Ford Dealers Got Greedy

[AzScorpion]

For a company founded on quality and affordability, it is obscene that a staple like the F150 has an average retail of $66k. Perhaps Elon understands what Ford seems to have forgotten, which is highly frustrating as a loyal Ford owner.

Scott you're so right it's very frustration for us long time faithful customers. For the past 28 years I've owned all Ford trucks/vans for my business and personal vehicles. I bought one Silverado back in the early 2000's and then my Tacoma when the Ranger wasn't out yet in 2016. I really hope that Ford gets their stuff together quickly as I'd really love to get a Ranger Raptor but I'm super nervous laying out $60K (hopefully it's not more) on one and feeling like I'm rolling the dice on quality.

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[Fawnbuster]

Speak of the devil, look what they just sent me in the mail today . This is on top of the monthly letters from the dealer telling me how many payments I have left and what they would give me above trade in value.. they clearly haven't seen my upgrades, why I have a Damper by golly!!!

 

[9zero1790]

I've thought all along that auto companies would try to keep the pandemic model of low volume production an maximizing profit on each unit. If you can slash work force, produce half the vehicles an have half the headaches an make about the same profit why wouldn't you.

Could not have said it better, Langley. I feel it is exactly what they are doing. A lot of other places, too. I don't wanna seem more tinfoil hat than my normal self but I think so much of this is planned and on purpose.

 

[WNCblueridge]

I was just gonna make a thread about dealer pricing. Have been looking on CarGurus first time since mid 2021. Hate to say it cuz I have always been a truck guy but looks as if I am officially priced out of the midsize truck market. Luckily I still got the old Rusty (09 Frontier) & Wilma (21 Scab Ranger). The most affordable truck (Maverick) is even going for $38k+ in my area. Just insane how trucks have gone up. I paid $28k August 2021 for a brand new Ranger. I sure hope the Ranger lasts cuz only option after that is trading for a more fuel efficient work commuter car...yuck!

 

[Clank]

I do not think direct to consumer made to order is ever going to be able to be the main way to buy new cars. It should be easier than it is and should be streamlined to order online for pickup at your local dealer, but not having cars on the lot for people to test drive and try out new features simply lowers interest in the car at least for me. Not to mention the wait time which for some is not feasible. For whatever the reason may be, not everyone can wait months to get their new car. If they can shorten the lead time way down I could see it being OK, but otherwise I don't see it.

 

[TJC]

2+ years ago I rebuilt my 2005 Ranger from the ground up. I mean EVERYTHING THAT WEARS was replaced. It cost me ~$12k. Looking back it was worth every penny.

I have owned a 2003 Maxima since new, and I am starting to go through it now. Wheel bearings and axles are first, but it is still relatively low mileage at 106K. AC needs a charge this year, and I will do that myself. Both look very respectable... both garaged their entire lives. I am NOT spending $60K for a new car. I am working to insure those 3 vehicles last me another 20 years.

 

[9zero1790]

i wish we could form a hard boycott of buying cars for about 3 months. by month 4 prices would be back down and dealers would be looking to make sales. will never happen. they got us by the short and curly hairs and they know it. forced assimilation.

 

[AzScorpion]

Another article showing how GM is cutting production to keep inventory from rising. I get that they don't want to much inventory sitting on lots as it only cost them money. But if they're doing this to keep the prices higher (supply/demand) that is wrong. They have a 100 day of Silverado pickups in stock where Ford has a 92 day of F150 in stock. That doesn't sound like much compared to pre 2020 but with these higher interest rates and inflation getting higher I can see their point to an extent.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-vehicle-sales-feb-vehicle-140847489.html

GM dealers have over 100 days’ supply of Chevy Silverado pickups in stock, reflecting more vehicles on the ground and a seasonally slow pace of sales, according to Cox. Inventory levels are over 100 days’ supply for rival Stellantis NV's Ram half-ton and heavy-duty pickups. Ford Motor Co has 92 days’ worth of F-150s in stock, according to Cox data.

Stellantis said in a statement it had no downtime planned at any of its North American plants, but constantly reviewed its inventory levels and would make production adjustments as needed.

Industry consultants J.D. Power and LMC Automotive forecast on Friday that U.S. car and light truck sales for February would reach a 14.6 million-vehicle annualized pace. That is up from a year ago, but still well below pre-pandemic levels.

February sales growth was led by a 54% increase in sales to fleet customers, Power and LMC said.

