Looking for a new Chevy truck?

[hittman]

Local Chevy store has (so I assume its nationwide) 20 percent off MSRP.

Man those Tahoe's are spendy! They have one on the lot that 20 percent off brings it all the way down to $62,950.00. :shock:

 

[Ale-8(1)]

When I look at new vehicle prices it convinces me to spend several dollars on serious remedial maintenance on my old Forester in an attempt to get another ten years out of it. I'll likely be done driving by then.

:?

 

[wheelgun1958]

Spending a few thousand on my old dakota quad cab sounds much more reasonable.

 

[Montelores]

I had a conversation today with a friend who is knowledgeable about the car business.

The car companies are now more "bank" than "manufacturer," in that they are so heavily involved in the finance aspect of selling automobiles. (This has been the case for years.)

It seems that the value of the cars and trucks in this price range depreciates faster than the pay-down on the loans which are constructed to facilitate their purchase, so the "owners" end up "underwater" after a few years.

Essentially, they owe more than the car is worth, similar to the housing crisis of just a few years ago.

His opinion - it will have broader implications for the economy as a whole and doesn't bode well for our fiscal future.

Monty

 

[Ale-8(1)]

What are car loans now . . . six years?

 

[hittman]

What are car loans now . . . six years?

Seven is not uncommon.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Is this where we wonder if it isn't about time for one of the "big three" to go bankrupt and disappear?

 

[Montelores]

The real concern is not auto manufacturer solvency, but the over-extended credit in the financial system.

Monty

 

[smoke-eater]

Whatever happened to BASIC trucks? Years ago, you could buy a pickup with :
A.) straight six
B.) 3-speed on the column
C.) cloth bench seat
D.) AM radio (or none at all)
E.) no A/C
F.) rubber floor mats (no carpeting)
G.) 2 w/d
H.) an affordable price

Is there no longer a market for a truck like that? I, for one would be a buyer.

 

[Heliman]

In 1978 I bought a new Ford F-150 with a 300cu.in. 6 cylinder, automatic transmission, 2wd, long bed, vinyl seats, rubber floor mat and radio delete. I think I paid $5,000+/- for it. Sure wish I still owned it.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Is there no longer a market for a truck like that? I, for one would be a buyer.

Hi,

If you can find a dealer who specializes in the fleet market, you can probably see what the closest thing to "the white truck" still being made is. That's what an old car dealer acquaintance called the truck you describe. Utility companies, cities and other governmental agencies, farmers... there was a market with all those guys years ago, and I'd think it's still there.

But even the strippie "work truck" today is gonna be pretty well dolled up in comparison... and I've got no idea of cost. With the pretty stuff going for $50k-70k, it might still cost you in the mid-30s. Ouch!

Rick C

 

[wolfsong]

Chevy is considering offering a truck that goes for over 100 grand now.

 

[redhawker]

Whatever happened to BASIC trucks? Years ago, you could buy a pickup with :
A.) straight six
B.) 3-speed on the column
C.) cloth bench seat
D.) AM radio (or none at all)
E.) no A/C
F.) rubber floor mats (no carpeting)
G.) 2 w/d
H.) an affordable price

Is there no longer a market for a truck like that? I, for one would be a buyer.

Here ya go...

..actually, I'm sorry I sold it though.

 

[Mobuck]

Dad bought a new 1967 F-100 RWD 352 V8 and 4 speed for approx $2500. Seven years later, a basic F-100 4WD 351 V8 and 4 speed cost around $6500. In 77, a new Chevy 3/4 4WD 350 & 4 speed was in the $7500 range.
To put these figures into perspective, in 1970 you could haul 7 good steer calves to the sale barn and take the money those calves sold for to the Chevy dealer and drive home a new 3/4 ton 4WD pickup. These days it takes the price of two calves to pay the sales tax.
I don't buy "new" anymore. That "new car smell" can be bought in a can @ WalMart for under $4. My current work pickup (2004 Chevy 1/2 ton 4WD X-cab) had only 74K miles on it when purchased in 2018 and cost $11K. It's paid me back approx $11700 in paid mileage(approx $6K of actual "profit" after cost of operation deductions). One more year and it's fully paid for itself. When this one hits 150K(or before), I'll be looking for it's replacement and sell this one for whatever I can get.
I was told a couple months back that there was a glut of Chevy crew cab 1/2 tons still sitting on dealers' lots and they were cutting prices just to be rid of them.

