Buying a used vehicle...sigh

[Iraqvet05]

I have been doing a ton of web shopping for a low mile, used F250 crew cab gasser. I'm just doing my due diligence and trying to get the most out of my purchase but to my wife, it has become my latest obsession.

In larger metro areas, prices seem to be inflated due to the high demand of quality used trucks and high dealer overhead. If you have walked into a new corporate branded dealership lately, the overhead expense they incur is obvious. Similar F250 XLTs in Kansas City and Middle of Nowhere, Oklahoma are priced thousands of dollars apart and you can probably get a good deal if you are willing to make the drive to Nowhere, OK and trust the accuracy of the seller's description of the vehicle.

When I first started looking at used vehicles, I didn't pay attention to the Carfax reports but now I look for it ever time and skip vehicles that do not offer them for a few reasons. One trend I have noticed was the number of vehicles originating in Canada. The Canadian connection confused me until I found this article that explains it's pure economics that push used Canadian vehicles south of their border to the tune of 16,000 vehicles a year. I'm certainly not opposed to an exported truck and hope this helps the consumer (like me) get a better deal on a used vehicle. In another Carfax report, I found a truck that was sold in August 2017 out of Alabama. A quick search of the town in Alabama indicated they had a major flood in June 2017....coincidence? I think not.

The search goes on and I will be ready to make my purchase later this month but that still doesn't set my mind at ease on what's available in the used market and the dreaded dealer negotiations. Frankly, I'd rather get teeth pulled than deal with a over-bearing salesman. My budget is limiting my dreams of purchasing a new truck but I'm hopeful I can find a quality used truck and be happy with the purchase price...fingers crossed.

[Grit_dog]

The economy is great and fuel prices are generally low. Expect to keep seeing what you’re seeing, a low inventory of newer used gas guzzlers.
Also, a much greater % of HD trucks are diesels. Most of the gasses are fleet vehicles. Bet 7 of 10 used trucks like you’re looking for are white!
Why 250? Because there are very few 350 gassers.
You are looking for a vehicle that there are not a lot of compared to diesels or half tons.
Just keep searching, or go buy a new one. $10k off the sticker on a low to moderate equipped truck isn’t much more than your budget.
Used truck market is hot still.

[Iraqvet05]

ppine wrote:
There is so much information on vehicles out there it can be confusing. I have had the best luck buying from private buyers, on consignment lots or through sites like craigslist. I would be reluctant to buy a used truck from a dealer because they really have inflated the prices on desirable vehicles like the one you are looking for.

Agreed but the problem I have been running into is a lack of newer, low mileage trucks for sale privately. I seen a few trucks here but guys are asking more than dealerships for similar trucks. I assume those sellers are trying to get their loan paid off but their are not realistic in the depreciated value of the truck.

I assume most guys that have the money to buy a truck every few years often trade them in rather than sell them privately.

[ppine]

There is so much information on vehicles out there it can be confusing. I have had the best luck buying from private buyers, on consignment lots or through sites like craigslist. I would be reluctant to buy a used truck from a dealer because they really have inflated the prices on desirable vehicles like the one you are looking for.

[Iraqvet05]

Thanks for the replies. As stated, I am not opposed to an exported truck as most of the parts for the F series are made in Canada anyway. The article I read says dealers spend about $300 to convert the speedometer to meet US standards otherwise it's the same truck. As for the A/C, I thought most modern vehicles come standard with A/C. I remember years ago *(70s-80s) that many cars shipped to northern states and Canada didn't have A/C but assumed that trend went away.

On 4WD, that is a must for me. I had a 2WD Silverado a few years and one year we had multiple 5" plus snowfalls and I got nowhere in that truck. As the says goes, I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

I have also been looking at low mileage gasses F250s (SRW) but they are few and far between in my area.

[Dave_H_M]

I thought normal Dave's posting gave a good over the world view and pricing on the used F 250 gas.

I got right at 50K miles on my 2012 XLT crew cab now. I did order 1K worth of add on's. 430 diffy, side moldings, spray in bed liner, upfitter switches. I paid 36K and change out the door at the time of delivery.

