OT - New Truck Buying Advice Needed - OT

TexasRebel

Never purchased a vehicle from a dealership before.  Any advice would be much welcomed!!  Looking at 2500 Silverado 2019.  I have available to me a General Motors Family Discount certificate from my uncle currently.  What's the best time to buy?  I'm hearing after Christmas before January I'm assuming due to dealerships wanting to rid themselves of older stock and make room for more 2020s.  2020s are not attractive to me at all.  I'd like to go new because I'm just not finding any 2018 with low enough mileage that I really like.  If I get the diesel, I can get free fuel from my company.

alaskanassasin

I am not much help but here is a link to a dealer in Texas I like to browse. They always have newer used autos. 

 https://texasdirectauto.com/for-sale/Chevrolet-Silverado%202500HD/

Also remember that the boss drives a GMC ;-)

HoustonEgger

From my research the best time to buy would be Oct-Dec, but specifically I've heard Oct. 31st because it's before the holiday splurge, it's a holiday itself and end of the month so you are likely to get a better deal if buying from a dealer. 

This podcast from This American Life went into some behind the scenes that might be helpful for you to prepare: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/513/129-cars

Toxarch

I use email and deal with the fleet sales guy. Fleet sales deal in quantity and make their money at the end of the month on the volume bonus. Figure out how far you will drive to get the truck and email all of the dealers in that range. Give them a list of what you want on the truck and what you do not want. You can save thousands doing a little road trip.

Right now is when they are getting rid of old inventory to make room for new inventory. If you are OK with the 2019 model, then you can get a good deal on the truck. But of course, you can only choose from what they have on the lot or what they can trade other local dealers for.

I saw a picture yesterday of the new Chevy 2500 truck body for 2020 and that thing is ugly. Looks like they got the engineer who designed the Pontiac Aztek to design their new truck. 




The reason many buy at the end of December is because that is when taxes are calculated. Dealers have to pay tax on each vehicle on the lot. If they can sell a vehicle in the last week of the year, then they do not have to pay the taxes on it carrying it over to the new year. 

caliking

My last experience buying a new car from a dealer suggested that end of Q3 is a good time. They were practically falling over themselves to entice me into buying the vehicle. 

I think they get more people coming in towards the end of the year because of holiday spending, national advertising, etc and so even they really want to move the past year’s stock, they know more people will be thinking of a new vehicle. Not so much in September. So that may work to your advantage. 

Just my $0.02 having bought 1 new car from a dealer. I prefer used cars, but that was for caliqueen and I had reasons to do what she wanted me to

FanOfFanboys

if you are getting the employee family discount it should not really matter, right? the price is fixed and usually below invoice. 

kl8ton

Have to keep an eye on the strike!  If it goes too long, dealers will run out. I read that their inventory on trucks and SUVs is a little low.  

DoubleEgger

Do you homework on the engine’s active fuel management system. I will be parting ways with my 2016 GMC because of it. 

kl8ton

@DoubleEgger
I'm guessing you already know about this... but just in case this interests you...

I'm probably buying it for our suburban. 

https://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/range-active-fuel-management-disable-device

DoubleEgger

kl8ton said:

@DoubleEgger
I'm guessing you already know about this... but just in case this interests you...

I'm probably buying it for our suburban. 

https://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/range-active-fuel-management-disable-device

As you know, that doesn’t fix the piss poor engine design. The only real fix is an engine rebuild and I don’t have that much enthusiasm about that. 

littlerascal56

The employee discount will get you a truck for invoice or less.  If there are any rebates in Oct or Nov (usually on stock that’s sitting on dealer lots), you could get an even better price.

kl8ton

@DoubleEgger

I hear you.  I can't believe this design has lasted this long.  

DoubleEgger

In regards to purchasing,  25% off MSRP is about as good as you’ll find when they run a sale. Compare that with your discount. It doesn’t matter when you buy using a GM Discount, it’s the same price. The longer you wait, the less inventory you’ll have to choose from if you intend on using your discount. 

Ozzie_Isaac

I got a 2018 Ram 2500 for 25% off.  I was pretty happy.  It is a basic Crew Cab model, doesn't even have bluetooth, but it has the Cummins I wanted.

2019s were coming on the lot and they were off-ing the 18s.  It was less than  GMC gas engine and only $500 more than a 2016 F250 XL with the 6.7.

Plus the coil springs in the rear really help daily driving even unloaded.

nolaegghead

Toxarch said:

I use email and deal with the fleet sales guy. Fleet sales deal in quantity and make their money at the end of the month on the volume bonus. Figure out how far you will drive to get the truck and email all of the dealers in that range. Give them a list of what you want on the truck and what you do not want. You can save thousands doing a little road trip.

Right now is when they are getting rid of old inventory to make room for new inventory. If you are OK with the 2019 model, then you can get a good deal on the truck. But of course, you can only choose from what they have on the lot or what they can trade other local dealers for.

I saw a picture yesterday of the new Chevy 2500 truck body for 2020 and that thing is ugly. Looks like they got the engineer who designed the Pontiac Aztek to design their new truck. 




The reason many buy at the end of December is because that is when taxes are calculated. Dealers have to pay tax on each vehicle on the lot. If they can sell a vehicle in the last week of the year, then they do not have to pay the taxes on it carrying it over to the new year. 

Dunno, I kinda like it.  And the 2500 ain't bad either.

Woadie

I was looking at those and an f250.  I went with the ford just bc it has vents for the backseat for my daughter.  The 2019 GMCs are awesome though. 

Toxarch

nolaegghead said:

Toxarch said:

I use email and deal with the fleet sales guy. Fleet sales deal in quantity and make their money at the end of the month on the volume bonus. Figure out how far you will drive to get the truck and email all of the dealers in that range. Give them a list of what you want on the truck and what you do not want. You can save thousands doing a little road trip.

Right now is when they are getting rid of old inventory to make room for new inventory. If you are OK with the 2019 model, then you can get a good deal on the truck. But of course, you can only choose from what they have on the lot or what they can trade other local dealers for.

I saw a picture yesterday of the new Chevy 2500 truck body for 2020 and that thing is ugly. Looks like they got the engineer who designed the Pontiac Aztek to design their new truck. 




The reason many buy at the end of December is because that is when taxes are calculated. Dealers have to pay tax on each vehicle on the lot. If they can sell a vehicle in the last week of the year, then they do not have to pay the taxes on it carrying it over to the new year. 

Dunno, I kinda like it.  And the 2500 ain't bad either.

Is your name Walter White?

Wolfpack

BugFreak72

My last employer had the Ford version of the discount program. I ended up buying Chevy but as soon as I told the Ford dealer I had it they basically became uninterested in selling me because of the set price. I assumed their commission was hit pretty hard by it. It was kind of nice not having some sales person trying to upsell me constantly though. Not sure about your GM one but the Ford had set models with set prices so usual buying tactics didn't apply. 

TideEggHead

Some great advice already! When we have been shopping it definitely seems like Oct-Dec is the best time frame, we usually start looking hard in September. My only advice would be don't be scared to walk away from a deal if you don't get what you want. When I was purchasing my truck, I knew I would plan on having it 10+ years so I wanted something I would be happy with long term. I emailed dealerships first so I didn't have to spend hours chatting and haggling. Waiting until January will likely limit your options at a lot of dealerships.

alaskanassasin

@TideEggHead solid advice there, I made a offer on a truck and walked when we couldn’t make a deal. The next day their sales manager called and asked “what’s it going to take” I told him and they accepted. 

Chief9

GMC is typically a better looking truck