Price of new Ford 3.5 EB F-150 XLT (Are they Crazy)

Options are definitely driving transaction prices for sure, but sometimes the consumer has no choice. There's some things that used to be option, but the government now mandates them like TPMS and backup cameras.

Manufacturers have gotten smart over the years by slowly phasing out the stripper models. For example, you can't get a stick in a Ford or GM. Other things like standard AC, ABS, multi airbag systems, power windows and locks, infotainment systems, etc help drive up the price. It will only be a matter of time before you can't get roll up windows or manual headlights anymore.

They also bundle the one option you want with a bunch of stuff you don't want, similar to what the cable companies do. RAMs used to be pretty a la carte, but now everything bundled together in a handful of packages. And sometimes getting the OEM option outside of the factory isn't possible so you have to buy it factory equipped. You are essentially forced to pay for options that you don't need or want to get the one you want.

No doubt one could help themselves by purchasing a lower trim level. Really that's something that can apply to lots of things we buy. However, the price of admission just to get in the door is going up.

proxim2020 wrote:

RPreeb wrote:
You simply can't compare what you paid 10 years ago to pricing today... the world just doesn't work that way.

Dollar for dollar you cannot, but when you look into it deeper then you can see the problem. New vehicle prices are outpacing median incomes around the country. Not only that, but the price increases year over year for some vehicle types, pickup trucks for example, are far outpacing the rate of inflation.

Even the average year over year auto price increase is up. 10 years ago the average year over year price increase averaged about 0.4 percent. Last year's average was nearly 3 percent.

Since the recession wages have mostly remained stagnant while vehicle prices have continued to increase. When you add all of that together, vehicles are becoming too expensive for the average American. Banks are offering more and more long term loans with nearly 1/3 of new loans being between 73-84 months.

Financial inflation may not be going up as fast as car and truck prices, but vehicle inflation is. By that I mean all the bells and whistles they keep putting on new pickups are part of the price increase. People have gotten used to it in their cars, so now they expect it in a truck. I know that I did.

I never even owned a vehicle with power windows or AC, car or truck, until I bought my 2003 Honda Accord v6 coupe. Moving up one trim level on that car was more than $2000, mostly ($1500) for the factory nav system, which I didn't want or need - my $200 Garmin works just fine.

Now I want, I might even say I expect, some of those conveniences. Even so, I bought my F-150 with a lower trim package, because it had everything I wanted, and didn't have things like the sun/moon roof and nav that I definitely didn't want. One just has to be honest with himself and sort out wants from actual needs, then work from that premise with what he can afford.

proxim2020 wrote:

RPreeb wrote:
You simply can't compare what you paid 10 years ago to pricing today... the world just doesn't work that way.

Dollar for dollar you cannot, but when you look into it deeper then you can see the problem. New vehicle prices are outpacing median incomes around the country. Not only that, but the price increases year over year for some vehicle types, pickup trucks for example, are far outpacing the rate of inflation.

Even the average year over year auto price increase is up. 10 years ago the average year over year price increase averaged about 0.4 percent. Last year's average was nearly 3 percent.

Since the recession wages have mostly remained stagnant while vehicle prices have continued to increase. When you add all of that together, vehicles are becoming too expensive for the average American. Banks are offering more and more long term loans with nearly 1/3 of new loans being between 73-84 months.

When you increase the regulations; such as safety standards requiring more air bags, CAFE standards requiring 10 sp transmissions and turbo chargers, etc. - well those don't come free, you got to pay for those regulations. And as you can see, they ain't cheap like they tried to tell you.

RPreeb wrote:
You simply can't compare what you paid 10 years ago to pricing today... the world just doesn't work that way.

Dollar for dollar you cannot, but when you look into it deeper then you can see the problem. New vehicle prices are outpacing median incomes around the country. Not only that, but the price increases year over year for some vehicle types, pickup trucks for example, are far outpacing the rate of inflation.

Even the average year over year auto price increase is up. 10 years ago the average year over year price increase averaged about 0.4 percent. Last year's average was nearly 3 percent.

