Anyone work in the car sales business, or purchase a new car recently? I've been patiently looking but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Lots of talk over the past few months pointing to a "bubble" in the industry. Also with credit card debt and delinquency up at all-time highs. High auto delinquency as well. I've been to 8-10 dealerships the past several weeks, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays. Most lots are full of vehicles but very few people inside or outside looking to buy. Actually, haven't seen many people at all. Very few salesmen. Are new car sales numbers down? Not much being offered on rebates or interest rates other than Ford and GMAC offering 1.9% for 60-72 months. This is great but very little movement on MSRP price or cash back incentives.

I don’t see how they sell any and I don’t see many paper tags on the street.

The last two vehicles we bought we never stepped on the property from the dealership we purchased them from.

I'm not sure about movement, unless you're looking at specific models. I've seen several advertisements for $9-12k off HD pickups (particularly RAM). Granted, that still leaves the price well above sane levels, but at least there are some deals out there to be had.

I've been looking for a used HD; 6-9 months ago there weren't any on Autotrader that were 'Great deals'. Now I'm seeing a large percentage of green tags, with hefty discounts below blue book. As inventory keeps increasing it will only get better.

Last time I was in the Toyota place, a salesman showed me one of the new Tundras. He was quick to point out that they would come significantly off the MSRP. Didn’t matter to me, I’m out on new trucks.

I'm looking at Mid-sized SUV's. I've seen the HD trucks discounted but not the 1/2-ton trucks or SUVs other than the small SUVs. Kia, Honda and Toyota all have said they are not offering competitive financing rates at this time because they don't have too. The rebates and discounts are minimal. I plan to keep waiting. Hopefully the sales will plumet and get the pricing back in line where it should be.

I don’t see pricing coming down at all given the rising cost of manufacturing and sourcing parts. Just my

I would agree but if they arnt selling they will have to adjust price.

Check out the Subaru Ascent. You can get one fully loaded out the door for under $50K which is $3K+ less than MSRP. They don’t sell nearly as well in Texas as they do in the Northern climates. .

I bought one late last year. Found it at a dealer online along with the pricing. Once I got there and we agreed on a price when they brought the paperwork out for me to sign I saw and extra almost $4K added on to the bottom line. When I asked the salesman he said "those are upgrades like we will replace your fob if you loose it, better floor maps, etc." I told him i did not ask nor want any of that. So he goes and gets his sales manager and this guy comes in and tells me I have to take the add ons. I told him it wasn't going to happen and I would walk out. He relented.

I later found out that this is now a pretty common trick with many dealerships. So just be aware when you do decide what and where to buy. Good luck

I am the opposite, I will only buy brand new most of the time.

If I had a buddy who had a vehicle couple years old and kept in immaculate condition and with service records and had less than 40K miles I may entertian that, otherwise I want it brand new so I know it's history.

I have had very good luck in the past with used vehicles, but they had to be almost new.

I don't know about other makes or models, but here is what Mark Dodge in Lake Charles is offering on Ram HDs as of yesterday. Different business model than dealers here in DFW in that they offer a set price structure with no negotiating. As for price, I don't think we will ever see new vehicle prices come down to sane levels related to year over year inflation. It's the new world. Note build times are very fast now. Not the 7 month wait I had last year. And because of the new rebates, it sounded like they are not having any problems selling them.


IN STOCK 2500/3500s

Total discounts reflect Dealer Discount & 10% Ram Standalone Rebate

Laramie, Longhorn, Limited, Rebel, Powerwagon

MSRP $80K-$89,999 = $17K OFF

MSRP $90K - $94,999 = $18K OFF

MSRP $95K+ = $20K OFF

Affiliate discount for those who qualify good for additional -$500

All sales subject to $425 Doc Fee, $4 Temp Tags, and your state’s taxes/registration



FACTORY ORDERS 2500/3500

Discounts shown separately reflecting dealer discount & Current Rebates

Tradesman & Bighorn = 11% Dealer Discount, $3500 Rebate from RAM

Laramie, Longhorn, Limited, Rebel, Powerwagon = 10.5% Dealer Discount + 10% RAM Rebate

Affiliate discount for those who qualify good for additional 1% off the Mark Dodge price

$1,000 Deposit to place the order, due once you have the VON# and buyers order to sign

All sales subject to $425 Doc Fee, $4 Temp Tags, and your state’s taxes/registration

All orders are price-protected ensuring that even if RAM changes the MSRP or rebate structure, you are locked in at the time of order and your sale price cannot increase – while it CAN improve if the rebates improve.


