The ridiculousness of the current car/truck market.

[LineSkiCat14]

This thread is making me think of getting something from like 2021, and taking the absolute best care of it in hope to hold it for 20 years lol.

I'm really not looking forward to the whole dealer process as well.

 

[cole854]

I'm really not looking forward to the whole dealer process as well.

Let the dealer work for you. When we bought my wife's Audi, we knew the specs, features, etc, that we wanted. I found 3 models within my 6 hour driving max, and called each of them w/ my trade info and our offer. Best deal was in Atlanta and we essentially closed the deal over the phone. They had the papers done when we got there, and was out in an hour. Dealer bought us dinner and put us up at the Hilton for the night.

 

[SDC888]

I don't think cars made today will last 20 years.

They over use plastic components to save on cost/weight, less reliable tubro charged small engines, and the previously mentioned cvt transmissions etc, at like 10-15 years old or so even if you've maintained them they're gonna start producing problems that will make you question keeping them going, and that's not even considering all the sensors and cameras or whatever all of the sudden your car doesn't want to start at all just because some lane keep assist camera failed, which I don't konw would happen, but some BS like that.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Let the dealer work for you. When we bought my wife's Audi, we knew the specs, features, etc, that we wanted. I found 3 models within my 6 hour driving max, and called each of them w/ my trade info and our offer. Best deal was in Atlanta and we essentially closed the deal over the phone. They had the papers done when we got there, and was out in an hour. Dealer bought us dinner and put us up at the Hilton for the night.

Damn that's pretty sweet. I probably won't get much for my trade-in at all. It's a 2014 Mazda6 that needs some serious work. Part of the bumber is damaged, the BSM system went a few years ago, and it needs about a $2000 brake job (part of why I'm trading it in now). I have a feeling they won't give me much for that.

So you were able to call and tell them the model of your trade in, and they could give you a rough idea of what they'd pay for it? I know a lot of this is pending them actually SEEING the car and probably driving it.

 

[ukalum1988]

My wife still drives that Scion. 14 years old, 180,000 miles on it, and not a single problem. (had to add refrigerant for the AC, but AutoZone will loan you the equipment to bleed the lines etc. when you buy the coolant there. It's a breeze to do and saves you a ton.)

My brother has a 2005 / 2006 (?) Scion and is still driving it.

 

[cole854]

Damn that's pretty sweet. I probably won't get much for my trade-in at all. It's a 2014 Mazda6 that needs some serious work. Part of the bumber is damaged, the BSM system went a few years ago, and it needs about a $2000 brake job (part of why I'm trading it in now). I have a feeling they won't give me much for that.

So you were able to call and tell them the model of your trade in, and they could give you a rough idea of what they'd pay for it? I know a lot of this is pending them actually SEEING the car and probably driving it.

They were able to see the service records thru the Audi network, and I took about a dozen total pics of the areas they wanted to see. They were within a few hundred of book mostly due to one of the wheels needing some love due to a curb scrape. We were pretty confident of the condition and what we were going to get.

 

[LordEggForgotHisPassword_rivals]

My wife still drives that Scion. 14 years old, 180,000 miles on it, and not a single problem. (had to add refrigerant for the AC, but AutoZone will loan you the equipment to bleed the lines etc. when you buy the coolant there. It's a breeze to do and saves you a ton.)

My wife had a 4runner that was 15 years old and had 300K on it, and was fine. I dont know why she wanted a new car.

 

[ukalum1988]

The only reason I even brought this up is that I'm going to need a light duty pickup and started looking at them, and they are ALL (used, AND new) comically overpriced.

A new Tacoma (which is extremely light duty) is now almost 40,000 dollars base (if you can even FIND a base model, because manufacturers just don't make many of them) LOL That is ridiculous. Also, the new ones look stupid as hell. Like something out of a mad max movie. Fake, tough-looking (but fragile) crap/body moulds stuck anywhere they can fit one. LOL

The Ford Maverick, if you can find a base model, can be had for less than 30,000 but it's not a truck. It has unibody construction and the bed is so small the you couldn't fit a large body wheelbarrow in it.

I've owned two Ford Mavericks. When they first came out they were extremely difficult to get. My 1994 Ford Ranger with 353,000 miles started leaking oil real bad for the second time..... The radio had quit working a year and a half earlier..... The turn signals quit working about six months prior to the oil leak.

