Buying a Truck (Help)

[JayFramer]

Hi all!

I am planning on buying a Nissan Frontier soon and am looking on car guru (website) at prices in my area. I also went to the Nissan dealership today.

Okay, so I have been told to NEVER buy a brand new car. It depreciates so much the moment you drove it off the lot etc.

So looking at 2014-2016 trucks, I am seeing them go for about $20,000 for the model I'm wanting (SV King cab) with relatively low miles (I don't want over 30K miles on it).

But the dealership has a new 2017 Desert Runner SV King cab with a price of $24K. I really like it.

What to do? Why are the ones around here that are a few years old with miles on them so close in price to a brand new 2017 model? Shouldn't they be a lot cheaper? Won't they depreciate a lot too?

Just wondering why they are close in price. I'd love that Desert Runner, just what I'm looking for. But again I've been told and read that buying brand new is a horrible idea.

I've only bought one other car and it was a cheap one and I've had problems with it.

What would you guys do?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Ford F150 or Dodge with Cummings engine. I would not buy a Nissan. For a foreign truck, I would go Toyota.

 

[moralem]

What he said, but if you have to have a Titan it will still do a good job for you........but I wouldn't let the immediate depreciation scare you from the 2017.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Check the interest rate! You could be loosing money if you buy used! New, get deals like 0/0/0/0. Used, is how you can feel.

Ivan

 

[chief38]

The last used car I purchased was in 1976 and that is because at the time I didn't really know better and thought I could save lots of money. The car ( a Mustang) was a constant headache and in getting fixed very often. After two years I had had enough and bought a new car.

IMHO (especially today) if you are buying a car to keep for the long haul (10 years or more) I believe you are better off getting a new car. Yes they are more expensive however the warranty is also a lot better and you are not starting off with someone else's problems. Not to say you can't buy a good used car but it is a gamble I choose never to take again.

The reason I believe you would be much better off with new is that today's new cars are actually built quite well, reliable and will easily go the long haul! They are not "shot" after 60 - 80k like they use to be.

If you are a person who only keeps a car for 2 or 3 years you should look into leasing. Many times the leases are much more financially beneficial than buying and you have no headaches - including getting a free loaner in many cases should the vehicle need to stay over-night for service.

Remember, even if you get a used vehicle that is in great shape but 2 pr 3 years old....... you have lost the 2 or 3 years from its longevity, so the money saved may not be worth the loss of those years.

I know people do buy used cars and "luck-out" however I have not been one of them and would never consider a used car again unless it were to be designated as a "station car" and left at the train station 8 hours a day - or something like that but certainly not for a daily driver.

Just my life's experience and personal opinion and YMMV (literally)......

 

[chief38]

Right now is a GREAT time to buy a new Truck! Since car / truck sales are hurting big time right now (across the board for ALL manufacturers) good deals and discounts can be gotten. If you are a good negotiator you can ever push the envelope!

BTW, just want to mention that the American brands have actually gotten to the point that I believe they are better than foreign. Yea - not kidding! My 2005 Escalade was the single best vehicle I have ever owned. I sold it at 120K and 12 years old ONLY because I was offered a ridiculously high amount (and let's face it - it wasn't getting younger) - I never even listed it but since it was MINT guys would make me offers at the Barber Shop, Gun Shop, etc. Anyway at a weak moment I sold it and bought a loaded 2016 GMC Yukon SLT. The Truck (SUV) has been in my garage for 14 months now and it is terrific! Other than one rattle (which they properly fixed) I am quite happy and I was prepared to pay cash for it but the day I went to take ownership the Dealer's General Manager (my friend) told me that it was the last day of the zero % financing for 6 years - a NO BRAINER! Instead of laying out almost 70K, I pay for it each month while the money I was going to pay for it with is still earning interest. Works for me!

 

[Breakaway500]

Go for the new one. The minimal difference in prices and the low interest rates they are offering makes the payments virtually the same.Not to mention the factory warranty.
The reason the prices are so close between almost new and new is the lack of any used inventory,so demand raises prices on the available units.
The Nissan Frontier is a sound and solid mid size truck,and if you found one you love..do it!

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Just sit in the truck in the showroom for an hour or so. Nissan seats disagree with some folks. My wife's lower back will attest.
Geoff
Who finds some Ford and Mazda seats uncomfortable.

 

[wingriderz]

No brainer go new and start with fresh clock

 

[Farmer17]

Used pickups are selling high right now especially certain brands. Look on Autotrader and do a 500 mile search of your area, here in Oklahoma City cars sell much higher than in the Dallas /Ft Worth area only 200 miles away. There are also big year end discounts on the new vehicles right now and that brings their prices much closer to one that is 2 years old.

 

[Farmer17]

Also if you buy used look for a Carfax report, you sure don't want a flood damage car from the Hurricane areas.

 

[kwselke]

First year depreciation does not mean much if you keep the truck for five to ten years. Look for a deal whether it be new or used. I prefer new with a goal of drive them 'till the wheels fall off.

