Cost of TV's are crazy.

[vinmaker]

I need to replace my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer soon as I only like to keep my cars till they are 10 yrs old.

I own a High Wall pop up and need something to tow 5,000 lbs.

The wife likes the Chevy Tahoe so I started looking around at those and OMG are the prices high. I never knew they got so expensive. And they hold their value like crazy. These things only drop about 3K each year which is nothing for an auto. A 2011 is gonna run me about 30K for the base trimmed unit. That is close to a $700/month car pmt. OUCH!.

I am finding that my options are pretty slim. Everything I see that can tow 5,000lbs is in the 30K range for a 3-4 year old unit with appropriate miles (12K/year).

Sure is depressing that the cost of the camping lifestyle is so high.

Sorry to rant. Just really frustrated.

Vin.

[BamaBob]

Do yourself a favor and buy this TV for your next camper (do I hear the voice of experiance speaking? )

Take a look at any chances of discounts (keeping in mind the above) For instance, were you or a parent in the military? Very good deals if so.

You also may consider buying new. we did and did so with the thought of kiiping our TV for 10+ years. The new F150 Class of TV out there tow what F250s did 10 years ago & there is a lot of technology built into these beasts these days!

[mlong]

Sounds like you are like me. I usually have my vehicles for 10 years so the 30K investment is well worth it. You should be able to take a 5 yr loan on that to reduce the monthly payment. We even took a 6 yr loan on our truck. We pay extra each month to get it paid off sooner and reduce the amount of interest we are paying back.

[B47]

All of the Big 3 auto makers are having record high sales this year. Our local GM assembly plant in Arlington,Texas which make the Pickups and other brands did not shut down for the July Forth holiday due to heavy demand.

Supply and Demand at work.

[vinmaker]

I know. The economy is booming like crazy. People just cannot get enough of the $40-$50K SUV's and trucks. Too bad I did not need a car when we are in a recession back in 2008/2009. Now I have to compete with all the people with money to burn.

[schrederman]

My new one had a sticker price of $56K... I didn't pay that for it, but it took me 3 months to get the deal I wanted.

[Kaadk]

Take over my payments and I'll sell you my Ram, 8300 lb towing capacity, payments under $600. Then I'll go out and get me something to tow a fiver.

Oh, wait, I'm pretty sure the DW will kill me if I did that... Never mind.

[Dodge Guy]

I have $40k in my truck (2002) and trailer (2007) that I bought in 2006. I can`t imagine spending $40k on a TV and still have something old behind it.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Do yourself a favor and buy this TV for your next camper (do I hear the voice of experiance speaking? )

Take a look at any chances of discounts (keeping in mind the above) For instance, were you or a parent in the military? Very good deals if so.

You also may consider buying new. we did and did so with the thought of kiiping our TV for 10+ years. The new F150 Class of TV out there tow what F250s did 10 years ago & there is a lot of technology built into these beasts these days!

I second that and use the same truck and have been told as recently as yesterday by the DW No New Truck for 10 years!

[GreenImp]

Where I live, a new truck from the big 3 will run you about half the cost of a decent 3br home...crazy!

I recently heard someone (Clark Howard?) likening the current truck/SUV market to the "Housing Bubble".

[Cornelius]

If you are interested in a Dodge Ram or other Chrysler vehicle, they can be purchased for 1% under invoice by joining either the Access Fund or Tread Lightly. Both organizations support public land access and are sponsored by Jeep. By joining, you become a Chrysler affiliate customer, and get the same pricing Chrysler parts supplier employees receive. The affiliate price is printed on the dealer's invoice along with the Chrysler employee price (which is less).

If you are a good negotiator, you may be able to get a better price, but the 1% under invoice is a no hassle way to buy, especially if the vehicle is in high demand.

Home - Access Fund

Tread Lightly

[BiigDaddy]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

I need to replace my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer soon as I only like to keep my cars till they are 10 yrs old.

I own a High Wall pop up and need something to tow 5,000 lbs.