Back in early 2022, used vehicle prices were even worse than they are now. I set my heart on the Maverick because I didn't want or need a big truck. Unfortunately, Ford closed the order bank for new Mavericks just a few weeks before I got into the market.

Long story short, I was able to buy a new Maverick off a lot in the Indianapolis idea after the person who ordered the truck decided they didn't want it. With the market as crazy as it was, I paid $4,000 over sticker (They originally wanted nearly $10K over sticker).

I really liked the truck but it was FWD with no sunroof. I ordered a 2023 Maverick from my local dealer; 2.0 EcoBoost engine, Atlas Blue (close to UK blue), XLT trim, power driver-side seat, sunroof, AWD, upgraded to the FX4 package. Cost me $33,200 (MSRP).

I can recommend the Maverick to anyone who needs a basic small truck. It rides very nice.

You are certainly correct about the unibody construction. I'm a member of the Maverick Truck Club, and I've seen numerous posting of Mavericks that have been totaled after getting rear-ended; still drivable, but too expensive and impractical to repair.

Sorry for the long post. I'm hoping this will be my second to last truck. I plan to buy another one around the time I retire in 5-6 years, and hopefully that will be my last truck.

 

[JDHoss]

Two weeks ago, I downsized from my 2015 RAM to a 2024 GMC Canyon. Since RAM no longer makes the Dakota, I narrowed the field down to a Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and the GMC. I looked at the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, but both were hard passes. The Tacoma had absolutely zero backseat space. My oldest granddaughter is 11 and already 5'9 and there was no way she would be able to ride back there. It came down to the Ranger and Canyon. I liked the interior of the Ranger better but liked the outside look of the Canyon. It came down to the Canyon checking all the boxes that I NEEDED. The Ranger also checked all of the needs as well, but also had a lot of extras that were useless to me, and I didn't see paying $4K extra for needless bells and whistles. Does the dealer get a kickback on financing? The salesman started telling me about some great financing they had going, and I told him this was a cash deal. He looked like I told him one of his family members had just died.

 

[JDHoss]

Hey clown, I’ve heard that coffee cups roll around efficiently & effectively in the floor board of these “trucks”…

It looks like....
A - Something I would have sketched in the 3rd grade.
B - A high school sheet metal shop class project.
C - An appliance on wheels.

Ugliest vehicle to ever be produced.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

I know three people that have purchased Chevy Colorados, and while this is anecdotal, they have all had major problems with them. Including a complete transmission replacement (in one case)

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

Two weeks ago, I downsized from my 2015 RAM to a 2024 GMC Canyon. Since RAM no longer makes the Dakota, I narrowed the field down to a Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and the GMC. I looked at the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, but both were hard passes. The Tacoma had absolutely zero backseat space. My oldest granddaughter is 11 and already 5'9 and there was no way she would be able to ride back there. It came down to the Ranger and Canyon. I liked the interior of the Ranger better but liked the outside look of the Canyon. It came down to the Canyon checking all the boxes that I NEEDED. The Ranger also checked all of the needs as well, but also had a lot of extras that were useless to me, and I didn't see paying $4K extra for needless bells and whistles. Does the dealer get a kickback on financing? The salesman started telling me about some great financing they had going, and I told him this was a cash deal. He looked like I told him one of his family members had just died.

I've never worked in the car business, but I thought it was pretty well known, that dealerships make a large part of their profits through the financing arm. GrandPadre could probably shed some light on this.

I've never financed a car through a dealer. But the three times I've bought from one (2 new, 1 used) I waited until the bottom line total was set, before I told them that I'd already secured a loan through my credit union, and then brought out the check book for the downpayment, they seemed extremely annoyed by it.

 

[DSmith21]

Car & Driver released their 2025 10 best cars and truck/SUV lists last week. I've noticed a lot more car ads featuring rebates/price cuts lately to prop up sales especially on luxury vehicles.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a62988703/10best-trucks-2025/

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a62988657/10best-cars-2025/

 

[JDHoss]

I've never worked in the car business, but I thought it was pretty well known, that dealerships make a large part of their profits through the financing arm. GrandPadre could probably shed some light on this.

I've never financed a car through a dealer. But the three times I've bought from one (2 new, 1 used) I waited until the bottom line total was set, before I told them that I'd already secured a loan through my credit union, and then brought out the check book for the downpayment, they seemed extremely annoyed by it.

My last two have been straight cash, but the rest were through my CU at work. The last one was the only time I've gotten a notable reaction.

