Car Buying Questions

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Thanks everyone, I've looked at all the trucks and I'm going to test a few. My neighbor bought a new Tundra and for me, the styling is 2nd to none (except a raptor). The Tundra just looks so nice. He let me drive his and I really liked it.

Everyone talks about the comfort/luxury of the other trucks but I'm not looking for a high country/Denali/Platinum/whatever other trim names are out there.

I just want a durable, nice-looking truck that has plenty of power and can go offroad when needed. I'm not opposed to creature comforts but the Tundra is in the lead.

Going to start the negotiation process now so they can see I'm willing to sit on the bench until they get the numbers right.

 

[PANDFAN]

Alright guys, I'm in the truck market. I started looking in the 28-30k range. Need a crew cab for hauling the kids.

$29-30k range with 35k miles or thereabout, I'm seeing 2014-2016 Silverados, Sierras and F150s.

I'm not tied to the big 3, has anyone had a Nissan truck? I've been looking at the Titans and they really seem like the hidden value. They seem to mimic the Tundra with greatly reduced prices. Styling is subjective but they are appealing to my eye.

Anyone with experience/friends with Titans?

i had a titan and it was my favorite i have ever owned. huge power, very roomy, reliable and not bad priced....gas mileage sucked very bad and when gas was north of 4.00 a gallon and i am filling up for 80+ dollars 3-4 x's a week i just couldn't justify it

 

[Wild Bill]

Thanks everyone, I've looked at all the trucks and I'm going to test a few. My neighbor bought a new Tundra and for me, the styling is 2nd to none (except a raptor). The Tundra just looks so nice. He let me drive his and I really liked it.

Everyone talks about the comfort/luxury of the other trucks but I'm not looking for a high country/Denali/Platinum/whatever other trim names are out there.

I just want a durable, nice-looking truck that has plenty of power and can go offroad when needed. I'm not opposed to creature comforts but the Tundra is in the lead.

Going to start the negotiation process now so they can see I'm willing to sit on the bench until they get the numbers right.

I would have agreed with you on the Tundra and would have never considered a Ram until recently (in fact, I think it was Crusader who convinced me to take a look at the Ram). I like the overall exterior look of the Tundra (though it can probably use a face-lift), the engine has been bullet proof for years, and it's just an incredibly reliable truck.

It does have some drawbacks. Like you, I'm not in desperate need of comfort or luxury but if I'm paying $40k for a truck, I expect a certain level of quality and comfort, and the Tundra looks cheap relative to the competition, especially the Ram. The six speed trans is dated, the ride is rough, and the fuel efficiency is absolutely horrific. Toyota built a great truck ten years ago and sat back while the competition caught up and/or passed them.

 

[Irish#1]

I would have agreed with you on the Tundra and would have never considered a Ram until recently (in fact, I think it was Crusader who convinced me to take a look at the Ram). I like the overall exterior look of the Tundra (though it can probably use a face-lift), the engine has been bullet proof for years, and it's just an incredibly reliable truck.

It does have some drawbacks. Like you, I'm not in desperate need of comfort or luxury but if I'm paying $40k for a truck, I expect a certain level of quality and comfort, and the Tundra looks cheap relative to the competition, especially the Ram. The six speed trans is dated, the ride is rough, and the fuel efficiency is absolutely horrific. Toyota built a great truck ten years ago and sat back while the competition caught up and/or passed them.

I owned a 2005 RAM. Liked the looks and power, but the interior was still cheap compared to the Ford and Chevy/GMC. Haven't been in one of the newer Rams, exterior is nice. How does the interior compare today?

 

[Sea Turtle]

The new Rangers are not the economy 4 banger that they turned out I the 90's. More like a smaller version of the f150 with all the whistles and bells. They have to be scavenging f150 sales. That being said nice truck that is easier to park. As an aside there is a law in Chicago says trucks aren't allowed on boulevards. They can give you a ticket if your driving down lakeshore drive in your truck (and will if you've got an out of state plate).

Ok I didn't know that about the Rangers now.

Having said that, the industry is beyond ridiculous and they are gouging men who need them for work or are trying to pick up girls, particularly in the south imho. I guess as long as men will take on another mortgage to get one, it will continue.

 

[Wild Bill]

I owned a 2005 RAM. Liked the looks and power, but the interior was still cheap compared to the Ford and Chevy/GMC. Haven't been in one of the newer Rams, exterior is nice. How does the interior compare today?