Since the recession wages have mostly remained stagnant while vehicle prices have continued to increase. When you add all of that together, vehicles are becoming too expensive for the average American. Banks are offering more and more long term loans with nearly 1/3 of new loans being between 73-84 months.

totaldla wrote:

Jebby14 wrote:

totaldla wrote:
Why do you need a pickup? Expeditions, Excursions, Suburbans, Tahoes all make great tow vehicles.

just got a new f150 would have much rather had a full size suv but the prices are WAAAAYYYY more expensive.

A new f150 $26k - $63k. A new Expedition $41k - $67k.

now build and price one setup to do its job. I built one as close as I could to match my needs and it came in almost 16k higher than the f150 similarly equipped

bstar1952 wrote:

subcamper wrote:
I paid a body shop $6K to repair rust damage (I live near Buffalo,NY) and I just replaced the fuel lines, fuel pump, and brake lines myself. My Sub will have to keep going for a few more years. After that I may look for a rust-free 2001-2005 K2500 like mine from a southern or west state.

It's hard to imagine paying near $80K for a vehicle that will rust out in front of your eyes over a period of years.

Steve

When you start looking, check out south Texas. Lots of older Suburbans in great shape down here.

You're not kidding!

I checked craig's list in the Dallas area for "Chevrolet Suburban" and got 1068 hits.

Looks like Texas is the place to get used Suburbans.

Steve

Jebby14 wrote:

totaldla wrote:
Why do you need a pickup? Expeditions, Excursions, Suburbans, Tahoes all make great tow vehicles.

just got a new f150 would have much rather had a full size suv but the prices are WAAAAYYYY more expensive.

A new f150 $26k - $63k. A new Expedition $41k - $67k.

SoundGuy wrote:

subcamper wrote:
I paid a body shop $6K to repair rust damage (I live near Buffalo,NY) and I just replaced the fuel lines, fuel pump, and brake lines myself. My Sub will have to keep going for a few more years.

Steve - I feel your pain. :( My 2005 Avalanche now has 210,000 km (125,000 miles) on it and although I did have the transmission rebuilt last summer it otherwise runs really well, tows our 4500 lb travel trailer without issue. :B The problem is the body is now rotting out in several locations on the rear panels ... I'm torn as to what to do about as it looks like heck but spending thousands $$$$ to repair it won't make it tow any better. I have no body repair experience at all but the only alternative I can think of is to just do what I can myself ... wish I had your fortitude to just spend the $$$$ and get it fixed right yet with no guarantee it won't rot out again. :R

You are right, there is no guarantee that it won't rot out again. It probably will rot out in a new spot in a few years. Spending 6K to make it looks good again probably was a poor financial decision on a truck this old, but I am OCD about having a vehicle with rust holes in it, so I figure some of the money also helped my mental health :D.

I have done body work in the past and its a real dirty, nasty (chemicals, sanding,etc) job that is easily messed up. I don't mind rebuilding an engine but I hate doing body work.

Steve

Look at any new vehicle fully loaded and the price is going to be outrageous when compared to a more moderately equipped model. I don't care if it's a Caddy or a Hyundai, F-150 or Suburban, the price goes up fast as you add more options. If you really need the vehicle, you can find most of them with modest option packages and relatively modest pricing by comparison. You simply can't compare what you paid 10 years ago to pricing today... the world just doesn't work that way.

I don't deny that sticker shock has become a more serious concern in the new millennium, but it is what it is, and sometimes we have to forego the fancy stuff to get the necessities.

subcamper wrote:
I paid a body shop $6K to repair rust damage (I live near Buffalo,NY) and I just replaced the fuel lines, fuel pump, and brake lines myself. My Sub will have to keep going for a few more years.

Steve - I feel your pain. :( My 2005 Avalanche now has 210,000 km (125,000 miles) on it and although I did have the transmission rebuilt last summer it otherwise runs really well, tows our 4500 lb travel trailer without issue. :B The problem is the body is now rotting out in several locations on the rear panels ... I'm torn as to what to do about as it looks like heck but spending thousands $$$$ to repair it won't make it tow any better. I have no body repair experience at all but the only alternative I can think of is to just do what I can myself ... wish I had your fortitude to just spend the $$$$ and get it fixed right yet with no guarantee it won't rot out again. :R