Seems they have held price pretty well.

[normal_dave]

Carmax had several of the F-250 XLT gassers. ~ $ 500 transfer fee to KC from just about anywhere. We've had two good purchase experiences from them, painless, but still did my homework. Here's a quick search, don't know if the link will work:
Carmax F-250 < $35K

[Dadoffourgirls]

I see truckloads of used vehicles coming into the US at my local Canadian crossings. There is definitely a business in doing this.

I understand that Carfax may not have everything all the time, but I agree that it will help you keep from buying a potential problem.

Why are you only looking for a F250?

[coolmom42]

A good many Ford trucks are built in Canada and sold as new in the US. As long as they are not old enough to have rust damage, no reason to avoid them.

[bucky]

Make sure that any Canadian purchase meets US emission standards. AND THE BIG ONE make sure that it has AC if you want it. Many a used car buyer has been burned by not checking that on northern vehicles. Including dealer buyers.

[ACZL]

Iraqvet05,

1st off let me start by saying THANK YOU for your service yo our country and keeping us safe.

Sent you a PM.

[valhalla360]

I get the hurricane flood damage but why worry about a canadian truck? As long as the dealer took care of the import paperwork/taxes, who cares.

One option I'm surprised more people don't do is as for a video call and have the salesman remotely give you a tour of the truck (skype/facetime/a host of other video formats). You can ask for close up views of the wheel wells or other areas you would be concerned about in real time. Then if it looks promising, take the drive out but if you see a major issue, you can back out before driving to the dealer.

[normal_dave]

Road Trip...what's not to like here? XLT, 6.2L, factory trailer brake controller, Sync, 25K miles, $ 31K price... does show rental/fleet history, but it might be worth a look.
2013 F-250 6.2L XLT

Edit: If you could live with 2WD, This XL is setup quite nice, fifth wheel prep package, Tow package, XL appearance package,upfitter switches, power package, etc. low miles, priced right.
2016 F-250 XL Tow Rig 2WD

Edit #2 While not necessarily low miles, I'd sure give it a look for the price, checkout the detailed service history...3.73 locker, tow package, etc.
2013 F-250 XLT 2WD $22K

[mtofell1]

Yeah, it's tough to find good, recent used trucks for sure. All I can think is that it's good old supply/demand economics. One thing I personally put zero faith in is Carfax. Sure, it can give you some good information but the absence of information should never be relied upon and clean bill of health.

Carfax scours DMV databases and whatever crumbs they can get from insurance companies but it's far from absolute. My ex-business partner had too many beers one night and wrapped his truck around a tree a few years ago. It probably should have been totaled but the insurance company chose to fix it. 16K damage to repair it. Since it was a 1 car accident and Farmers didn't report it anywhere there's no paper trail. All these cars getting flooded in recent storms and whatnot is a whole other worry.

Fear not though, as an alternative, get an inspection from a third party. A guy that knows cars can tell if a car has been in a flood or accident within minutes. I have a buddy that does this for work and I can't believe how/what he picks up on instantly. Rusted screws, swapped body panels, rubbed paint on the edges of the hood from a wreck, etc., etc.

If you're shopping a vehicle far away you can even save the drive just by paying someone to go check it out before you get too excited.

[MFL]

With the 17 model year being a changeover, there should be deals to be had on 16 and older. The 16 and older gas did still have the heavier transmission and axle also. Bought my 13 new, and really like it! I do like the looks of the new SuperDuty, but seems they just keep getting taller.

Hope you find a nice one!

Jerry

[Iraqvet05]

NMDriver wrote:
Go to a large military base and check out the lemon-lot. Many vehicles are sold when change of station orders come along. Many`of them have been well maintained and are often still under warranty. Some are sold for what is owed or take over payments.

Yes, I remember that trend when I was on active duty. At Ft Carson, the old Burger King parking lot became a used everything lot for guys PCS'ing but unfortunately I left the Army before retirement and cannot access any post.