 

[6518John]

Lemon Laws

I received a call just last week from a neighbor about the lemon laws as they relate to used vehicles. Your state's lemon laws may not apply to a used vehicle which is certainly another reason to buy new. Sure, one never wants to buy a lemon, new or used, but it is nice to have the protections such laws provide if you need them.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

But the dealership has a new 2017 Desert Runner SV King cab with a price of $24K. I really like it.

I'd love that Desert Runner, just what I'm looking for. But again I've been told and read that buying brand new is a horrible idea.

If you've shopped around and have decided that new Nissan truck is the vehicle for you, is competitively priced and you can reasonably afford the payments, buy it.

Here are "horrible ideas".

-- Buying a new vehicle that isn't what ya want or doesn't well serve your needs then wanting to trade it after a year or two.

-- Buying a vehicle that you cannot afford.

Beyond that... enjoy your new Nissan.

 

[old bear]

There are many valid reasons to go with a new vehicle, as already stated. The only other thing I will suggest is. In most cases the dealer needs you more than you need the dealer, so don't be pressured into making a purchase you are totally happy with. Also watch the interest rates.

 

[Farmer17]

You may love the Frontier and I suggest buying what you want, but you can get a new 2017 Ram 1500 with 305 hp V6 for under $25K that will get 27mpg on the highway. It would be bigger, faster, smoother, stronger, quieter, and get better gas mileage than the Frontier.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Bought a 2016 Frontier Pro4X in August of 2016..... a dealer demo with 1500 miles on it and loaded to the gills. A local dealer got it for me at auction. He finds and sells high end ( MSRPs $50,000-300,000) vehicles but will also find and buy vehicles on order. He takes a small markup for the service...... We've bought 3 vehicles that way now...... two were less than two years old and one was 3; a BMW 328ix with less than 20,000miles for about half the price of a new one. It is a coupe he'd bought on spec and it wasn't moving.

Had volunteered at 2 recycling events that spring/summer.... so lots of pickups...... lots of Frontiers.....many 6-10 years old.... in this Burb of the Burgh most are 3rd vehicles. Guys had nothing but good reports and "I'll keep it till the wheels fall off" comments.

Mine has been on 2 1000+ mile trips and dozens of runs to the cabin. 15-17mpg around town and 20-23 highway (70mph) Put a nice ARE cap on it and it looks more like a SUV than a truck.

IIRC My research back then showed that low milage pickups were really holding their value selling for around 70-80% of their MSRP after 3-4 years. I'm not talking 'work trucks" but those like mine which is a 3rd vehicles.

Good luck

Edit: just saw Phil's advice ...... we keep cars a long time 8-10 years on average....... the only way to do that is to get exactly the vehicle you want and like....... spread that extra $4000 over 10-12 years and it's less than $400 a year!....$33 a month. Also pay it off in 3-4 years and no car/truck payments for the next 4-8 years........ buy your next one with the cash you save over those years.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

Being a former car salesman in the 90's I can tell you it's a different time now. New cars are not selling just for the reason that many people are going to used. That's why there are a bunch of offers to sell new over used. First, do your research. Edmunds.com is an great place to start. You can get figure out the wholesale price by costing out the car. As a rule of thumb the average truck's dealer cost is 87% of the window sticker so take that number and figure on a new truck a dealer is likely to want maybe $500. profit on that new truck. If a dealership has a "dealer fee" of $500-1,000 tell them you won't pay the dealer fee & give them another $500+ profit. THE FIRST THING YOU ARE TAUGHT IN CAR SCHOOL IS THAT: YOU HAVE TO GET THE CUSTOMER TO LOVE THE CAR. Because buying a car is an emotional decision. Love the car and the price you got After you drive it off the lot. Don't let them see you're interested. If you don't get a reasonable price be prepared to WALK OUT. The dealership wants to sell that truck especially since it's the end of the year so they will call you and try and give you a reason to come back. Good luck.

 

[BigBill]

Foreign made truck really a truck or just a people mover.

A dodge, ford or Chevy are trucks. But I still don't see the real trucks of yesteryears being made today.

My 73 k10 4x4 had the one ton tranny and transfercase. Today I don't think they offer a real work horse truck. New trucks are for creature comfort ride for the family not work.

My rant is for the manufacturers not us buyers but we must be aware. I wish we had a new international pickup truck today.

My first house in '73 cost me $29k a new truck today is $50k your kidding me right. The deal killer is it will rust out in a short time.

 

[oneounceload]

This time of year puts the buyer in a great position for several reasons. Most folks are blowing the budget on Christmas presents, not vehicles; the sales folks want to ear commissions to do that as well; the dealer needs to move inventory to avoid end of year taxes on remaining inventory,

Unless they have some great financing deal; get your own (credit union from work or similar). Do your research - find out about all dealer incentives, rebates, etc. and negotiate down from MSRP.

And be prepared to walk away and go somewhere else.