Definitely not cheap. Looks the best, imo.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I would have agreed with you on the Tundra and would have never considered a Ram until recently (in fact, I think it was Crusader who convinced me to take a look at the Ram). I like the overall exterior look of the Tundra (though it can probably use a face-lift), the engine has been bullet proof for years, and it's just an incredibly reliable truck.

It does have some drawbacks. Like you, I'm not in desperate need of comfort or luxury but if I'm paying $40k for a truck, I expect a certain level of quality and comfort, and the Tundra looks cheap relative to the competition, especially the Ram. The six speed trans is dated, the ride is rough, and the fuel efficiency is absolutely horrific. Toyota built a great truck ten years ago and sat back while the competition caught up and/or passed them.

I've driven the other trucks. My dad had Ford's platinum edition or whatever and he just purchased a 2018 High Country. It's snazzy inside but I like the Tundra more. I just don't give AF about an 8-10 speed trans or better faux-wood interiors.

The Tundra is all I need and $41k should be getting me a nice truck with incredible resale value. I saw a statistical breakdown and 5 years post purchase, the average selling price is 60-65% of original purchase price. And many people are reporting driving them to 240k+ with nary an issue.

I'm not looking to upgrade my truck every couple years. I want to buy it, customize it slowly and then drive the hell out of it until a newer model Tundra (in 6-10 years) is too much for me to overcome.

I'm fully sold, I thought I was looking for the best deal but the overinflated MSRPs on the Chevys/GMCs/Fords is a red herring. I don't fault anyone for driving the other trucks because each person has what they want but the Tundra is for me.

 

[Circa]

Ok I didn't know that about the Rangers now.

Having said that, the industry is beyond ridiculous and they are gouging men who need them for work or are trying to pick up girls, particularly in the south imho. I guess as long as men will take on another mortgage to get one, it will continue.

You can thank the Pipeliners. YourWelcome.

 

[Valpodoc85]

I've driven the other trucks. My dad had Ford's platinum edition or whatever and he just purchased a 2018 High Country. It's snazzy inside but I like the Tundra more. I just don't give AF about an 8-10 speed trans or better faux-wood interiors.

The Tundra is all I need and $41k should be getting me a nice truck with incredible resale value. I saw a statistical breakdown and 5 years post purchase, the average selling price is 60-65% of original purchase price. And many people are reporting driving them to 240k+ with nary an issue.

I'm not looking to upgrade my truck every couple years. I want to buy it, customize it slowly and then drive the hell out of it until a newer model Tundra (in 6-10 years) is too much for me to overcome.

I'm fully sold, I thought I was looking for the best deal but the overinflated MSRPs on the Chevys/GMCs/Fords is a red herring. I don't fault anyone for driving the other trucks because each person has what they want but the Tundra is for me.

Tundra is a great truck. In head to head comparison usually beats the big three. Post a pic when you get it.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Tundra is a great truck. In head to head comparison usually beats the big three. Post a pic when you get it.

Just picked it up and I'm really liking it so far. Ordered some steps and some all-weather floor mats. Then I'll be doing a few interior mods (additional 120v plugins, USBs and all LED lighting) but so far I'm really happy with it. Hoping it can last me 14+ years until my kids are in college.

 

[Irish#1]

Nice looking. Curious about your pending modifications. Surprised the lights aren't LED already, but more importantly, won't this void your warranty modifying the electrical?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Nice looking. Curious about your pending modifications. Surprised the lights aren't LED already, but more importantly, won't this void your warranty modifying the electrical?

No, I've read quite a bit on this. At best, they could put up a fight if an electrical issue arises. I could just as easily pull the line back out and show the problem still persists since the draw from the running board LEDs will be negligible.

And the CAB lights are the murky yellow color you see in a lot of vehicles, maybe not in some other trucks but it's what Tundras ship with. A few bucks and a little bit of time and it'll look much nicer inside.

 

[Irish#1]

Yeah LED's don't draw much at all. I put some in my tail lights and they draw so little, my turn signals blinked fast thinking a bulb was out. I put some in the front turn signals and it started making a buzzing noise. I started to detect an electrical smell with the turn signal on, so I pulled all of them and replaced with standard bulbs.

 

[Wild Bill]

Some dude gave my car the business the other day on the Dan Ryan, totaled my car, and I just picked up a new Ram Laramie. I've never been a Mopar guy but it's a beautiful truck - I plan on keeping it for a decade or longer so I hope the reliability matches its looks.

