New pickup pricing

[Ashful]

It seems I see prices over $50k frequently advertised for 1/2 ton pickups these days, the former utilitarian vehicles of the working class, at prices approaching that of luxury cars. I paid $26k for my brand new Dodge 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 with towing package, in 2005, so these prices seem just crazy high to me. Going to any of the makers sites (try gmc.com) shows starting MSRP's close to $42k for any quad cab 4x4 light truck.

Should we blame the EPA? Obama? What's with these prices, and how can average folks afford them? What did you pay for your new pickup?

Me? I'm thinking of buying my next truck used. I can afford new, but I can't justify spending close to $50k on a pickup truck.

 

[mithesaint]

People pay the price. Once we decide that prices are too high and stop buying, manufacturers will start getting things under control. Until people revolt, the upward trend will continue.

I just bought a used 2011 Durango with 90K miles. I drive less than 10K miles per year, so I don't mind higher mileage. I ended up with a Citadel version, mostly because that's what was available, and the price was right. Whoever bought it new checked every option on the sheet, and it weighs about 800 lbs more than my old Mountaineer, despite being almost the same size. Every electronic whizbang and gadget are on this thing. The original sticker was in the neighborhood of 50K.

I don't get it. I know that vehicles are much better quality and performance than they used to be, but still. My first house only cost me 84K, and I'm 34 years old. You can order a GMC Yukon XL Denali for close to that price. It's nuts.

 

[Utilitrack]

Last year I bought a 2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Liter Double Cab w/20K miles on it for $25,000. I went used for that very reason, I refuse to take the depreciation hit on a new vehicle. Besides when it comes with a few nicks, you don't fret so much when you cause one!

 

[begreen]

In the case of GMC and Chevy, it's a marketing ploy. They raised the base prices this year by $4-5K, so that dealers could have sale events to match Ford's. Want to guess what the 'special sales discount' is? No one but a fool is going to pay sticker price.

How many miles on the Dodge? Has it been a good vehicle? If so, maybe keep it? I just checked online and a 2014, basic Dodge 1500 1/2 pickup is $17-20K at the local dealer. You can pimp that up to $50K with lots of options. Actually when I look at what is included in the base model, it's quite impressive. 5.7L V8, cruise control, 4 wheel disks, AC etc.. That seems like heckuva good value.
http://www.larsondodge.com/auto/new-2014-ram-1500-tradesman/1315435/

 

[firefighterjake]

Marketing to some degree . . . as mentioned. MSRP often is a crazy high number compared to the real price once the perpetual incentives and rebates are figured in . . .add in some old fashioned negotiating (or in my case I do a "bid" process) and the price is much more realistic.

 

[jharkin]

Well you are gonna laugh at me then 'cause I just paid 31 on a compact pickup. Tacoma double cab. v6 4x4 with the works - TRD package, towing, etc. MSRP on mine was something silly like 34 and you can run one of those up to nearly 40 if you go for the limited (fake leather no thanks) or Baja series.

Or pay $18k for a stripper regular cab 4 cylinder 2wd.

Should we blame the EPA? Obama? What's with these prices, and how can average folks afford them? What did you pay for your new pickup?

I dont think that the emission controls really affect the price that much. Its a lot of things. They have to build them a lot stronger to meet crash safety standards. Mandatory traction and stability control adds some cost.. But these are good things if they are preventing the masses of people who buy ibg 4x4s and dont have a clue how to drive them in bad weather from running into the rest of us. The fact that compact pickups are as big as full size used to be and full size are as big as super duty once was, the fact that pickups are now expected to handle as well as a sedan and leather seats sunroofs and the creature comforts of a Cadillac isnt keeping them cheap either. Nor is the practice of stuffing the cabin with more flat screens than an apple store helping.

At the end of the day is 40k for a loaded fullsize really that suprising these days? My retired mother in law just spent 20k on a Honda civic! You can spend 30+ on a mid size family sedan... 50 on a low end European sports sedan without even trying.

 

[firefighterjake]

A lot also depends on the make/model and what is popular . . . or not. I shopped around and bought a new full sized gas guzzling V-8 pick up at a time when gas prices were at a near record high. Factor in a lot of stock on the lot on a very old, unchanged model (Nissan Titan) at the end of the year (last week in December) . . . the Titan has never been one of the more popular trucks . . . all factors combined for a decent deal.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

The depreciation is just to much to bear for an investor like myself. $75000 Escalades can be had a few years old for 20-25K. I generally buy my trucks after the depreciation has mellowed a bit. My current truck is losing about $500 a year in value. I can live with that. The first 5 years everything drops like a rock.