The wife likes the Chevy Tahoe so I started looking around at those and OMG are the prices high. I never knew they got so expensive. And they hold their value like crazy. These things only drop about 3K each year which is nothing for an auto. A 2011 is gonna run me about 30K for the base trimmed unit. That is close to a $700/month car pmt. OUCH!.

I am finding that my options are pretty slim. Everything I see that can tow 5,000lbs is in the 30K range for a 3-4 year old unit with appropriate miles (12K/year).

Sure is depressing that the cost of the camping lifestyle is so high.

Sorry to rant. Just really frustrated.

Vin.

If you are interested I can offer you (or anyone on FRF) the General Motors Supplier Discount. Its minimal information needed. It only requires your name, ZIP code, and Date of birth. Then the system will provide you with a discount approval number to take to the dealer. My wife and I both work for GM and we can submit up to 6 of these discounts a month. Feel free to PM me if you are interested!

PS- gmsupplierdiscount.com to see pricing with the discount. Cheers!

[schrederman]

I got affiliate pricing because of my job. I also got factory rebates. I got mine for about $9K off the sticker, but it was still pretty high. The only place to negotiate when doing this is on your trade value.

[goduc]

I bought my 12 Ram 2500 4x4 CTD brand new for $10,000 off MSRP. I paid $36,000 for it. It's not a top line truck but I don't need all that bling just to haul some stuff for camping or house work. IMO used cars and trucks are so expensive because they cost so much new. It's a fine line between buying a 2-3 yr old vehicle as opposed to buying one new with big discounts. I'd much rather spend a few 1K more for a new vehicle with zero miles and full warranty. Buyers need to do their home work.

[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by BiigDaddy

If you are interested I can offer you (or anyone on FRF) the General Motors Supplier Discount. Its minimal information needed. It only requires your name, ZIP code, and Date of birth. Then the system will provide you with a discount approval number to take to the dealer. My wife and I both work for GM and we can submit up to 6 of these discounts a month. Feel free to PM me if you are interested!

PS- gmsupplierdiscount.com to see pricing with the discount. Cheers!

Thanks Big Daddy. I will keep that in mind and PM if the DW and I decide to buy new.

You guys have some great comments. I think I will have to consider buying new. As goduc just said, the price of 2-3 year old is so close to the new stuff with discounts that I might be better off spending a few 1K more and getting one with zero miles.

I think I just hate to spend all that money on something that will be scratched up, dinged by shopping carts, doors, etc. Maybe I am getting old but 40K for a car just seems nuts. Maybe it is just my Yankee frugality.

Vin.

[goduc]

It is nuts to pay $40,000 for a vehicle. But what do you do if you need one for towing or some other job specific duty?
I hear ya on the dings. Every new truck I've bought since 1994 has gotten a ding in the 1st week or two. Only one that didn't was a 2010 F150 I bought. Had it 2.5 years and it was is perfect condition. Traded it in on my current 12 Ram 2500 and 5 days latter got caught in a freakish hail storm. Now I have about 6-7 pea size dents on the hood and roof. Busted out both vents on top of the TT we had. I guess you could say it's broken in now.

[B47]

Originally Posted by schrederman

I got affiliate pricing because of my job. I also got factory rebates. I got mine for about $9K off the sticker, but it was still pretty high. The only place to negotiate when doing this is on your trade value.

Just curious - did you buy in Weatherford or someplace else? We tried a couple Weatherford dealers for our Cadillac and ended buying from a dealer in Denton.

[camper1999]

I usually go to auto and rv shows every year or at least every other year so I don't get sticker shock when I am ready to buy again in 10 years

[davel1971]

SUVs are all over priced. I bought a new 1 ton crew cab diesel Chevy last year for $12,000 less than what a Tahoe costs and I can tow more than double.

[keith_h]

Many large employers have affiliate programs available for their employees and retirees with the US auto makers. It's worth a check to see if you are eligible. While they aren't always the best deal it does give you a reference for starting price negotiations.