 

[Bull Barrel]

You would be surprised to find what that 04 Silverado is selling for these days.
Rusted out examples with 200k miles on them are going for crazy money because new ones cost so much.
My 92 Dakota has 136 k on it...roll down windows, no power locks or seats. Needs paint but its no big deal. I'll drive it until it drops.
And I paid just $1900 for it about 8 years ago.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Every time I have to do a little maintenance on my 2004 F-250 I just remind myself "you could go get you a new one just like it for only $75,000." Always seems to put things in perspective for me. I'm at 146k miles right now, and even if I have to put a motor or transmission in it at some point I think I'll still be ahead of the game.

And I drove my share of those really basic trucks over the years; mostly F-100s and F-150s with one '70 GMC 3/4 ton and a '78 Dodge in the mix - but I'll have to admit like the creature comforts on my 2004 awfully well. You can get one a lot fancier, but it's got everything I want/need, and we've taken it on several cross-country trips in plenty of comfort. I see myself driving it a long time. 2004 still sounds like a pretty new truck to me, even though it's now 16 model years old. Oh well, I'm pretty old too.

 

[powder smoke]

03 Silverado here runs like a watch! 2500 Duramax gets about 20mpg I run this
into the ground. They way it's going, wouldn't surprise me to get another 10 years
out of it! We will see. ps

 

[Dan in MI]

Whatever happened to BASIC trucks? Years ago, you could buy a pickup with :
A.) straight six
B.) 3-speed on the column
C.) cloth bench seat
D.) AM radio (or none at all)
E.) no A/C
F.) rubber floor mats (no carpeting)
G.) 2 w/d
H.) an affordable price

Is there no longer a market for a truck like that? I, for one would be a buyer.

Those were "a key and a heater" no rear bumper either.


Foolishly (stupidly) I sold my 02, v8, manual trans, crank window, manual lock, rubber mat, truck at 230k miles. Almost since the day I did it I have regretted it. Should have bought a clean body, blown engine of the same truck and swapped bodies.....

Have you noticed how tall trucks are now? My 2wd the bed is so high I cannot reach into it. That got me wondering about bed height. I found a 1995 1 ton 4x4 and checked. Yup, even on a 4x4 I used to be able to reach into the bed. What's up with that?

Even fleet trucks have power everything now. You just can't get a truck that's a truck anymore.

 

[Pyromike]

My last job, company provided me with a truck. Basic 3/4 ton Ford, 2wd, crank windows, manual locks, no cruise and a radio. I did have A/C! Boss didn't believe in 4wd (even though he pays a good fee every time it had to be pulled out of mud, snow, etc.) Warehouse was at an old farm so it got stuck often. He lives around Chicago and has never seen a dirt road; even with his 4x4, or Range Rover. Here in Michigan the rain and snow provides plenty of opportunities to get stuck. If you've ever had to lean over and unlock a door or roll down the passenger window, it's a pain. Last truck was/is a 2008. Still being used by the guy who took over for me. I had to buy the floor mats & seat covers if I wanted an accessory.

When you traveled for work 3+ hours one way, cruise would have been nice. All these options cost money.
I used to carry a tow strap. People would laugh and ask who I was going to pull out? It was for me to get pulled out. Truck is over 180,000 miles and he'd rather keep putting money into it than invest in a few options.

I've looked at a new/used truck for myself but can't see paying the price. I'll keep driving my 15 year old Chevy as long as it keeps running.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I remember when bumpers , radios , AC , power windows , automatic transmissions , V8 engines and chrome was optional and you could even work on them in your front yard.
Now all that is all standard equipment ( except the V8 ) and everything is computerized or electric and good luck working on it yourself.

