Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

[sublauxation]

Hoping to get some real world opinions on tow vehicle pricing/is there a shortage from anybody who follows it or bought a tow vehicle recently. I'll give a little background on why I'm confused and the trend I see.

I have access to dealer auctions, I usually buy a truck each year, typically break even after 1 year of driving. Last year is the first in 10 I didn't buy. In '09 I practically had to give my Expedition away, but actually payed less for a newer one at auction. Guess $4 gas scared people and dealers. Since a certain event 2 years ago (I wont make this political) some vehicles were crushed and at every auction since I could still make 4K MORE than I paid for my truck. This includes last week, so gas prices, at least here, haven't effected auction prices much, dealers are still paying big money for trucks.

Are people buying trucks, and are they paying anywhere near NADA or Kelley? Is there truly a shortage out there on good trucks? It seems had I saved my last 3 Expeditions I could make another couple $K on each now vs what I sold them for years ago. Do you really think gas prices will effect price this time? I assume most boaters are like me, you must tow the boat with something so you do what you need to do. Likely the only people being squeezed out by gas prices are family trucks not used for towing.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

this is chit chat..... not tech..... doesn't belong here

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

Yeah this will get moved by the mods,

I have a friend that goes to the dealer auctions sub, and I know he goes to your area and buys several diesels in your area then he brings them to Colorado and will sell them off to the dealers here, that tells me that where you live diesels are cheaper then they are in Colorado, he also purchases two wheel drives and sells them in Texas and Arizona. He tells me in times like this he sometimes sits on trucks for awhile until he can make a better margin but the market never sets for long. he buys in the Minne/St.Paul, KC and Chicago and sells in Denver, Phoenix and all over Texas, makes a bundle.

I know I have looked into the possibility of getting a motorcycle since fueling my Dodge at $4.00 Per Gallon is killing me right now, I drive 50 miles one way to work, so my wife and I figure that even with the added payment we will save money over the long run if Gas prices stay this high which is unlikely, the return is that we have wanted to get back into motorcycles anyway so it looks like the right time to make the move, we look to save $500 per month if Gas stays this high, thats almost a no brainer!!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

It may be chit chat and get moved but the trend of what's happening with trucks and pricing does effect most of us here, and what's happening with prices is odd at best. I'm not sure gas prices will have the effect they once did. There seems to be a lot of older trucks out there with a lot of miles, and fewer newer ones with lower miles.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

It's fine here.

I think that the used values will stay stable and close to KBB. With the economy most people are buying used and cheaper just so they do not have to finance and buy newer.

If you have the capitol to play then by all means play

I drive past a GMC 2500 duamax ext cab 8' bed daily that is being sold for 15K and has 90K miles. I have been wanting to stop and look at the year ......... I hate being tempted and being a diesel fan makes it tougher.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

It's fine here.

I think that the used values will stay stable and close to KBB. With the economy most people are buying used and cheaper just so they do not have to finance and buy newer.

If you have the capitol to play then by all means play

I drive past a GMC 2500 duamax ext cab 8' bed daily that is being sold for 15K and has 90K miles. I have been wanting to stop and look at the year ......... I hate being tempted and being a diesel fan makes it tougher.

I started this post because I read one yesterday where somebody mentioned buying one cheap with gas prices down. I'd hate to see somebody here panic and give theirs away when in reality prices may not drop like a rock. It will be interesting to see what happens in 2-4 years and it really effects what people do now as far as buying and selling. There is a lot of experience on this site and maybe it will help somebody in their decision. My dad was in the business from the early 60s through the early 90s and he's never seen anything like what's happening with truck prices now.

I think you're right on things being stable. I also think they'll remain higher than 2 years ago for a while. We're pretty fresh into the high gas prices but this time the dealers don't seem intimidated and are still buying at high prices. There's the possibility to score a good deal if you find somebody who is panicking, but dealers are not....at least not yet.

It would be nice to have the cash to play new but those darned lottery tickets haven't panned out yet for myself and I'm assuming most of the rest of us.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

Well as a relief to my angst......that duamax is gone....whew.... I was getting weaker.

The lottery is no big thing...... I won, rented a limo and went straight to the lottery headquarter's....... presented my winning ticket and got my free ticket delivered to me on the spot. I can't understand all the hype and it didn't even interfere with my taxes.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Changing Values on Tow Vehicles.

Well as a relief to my angst......that duamax is gone....whew.... I was getting weaker.

The lottery is no big thing...... I won, rented a limo and went straight to the lottery headquarter's....... presented my winning ticket and got my free ticket delivered to me on the spot. I can't understand all the hype and it didn't even interfere with my taxes.

So how did it work out, Bob??? What was that free ticket worth?