Want to get a new truck, what do you guys recommend?

[tomson75]

Based on my expenses and what I expect to bring home I'll clear about $500 every month. That's cutting it a little close, so the truck will definitely have to be used.

Health insurance is killing me at $224 a month. If they have a better health plan that would help out a ton. I'll need to talk to them about it.

Ouch.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Based on my expenses and what I expect to bring home I'll clear about $500 every month. That's cutting it a little close, so the truck will definitely have to be used.

Health insurance is killing me at $224 a month. If they have a better health plan that would help out a ton. I'll need to talk to them about it.

You won't ever need your health insurance. Not at that price. If I were you I'd get one of those value plans.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This is correct. And if you can find a car that is about 5-7 years old with less than 60K on it, buy that cash and save your self the misery and torment of paying a monthly car payment.

It's the worst thing you can do with your money, buying a new car.

One of the biggest reasons why that makes sense is that a used car with some miles on it will have already been to the shop, at least once. While you'll end up taking a new car to the shop pretty soon once you buy it.

 

[Jon88]

Ouch.

You won't ever need your health insurance. Not at that price. If I were you I'd get one of those value plans.

I'm about to cancel it. It was $150 when I first got it, then they jacked it up to $224.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm about to cancel it. It was $150 when I first got it, then they jacked it up to $224.

And don't you forget it!

 

[Jon88]

And don't you forget it!

LOL, I won't.

 

[vta]

Health insurance is killing me at $224 a month. If they have a better health plan that would help out a ton. I'll need to talk to them about it.

This is through work???

 

[Jon88]

This is through work???

No this is private. I've been paying it since I left my last job in February.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Car insurance is a factor. If you get a loan/lease you will have to have full coverage. If you pay cash...

 

[burmafrd]

On the warranty: it starts on the date the dealership gets the truck(first dealership, so if its moved it starts with the original) you could have one that has been sitting for months. So instead of a 7 year you have a 6 year 8 month and they WILL NOT TELL YOU THIS.

Have had rams for 11 years and love them. How much are you hauling? If you can get by with a smaller truck then a half ton do it.

 

[Jon88]

On the warranty: it starts on the date the dealership gets the truck(first dealership, so if its moved it starts with the original) you could have one that has been sitting for months. So instead of a 7 year you have a 6 year 8 month and they WILL NOT TELL YOU THIS.

Have had rams for 11 years and love them. How much are you hauling? If you can get by with a smaller truck then a half ton do it.

I'll be aware of that.

I won't be hauling much at all. I just like trucks. I'm not a car person.

 

[big dog cowboy]

While you'll end up taking a new car to the shop pretty soon once you buy it.

Please explain because this makes little sense.

I've bought almost nothing but new since 1981 so I'm anxious to hear.

 

[Jon88]

I went and looked at Toyotas earlier and I changed my mind about Tundras. I like them. I can get a new 4 door Tacoma for $25,000 or a full size Tundra with 40,000 miles on it for $21,000. Of course both prices are before I get them to come down.

 

[Wimbo]

I went and looked at Toyotas earlier and I changed my mind about Tundras. I like them. I can get a new 4 door Tacoma for $25,000 or a full size Tundra with 40,000 miles on it for $21,000. Of course both prices are before I get them to come down.

Try to find an individual seller rather than a dealer so you don't have to pay taxes (or dealer prep, profit, etc). Tax will vary, depending where you are, but 5% on $20k will set you back another $1000 in taxes. You don't have to pay taxes to an individual. And, you can usually get a better deal.

 

[Jon88]

Try to find an individual seller rather than a dealer so you don't have to pay taxes (or dealer prep, profit, etc). Tax will vary, depending where you are, but 5% on $20k will set you back another $1000 in taxes. You don't have to pay taxes to an individual. And, you can usually get a better deal.

I don't have the money to pay anyone cash, and if I take out a loan from the bank I'll have to buy full coverage insurance.

 

[MetalHead]

Ford F-150 would be my choice.

 

[Warick]

I haven't read through all 7 pages of this thread, and this may have been said a dozen times but..... stay away from Dodge trucks, especially trucks with automatics.

I have a 97 dodge ram pickup 1500, and although it's normally a good truck, the transmission went out about 3 weeks ago. I know the previous owner, and this is the 3rd time it has gone out. It's going to cost $1500+ for a rebuild. Apparently, it's not just my truck either, it seems to be a big deal with Dodge trucks. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said that is Dodge weakness. They also get horrible gas mileage.

When I have mine rebuilt, I'll probably drive for a while, then sell it, and buy something else. I do know that whatever I buy in the future will have a standard transmission. I hate automatics.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I need to research how to negotiate with the dealership. Car salesman are pretty underhanded.

Don't answer questions like "Well, how much are you looking to spend" or "How much can you afford per month."

When a salesman approaches you, tell him along the lines of "Listen, I'm in the market for a vehicle. I'm a guaranteed sale. I'll talk to you, but if I so much as think you're starting to jerk my chain, I'm walking away."

Avoid dealerships who don't make prices readily available.

A small thing perhaps, but before you drive off the lot with the new car, make sure they fill the gas tank up.

Try and see if there's a Carmax dealership near you.

Carmax and DriversWorld are the two best used car dealerships I've ever dealt with.

 

[the kid 05]

So you know many scamming mechanics?

my neighbor owns a shop and he did some under the hood work on my truck and told me he didn't report it. My brothers dad (ex step dad) does work at a shop and has never reported it due to him "not wanting to hurt that owner when it comes to sale time".

carfax=scam

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

my neighbor owns a shop and he did some under the hood work on my truck and told me he didn't report it. My brothers dad (ex step dad) does work at a shop and has never reported it due to him "not wanting to hurt that owner when it comes to sale time".

carfax=scam

How do mechanics not reporting repairs make carfax a scam?

Answer: It doesn't.