive 4X2 XL with acceptable options load for a little over $25k. I could get a $79 one-way down there, visit with my BIL and drive back. Am I deluding myself?

https://shop.ford.com/inventory/ranger/details/1FTER1EH5MLD33752?fromPopularBuild=false&zipcode=33672&year=2021&fyear=2021&ownerPACode=04945&altleadsource=bp&Dealer=04945

Would this be a net add to the fleet, or would it replace something?

Could you live with 4x2 where you live?

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Now I’ve got myself thinking of trucks. Even though I can’t get a Ranger with a manual I’m thinking a basic XL could be what I’d like. I don’t need a lot of fancy electronics or stereos so an XL would be relatively cheap.

Then reality set in.

Every Ranger XL in my area is a 4X4 with a loaded option list $32-$37k. Not the basic truck I need.

I went to Tampa FL. inventory to get an inexpensive 4X2 XL with acceptable options load for a little over $25k. I could get a $79 one-way down there, visit with my BIL and drive back. Am I deluding myself?

https://shop.ford.com/inventory/ranger/details/1FTER1EH5MLD33752?fromPopularBuild=false&zipcode=33672&year=2021&fyear=2021&ownerPACode=04945&altleadsource=bp&Dealer=04945

Would this be a net add to the fleet, or would it replace something?

Could you live with 4x2 where you live?

It would probably replace the cargo van. Even a stripper truck would have things the van doesn’t like air conditioning and functioning air bags.

I’ve driven RWD cars in the winter all my life. I’ve never gotten stranded and they are fun in snowy parking lots.

oldfarmer50

Buying new seems like a no brainer when you see stuff like this:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=583877663&makeCodeList=FORD&modelCodeList=RANGER&city=Latham&state=NY&zip=12110&location=&searchRadius=200&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&dma=&listingTypes=USED&referrer=/cars-for-sale/ford/ranger/latham-ny-12110?dma=&searchRadius=200&location=&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&clickType=spotlight

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

Buying new seems like a no brainer when you see stuff like this:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=583877663&makeCodeList=FORD&modelCodeList=RANGER&city=Latham&state=NY&zip=12110&location=&searchRadius=200&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&dma=&listingTypes=USED&referrer=/cars-for-sale/ford/ranger/latham-ny-12110?dma=&searchRadius=200&location=&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&clickType=spotlight

That’s just crazy. I doubt it cost that much when new.

xwesx

oldfarmer50 said:

Now I’ve got myself thinking of trucks. Even though I can’t get a Ranger with a manual I’m thinking a basic XL could be what I’d like. I don’t need a lot of fancy electronics or stereos so an XL would be relatively cheap.

Then reality set in.

Every Ranger XL in my area is a 4X4 with a loaded option list $32-$37k. Not the basic truck I need.

I went to Tampa FL. inventory to get an inexpensive 4X2 XL with acceptable options load for a little over $25k. I could get a $79 one-way down there, visit with my BIL and drive back. Am I deluding myself?

https://shop.ford.com/inventory/ranger/details/1FTER1EH5MLD33752?fromPopularBuild=false&zipcode=33672&year=2021&fyear=2021&ownerPACode=04945&altleadsource=bp&Dealer=04945

Yeah, they aren't cheap. My friend in Anchorage got a very "basic" XL and his was right at $30K. Literally, the cheapest one he could find.

Are you deluding yourself? No. That sounds completely reasonable to me. I mean, if you really want to get a new pickup.

oldfarmer50

sda said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Buying new seems like a no brainer when you see stuff like this:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=583877663&makeCodeList=FORD&modelCodeList=RANGER&city=Latham&state=NY&zip=12110&location=&searchRadius=200&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&dma=&listingTypes=USED&referrer=/cars-for-sale/ford/ranger/latham-ny-12110?dma=&searchRadius=200&location=&marketExtension=include&isNewSearch=false&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&clickType=spotlight

That’s just crazy. I doubt it cost that much when new.

2019s are going on Autotrader for mid $30s. That’s got to be close to MSRP. I would hate to be in a position where I NEEDED to buy a truck.

xwesx

Regarding cars (for a change?), my wife seems to not want to part with her Crosstrek now. She's trying to convince me that it is better if I just fly down there this summer with the kids (leaving all my tools and whatnot behind), since we can "probably borrow what we need" when we're down there. This way, we only have one car to take home with us (she doesn't like the idea of just leaving that car in Ohio). /sigh

There's no way I'm going to Ohio to do a bunch of work on that house and leaving all my tools at home. That sounds like a nightmare to me!