Slow truck sales lead to dealership insanity

[mike_v_s]

So, high gas prices have led to a stagnation of truck sales which is causing the dealerships to offer all kinds of crazy **** to get the old stock off the lot.

I don't know how this is working out in other parts of the country, but here they seem to have their minds. My brother-in-law just bought a nicely appointed F-150 extended cab for a little over $15000. Another local dealership is offering a BOAT and trailer with every truck purchase of a certain trim line. I've also seen 1/2 priced trucks advertised over the summer.

Lastly, one of our Nissan dealership will sell you a Tital Crew Cab and then sell you a Nissan Altima for a dollar to go with it.

I'll try to find time to scan that last one in (yesterday's paper)...because they sure as hell don't have it on the website. Everyone else seeing the same crap?

Mike

[Bard2dbone]

I haven't seen a buy-a-truck-get-a-car-free kind of deal, yet. But they are pushing pretty hard.

[ROON]

Even with a tempting price, why would you buy a gas guzzler now days? Isn't it just like sealing your fate?

Big car = lots of gas (generally)
Small car = less gas (generally)

I don't get it. Why buy a well priced large vehicle that you're just gonna blow all your money on filling up?

[Pacman]

I just bought a Toyota Carib for 1500 bucks - I don't know the mileage I get, but I haven't filled up in over a week! I'm so happy I could cry!

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by ROON

Even with a tempting price, why would you buy a gas guzzler now days? Isn't it just like sealing your fate?

Big car = lots of gas (generally)
Small car = less gas (generally)

I don't get it. Why buy a well priced large vehicle that you're just gonna blow all your money on filling up?

It depends on the person and their situation. I drive a lot (30K+ per year) and I get paid mileage, so a small car is the way to go. My brother in law is a big guy. A car large enough to be comfortable for him would have slightly better gas mileage, but run him at least another $5000. He's better off with the "gas guzzler" financially.

I needn't paint the other scenarios, but there are plenty of reasons larger vehicles make more sense. That wasn't really the point of my post, though.

Mike

[Bard2dbone]

I don't know the Carib. What is it?

You know the drill. No pics, no whatever it is a Carib is.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I don't know the Carib. What is it?

You know the drill. No pics, no whatever it is a Carib is.

The Carib is a wagon, much smaller than my former Explorer, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side! Terrifying!




cars here tend to get taller before they get wider, due to the tiny little roads. This one is perfect for my daily commute (about a mile )

[ROON]

Slap some rims on it and drop it on it's ass, you'll have an awesome sleeper.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I haven't seen anything like that either, but I really haven't been looking, plus I don't watch much TV.

I work at a Toyota dealership (not in sales) and I know we have a few Tundras sitting on the lot. Toyota does seem to have some incentives, but mostly for commercial buyers. I think if you buy a Tundra for your business you can get something like $3000.00 from Toyota, not to mention whatever the dealership may give you. If you need a truck now is a good time to buy one.

I'm guessing it mus be a pretty good deal. Someone in my department ordered three bed liners and I saw 3 identical, plain white Tundras getting ready for delivery.

[Bard2dbone]

Originally Posted by Pacman

The Carib is a wagon, much smaller than my former Explorer, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side! Terrifying!




cars here tend to get taller before they get wider, due to the tiny little roads. This one is perfect for my daily commute (about a mile )

I actually approve of taller vehicles, because my biggest limiting factor in a car is headroom. I sit taller than I stand and 90+% of cars have the roofline right about at my eyebrows. My last few vehicles were an Expedition, an Explorer, and a Chevy Astro van, because I could actually sit up in them. My current is a Hyundai Tuscon because I can sit up in it, and I couldn't sit up in the Santa Fe, which was more what I wanted.

The most amusing was the Ford Thunderbird. With the top off, my entire face is above the windshield. With the top on I can't get in the car at all because the roof hits me in the shoulder.

[MakiSupaStar]

That's a good deal pacman. You gotta be stoked on that.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

That's a good deal pacman. You gotta be stoked on that.

Indeed! 1500 bucks and the thing is a creampuff. Room for my gear in the back, and great gas efficiency. What more can I ask for?

[Tsal]

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I actually approve of taller vehicles, because my biggest limiting factor in a car is headroom.

You need to come to Europe, we have all kinds of japanesque mini-spacewagon solutions available. For example the despised Fiat Panda - Italian quality w/ an underpowered engine - but with a tiny footprint and a high roofline

[Bard2dbone]

I suspect not. European products tend to assume a smaller average person. It's funny. Everyione notices Americans are fatter. No one remembers that a lot of us are taller, too.

I'm only about 180 cm (between 5'11" and 6'), standing up. But sitting down I'm the same height as my friend Bill, who's (6'8")205 cm.

[Visirale]

Originally Posted by ROON

Even with a tempting price, why would you buy a gas guzzler now days? Isn't it just like sealing your fate?

Big car = lots of gas (generally)
Small car = less gas (generally)

I don't get it. Why buy a well priced large vehicle that you're just gonna blow all your money on filling up?

They did a study between a hybrid and a full sized truck at the prices they are selling them for now. It would take 4.5 years to make them break even (as in the truck is cheaper until 4.5 years down the road... and who really keeps cars that long anymore?).

I'm looking into selling my car (which gets worse mileage than some full size trucks) and getting a truck. Chances are the mileage will be slightly better and I'll have room for my gear!

[wld3]

On the original topic, a local Chrysler/Dodge dealership is running a promo stating that if you buy a Dodge Ram truck you get a Chrysler PT Cruiser for free.

Who knows how they have that worked out though. I think most of us are so accustomed to TV ads blaring giant rebates and thousands off, etc. that we are largely numb to the marketing.

At least in this case, there is a reason to believe that they really do need to move inventory. The only question then really is, who would want a Chrysler?

[ROON]

Originally Posted by Visirale

and who really keeps cars that long anymore?

My family. Some people ain't got the money to replace their care every 4.5 years.

[toytech]

Funny thing is at the Lexus dealer I work at, there is still a wait list for LX570 suv's

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by Visirale

... and who really keeps cars that long anymore?).

Granted I haven't had the car for that long, but turnover here is due to military shipping people out after 3 years. The car in the picture I posted is a 1997 - still looks brand new.

[dangnewt]

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I suspect not. European products tend to assume a smaller average person. It's funny. Everyione notices Americans are fatter. No one remembers that a lot of us are taller, too.

I'm only about 180 cm (between 5'11" and 6'), standing up. But sitting down I'm the same height as my friend Bill, who's (6'8")205 cm.

I have the same build - I'm as tall or taller than my 6' 4" keyboardist when we sit. Sunroofs can be fun with the top of my head sticking through.

We have a Toyota Sienna minivan and a Subaru Forester. Pacman's Carib would be great for me - it looks a little like a slightly taller Subaru Outback to me. I imagine it would get better mileage than the AWD Outback.

Anyone with a need for a truck is going to do well - what we are seeing is a lot of folks who didn't really need a truck are buying something else.