 

[yooperdave]

How's this for a deal?
New, 2013 ford f-150 stx package for 27,800.
I walked onto the dealer's lot looking for a used one for someone, saw a 2011 or 12 for 28,500 with very low miles which meant remaining warranty. Then, asked a salesman about it and he said why buy a used one when you can get a new one for less?
The person I looked at the truck for ended up buying it...
There's still some deals out there

 

[jharkin]

How's this for a deal?
New, 2013 ford f-150 stx package for 27,800.
I walked onto the dealer's lot looking for a used one for someone, saw a 2011 or 12 for 28,500 with very low miles which meant remaining warranty. Then, asked a salesman about it and he said why buy a used one when you can get a new one for less?
The person I looked at the truck for ended up buying it...
There's still some deals out there

That's the same situation I ran into on the Taco. They hold value so well a 2 yr CPO is only a grand or so cheaper than a brand new one...IF you can even find a CPO. Made sense to just order new.

 

[AK13]

That's the same situation I ran into on the Taco. They hold value so well a 2 yr CPO is only a couple grand cheaper than a brand new one...IF you can find one. Made sense to just order new.

Taco's hold their value amazingly well. Definitely makes sense to go new (though that also means increased insurance and registration costs).

Around here in NH I'm amazed both by how well 4x4 trucks hold their value and also by how quickly they completely rust out and fall apart.

 

[jharkin]

Taco's hold their value amazingly well. Definitely makes sense to go new (though that also means increased insurance and registration costs).

Yeah i looked again and its even closer in price than I thought.

Around here in NH I'm amazed both by how well 4x4 trucks hold their value and also by how quickly they completely rust out and fall apart.

Yep and Toyota's unfortunately are the worst of all - and yeah I bought one anyway. I have a buddy that just got a brand new frame on his through the rusty frame recall. Where were looking at his frame the other day and the new one has been redesigned with more drains in the fully boxed section so heres hoping it will hold up better. Even so I plan to undercoat mine for good measure. First vehicle Ive ever bought I felt the need to do that.

 

[Ashful]

The depreciation is just to much to bear for an investor like myself. $75000 Escalades can be had a few years old for 20-25K. I generally buy my trucks after the depreciation has mellowed a bit. My current truck is losing about $500 a year in value. I can live with that. The first 5 years everything drops like a rock.

Is that true with 4wd pickups? I bought my current truck new in 2005, when it seemed folks were asking damn close to new prices for a 3 year old truck. Maybe that's changed in the 9 years, since.

In the case of GMC and Chevy, it's a marketing ploy.

Interesting. I'm basing my OP on listed MSRP's, I have not yet spent any time on-lot. In fact, I'm not even planning a purchase this year, but with the truck approaching the 10 year mark, I figure it won't be too far off.

How many miles on the Dodge? Has it been a good vehicle? If so, maybe keep it?

69k miles, and other than an annoying problem where it randomly stalls after pressing in the clutch (happens frequently in parking lots, likely a power steering load problem that they've never been able to solve), it has never caused me a single problem. Never even a single repair, just replacing fluids and filters. Keeping it for another year or three is definitely an option, but likely not much longer. It has sat outside 9 years, been used for pulling countless trailers, spent time in the woods and offroad, hauling firewood, etc. It likely won't be too many years before it starts hassling me with rust and repairs, and I just don't have the time or patience to deal with that, anymore.

I just checked online and a 2014, basic Dodge 1500 1/2 pickup is $17-20K at the local dealer. You can pimp that up to $50K with lots of options. Actually when I look at what is included in the base model, it's quite impressive. 5.7L V8, cruise control, 4 wheel disks, AC etc.. That seems like heckuva good value.
http://www.larsondodge.com/auto/new-2014-ram-1500-tradesman/1315435/

Until they allow me to haul young children around in the bed of the truck, I'll need a quad cab with 4wd and a standard bed. Base price seems to be roughly $40k for that configuration.

 

[jharkin]

Just saw this

(broken link removed to http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/americans-bought-905-165-pickups-in-2014-so-far-1-3-of-1585722430/+damon)

 

[WiscWoody]

I think the manufacturers make a hefty profit from their truck lines since they are in demand. Trucks are too comfy and cushy for me now. I want a truck that I don't have to worry about if I use it hard and scratch it. My days of buying new are long gone but when I did buy a new truck way back when the first thing I did was throw a cement block in the bed and scratched it up so I wouldn't have to baby it like friends who had a liner and then carpet on top of that to protect the liner.

