Find a truck you like that fits your needs and buy it.

Have a big wallet...

Prepare your anus. The dealerships are going in raw.

But seriously...negotiate final price, and don't go crazy on the options.

Follow up: what are you going to be using it for?

Go to a Toyota dealership

DrEvazanPhD said:

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Prepare your anus. The dealerships are going in raw.

But seriously...negotiate final price, and don't go crazy on the options.

Follow up: what are you going to be using it for?

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If I know OP like I think I do this shouldn't be an issue.

RO519 said:

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Daily driver, but I also drag a bassboat 2-3 time a month into east Texas from Houston. I currently have a 2011 1500 with 140K miles on it. It is starting to have some issues, which is why I am considering replacement.

Ideally, I would like to get a 2500 with a duramax, but the price tag on em is hard to swallow. I like to have a nice interior due to my commute, so I won't get a stripped down model.

The price of the LTZ 1500's is higher than I expected looking around online.

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Issues at 140k miles???

Might want to consider the Ford F250!!!

RO519 said:

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Ideally, I would like to get a 2500 with a duramax, but the price tag on em is hard to swallow. I like to have a nice interior due to my commute, so I won't get a stripped down model.

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Prepare for multiple posts from folks telling you that you don't need a duramax 2500 to pull a bass boat twice a month.


And I agree with them but do whatever the hell you want with your cash. Lord knows I make some irrational decision.

-Rick

What issues is your current truck having? At 140k miles, there's still plenty of life left in the truck with some routine maintenance and minor repairs. You may spend $800 one time for a repair, or you can spend $5-900 each month for a new truck.

As far as tips:
- Negotiate price, not monthly payments
- If paying cash, do not let them know that nor tell them how much you have
- Have financing already lined up at a bank or credit union, but also see what the manufacture is offering. You can always refinance at a later date
- They may have a $x,xxx back or x.x% offer going. If you have financing lined up, you have an idea of what rate you can get elsewhere, so taking the money may be better overall. Be aware that if you take the money, the rate they offer will suck, so just go down in a week or so and refinance
- Don't be afraid to walk out if you can't reach an agreement. If you do reach an agreement, keep your guard up and make sure they don't try to trick you into something outside of the agreement during the signing process. Review everything and ensure they're not sneaking in something.
- Most important: do not get emotionally attached to a vehicle. If you do, you will be more likely to get suckered in or make a decision that will have a negative financial impact. The sales guy will sense this as well.

1. make sure you identify what you will really use it for
2. modern diesels drive well, but have been rendered almost useless by unreliable DEF bull***** They have a hugely high failure rate, with numerous weak points in the system - not even counting the fact that they will choose to stop running if you run low on their bull**** fluid, which you have to add all the time and cannot stockpile because it goes bad so quickly. (some democrat made a fortune off that bull**** regulation). and lord help you if you put old or wet diesel in it.
3. in general, GM has the best drivetrain, wiring harnesses, and brakes, ford has the best interiors and bodies, dodge is a decent compromise at the price, yota is about like the dodge,
4. they all have lots of annoying bull**** counterproductive electronics, it is even starting to interfere with work truck trim levels. most are now 4-7 year disposable trucks because of it, so dont count on keeping it.

honestly, for me as a rancher/often off road/car hauler tower/office highway daily driver, i chose a GMC 6.0 gas 2500 work truck, after my duramax proved it was not worth having.. then swapped long blocks and tuning for 600/600 hp/tq.

i hated the GMC 1500 LTZ electronics, electric steering, and tiny gas tank, and the brakes sucked. I loved the 2017 duramax but couldnt rely on it, the ford and dodge 2500's were not nimble enough and still had DEF issues, the 1500's other brands were all way too weak for my needs, none had enough power for my tastes,

i did like my 2011 raptor but it was really underpowered and got terrible mileage, and as it aged ford's parts are stupid high (transmission was $6000.... a 2011 GM 6l80E transmission is a MUCH better transmission and you can get it for $1800).

i didnt really want an older diesel with tuning and DEF delete, due to the commie bull**** regs, fuel pump situation, etc., and i didnt have time to do what i really wanted, which was to build a classic truck body on a modern chassis.

so there is my unconventional but well educated answer.

Have a price in your head you can work with. Find truck close to that price. Start laughing and saying "no". Be willing to walk.

My wife laughed the last two times because there literally was no negotiating. She knows I get a pleasure out of pissing of salesmen....like a previous poster mentioned, don't get emotionally attached and don't be afraid to get up and walk out. Amazing how fast they can suddenly lower the price more, or add more goodies. Don't be afraid to play with your your own numbers in front of the finance guys.

schmellba99 said:

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look into the Dodge and Nissan 1/2 ton diesels. Significantly more power and better mileage than gas engines and they get a lot better mileage and have much better handling and power towing than comparable gas engines.

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Significantly more power?

The eco diesel makes about 10 ft-lbs more torque and about half as much hp as the hemi. That motor would be under powered in a vw coupe. I don't know anything about the Datsun.

0-60 in the eco diesel is approaching 10 seconds making it risky to enter the highway.

I don't understand why anyone would ever buy a new truck unless they can expense it to a business. Is this due to not being able to find a demo unit or slightly used model for exactly what they want? Does it have to do with thinking the used one will have problems?

It just seems like a waste to me for the average guy pulling a boat or trailer 3 or 4 times a year, like I do. I bought my last truck with 16K miles on it, and plan to do something about the same every time. It was about 8-10K off what it would have been for a new one.

What are the general reasons for wanting to buy a new one, if you make less than $300K and can't write it off for work? I'm genuinely interested in this.....

Aggieangler93 said:

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I don't understand why anyone would ever buy a new truck unless they can expense it to a business. Is this due to not being able to find a demo unit or slightly used model for exactly what they want? Does it have to do with thinking the used one will have problems?

It just seems like a waste to me for the average guy pulling a boat or trailer 3 or 4 times a year, like I do. I bought my last truck with 16K miles on it, and plan to do something about the same every time. It was about 8-10K off what it would have been for a new one.

What are the general reasons for wanting to buy a new one, if you make less than $300K and can't write it off for work? I'm genuinely interested in this.....

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The price of a new truck with rebates is often less or close to the price of a used truck.

powerbelly51 said:

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Aggieangler93 said:

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I don't understand why anyone would ever buy a new truck unless they can expense it to a business. Is this due to not being able to find a demo unit or slightly used model for exactly what they want? Does it have to do with thinking the used one will have problems?

It just seems like a waste to me for the average guy pulling a boat or trailer 3 or 4 times a year, like I do. I bought my last truck with 16K miles on it, and plan to do something about the same every time. It was about 8-10K off what it would have been for a new one.

What are the general reasons for wanting to buy a new one, if you make less than $300K and can't write it off for work? I'm genuinely interested in this.....

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The price of a new truck with rebates is often less or close to the price of a used truck.

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This. Go look at used vs new truck prices. You'll probably be surprised...

Aggieangler93 said:

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Ok...that's a logical argument...

I think I am in for a shock anyway, as I am on year 11 with my 2006. That's 7 years of free-to-me!!!

I guess the benefit of a government bailout to a major player in the truck market, is that we all get to pay higher prices for our next truck?

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You are in for a serious shock. T&P's.

Don't lease.

Unless you plan to haul feed and/or farm equipment, you do not need a pickup truck.

Signed,
The OB

SanAntoneAg said:

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Unless you plan to haul feed and/or farm equipment, you do not need a pickup truck.

Signed,
The OB

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I need a diesel to carry around all my testosterone.