Tell me about the used truck market

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by sa226

I'm in the market for a used truck. Budget up to 30k. It would be kind of an all purpose truck. I only drive to work about 4 times a month, so it's not a daily commuter. It would be used to tow and normal utility use, out and about.

I'm not a fan of Dodge, and from my initial research it seems Chevrolet is a sliiight step up from GMC. So I'd say Ford or Chev.

I just haven't followed the truck market in well, ever. It seems like it has normalized a bit post covid.

My number 1 desire is reliability. I don't put a ton of value in features, I just want it to do what a truck is supposed to do.

Is buying a F150 for 25k with 175000km on it a terrible idea? Any sort of "stay away from this" tips are greatly appreciated

I'm coming from Toyota's so I'm used to reliability way into the 300km


Thanks!


Sent from my SM-S918W using Tapatalk

Hah, don't look up the new Tundras if you want to keep the dream alive. Those engines are becoming a disaster for Toyota.

[Fuzz]

You'd think they would have these ICEs figured out by now ...

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Yeah, it is pretty good. Depends on what you're towing, but at that less than 6,000 pound mark, it's really perfect.

I have 125,000 kms on my 2016 2.7 ecoboost right now. I have always leased for my business, but when 2020 rolled around it still felt like my truck was new and prices went crazy, so there was no point in getting a newer truck. I bought out the lease.

Now I'm thinking I'll just wait until the next generation of F-150 before upgrading the truck as this one continues to be trouble free for me (until now of course since I just jinxed it).

Not one single rattle, no problems. This, too, is the best vehicle I've ever owned. Just sold my Mercedes last year with fewer kms on it and it had rattles galore and way more problems.

Honestly, F-150s are almost too good for Ford hah. Makes it hard to get a new one when your current one is great 8 years on and over 100,000 kms on the clock.

Your Mercedes sounds like my last car (BMW). Leaking head gasket (5k) new tires (low profile run flats, 4K) and then the turbos started sputtering so I ditched it for the f150. But damn do I miss that car.

[Titan2]

I have heard the other benefit of a diesel is that it lasts way longer.

I have a Titan and it has been good from a reliability perspective, other than the engine warranty issue. I had a Titan before that and it was very reliable overall. Little things are not 'tough' on it though. The tailgate easy lift has gone three times, the plastic trim on places like the tailgate that crack in our cold. It also is just barely adequate to tow. I have a 27' rv and I can tow it around ok but the gas mileage is really bad and I can drive 120 with it but it just feels better at 100-110.

I really like the look though and it is a bit unique. Having said that I will probably buy a ford next. The dream is the electric F-150.

[puffnstuff]

I would never buy a Dodge. Apparently none of you would either. So then why does it seem like there are so many around?

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

I would never buy a Dodge. Apparently none of you would either. So then why does it seem like there are so many around?

Cheapest truck by a long shot on a per month basis with their 96 month financing terms and almost always at 0% (not sure if that’s back yet). I know so many boneheads that would just roll their negative equity of their 3ish year old truck and trade it in for another new model. I will say, I like how they look and their interiors are usually really nice, but I have heard and seen first hand so many horror stories.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Cheapest truck by a long shot on a per month basis with their 96 month financing terms and almost always at 0% (not sure if that’s back yet). I know so many boneheads that would just roll their negative equity of their 3ish year old truck and trade it in for another new model. I will say, I like how they look and their interiors are usually really nice, but I have heard and seen first hand so many horror stories.

Okay, so since this thread is for advice… nobody do this! Holy debt death.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Okay, so since this thread is for advice… nobody do this! Holy debt death.

There’s nothing wrong with financial at 0% as long as the service/setup fees aren’t insane, whether it’s for 96 months or whatever.

Wouldn’t do it for a dodge, obviously. But another vehicle that’s gonna last 8+ years, go nuts.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hah, don't look up the new Tundras if you want to keep the dream alive. Those engines are becoming a disaster for Toyota.

Japanese brands no longer have much of a reliability advantage as they have done a lot of cost cutting over the last few decades to remain price competitive against Hyundai/Kia (compact) and the domestics (trucks). My 23 Civic Si has been a disappointment for me. Most issues I've had with a new vehicle since my 2012 Mustang GT and poor dealership experiences as well. My Model 3 performance was better out of the gates.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

There’s nothing wrong with financial at 0% as long as the service/setup fees aren’t insane, whether it’s for 96 months or whatever.

