RE: Just spent some time at the Dodge dealer
Show up?? You are telling me the dealer does not order what shows up?
I think the salesman is out of the loop as most are.
With a brand new model, especially a short plans-to-production model (such as scrambling to put a small diesel in a full size truck), the dealer may very well have no idea as to what his initial shipments may be -- at least not until he gets the final shipping notices, which may only precede the actual vehicles by just a few days. Helps to know a little about the industry and its quirks.
RE: prices coming down!!!!!!
Can't say that I can get too excited over gas & diesel dropping what amounts to about 3%. Big deal. Plus, we all know it's only temporary. Back when gas was about 30 cents a gallon that would've amounted to less than a penny a gallon. No big deal then --- no big deal now. That 3% most of us can get back on credit card purchases -- sometimes more. If you bought $50 worth of groceries this week and next week the same groceries cost you $48.50 would you be as thrilled? I think not. Just my opinion.
RE: depreciation
Look at NADA.com. You should get a depreciation curve from the used RV section.
This is the best advice. Much like cars, all motorhomes of the same price do not depreciate equally. Case in point. Nearly a year ago we looked at a loaded '08 Saturn Aura and a loaded '08 Honda Accord EXL. Both had selling prices of within $400 of each other -- both in the $24,000-range. Being a dealer I follow the market. At major dealer auctions (Manheim, Adesa), the Accords are wholesaling for in the $21,500-range, but the Auras are bringing in the $14,500-$15,000-range. Big difference for two vehicles that cost the same less than a year ago. Same goes for motorhomes. Buy a quality name motorhome with a good frequency-of-repair record, and one that's higher in demand on the resale market (because you will ultimately resell it). Not all $80,000 motorhomes are created equal! Good luck to you.
RE: Tremendous hybrid car gas savings, or not?
We got out before the big gas hikes --June 2006.
Glad we did. I was able to get a decent trade on the DW's Landcruiser. She wanted a Camry, so we bought an 07 Hybrid.
Talk about numbers. She was averaging 12 MPG. She now averages 36 MPG. We got a $2600 tax credit from the feds and about $800 X 3 years from the state. That will be $5000 in taxes returned to us once we do our state return next year. The batteries (as well as the hybrid system) are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. So, in about 8 years, if we still have it, I think I can fork over whatever a battery replacement might cost, if it comes to that.
Of course we still have one gas guzzler to tow with, but that second vehicle now costs us much less per year to operate.
To each their own, I guess?
My original post centered on foresight, not hindsight!
RE: Tremendous hybrid car gas savings, or not?
Is no semblance of personal finance taught in the schools any more?
Unfortunately no. Junk like Shakespeare, History dating back many centuries to the 'who cares' eras, and other such garbage seems to overshadow things like personal finance, basic math skills, and common-sense everyday decision-making knowledge. What used to be a "well rounded" education has now turned into a tremendous joke. My parents both worked in the school system, and we currently have very close friends that are retired teachers, and the only response I've ever heard is the "well rounded" baloney. Too bad. Our education system's curriculum needs a revamp so bad it isn't funny. Go into any fast food restaurant and you'll see the products of what a "well rounded" education turns out!
RE: CARFAX Vehicle History
At our dealership we offer free Carfax reports online to people who might be doing nothing more than browsing. Carfax reports are good, but not infallible. Bear in mind that Carfax reports only include information from REPORTED incidents. If you back into your mailbox or run off the road and graze a light pole, and never report it to the police, it will NOT show up on a Carfax report, ever. All in all it's a good way to check the vehicle history, but unfortunately no company can offer 100% accurate information 100% of the time.
Tremendous hybrid car gas savings, or not?
Maybe this should have gone in Dinghy Towing, but I thought it might be of general interest.
People are literally scrambling to buy hybrid vehicles now, some more than others. The Toyota Prius seems to be a much sought after car now, so let's use it in our unscientific analysis.
We'll compare it to a Toyota Corolla -- same manufacturer, and very similar in size.
I entered a 300-mile AutoTrader search from my home, and shopped specifically for 2007 models, with fewer than 30,000 miles, with Automatic transmissions.
The Prius' ranged from $24,800 to $29,900
The Corolla's ranged from $11,500 to $18,995
The Prius had an EPA highway rating of 51mpg in '07
The Corolla had an EPA highway rating of 38mpg in '07
Average miles driven per year in the US is 15,000
We'll use $4.25 per gallon for gasoline
I'll use the mid-range Prius price of $27,360 and the mid-range Corolla price of $15,250.
Based on the above figures, the BREAK-EVEN point for gas savings for the Prius owner would happen in JUST OVER 28 YEARS of ownership!!!
Interesting, isn't it?