I also think the new gas mileage requirements will add to the cost. Ford now uses a aluminum body. That can't be cheap!

Here's my $1000 F150 I bought two years ago that never let's me down and is in my price range. I've spent another $600 or so for new seals and fixing oil leaks.

 

[johnpma]

I have a 2011 Tundra 5.7 Crewmax....never been so disappointed in a truck I spent well over 40K on. The leather seats are junk and have already been replaced once, the fiberglass bed cover lasted 1 year before it self destructed (removed it from vehicle), it's in the shop now for a broken leaf spring, and the mileage is horrible. I use the truck to commute to work, and carry my sons dirt bike to races. The spring shop said the Tundra has an extremely weak suspension, the springs are being made of junk steel in Mexico. Very sad situation for a "new" automobile.

 

[mellow]

I laughed when I saw the pricing for the new Ford 250/350/450's, and these other companies that got tax money to bail them out should be ashamed asking what they are for their trucks.

I will stick with my older super dutys that can't depreciate any lower but will still haul my crap.

 

[AK13]

Just saw this

(broken link removed to http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/americans-bought-905-165-pickups-in-2014-so-far-1-3-of-1585722430/+damon)

Scroll to the bottom and look at what people are paying for those trucks. Crazy. And crazy that they are averaging about 15% off or MSRP.

 

[begreen]

I think the prices are where they are because they can charge them and people are paying. Add 4WD, Automatic, quad cab, full bed, trailer tow pkg, fancy wheels, mondo tires, power everything, electronics up the wazoo, deluxe interior, etc. and it's not too hard to see how this has gone from a basic 20K truck to a 40K luxury vehicle. We've told the auto companies they need to be profitable and they have listened.

 

[WiscWoody]

I think the prices are where they are because they can charge them and people are paying. Add 4WD, Automatic, quad cab, full bed, trailer tow pkg, fancy wheels, mondo tires, power everything, electronics up the wazoo, deluxe interior, etc. and it's not too hard to see how this has gone from a basic 20K truck to a 40K luxury vehicle. We've told the auto companies they need to be profitable and they have listened.

And some are more than 40K. Many of the loggers up here drive maxed out F350 King Ranch models with all the frills. They tell me they go for a cool 65 grand or so! Not too far (81K) from what I paid for my first new house in 1992. But, yes... That was some time ago....

 

[Ashful]

Just saw this
(broken link removed to http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/americans-bought-905-165-pickups-in-2014-so-far-1-3-of-1585722430/+damon)

The $35 - $37k average price paid for the three American 1/2 tonners is an interesting stat, and way below what seems to be our local norm.

And some are more than 40K. Many of the loggers up here drive maxed out F350 King Ranch models with all the frills. They tell me they go for a cool 65 grand or so!

Yep, that's closer to what I hear coworkers claiming their trucks cost. I routinely hear $50k type numbers for 1/2 tons!

 

[Warm_in_NH]

I think the prices are where they are because they can charge them and people are paying. Add 4WD, Automatic, quad cab, full bed, trailer tow pkg, fancy wheels, mondo tires, power everything, electronics up the wazoo, deluxe interior, etc. and it's not too hard to see how this has gone from a basic 20K truck to a 40K luxury vehicle. We've told the auto companies they need to be profitable and they have listened.

Find me a base model full size pick up for "20G" I'll buy it tomorrow. Been looking and it's 26 and up.
My 08 Silverado has 127000 hard miles on her and I really need another pony in the stable ready to go. As a contractor I need one otherwise I'd be driving a comfy car. Even vans have gone WAY up in the past couple years.
I really don't get it. Unfortunately I pass these costs on to my customers, it's the only way to keep on going.
I must say though in 127000, knock on wood, she's been great!

 

[begreen]

The OP request was for a half-ton pickup. I posted a link to one for less than 20K earlier in this thread.
http://www.larsondodge.com/auto/new-2014-ram-1500-tradesman/1315435/

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Nice work truck WNH Mines even older with higher miles. Another easy 10-15 good years in that truck of yours. My 95 Silverado Ext cab 4x4 just works so well i cant justify replacing it yet.

 

[WiscWoody]

The OP request was for a half-ton pickup. I posted a link to one for less than 20K earlier in this thread.
http://www.larsondodge.com/auto/new-2014-ram-1500-tradesman/1315435/

That is a good price for a basic truck. If you use it just to haul when needed it would do just fine.