2019 F150 vs. 2019 dodge ram

[alvin stadel]

It's been awhile sense I bought a new Ford. My family has always driven Fords, how ever I have owned a couple xxxx and a Dodge ram charger.  My son has been stationed in Hawaii the last 2 and 1/2 years and is being transferred back to the main land, Ft Meade Maryland.  The Army is sending their Ford Edge  but he had to cover the cost of his pickup. He was able to sell his pickup and has bought a new one here in Billings Mt.  He bought this pickup over the internet and with me help[. The Dodge was around $2200.00 cheaper than the Ford, but he  really wanted the Ford, and planned to buy a ford until the final dealings. The Ford house knew there would be no trade, but when they found out this would be a cash deal and with out Ford financing they rose the price by over $1800.00. My son told them to stick it and now owns a new Dodge Ram that he will get on July 29th.  It makes no sense to me as I always figured that if  you payed cash you would get a much better deal, but I guess that was a long time ago. Really makes my wonder where we are headed.  Take care, Alvin

[John Palmer]

You have just had a taste of reality in the car buying world.  It's really nothing new when you stop to think about it.

The dealership is only there to make a profit, the largest profit they can.

They have a short list of things that will generate a profit.

They can sell you extra stuff added on to the car/truck like pin stripes, undercoating, fancy ceramic polish, fancy wheels, etc.

They can and will try to sell you the extended warranty program, GAP insurance, and a handful of other products you will be presented with by the Finance Guy.

High Demand new models also usually have a Additional Dealership Mark UP on the sticker (which is pretty ballsy IMO).

They make a incentive, or added commission for every item they can upsell.

One of the largest profit centers for the dealer is the Trade In, and the Financing Program.  You have taken away these two areas when you inform them your a cash buyer. 

Just like going to Las Vegas, somebody (read that to be every customer) is paying for all of the fancy lights and glitter in these fancy dealerships.

It's been this way for the past 100 years.

[Ford Blue blood]

I have had the exact opposite experience with the Ford store I do business with.  Every purchase with them has been with me finding my own financing, (credit union, USAA, 0% Ford credit), insisting on seeing the actual invoice, researching rebates, researching trade-in values, and understanding the actual cost for the vehicle to the dealership from Ford.  I have always bought from existing stock with the exception of the 08 GT500.  It was ordered and sold to me at MSRP while they were still commanding 10 - 15K over sticker.  While waiting for the car to be produced the owner called and wanted to know if I would be interested in selling my car for 10K above.  Told him no, he could have turned around and put that in his pocket, but the car is in my drive way. 

Mind you now, I have done business with them for 20 + years, kids and friends were referred.  I developed an intimate knowledge of "car dealing" as a result of hanging with one of the salesmen that I became friends with and the general sales manager is a motor head.  While looking for a leftover 16 F150 on the lot myself and the manager bumped into each other.  Told him I was looking for a new 150 and found the turbo charged 2.7 engines interesting.  He said "I wouldn't tell anyone else this but we have four new 16s in the shop and all have engine issues.", after that he said come see me and we'll see what we can find for you.  My 16 came out of a Chattanooga dealership at invoice with 0% financing and $4500 in rebates.  BTW, the 10 I traded made them $1200, difference between trade, replacing the cracked windshield and the actual sale price.  I feel good about all the deals I have made with them and will continue to do business with them.

[gasman826]

It's not so much the 2.7 is a bad engine as it is direct injected.  Most manufacturers' direct injected engines are having similar problems with deposits on the valves which eventually cause misfires.   Ford has not come up with a cost effective service recommendation.  Ford says that most engine-top cleaners jeopardize the turbos and/or the catalytic converter.  If problem exists, Ford recommendation is replacement of the head.  I checked with local dealer and got confirmation they had replaced complete heads with vehicles under warranty being paid buy Ford.   Those not with warranty coverage...well those would be customer-pay.  This dealer offered a engine-top cleaner service that they had success and felt was not damaging other components.  Dealer recommended 35-40k service intervals at a approximate $200 fee.

[Ford Blue blood]

Interesting Gary.  I did not pursue the issue as I wanted a 5.0.  Got this thing about V-8s and the sounds they make......

[Jeff Norwell]

I have owned a 12 5.7 Dodge ram ..... well since 2012.. nothing but praise... pulls my 24 foot trailer like a bull.... the only thing its not great on city gas mileage.. but Hiway is terrific.
I hope your son likes his.