Always a good idea to thoroughly do the math before jumping to the conclusion that a particular vehicle would be a good investment. Wish I were a Toyota dealer right about now, however!.......:C
RE: A big sad mistake.
Sorry the link won't work.
It was supposed to be of a truck pulling a fithwheel trailer into a filling station. The trailer caught the overhead cover and brought the whole thing down on the truck.
Well, it's not a filling station - it's a bank, and it's been posted here a jillion times over the past 24 hours. Thanks anyway. (Beautiful Husky by the way!)
RE: Best route from Pigeon Forge, TN to Cherokee, NC
I'd go right over the mountain. Take your time, enjoy the scenery. If you find you're the locomotive of a multi-car train there are plenty of pull-offs. Should be no problem.
RE: Tundras no more. Toyota suspends production.
To bad, I thought some foreign competition in the one ton field, might have improved our domestic trucks. Looks like the foreign makers couldn't even make it past the 1/2 ton. On the bright side congratulations to the Americans for producing a product the foreign makers can't compete with.
Production was suspended due to fuel prices slowing sales, not that there was anything wrong with the truck. Toyota still builds a product superior to the domestic manufacturers, but now they, too, have been hit by the slowed market due to high fuel prices. Although I don't own a truck, give me a Toyota anytime over the big 3, and when it comes re-sale time I'll be able to show you just one of my reasons why.
RE: Another vote for 60mph
With fuel pushing $5, my TC dashboard has been looking like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2659917976_7bd061e811.jpg?v=0
If I keep it at 60, I can count on a solid 13-14 in a wide range of conditions (wind, terrain, rain, etc.). When I'm lucky -- and unfortunately that is not very often, 15 mpg.
If fuel goes higher, expect my needles to be leaning further left. I'm in no hurry to go broke:R
On the interstate, the only thing I pass on the flats are old gasser C's.
Nice clear, crisp picture, but when you're traveling 60mph it's more important to watch the road than to be taking photographs. Thanks from all of us that may be sharing the road with you.............:C
RE: Another vote for 60mph
Nice... However people should be able to choose if they want to go faster.
Exactly. There's no gas shortage, so why impose a lower speed limit? Just so those foolish enough to drive fast can save money by driving slower? What I or anyone else decides to spend on gas, considering the abundant supply, is nobody else's business, especially the government's! Those that want to get better mileage can slow down (but PLEASE not below 55 on the interstates!), or take the slower, scenic secondary roads.
RE: Dealer Lied!! Cost pretty penny in
He should merely send you, or your lender, the MSO. At that point you go register it and pay the sales tax in your state.
What's a MSO???
Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. It's the original document that comes to the dealer, from which the first title is issued.
RE: 2006 Chevy Diesel Update: It's Mine *pic*
One question: instead of lowering the price, would it be appropriate to ask them to take my prodigy brake controller and back up camera off my old truck and install them on the new one?
Thanks,
Ellie
Yes, in that neither was a factory or dealer accessory. They'd probably pull off the brake controller before offering it for retail sale anyway. That's certainly not too much to ask.
RE: Dealer Lied!! Cost pretty penny in
$9000 taxes due in YOUR state or the state in which you made the purchase? If taxes are due in your state, so be it. That's the way it is. The out-of-state dealer could not collect taxes for an out-of-state registration. He should merely send you, or your lender, the MSO. At that point you go register it and pay the sales tax in your state.
RE: this is bad
I can't believe the 5th wheel, and we all know how they're built, won out over a 'brick & mortar' canopy. Of course, building codes are different everywhere, but it's unusual to see a tin box bring down construction like that! Notice the absence of corner support columns. That's just poor design, almost inviting a 'drive under' to somebody who might be daydreaming. Glad everybody in the truck was OK.
RE: 2006 Chevy Diesel Update: It's Mine *pic*
24K isn't that bad of a price if the truck presents itself well. Rather than trying to negotiate the price further, I'd take a stab at negotiating the extended service contract price. $2300 is a bit pricey for a vehicle that still has some factory powertrain warranty left on it.
RE: Am I getting a good deal??
First, whether talking Canadian dollars or US dollars is almost insignificant. Based on today's (7/10/08) exchange rate, $13,994 Canadian = $13,841 US. Literally no difference.
Second, NADA gives this truck, based on the info provided (and yes, I converted KM to miles), a CLEAN RETAIL value of $10,300. Based on the current market, my opinion is that this is probably a $9,000 truck at best, and that's if it's ready to go in all respects. Big gasoline engine trucks are dead now, and should be bought well below market.
OP, feel free to PM me if you like. We have been in the pre-owned automobile business for well over 25 years, so perhaps you may have questions or concerns we might be able to help with. Best of luck to you.
