I'm looking to buy a 2015-2016 f-150 for work and mostly as my no wife and kids mid-life crisis funmobile. My max budget is 56k, which I do not want to reach, and a potential trade-in a 10yo bulletproof bulletproof low-mileage subaru worth 3-5k that I would rather not give up but is no longer very comfortable for me to drive for long.

I purchased every car I ever owned new for 15k with a fairly priced trade-in on below invoice deals not including my first car which cost $15k. The prices on these trucks is a whole new game for me. I'm in no rush and have plenty of time. I'm looking for a deal to maximize the long-term value of the truck so I am going to also consider low mileage used f-150's.

I don't have any experience buying a used vehicle. What type of strategies should I employ? Is it better to find one privately or through a dealer? What trims will hold their value the best over 5-10 years? If I am playing a value game should I even consider a 14 Raptor? I have no problem traveling or waiting. The whole process is actually kind of fun, and I have no problem making a little game out of it.

If I buy new other than going dealer-to-dealer and waiting for incentives from Ford what other strategies would you recommend? I would ideally like to buy something with some decent built-in depreciation in case my financial position changes.

I learned how to drive in my grandfather's f-150, which I wish my dad never sold and is still on the road, so it would be nice to get back into one.

Thanks!

 

I think you kinda have some competing agendas in there. I think to get what you want you are going to have to be patient and find a private party looking to part with a well maintained truck.

 

There are some very aggressive pricing on some left over 15's that could put you in a 15 F150 Platinum for under your budget, if you want that high of a trim level.

Considering the cost of a used one, you will end up buying a new one for a few dollars more. This will also give you a full warranty.

Also truck month starts this week at Ford. If you want a 16 model the best rebates will be later in the year.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

buy a new one its cheaper really with rebates etc as used don't have and they retain value. below 56k is easy to achieve. also don't trade in the subaru if its only 3-5k value.. keep it as a second car.

 

I had a similar attitude going in as you do. I like to buy used vehicles, but in the current truck market, it really doesn't make any sense unless you can find one from a private party as one of the posters above said. You really can get a brand new one for just a few thousand more than a 1-2 year old truck in most cases.

My personal stance (and I remember someone posted a Black Book table somewhere on this forum in the past that showed it) is that an XLT holds a better percentage of its MSRP over the long run. If you spend 12k more on a Platinum, it's probably only going to be worth 3-4k more than the XLT in 10 years, (and that's not even adjusted for inflation back to current dollars, so it's really less.)

The prices on trucks today will sticker shock you to death. But you can still get a well-equipped truck for under $40k brand new. It's not going to beat a luxury car as far as technology and creature comforts the way a Lariat/KR/Plat/Limited does, but it's still going to be pretty dang nice.

I managed to get my XLT for almost 25% off sticker, and the way trucks hold their resale value these days, I was pretty happy with that. I could trade it in today for more than I owe on it, 5 months later. Just watch for closeout deals on 2015s, or wait until late summer/fall and they will start ramping up incentives on the 2016s. Hope that helps!

 

Keep the Subaru.

You can order a new truck or shop end of year deals and come out ahead of a second hand purchase.

If you want a gen 1 Raptor, wait until the gen 2 hits the streets. There will be valuation hit for a year or so while folks unload to pick up the latest version. Right now Raptor prices are inflated - so much so that some guys are selling them for more than they paid new.

 

How did you manage your discount?

 

"Invoice" price minus half dealer holdback (roughly $5,500 off), plus from what I remember another $4750 in Ford rebates at the time, plus $1000 private cash offer and another $500 conditional Ford rebate.


If you're not familiar with all the new-car buying jargon, I'd strongly suggest you research up on that so that you can be assured you're getting the best possible deal when it comes down to negotiations.

 

Dang! You got into the dealer holdback? When I bought my truck, I asked about that, & they were surprised that I even knew about it. They also laughed & told me that nobody gets their holdback money, because they would not make any money on the truck. I did get just around $10,000 off the MSRP because it was a leftover model.

 

on my 2015 that i purchased last month, Sticker was $43,xxx I got a dealer discount of $3,000(basically invoice price) and then rebates of $7050, for a purchase price of 32950 before they took my trade

I got $6000 for a 2007 xterra that had 108,000 miles on it

after tax tag and title, i wrote a check for $30,500