OT: How ridiculous.....

[SmithShady]

How ridiculous have the prices of trucks become? I've been driving a 2005 Ford F-150 Lariat for 11 years now with right at 190,000 miles on it. I said I would drive it until the wheels fell off, and based on the money I've had to sink into it over the past few months, culminating in a new transmission this past week, I think I'm there. I shopped around over the Labor Day weekend because Ford was offering 0% financing. A comparable truck to the one I've been driving is TWICE the price of what I paid for my 2005. I ended up buying a new truck on Tuesday of this week, but damn it was hard to pull the trigger on such a huge investment. I'm not buying a Mercedes, BMW or a Land Rover, I'm buying a damn Ford! I looked for used trucks, but with the 0% it was cheaper in most cases to buy new. Ended up with a dealer demo that had a few miles which helped but I couldn't believe how much they cost these days.

Mike

[Researcher]

It wasn't quite double between my 1997 F150XLT Super-Cab 4x4 and my similar 2011, but the eco-boost 2011 gets better gas mileage, is longer legged, links to my cell phone, and plays CDs instead of cassetts.

[OH Osthaus]

i just traded my 2011 4Runner for a 2016, not cheap

but the price was offset by what i thought was a surprising high residual value on the old one in spite of 155K miles on it

trucks aren't trucks any longer - most of them will never do an honest days work any more, so they are priced as big cars

[Stan Hillis]

trucks aren't trucks any longer - most of them will never do an honest days work any more, so they are priced as big cars

Not necessarily. Some are still trucks. I buy Super Duty Fords as work trucks, and they are justly named, IMO. My 2011 F250, with a 6.2 liter gas engine, has 217K miles, and it still in excellent shape. These are not cushy miles either. They are farm miles, pulling 8-10 ton loads of peanuts and water trailers.

I agree they are terribly overpriced, but why wouldn't a truck like this one cost more than a car? It's bigger, heavier, got a much stronger drivetrain, and will do a whole host of things a car cannot do, which is only to ride you down the road. Is it possible we have, collectively, gotten the mindset that it's okay to pay big bucks for luxury, but not for usefulness, and toughness? I could buy another new F250 equipped the same way today for way less than double what this one cost in 2011. But, it's long been paid for, the repairs have been almost non-existent, and I plan to run her a lot longer. We'll see how that works out.

SRH

[TOOL MAN]

Hey Mikey.....think of it this way: You've always wanted an "F-Grade".....now you're driving it!!!!

[SPE33]

Thanks for buying a USA product.I wonder what the going price was on a 20 gauge Sterlingworth ejector 11 years ago.
Probably a lot less than I gave for mine two months ago.

[OH Osthaus]

trucks aren't trucks any longer - most of them will never do an honest days work any more, so they are priced as big cars

Not necessarily. Some are still trucks. I buy Super Duty Fords as work trucks, and they are justly named, IMO. My 2011 F250, with a 6.2 liter gas engine, has 217K miles, and it still in excellent shape. These are not cushy miles either. They are farm miles, pulling 8-10 ton loads of peanuts and water trailers.

I agree they are terribly overpriced, but why wouldn't a truck like this one cost more than a car? It's bigger, heavier, got a much stronger drivetrain, and will do a whole host of things a car cannot do, which is only to ride you down the road. Is it possible we have, collectively, gotten the mindset that it's okay to pay big bucks for luxury, but not for usefulness, and toughness? I could buy another new F250 equipped the same way today for way less than double what this one cost in 2011. But, it's long been paid for, the repairs have been almost non-existent, and I plan to run her a lot longer. We'll see how that works out.

SRH

i did say most of them - not all of them

[Jim Cloninger]

Well, I have 2 F150 FX-4's one 2002 and one 2005! Both are paid for and only have had maintenence costs. The 2002 is my hunting & fishig vehicle. It has over 200,000 miles and a "pop-up" camper on it. The 2005 is my "town car" and has around 100,000 miles on it. I do not see a need to replace either of these vehicles. Jim

[Mike of the Mountain]

We were pricing new trucks too, just for giggles. The crew cabs were very luxurious in the Fords and Rams. Beautiful trucks!! Rode in the back of a Ford that friends own and had more room than most front seats!! Only issue is they cost more than our first home!!! I feel for ya Mikey!! I really like my Ram, I just like the new, roomier cab better. At least it's paid for!!

[xewizzard]

Don't forget the additional costs of outfitting the new truck. Color matched canopy, weatherproof mats, bed coating, seat covers, chains, sales and license taxes (if applicable), etc. Prices increase approx 5% per year but it does add up over time. My 1999 F250 is on stands now waiting for rear rotors. The truck has 272k miles on it and this is the first brake job on the rear. It has been fun tho. I carpeted the bed and tailgate after having the Rhino liner applied. Sleeping in the back with my German Pointers between Washington and South Dakota was great fun. The carpet gave the dogs more traction when entering and exiting the rear. Carpeted tailgate is also a good place to nap on an October afternoon. My 70 yr old body doesn't want to do any more brake jobs but my brain doesn't want to "write the check".

[Mills]

My 2006 F-150 has 270,000 miles on it and I keep throwing money on it to keep it going. When it became unreliable for long trips, I bought a Ford Fiesta which is great on gas mileage. I am determined to drive my truck forever.

[Jeff S]

Yup! Trucks are expensive. Since I have always been a fan of the Free Enterprise system, I switched from GM to Ford Trucks after the famous "bailout". I had a 2011 Supercrew and now I have a 2014 Supercrew, both with ecoboost V6 engines. They ride great and the performance is outstanding. Also, I've averaged 18.3 mpg over the last 68,000 miles which seems good to me. Now, if you're feeling a little strapped after that purchase, you could sell me that little Parker 20 ga. that was displayed so nicely with the doves in the "hunting" section. I figure I could cover about 4 monthly payments if you give me that gun. What do you think? Jeff

[OH Osthaus]

Now see

That is what makes this forum so great

There is always someone willing to help out

[birdawg]

The price is high but a new truck is one of the few purchases you can make and loose the cost of a 20 ga XE when you drive it off the lot.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Birdawg, now that just plain hurt!!!!!