 

[blubo]

I've owned two Ford Mavericks. When they first came out they were extremely difficult to get. My 1994 Ford Ranger with 353,000 miles started leaking oil real bad for the second time..... The radio had quit working a year and a half earlier..... The turn signals quit working about six months prior to the oil leak.

Back in early 2022, used vehicle prices were even worse than they are now. I set my heart on the Maverick because I didn't want or need a big truck. Unfortunately, Ford closed the order bank for new Mavericks just a few weeks before I got into the market.

Long story short, I was able to buy a new Maverick off a lot in the Indianapolis idea after the person who ordered the truck decided they didn't want it. With the market as crazy as it was, I paid $4,000 over sticker (They originally wanted nearly $10K over sticker).

I really liked the truck but it was FWD with no sunroof. I ordered a 2023 Maverick from my local dealer; 2.0 EcoBoost engine, Atlas Blue (close to UK blue), XLT trim, power driver-side seat, sunroof, AWD, upgraded to the FX4 package. Cost me $33,200 (MSRP).

I can recommend the Maverick to anyone who needs a basic small truck. It rides very nice.

You are certainly correct about the unibody construction. I'm a member of the Maverick Truck Club, and I've seen numerous posting of Mavericks that have been totaled after getting rear-ended; still drivable, but too expensive and impractical to repair.

Sorry for the long post. I'm hoping this will be my second to last truck. I plan to buy another one around the time I retire in 5-6 years, and hopefully that will be my last truck.

my wife drove an original 1969 1/2 (called them that because they were introduced in the summer of ‘69) ford maverick when we got married. straight six cyl with radio and auto trans. best car i ever owned. wish i had it back

 

[shockdaddy19]

Just went through this as I was involved in a car accident and the vehicle was totaled. The full size SUV market is absolutely ridiculous, and completely overpriced, particularly with the US Manufacturers. Ford and GM products are all nearing 100k, with the Denali and Escalade easily exceeding that. Those are nice trucks, but c'mon. Quality across the board is down, and prices are just ridiculous.

 

[*CatinIL*]

my wife drove an original 1969 1/2 (called them that because they were introduced in the summer of ‘69) ford maverick when we got married. straight six cyl with radio and auto trans. best car i ever owned. wish i had it back

I never had one but I'd love to have this today...a classic look to it.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I've never worked in the car business, but I thought it was pretty well known, that dealerships make a large part of their profits through the financing arm. GrandPadre could probably shed some light on this.

I've never financed a car through a dealer. But the three times I've bought from one (2 new, 1 used) I waited until the bottom line total was set, before I told them that I'd already secured a loan through my credit union, and then brought out the check book for the downpayment, they seemed extremely annoyed by it.

My last car purchase was so long ago, I really feel like a total amateur going into these places. So you went with a local credit union to get the loan first? I see a few by me are offering some incentive rates as low at 5.0% for used cars. I guess my question is, assuming I get approved for that, how do I go about using that at the dealer? Do I give them some sort of ID # from the approval process?

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

That is as GOOD as a Ford Maverick is ever going to look. LOL

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

My last car purchase was so long ago, I really feel like a total amateur going into these places. So you went with a local credit union to get the loan first? I see a few by me are offering some incentive rates as low at 5.0% for used cars. I guess my question is, assuming I get approved for that, how do I go about using that at the dealer? Do I give them some sort of ID # from the approval process?

I went to my credit union first, sat down with a loan manager, and I got pre-approval for a "range" that we were both comfortable with.

Then at the dealership, I told the purchase manager (or whatever they call the person that has to do all of that endless paperwork) that I was pre-approved for a car loan, and gave them the banks info. I don't recall them even calling the bank. I did have to show them a check, so they could get the bank's particulars, check to see that the routing number etc. was valid. (they might have had someone else call and confirm the loan.)

But yes, your CU will pre-approve you, as I said, for a loan up to a said amount.

The only thing I can imagine going wrong, is if the CU and the dealership are at odds about the TMV of the car, relative to the price. (which might help you negotiate.)

 

[*CatinIL*]

That is as GOOD as a Ford Maverick is ever going to look. LOL

Agreed, but whoever did the work on that one did it right.

 

[Tskware]

Funny reading this thread, seems like everyone is looking for a truck/SUV, just this AM, was an article in the LHL where they profiled the best 10 hybrid vehicles of 2024, and 7 were less than $30K which is about as affordable as you can get, especially since gas will not be a problem. Have owned a number of hybrids, they work great, have a Lexus SUV hybrid that gets 40 MPH in town. Just a matter of what you want and how much you are willing to pay.

