INSANE used vehicle prices:

[speeder]

While I'm hearing stories about huge mark-ups on Priuses, the street prices for PU trucks and SUVs are insanely low. Dealers won't take them on trade unless it's for pennies on the dollar, cause no one is buying anything large and they just don't want merchandise they can't turn. I'm extremely tempted to buy a used diesel PU truck, I love the damn things and I could justify it as an extra vehicle at today's prices.

Here are a couple of examples, the F-250 is at least $10k off of last year's price for a similar age/miles and the Range Rover would make one hell of a ride for someone who takes the subway to work every day and only drives a few miles a week in the evenings and weekends. Bananas:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/722333270.html

This was a ~$47k truck new in '05:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-F-250-LARIAT-SUPER-DUTY-POWER-STROKE-TURBO-DIESEL-V8_W0QQitemZ250256623320QQihZ015QQcategoryZ39415QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[berettafan]

as in all things the middle of the road is a good place to be. test drove a 268hp accord sedan the other day. rated at 29mpg hwy. big and comfortable and plenty o' giddyup for me.

i suspect time will show us that people paying big bux for Priusesesi (wtf to you call multiple Prius?) were fools when upper 30's has been attainable for so long by so many vehicles.

that IS a crazy price for that pickemup!

[GothingNC]

There is a 2004 VW Golf GL with 105,000 miles listed on CL in Raleigh for $17,500

Sticker was only $17,000

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/709037630.html

Then an 05 Passat TDI with 98,000 miles for $17,000

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/708908245.html

I'd rather save a few thousand on a gasser with 1/2 the mileage.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Went in to the local Suzuki place this weekend to get some parts for a tune-up on my motorcycle and got to talking with one of the sales guys. He said in particular, scooter sales for June are up about 500% compared to last year. That's pretty telling. And I don't think he meant that last year they sold three and this year they sold 15 either. . .

[speeder]

Great fuel mileage is definitely desirable, but you have to pencil-out the numbers. If you drive 2k miles a month or more, fuel mileage starts getting important in a hurry. But if we're talking a 2nd vehicle or you can use public trans for commuting, or work from home, it gets a little sketchier to justify higher purchase price/lower fuel consumption.

I penciled-out the difference between that Powerstroke at last year's price, (at least $10k more, maybe 12 or $13k), and diesel @ $3 a gallon vs. $5. (Last year to this year). You would have to drive 75k miles before the 2 deals were even in terms of $$ spent, not including extra interest if bought last year and financed. (Purchase price+ fuel for 75k miles). Not to mention the extra hit on depreciation if bought last year vs. this year, which would be $10-14k. WOW.

I know that diesel could go higher, but I question how much more before collapsing the entire world economy. It could also go down some, which would be a huge relief for inflation. Shipping costs are driving the price of everything up right now. Two other factors are the option of bio diesel from WVO if it is still feasible, and my theory that regular gas PUs as DDs are going to completely evaporate in urban areas, with everyone using their heads and just renting a truck for the few times a year when they need one. This will increase the market for small hauling and towing jobs exponentially, while simultaneously drying-up the present competition with everyone and their goldfish owning a PU and needing cash.

Using a MC as my 90% of the time vehicle and this starts to really pencil-out, plus I still get the convenience of owning a truck. I'm buying one no matter what, even if it's a gas truck for pennies on the dollar. To say that there is a glut of them would be a major understatement.

[speeder]

Why is this board double-posting every time I use the quick-reply field?? Been happening for days. Another Mac incompatible deal?

[the]

It's not a mac issues, it does it from my pc a lot, too.

[speeder]

Thanks.

[VincentVega]

it does it from my pc a lot, too.

Same here.

I'm in the market for a truck. Initially I started looking at ~2000 Tundra's, mostly in the 7-10k range. Over the past 2-3 weeks I've seen the same trucks going for 6-8k, one was less but had more miles. I only wonder what actual transaction costs are.

Not needing to buy right away I'm waiting for a little while. Do I go with a newer Tundra for the same money, or get a newer GM for even less? Good decision to have.

[RoninLB]

a bud is currently paying $800/month for gas in his pu.

he's buying a new gas sipper. The note and insurance will be paid by gas savings.

He's keeping the pu and getting a free car.

[TerryBPP]

Yes they are rather high.

[Tim Hancock]

I am presently searching for a truck myself as my Tacoma is being bought back by Toyota. I am having a hard time finding a 2001 or newer Tacoma 4x4 at a decent price, but have recently noticed that the poor gas mileage v8 Nissan Titans 4x4's are going pretty cheap. I will never buy from the big 3 again, so I might end up going with a Titan as I do not daily drive my truck.... I only use it when I need a truck or when the rural roads are drifted shut in the winter so gas mileage is not too big of an issue. I am getting 15K for my Tacoma, and I think I will be able to pick up an '04 or newer Titan with under 50k on the clock for that or less.

[MRM]

It's been 12 years since I bought from the big three. It will be another 12 before I do again.

If you're still looking for a Tacoma, wait until mid summer. When it gets really hot and gas hits its peak, the combined market/psychological effects should drive those puppies down as far as they'll go.

[David McLaughlin]

With news like this, I just might have to sell my '96 Passat TDI. Still get in well into the upper 40s for MPG... Any offers north of $40,000 and I'll consider it.

[TerryBPP]

Its funny because the prices at auction are still very low and normal. If anyone is looking for average pricing on econo's in lieu of the insane ebay #'s shoot me a pm.

[URY914]

We've had motorcyle deaths in the news everyday this week. I'm sure this has something to do with fuel prices. Wonder how the death rate numbers will look in about a year. More small cars vs SUVs on street mean more deaths?

Save gas by driving a small car or save your ass by driving a big car. I've always thought driving a small car was better because it was a smaller target.

Me? I drive a Dodge Ram P/U that gets about 15 mpg. But it's paid for.

[The Gaijin]

More SUVs being taken off the road and those remaining driving less miles will be better for everyone...

SUV vs. small car and the small car loses.

But smaller cars usually handle better and stop better - so overall I think they are safer.

[NICKG]

tdi vw's are almost all selling for what they were new...with 100+k miles . amazing. I am picking my smart up on saturday. I have 10 people who are willing to pay my cost and now as much as 3500 over to get it

[dtw]

Wife and I have been talking about picking up a loaded F150 or a Cayenne in August/September timeframe when the pain is really here...

[NICKG]

i have to admit that a nice Cayenne or taureg(sp) would be cool....maybe next year