STICKER SHOCK.....

[coppertales]

Wife and I went pickup shopping over the weekend.  We have not car shopped for 10 years.  Boy, were we surprised at what they are going for.  To replace our Ford 150 XLT with a like truck, you are talking 30 grand.  And, with clunker going on, the dealers are not hungry.  I think I just might look at used trucks.  This will, most likely, be my last truck purchase but I just can't bring myself to have a 500 buck car payment......chris3

[AZRedhawk44]

Good luck with that.

All the used stuff is also more expensive since the "clunkers" are getting destroyed.

But it's okay... Obama is looking out for you.

I wonder if Ford is selling higher than Dodge/Chevy since they are actually a non-governmental-entity.  I know that I consider Dodge to be dead.  I will be replacing my truck with either a Ford or Toyota some day, many moons from now.  Unless Dodge becomes a non-governmental-entity sometime in the future.

[HankB]

I know what you mean . . . I normally keep my vehicles 11 years (on average) and I can pretty much figure the price goes up about $1000/year.   

I've never had a car payment - I always pay cash. The way to do it is:

1) Drive your vehicle into the ground. I don't mean abuse it, keep doing proper maintainence, but don't be seduced by style, or "keeping up with the Joneses."

2) Even when your vehicle is paid off, keep making those monthy payments . . . . only make them to yourself. By the time you buy another vehicle, you should have enough to pay cash.

3) If you pay cash . . . on the day you buy a new vehicle, start saving for your next vehicle.

[charby]

Wife and I went pickup shopping over the weekend.  We have not car shopped for 10 years.  Boy, were we surprised at what they are going for.  To replace our Ford 150 XLT with a like truck, you are talking 30 grand.  And, with clunker going on, the dealers are not hungry.  I think I just might look at used trucks.  This will, most likely, be my last truck purchase but I just can't bring myself to have a 500 buck car payment......chris3

I can symphsize with you, I'm going through the process now of narrowing down a vehicle for me. I still can't believe how much vehicles cost.

[mtnbkr]

I've never had a car payment - I always pay cash. The way to do it is:

1) Drive your vehicle into the ground. I don't mean abuse it, keep doing proper maintainence, but don't be seduced by style, or "keeping up with the Joneses."

2) Even when your vehicle is paid off, keep making those monthy payments . . . . only make them to yourself. By the time you buy another vehicle, you should have enough to pay cash.

3) If you pay cash . . . on the day you buy a new vehicle, start saving for your next vehicle.

You're still making payments, you just don't have a creditor calling if you miss a "payment".

Chris

[Jamisjockey]

I can't help you with sticker shock.  Wife's SUV came with substantial sticker shock.  I cry when I hit the billpay button every month.

As for Ford F150's, that's what I drive. 
Mine's an '07.  I love her.  She is a good truck.  I tow the boat back and forth to the bay once or twice a month, 2.5 hours each way.  I've got the XLT 4x4.

[41magsnub]

You're still making payments, you just don't have a creditor calling if you miss a "payment".

Chris

And you collect interest instead of paying it!

[Tuco]

And you collect interest instead of paying it!

That right there.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

You're still making payments, you just don't have a creditor calling if you miss a "payment".

Chris

Yup.  You're paying for the car either way, the only question is whether or not you pay to finance it.

[Jamisjockey]

0% financing isn't too bad.  Wife rotates her cars too quickly to save for the next one anyways.
 

[crt360]

I saw a window sticker on a new base model Ford Ranger a couple of days ago that shocked me.  And when did a Corolla become a $20,000 car?

I'd really like a new Tacoma 4x4, but $30,000+ is staggering, especially when you look inside and it's still as plain as one from twenty years ago.  I'd love to have a old one, but apparently so do the people that have them for sale.

[Jamisjockey]

I saw a window sticker on a new base model Ford Ranger a couple of days ago that shocked me.  And when did a Corolla become a $20,000 car?

I'd really like a new Tacoma 4x4, but $30,000+ is staggering, especially when you look inside and it's still as plain as one from twenty years ago.  I'd love to have a old one, but apparently so do the people that have them for sale.

Inflation.  Minimum wage wasn't the same, 20 years ago, either.

[Regolith]

Car prices make me feel better about my student loans.

Instead of feeling like I'm under crushing debt, I can re-frame it so that it's "like buying a new car!"

 

[Boomhauer]

Not too long ago a shopper for a used truck or SUV had many, many to choose from as people traded them in on more fuel efficient cars.

Not now with the Cash For Clunkers bullcrap...

[Jamisjockey]

Not too long ago a shopper for a used truck or SUV had many, many to choose from as people traded them in on more fuel efficient cars.

Not now with the Cash For Clunkers bullcrap...

NBC local news actually did a quick hit on that tonight, and how the shortage of used cars will affect low income families.  I smiled, and applauded.

[Ben]

I smiled, and applauded.

You've stepped out of the circle. Prepare for re-indoctrination. SEIU goons will be by shortly. 

[coppertales]

Spoke with a dealer Sunday.  They reconfirmed that I would rather get two root canals and a postrate exam than put up with a car salesman.  I decided not to buy a new car at this time.  There really are no deals out there right now.........chris3

[K Frame]

"a postrate exam"

What if you were to stand upright during the exam, instead of laying face down on the ground?

Would that make it better? :)


And don't even get me started about SEIU...