Greywalls

This is a good thread... Keep 'em coming.

I think, personally, that it is inspiring to hear from the $60k cash purchase guys. Knock on wood, I've never had a car payment (1999 Jeep Cherokee, 211k current miles, cash purchase; 2011 FX4, 8,700 current miles, cash purchase @ 27% off MSRP); however, it scares me to death that if something were to happen to either vehicle, I really would be SOL, in terms of replacing either vehicles with new, similar models in 2015. The market has moved disproportionately to my ability, and, as of recent years, my desire, to purchase -- it is what it is.

I don't think it's necessarily about one's ability to work hard or work smart, though -- Life, too, has a way of sometimes throwing curve *****. And, as was mentioned above, much has to do with priorities, which, sure, could involve everything from casinos and booze, in a more negative sense, to children and houses...and even awareness of opportunity costs (favoring income-producing assets), in a more positive sense.

Personally, at age 39, Life looks a whole lotta different than it did five to seven years ago. A wife in medical sales traded in great money and a five-day-a-week national travel schedule for stay at home mommy duties. I burned out as a 90-hour-per-week corporate attorney at a large law firm, and started an ecommerce venture (investing $200k life savings in swinging for the fences -- a foray that hasn't panned out yet exactly as planned). A $600/month starter home was traded in for a $3,600/month bank note (my only debt) and a gated community. Two private elementary school tuition checks eat up the same each month... Sometimes, even if you work your *** off and are fairly intelligent (my MBA and law degree attest that I have at least some modicum of smarts), the best laid plans can go awry, dumb-in-hindsight decisions can be made, and fortunes can be made and lost (and hopefully made again!) in very short duration.

None of my ramblings, I suppose, have any bearing on the subject; however, I still think trucks and SUVs are insanely priced, and I worry that many folks are committing financial suicide in either satiating "wants" or trying to keep up with the Joneses. For the guys who have been smarter and more successful, though, I applaud you -- and hope you'll consider sharing more of your stories.

Heel70

These late model / new trucks are not cheap, quite pricey indeed even for a used late model. I'm not jealous or mad at anyone that can afford a 50k+ ride. Whatever it is they did to get to where there at financially to afford that kind of amenities, more power to them. I'm not at that point yet but have worked my *** off since I started my career and continue to pound away day by day to provide myself and family more financial stability. Enough said.

GMW468

I have plenty. I own a home, a vacation home, my truck, my resto-modded 72 Camaro, a small fishing boat, and my 95 Wrangler. I'm 47 years old and plan on retiring by 55. I don't run up my credit cards and I pay cash for everything. Obviously I have a mortgage on my primary home and the mortgage on my vacation home will be paid off in just over 2 years.

My wife and I have good jobs. We both have pensions AND 401K's. We also have a few IRA's, some small investments, some money in the stock market, and 2 separate Vanguard mutual fund accounts. The vacation home that I purchased in 1995 is now worth over $130k more than I paid for it and I have over $250k worth of equity in my primary home. I'd say we're doing just fine. I only work 8-9 miles from home and simply don't need a $60k truck to get me there. I could walk into a Ford dealership right now and buy a new F-150 for $60k cash but I'm self secure enough to know that I don't NEED to. I'd rather spend that money on other things.

PawPaw

I worked for 44 yrs plus 6 yrs National Guard to get where I'm at today. When I retired 3 1/2 yrs ago I had a pretty good 401 plus my savings to fall back on. Took some out and paid off the truck so I wouldn't have a truck note. We still have a house note and a note on the camper and that's it. Wife still works but is cutting back to 3 days a week...she still likes working!

All Hat No Cattle

That is exactly it. We all have the right to legally spend our money any way we choose. Isn't that the American way?

Over on the 2015 thread over 400 forum members responded to a poll on how well their air-conditioned seats work.

Same thread, about 289 posts discussing the 2015 moon roof problems.

This forum is not really about discussing the best truck to haul hay with, at least not for 2015.

The 2009-2014 thread is similar.

Blown F-150

+1

The way I figure it is Ford is running a business. They will sell what they need to based on research and demographic knowledge. If the premium level trucks will sell, they will build them.

I work for a manufacturer of a completely unrelated product (sort of) and work closely with the Marketing and Product Management teams. It's clear that you don't try to sell something to the applicable market that won't sell. You also have to be able to forecast trends and perceptive needs to be really successful (the Ecoboost gamble is a great example).

The biggest "issue" is that the automotive market is such a competitive and "brand loyal" one. This causes the very defense posts we see in forums like this. People believe that they invested their hard earned money in the right product and often have difficulty seeing things differently or from a different point of view, (bought a XL instead of a limited or a GM vs. a Ford). The reality is that all of the options are available because there is a market for them. People have different needs/wants. I think we all need to except that.

CreepinDeth

Good points.

I also agree with the other poster that more business professionals are taking pickup luxury models, hence the massive price increases probably. I sat in a brand new Platinum last night. I was very impressed but not $60,000 impressed. I didnt see $14,000 more in options over my 13 fx4 appearance pkg truck really

Of course thats just my opinion.

gone postal

Charge BMW prices, get BMW owners, with all that that entails.

tsigwing

except when you take your Ford into service, you are in line next to a Festiva and a Taurus with service writers, waiting rooms and dealer loaners (if they have them) of a comparable level.

gone postal

heaven forbid.....

The indignity of an F-150 being serviced in the same bay as a <gasp> Festiva(which hasn't been made in more than a decade...)

Thank you for making my point.