A buddy of mine who just bought a new GMC Sierra price searched for months and told me the Laura dealerships in southern Illinois/St Louis area were by far the lowest he found. He was correct. My out the door price was about 24% off the MSRP and was thousands cheaper than anyone else in the Midwest. I negotiated the purchase via email and phone before I made the trip and didn't deal with a bait/switch when I got there. I actually paid $500 less than I anticipated b/c the salesman I was working with found an additional rebate offered by Chrysler - shocking, I know. Passing the info along to anyone in the market for a car and is willing to take the trip.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Some dude gave my car the business the other day on the Dan Ryan, totaled my car, and I just picked up a new Ram Laramie. I've never been a Mopar guy but it's a beautiful truck - I plan on keeping it for a decade or longer so I hope the reliability matches its looks.

A buddy of mine who just bought a new GMC Sierra price searched for months and told me the Laura dealerships in southern Illinois/St Louis area were by far the lowest he found. He was correct. My out the door price was about 24% off the MSRP and was thousands cheaper than anyone else in the Midwest. I negotiated the purchase via email and phone before I made the trip and didn't deal with a bait/switch when I got there. I actually paid $500 less than I anticipated b/c the salesman I was working with found an additional rebate offered by Chrysler - shocking, I know. Passing the info along to anyone in the market for a car and is willing to take the trip.

Good to know. Thanks.

Online negotiating is the way to go. I used a dealer demo price reduction in Virginia to negotiate 24% off MSRP with a local dealer. Couldn't believe they did it. Had to walk away a couple times before they budged, but eventually they came down to where I wanted. Fun times.

 

[connor_in]

Good to know. Thanks.

Online negotiating is the way to go. I used a dealer demo price reduction in Virginia to negotiate 24% off MSRP with a local dealer. Couldn't believe they did it. Had to walk away a couple times before they budged, but eventually they came down to where I wanted. Fun times.

Last time I was getting a vehicle I was working with a local dealer that family had a history with, but still contact a few others in the area and told them exactly what vehicle and how I wanted it and asked what their price was and I was contact a few different dealers to be sure I got the best rate. Gurley Leep Mishawaka came close but I went with a dealer that would be closer to where I work to make it easier for service trips, plus had the family history. I ended up getting a couple of pissed off calls from the Gurley Leep sales guy and even his sales manager about not going with them and wasting all his time. I told them both that I had already told him I was seeing if anyone else would beat what I had already found, only gave the guy my info over the phone, got one price, and didn't haggle. How could I have wasted much of the guy's time at all, much less his sales manager's time. Just becuase I ask for their price doesn't mean I am their customer, especially in this age of online quotes and phone negotiating.

Just totally ticked me off and while I had been warned about service issues of theirs (add on service items of things that are fine already), this pressure sales treatment just meant that I would never use or recommend them.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Last time I was getting a vehicle I was working with a local dealer that family had a history with, but still contact a few others in the area and told them exactly what vehicle and how I wanted it and asked what their price was and I was contact a few different dealers to be sure I got the best rate. Gurley Leep Mishawaka came close but I went with a dealer that would be closer to where I work to make it easier for service trips, plus had the family history. I ended up getting a couple of pissed off calls from the Gurley Leep sales guy and even his sales manager about not going with them and wasting all his time. I told them both that I had already told him I was seeing if anyone else would beat what I had already found, only gave the guy my info over the phone, got one price, and didn't haggle. How could I have wasted much of the guy's time at all, much less his sales manager's time. Just becuase I ask for their price doesn't mean I am their customer, especially in this age of online quotes and phone negotiating.

Just totally ticked me off and while I had been warned about service issues of theirs (add on service items of things that are fine already), this pressure sales treatment just meant that I would never use or recommend them.

I'll never understand modern day car salesmen thinking they have any leverage whatsoever.

I did something similar in that I called about 10 different dealerships and told them right up front, "This is my price, can you get down to it?" Ball was in their court. Some said no way. Others tried to lure me in with the, "Yea we can, but come on in first to talk and we'll see." I took the "Don't waste my time, and I won't waste yours," approach.

I lucked out in that I was trying to buy a "new" 2018 as soon as the 2019's hit the lots. I told the dealer my price over the phone. He emailed a few hours later with "manager's approval." I went in all excited only to find out it was 1) not even the car I inquired about and 2) wasn't the out-the-door price. I got red face pissed, told him he completely wasted my time and lost a customer and left. He called the next day with a new price on the car I wanted, and I said no thanks. Thanksgiving rolls around, he calls me, I told him he's interrupting my turkey and family time. He apologizes and said he got the manager to come down closer to my price. I said no thanks. The next day, he calls again, I offered him a bag of left over fried turkey and said come down another grand and I'll sign right here and now. They did. I signed. Drove home with a new car that night. HAHA Deep fried turkey for the win!

(I also made them throw in a $30 collectors key chain for my troubles...which they did.)