As for the Tesla truck, I took one look at it and to me it screams "I have way too much money and absolutely zero taste"

 

[JamesIII]

I’ve been looking for one of these.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

Here is a good question for those of you in Lexington/surrounding area:

Recommendations for a good honest local mechanic. I had one here in Gtown, but he sold the shop and moved a little while back.

This guy was great, and he NEVER ripped you off, turned your rotors if they didn't need it etc.

Anyone know some good, local independent mechanics in the Lexington/surrounding counties area?

 

[TucsonCat]

What car company offers more than 4 colors? When was the last time you saw a car on the road that wasn't red, black, white or gray.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

Almost all of them?

 

[DoubleSecretProbation]

Bought a used 2019 Honda accord with a manual transmission about 6 months into the pandemic. Plan on driving it until kids are out of college. (17 and 15)

Don’t understand why everyone needs an enormous truck.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

They don't.

Compensation via conspicuous consumption.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/cheapest-new-cars/

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

I bought a 2019 Nissan Rouge Sport with 40,000 miles not quite 2 years ago for $22,000 walking out the door. It has heated seats/steering wheel, BT, etc. You can find good deals, you just have to be patient.

 

[Nintendo]

Here is a good question for those of you in Lexington/surrounding area:

Recommendations for a good honest local mechanic. I had one here in Gtown, but he sold the shop and moved a little while back.

This guy was great, and he NEVER ripped you off, turned your rotors if they didn't need it etc.

Anyone know some good, local independent mechanics in the Lexington/surrounding counties area?

Mitch's Auto Repair on Industry Rd in Lex. One man shop, mechanic is Kenny. Dude is worth his weight in gold, super honest. Been using him for jobs I don't want to tackle for years and not one complaint on my end.

 

[rudd1]

-just texted you the guy... not the cheapest, but reasonable. Stands behind his work. Nice dude to boot.

 

[HeismaNole_rivals116019]

I would pay extra to HAVE hand cranked windows. LOL

In the last five years, my old SUV has had the window motor go out for three different windows. I agree.

 

[JDHoss]

That is as GOOD as a Ford Maverick is ever going to look. LOL

Back in the 80's my neighbor in Virginia had one that he ran at the drag strip in the Modified division. He dropped a 351 Cleveland in it. It was sharp looking and wicked quick, IIRC turning just under 10 seconds in the 1/4 mile.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

A 351 Cleveland in a Maverick. LOL

I can't believe the torque didn't bend the frame. That's awesome.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

In the last five years, my old SUV has had the window motor go out for three different windows. I agree.

Power windows are a perfect example of finding a solution for a problem that didn't exist. I HATE them.

I hate the very IDEA of them, and what it says about people. LOL

It F***s up drive-thru windows too, because invariably, I'm behind the person that has to pull up and get out of their car to get their food, pay, talk to the bank teller etc.

 

[august-west]

I’ve got a 2002 F150 with 300,000 miles, the tranny is rough and the heat doesn’t work. I’ll sell it ya for 25,000 and that’s a steal.

 

[JDHoss]

A 351 Cleveland in a Maverick. LOL

I can't believe the torque didn't bend the frame. That's awesome.

That frame had “modifications” as did the rear end, wheel wells and interior.

 

[Dore95]

Power windows are a perfect example of finding a solution for a problem that didn't exist. I HATE them.

I hate the very IDEA of them, and what it says about people. LOL

There can't be many people who feel this way, can there? I am over 50 and I don't believe I've ever personally owned a car that lacked power windows. The whole premise of this thread is that there is a huge market for cars without power windows and I just can't fathom that. If anything, it would be a very niche market like people who might like to buy 8 track tapes.

 

[cole854]

Power windows are a perfect example of finding a solution for a problem that didn't exist. I HATE them.

I hate the very IDEA of them, and what it says about people. LOL

It F***s up drive-thru windows too, because invariably, I'm behind the person that has to pull up and get out of their car to get their food, pay, talk to the bank teller etc.

Do you have/use a microwave? Just use your oven every time.
Do you have/use a vacuum cleaner? Why not just use a broom.
Do you have/use central air? Open the windows.

You complain about power windows, yet, you still opt to use the convenience of drive-thru's and ATM's versus going inside the place of business.