From Tundra to which 3/4 ton
In the market for a new hd truck, coming from a tundra 5.7, pulling power was never the problem, but payload was once we hooked up the Outback 250rs, filled the 8' bed with firewood, grill, coolers, 4...
Forum Discussion
Don't be mislead by the sticker prices on trucks. They are the most profitable vehicles for all the manufacturers. It is said that 90% of Ford's profits result from its sales of the F-150 pickup truck.
I bought a 2011 3/4 ton diesel truck with mid-level trim and all the various packages for under $42,000. I bought it after the 2012 models were starting to appear on dealers' lots and I paid cash and there was no trade-in involved. I also drove 120 miles to get to the dealer with the best deal.
Even if the dealer sells you a vehicle at their invoice cost they still make a good profit as this invoiced amount does not include the various discounts that they get based on the number of vehicles they sell during a period. That is also why if they make it into another bracket they get money back on every vehicle they have sold during the period so the can be many dollars ahead even if they "dump" a few vehicles and sell them below their cost.
Dealers also make a much higher profit margin on options so these are much easier for them to discount and throw into the deal. They also have more money to work with when there is no salesperson commission to pay. I always ask for the sales manager or the fleet manager as these people work on salary. If there is no commission of $1000-2000 to pay out that there is more room for them to come down in the negotiation.
I know I am at a disadvantage with a dealer so I will come in late in the month and a couple of hours before they close for the night. This puts pressure on them to close the deal. I never take a vehicle home for the night as this works in their favor and takes the pressure off as they know I need to return the vehicle and they have another opportunity to sell me.
Also never ever respond to a question from a salesperson as to how much you want to spend or what you want your monthly payment to be as that is the kiss of death in terms of negotiating the lowest possible price.
I look at the cost of a vehicle as being real money. If it takes me 4 hours to get a dealer to come down $400 that is like making $150 an hour before taxes and that works for me. That includes getting the dealer to include free items or at a bare minimum to include extras at their cost and to do any installation work at no charge. With my last truck the freebies included tow mirrors, chrome side steps, a bed liner, and a GM tool box for the bed. At retail these freebies would have cost me over $2,000.
This is the perfect time to look for a 2014 truck sitting on a dealer's lot and make them an offer. If they have an internet salesperson these people are also usually not making a commission so you can work through them by phone to negotiate and there is no way the usual sales tricks can be effective when the sales or finance manager has to use email.
I bought a 2011 3/4 ton diesel truck with mid-level trim and all the various packages for under $42,000. I bought it after the 2012 models were starting to appear on dealers' lots and I paid cash and there was no trade-in involved. I also drove 120 miles to get to the dealer with the best deal.
Even if the dealer sells you a vehicle at their invoice cost they still make a good profit as this invoiced amount does not include the various discounts that they get based on the number of vehicles they sell during a period. That is also why if they make it into another bracket they get money back on every vehicle they have sold during the period so the can be many dollars ahead even if they "dump" a few vehicles and sell them below their cost.
Dealers also make a much higher profit margin on options so these are much easier for them to discount and throw into the deal. They also have more money to work with when there is no salesperson commission to pay. I always ask for the sales manager or the fleet manager as these people work on salary. If there is no commission of $1000-2000 to pay out that there is more room for them to come down in the negotiation.
I know I am at a disadvantage with a dealer so I will come in late in the month and a couple of hours before they close for the night. This puts pressure on them to close the deal. I never take a vehicle home for the night as this works in their favor and takes the pressure off as they know I need to return the vehicle and they have another opportunity to sell me.
Also never ever respond to a question from a salesperson as to how much you want to spend or what you want your monthly payment to be as that is the kiss of death in terms of negotiating the lowest possible price.
I look at the cost of a vehicle as being real money. If it takes me 4 hours to get a dealer to come down $400 that is like making $150 an hour before taxes and that works for me. That includes getting the dealer to include free items or at a bare minimum to include extras at their cost and to do any installation work at no charge. With my last truck the freebies included tow mirrors, chrome side steps, a bed liner, and a GM tool box for the bed. At retail these freebies would have cost me over $2,000.
This is the perfect time to look for a 2014 truck sitting on a dealer's lot and make them an offer. If they have an internet salesperson these people are also usually not making a commission so you can work through them by phone to negotiate and there is no way the usual sales tricks can be effective when the sales or finance manager has to use email.