Wouldn’t do it for a dodge, obviously. But another vehicle that’s gonna last 8+ years, go nuts.

96 months is crazy. Unless you’re putting money down, you’re going to be seriously upside down on your $90,000 truck.

96 months means you can’t afford it. It’s not reasonable at all to do that for a vehicle, when there are plenty of other options. Those who “need” something like this for work are few and far between.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

96 months is crazy. Unless you’re putting money down, you’re going to be seriously upside down on your $90,000 truck.

96 months means you can’t afford it. It’s not reasonable at all to do that for a vehicle, when there are plenty of other options. Those who “need” something like this for work are few and far between.

If I was buying an 80k vehicle, had the cash in hand, and they offered me 0%, I’d take it for whatever term it was offered for, put the money in a high interest savings account, and have my truck payments pull out of there while I made interest on the tens of thousands sitting there for the first several years.

The length is irrelevant if it’s 0%, you’re paying the same amount. Now, obviously, the key is to agree on a price first and make sure the financing fees aren’t wacky, but outside of that the only decision you’re making is whether you want to pay the same amount all at once or over time.

Term matters once there’s actually a percentage attached, but even then, just calculate what you’re paying for the vehicle all things considered. 8 years is not a long time to keep a vehicle, but yeah, if you’re going to end up paying thousands more just to drop your payments by a few tens as you stretch out the term, then it’s stupid.

[BowRiverBruinsRule]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I mean, I guess it depends on your trailer.

I towed a 5000 lbs 18' RV with mine for five years and I sht you not, it's like it wasn't even there. Zero struggle ever. Did over 12,000 kms with it...primarily through the mountains.

That's good to hear. I have a low kms 2019 STX with the 2.7L and looking at a travel trailer in the 5000 to 6000 lbs range.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

96 months is crazy. Unless you’re putting money down, you’re going to be seriously upside down on your $90,000 truck.

96 months means you can’t afford it. It’s not reasonable at all to do that for a vehicle, when there are plenty of other options. Those who “need” something like this for work are few and far between.

Sadly, most are already upside down on the one they’re trading in, in fact some haven’t even started paying kn their trade in yet, they’re still paying for their previous vehicle, never Lemi d the on they’re currently driving and trying to trade in for a another new Ram. It’s is really how Ram retains custoenrs.

[guzzy]

Originally Posted by Buff

How much are you towing? Make sure you get a truck that can handle the loads you'll be towing.

We borrowed the in-law's truck and 5th wheel RV a couple times per year for several years. When it came time for them to stop camping we bought it off of them. Within a year I had to upgrade the truck because it was a RAM1500 that could tow a max of 8800 lbs but the 5th wheel's max weight was 9500 lbs. We were told "don't fill it full and drive slow" but it's hard not to fill it full when you are a family of 5. I had to repair a few things that are related to towing too much weight. My mechanic made bank on me for the 1st year I had it.

I bought an F250 because it seems that 5 out of 4 RAM trucks are rusted out (yes I know my fractions). Overkill for daily driving but now that my two oldest have their licenses I'm paying insurance on 4 vehicles and it's too convenient for them to drive daily so I'm driving a 3/4 tonne truck daily. SUPER costly on gas!

Gas vs Diesel. You have to fill up more with gas but if repairs are needed on a diesel it feels like you're buying 1/4 of the truck again! So pick your poison.

You should never pull a 5th wheel with a half ton. The hitch weight of that 5th wheel at 25% is almost 2500lbs. The payload of a half ton is not likely anywhere close to that, without gas, luggage and passengers. It has less to do with towing weight and more to do with payload. Of course you are seeing damage. Not including the danger you are putting your family in. People need to understand the math before they tow anything.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by guzzy

You should never pull a 5th wheel with a half ton. The hitch weight of that 5th wheel at 25% is almost 2500lbs. The payload of a half ton is not likely anywhere close to that, without gas, luggage and passengers. It has less to do with towing weight and more to do with payload. Of course you are seeing damage. Not including the danger you are putting your family in. People need to understand the math before they tow anything.

That's why I upgraded. The hitch weight on the 5th wheel was exact same as the trucks payload though. However, when towing you don't want to keep anything at max. Really, not even within 10% of max capabilities.

Some half tonnes can pull 5th wheels but they're hard to find. Some 5th wheels are lighter now too to be half tonne towable but they aren't very big and don't work for families.