 

[Mega Twin]

Even if you try to order a new truck with only the things you want on it,
you are forced to add different packages,instead of individual accessories.

 

[wheelgun1958]

I remember when bumpers , radios , AC , power windows , automatic transmissions , V8 engines and chrome was optional and you could even work on them in your front yard.
Now all that is all standard equipment ( except the V8 ) and everything is computerized or electric and good luck working on it yourself.

Don't even get me started on sideways engines.

 

[Kevin]

hittman:
Are you really serious, that AFTER 20% off the price is STILL $62,950? Wow!

Have you checked out a RAM 1500? I don’t think they are that much. Or even the GMC Sierra? Aren’t they basically a Chevy with another name?

 

[Bull Barrel]

I remember when bumpers , radios , AC , power windows , automatic transmissions , V8 engines and chrome was optional and you could even work on them in your front yard.
Now all that is all standard equipment ( except the V8 ) and everything is computerized or electric and good luck working on it yourself.

Don't even get me started on sideways engines.

Yeah, like dem goofy Harleys!

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

link to local dealer here in WI, I think I've got it set to show only 4x4 pickups
they have at least 6 dealer ships which carry all of the Big 3

https://www.brenengen.com/search/new-buick-cadillac-chevrolet-chrysler-dodge-ford-jeep-kia-lincoln-ram-regular-cab-pickup-crew-cab-pickup-extended-cab-pickup-4wd-la-crosse-wi/?bd=6&bd=9&bd=10&cy=54601&dt=1&tp=new

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Basic truck . . . plus: 1985 F-150XL, detail-ordered

A.) 300 cu-in straight six
B.) 4-speed "granny" transmission
C.) Cloth bench seat
D.) AM/FM/Cassette (!)
E.) A/C
F.) Rubber floor mats (no carpeting)
G.) 2 w/d
H.) Optional "heavy load" package w/limited-slip rear end
I.) Handling package
J.) The fancy Ford grey spokers with trim rings and center hubs
K.) Cruise control
L.) Heavy rear bumper

Don't recall the total price, but with a nice trade-in I think I owed $6K out-the-door.

Great truck. Wish I still had it.

 

[Dan in MI]

Basic truck . . . plus: 1985 F-150XL, detail-ordered

A.) 300 cu-in straight six
B.) 4-speed "granny" transmission
C.) Cloth bench seat
D.) AM/FM/Cassette (!)
E.) A/C
F.) Rubber floor mats (no carpeting)
G.) 2 w/d
H.) Optional "heavy load" package w/limited-slip rear end
I.) Handling package
J.) The fancy Ford grey spokers with trim rings and center hubs
K.) Cruise control
L.) Heavy rear bumper

Don't recall the total price, but with a nice trade-in I think I owed $6K out-the-door.

Great truck. Wish I still had it.

I'd buy it!

 

[Tensaw]

I had a conversation today with a friend who is knowledgeable about the car business.

The car companies are now more "bank" than "manufacturer," in that they are so heavily involved in the finance aspect of selling automobiles. (This has been the case for years.)

It seems that the value of the cars and trucks in this price range depreciates faster than the pay-down on the loans which are constructed to facilitate their purchase, so the "owners" end up "underwater" after a few years.

Essentially, they owe more than the car is worth, similar to the housing crisis of just a few years ago.

His opinion - it will have broader implications for the economy as a whole and doesn't bode well for our fiscal future.

Monty

So true. Several years back I bought a used truck (one year old) from a dealer. I paid cash for it. The dealer said oh paying cash for a vehicle is the worst way to buy it. We can finance it for you. Yea right.

 

[Fox Mike]

Many times I have wished I had my HHQ Troop assigned CUCV from the late 80s early 90s. That was one tough truck. Diesel powered V-8, 4 whl drive.

 

[arfmel]

“Or even the GMC Sierra? Aren’t they basically a Chevy with another name?”

At the dealerships I checked last year, a similarly equipped GMC was always more expensive than the equivalent Chevy.