Car buying is easy. Just need to know you have all the leverage and they have none.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Never take out a loan for a car. That is the best advice I ever received about car buying.

 

[Irish#1]

Best deal I ever made was over the phone in 1987 before all of the data was available online. Dealers like you in their store for the touch, see, smell emotional excitement.

Just bought my wife a 2016 Accord to save on the depreciation. Clean, Low miles and still had the new car smell. Price advertised was spot on with everything I found online. No real negotiations. The only pain was when we sat down with the guy to take care of the paperwork and he wanted to sell an all inclusive warranty, but he didn't push it after I said no.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

So, the plot thickens on my recent purchase. They failed to mail me the title so I had to call and request it so I could get the truck titled/licensed.

When the title arrives, I see the truck was previously owned by 3 different car dealers over the last 4-5 months. Now mind you, this is a 2017 with 30k miles so it's still under warranty. The first name on the title is CarBrain LLC.

So I look them up and see they deal with wrecked, salvaged or otherwise damaged cars. So i call them up and give the VIN and they say they purchased the truck with 'rod knock in the engine'.

Ok, not good for two reasons: one, I don't want to buy a car that had slop in the engine and could've led to damage. Two - why would the previous owner who purchased the truck brand new, not take it into a Toyota dealership under warranty to get it fixed?

I ask if CarBrain did any fixes on the truck and the guy pauses for a 2nd and says his manager told him he can't share any more info. I need to contact the seller. *Sirens are going off in my head*

Call the next dealer that purchased it. They just purchased it wholesale and resold it. Call the next small dealer, same thing. They were the ones who finally sold it to the dealership I purchased it from.

The person who sold me the car, told me it was owned by a friend of the owner's of the dealership and that it had been babied it's whole life. The CarFax report does not show any history of damage or engine work and that it's a 2-owner vehicle.

Now I'm assuming something fishy happened with the first owner. Maybe he didn't have the necessary insurance and the truck was in a flood? Maybe he then wanted to quickly get out of the truck and sold it to CarBrain and they just put a bogus cause "engine knock" on the truck? No one in this line of ownership claims to have fixed the rod knock and I don't hear it.

So many sirens are going off now. I've called the manager at the dealership and told him I need the full story. Quite frankly, my trust in this truck has been severely compromised. I'm waiting for him to come back at which point I'll be asking for concessions to be made.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

 

[Wild Bill]

So, the plot thickens on my recent purchase. They failed to mail me the title so I had to call and request it so I could get the truck titled/licensed.

When the title arrives, I see the truck was previously owned by 3 different car dealers over the last 4-5 months. Now mind you, this is a 2017 with 30k miles so it's still under warranty. The first name on the title is CarBrain LLC.

So I look them up and see they deal with wrecked, salvaged or otherwise damaged cars. So i call them up and give the VIN and they say they purchased the truck with 'rod knock in the engine'.

Ok, not good for two reasons: one, I don't want to buy a car that had slop in the engine and could've led to damage. Two - why would the previous owner who purchased the truck brand new, not take it into a Toyota dealership under warranty to get it fixed?

I ask if CarBrain did any fixes on the truck and the guy pauses for a 2nd and says his manager told him he can't share any more info. I need to contact the seller. *Sirens are going off in my head*

Call the next dealer that purchased it. They just purchased it wholesale and resold it. Call the next small dealer, same thing. They were the ones who finally sold it to the dealership I purchased it from.

The person who sold me the car, told me it was owned by a friend of the owner's of the dealership and that it had been babied it's whole life. The CarFax report does not show any history of damage or engine work and that it's a 2-owner vehicle.

Now I'm assuming something fishy happened with the first owner. Maybe he didn't have the necessary insurance and the truck was in a flood? Maybe he then wanted to quickly get out of the truck and sold it to CarBrain and they just put a bogus cause "engine knock" on the truck? No one in this line of ownership claims to have fixed the rod knock and I don't hear it.

So many sirens are going off now. I've called the manager at the dealership and told him I need the full story. Quite frankly, my trust in this truck has been severely compromised. I'm waiting for him to come back at which point I'll be asking for concessions to be made.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

That's a bizarre story.

Did the dealership give you the carfax? They're not responsible for an inaccuracy, but they can't provide you with a Carfax that they know or should have known was innaccurate. The information on the title makes it clear that the carfax was innaccurate or incomplete. You could argue that you relied on information they knew was false to purchase the vehicle. Not a good look for them.

I agree with you - if it was an engine issue, why not take it to Toyota. Makes me think it was another issue.

Good luck, man.