Services & Process Included for both IN-STOCK and FACTORY ORDER

We’ll coordinate your shipping directly to you, where you’ll pay the carrier upon arrival
Complimentary driven delivery within 250 miles of Mark Dodge
Complimentary airport pickup within 250 miles of Mark Dodge
No required add-ons, markups, surprise fees, nitrogen tires, locking lugnuts, etc
Freedom to finance with whoever is going to get you the best competitive rate
Complete remote/digital process available – no need to travel or even print a piece of paper

I just bought a used 2022 Duramax with 31,000 miles. Eyeballed a few new trucks first and all were grossly overpriced. I don't have time to dance around and do the haggle BS.

I have seen the same thing with the dealer add On's. I was told as long as its removable and reuseable they can take them off the car and the price.

Sometimes you can make a stink and get them to reduce the add-on cost or waive it entirely. We purchased a new car last year, and everything on their lot gets a “protection package” that’s just clear door edge guards, locking lug nuts, and window tint on the front side windows for a $700 markup. I told them the tint was a dealbreaker because I planned on installing a better heat rejection film immediately, and they came down significantly on the markup.

Ford Coporate got on the dealers about unnecessary markups on new vehicles. The dealers got smart and are now registering brand new vehicles and then putting them on the used lot for over MSRP. A truck I was looking at was $5k over MSRP but listed a used with only 15 miles. Used vehicles typically come with a higher interest rate, so that a no go for me

big discounts on the "plain" vehicles nobody wants.

If you want something cool, you will pay the high price.

I'm still seeing dealers selling Super Dutys at MSRP... not sure what they're smoking though. I didn't even buy mine at MSRP in November 2022 at the height of the ridiculousness.

But I usually buy new these days for a few reasons...
1. People don't take care of their vehicles like they used to. In the last 20 years, I have yet to ride in another person's vehicle that was maintained (inside and out) better than mine.
2. I often travel for work and sometimes for long durations, and I need my family back home to be in a vehicle I can trust (meaning I've done the maintenance, etc.).
3. Used vehicle prices usually make it a no-brainer that new is the better deal, especially with the electronics of the last 10 years and the necessary support of new vehicle warranties.

There are always a few exceptions, but very few.

I have been watching F150 prices for a couple years. Summer of 22 was the last time I talked to a dealer. For a F150 XLT crew 4x4 I was quoted around $57,000 with not a lot of them in stock. Right now web price on same spec'd truck at Grapevine Ford is $49,620 without even talking to them w/ 1.9% on a 72 month note.

I think they'll still come down more, looking to buy in June maybe now.


2023 Ford F-150 XLT Truck SuperCrew Cab V-6 cyl
$49,620
Pricing
Info
MSRP1
$60,870
Grapevine Discount
-$11,250
Grapevine Price
$49,620
Financing Offer : $2,750 on select Ford modelsDetails
-$2,750
Affiliate Offer : $1,500 on select Ford modelsDetails
-$1,500
Affiliate Offer : $1,000 on select Ford modelsDetails
-$1,000
College Grad Offer : $750 on select Ford modelsDetails
-$750

Honda is offering decent rates on the 2024 Pilot (3.9/48) which may even get better in 60 days as the 24 inventory piles up.

Most F150 inventory is still 23 year model. Not sure if that is because of production lag or slow sales. Probably a combination.

[quote=
Honda is offering decent rates on the 2024 Pilot (3.9/48) which may even get better in 60 days as the 24 inventory piles up.[/quote]


I bought a trailsport in December. They came down on the msrp a little and dropped the dealer add ons. Sales guy said they haven't had any problems selling cars bc cars get wrecked, worn out, or people just want a new one.

worst dealership in NTX

on another note

My neighbor just bought a rivian suv , and my wife already hit it

Daughter just bought a 2024 Acura MDX at 2.49% at 36 months. She was able to negotiate about $1,800 down off of asking price. Drove it today…all I can say is WOW! Very quiet and super acceleration.

Bought a 2024 GMC 2500 last week.

I'm seeing 1/2 tons sitting on the lots and dealerships offering better incentives and interest rates on those. Inventory is still slim on 3/4- and 1-Ton trucks, most are having to be ordered and the build price is the price you pay. Interest rates are current market.


I can't speak to Cars or SUV's.