Overall inventories of unsold vehicles are still low, but "are still not sufficient to fulfill demand each month," Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power, said in a statement.

 

[TJC]

I drove past a Nissan lot a month or two ago, and they have the new vehicles spaced every 4th or 5th space. It used to be full with a separate used car lot. Now both are combined and the lot is 80% empty!

 

[MountainGoat]

2+ years ago I rebuilt my 2005 Ranger from the ground up. I mean EVERYTHING THAT WEARS was replaced. It cost me ~$12k. Looking back it was worth every penny.

I have owned a 2003 Maxima since new, and I am starting to go through it now. Wheel bearings and axles are first, but it is still relatively low mileage at 106K. AC needs a charge this year, and I will do that myself. Both look very respectable... both garaged their entire lives. I am NOT spending $60K for a new car. I am working to insure those 3 vehicles last me another 20 years.

That's a smart move. I wish I had kept my old 1990 Ranger. It was rusted to crap though from the east coast. I still remember being shocked that I could replace the...shocks, for $15 each. $15 shocks! Sometimes I even think of trading in to go back to an old Ranger. New vehicles are cool but when it comes to reliability and repair-ability they are not there. I would never have to worry about walnut-blasting an old Ranger. Lol I had never even heard of it until now.

 

[TJC]

Yeah, No rust on mine anywhere. Clean as a whistle. It now sports a Jasper 4.0l engine and transmission with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Only components not changed was the transfer case and rear axle. Drives great!

 

[9zero1790]

ive gone back and forth over selling my 4g ranger. i ve decided to keep it for a long time. its reliable, paid for, and parts are cheap. i do not see any of the inflation or market "adjustments" coming to an end in sight

 

[TJC]

ive gone back and forth over selling my 4g ranger. i ve decided to keep it for a long time. its reliable, paid for, and parts are cheap. i do not see any of the inflation or market "adjustments" coming to an end in sight

I just replaced both headlight assemblies for $40 delivered with Sylvania bulbs. I also picked up the transmission pan with a drain plug for $30!

You certainly can not replace it with anything close to what it will sell for. Comfortable, Reliable and cheap cheap cheap!

About 6 years ago I put a cheap Android touch screen radio with all the features of a modern system including navigation and backup camera for $125. Fits like a glove in the dash. And it has been very reliable. I installed a dual USB port in the lighter plug. All my music, Movies, etc can be played from it. 256GB of space on a $25 samsung thumb drive the size of your thumbnail.

 

[9zero1790]

I just replaced both headlight assemblies for $40 delivered with Sylvania bulbs. I also picked up the transmission pan with a drain plug for $30!

You certainly can not replace it with anything close to what it will sell for. Comfortable, Reliable and cheap cheap cheap!

About 6 years ago I put a cheap Android touch screen radio with all the features of a modern system including navigation and backup camera for $125. Fits like a glove in the dash. And it has been very reliable. I installed a dual USB port in the lighter plug. All my music, Movies, etc can be played from it. 256GB of space on a $25 samsung thumb drive the size of your thumbnail.

do you happen to have a link to the andriod head unit? ive been wanting to upgrade mine as it is still factory and starting to finally give up.

 

[TJC]

do you happen to have a link to the andriod head unit? ive been wanting to upgrade mine as it is still factory and starting to finally give up.

Here is what mine looks like in the truck. To the left of the radio I installed 2 USB 3.0 ports in the lighter location. They plug into the back of the head unit. You can set the make of vehicle and correct logo shows (Ford) upon start up. It is completely self contained. I think I picked this one up in 2016 for around $100! With all the bits and pieces it came to ~$125.

I like the power on button/volume knob. I sent one back that was solely touchscreen. I found it less distracting to turn the knob up rather than look for arrows. It definitely interfered with my attention needed while driving. So I settled on this unit. It does not have a CD/DVD and I prefer my music and video to be on a large flash drive. I use the low profile flashdrives that are just big enough to pull out of the socket ~ .5"

My headunit brand is Corehan. They still make head units. Amazon has them starting at $91
You'll also need a Ford Radio extractor kit ($6), Metra 95-5600 Double DIN Installation Kit for select 1995-2008 Ford ($13.50), and a Metra Wiring Harness ($7.67) to make it plug and play with your Ford plug used by your existing radio.

Consider the Double USB port ($10.90) as well.

This should get you rolling. I had to do a bit of shaving to get it to fit, but not much. If you get into it and have trouble I have a few tips to make the fit look polished and professional.

Best of luck!

- T

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