I'm never buying new again

"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
08/02/2016 at 09:21 • Filed to: None

I’ve been looking for a new (to me) truck for about the past month now and decided to pull the trigger on one yesterday.

So last night I traded in my 2012 Ram 1500 and bought a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. One year old, with 26,000 miles. They gave me $20,200 for my Ram (few hundred above blue book), and I owed them $15,000 out the door for the GMC.

The thing is though, the sticker on the GMC one year ago when it was sold new, was around $48,000. The sale price 1 year and 26,000 miles later was $32,500. I’m sure there were some discounts, rebates, specials, applied to it like almost all new trucks. But still, $15,500 after 1 year seriously makes me realize that buying new is not worth it.

I’d much rather save myself the $10,000+ and buy a one year old truck instead of new.

Also, this is the first time in 15 years of driving, I’m owning a non Chrysler vehicle, so it’s a step towards the dark side for me.

DISCUSSION (54)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:23

Congratulations! You’ll be saying NOPAR in no time.

hike > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:24

What made you pick the GMC over another Ram, an F150, or even a Silverado?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:27

Jesus that’s a good looking truck

Ash78, voting early and often > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:28

For a car with depreciation like that, obvious choice. But you go look at some Hondas and Toyotas that are 1-year-old, there are cases where they're selling for almost new prices (and the "all in" price after financing can sometimes exceed the cost of a brand new one...it's insane).

450X_FTW > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/02/2016 at 09:29

I went there to look at a Silverado I found online, but when I arrived they told me it was at the other dealer for warranty issues. Was pissed because I drove an hour and a half and they assured me it was at the dealer. Well the salesman saved himself when he pulled this one around, explained they took it in on a trade a few days ago and I was hooked

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:30

Far better looking (and nicer inside) than a plebian Chevy. You dun gud.

450X_FTW > hike
08/02/2016 at 09:32

Ford - I’m not a fan of their infotainment system and button setup. For me I’m constantly flipping through stations on the radio to find music I like the controls a certain way. Ram and GM are very similar in terms of steering wheel controls. And personally I like the way the GM looks, specifically those with almost all chrome deleted.

Ram - I feel like unless you get into the top of the line trim levels, the interior is going to be covered in plastic. That’s how my 2012 was, even with the Big Horn trim. The dash, door panels, everything was that hard textured plastic.

450X_FTW > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
08/02/2016 at 09:33

One thing I was surprised with, driving home on the highway and back roads from the dealer I was able to average 22.0 mpg overall. Only time I saw above 20 in my Ram was if i was going downhill

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Ash78, voting early and often
08/02/2016 at 09:35

Very true. Check Honda Odyssey prices. The two year old ones are only discounted 3-5k on a 38k vehicle. That's not really worth taking a used vehicle for that. Now back in 08, my wife and I bought a 2 year old Cadillac STS with 8,000 miles on it for just over 20k, with a cpo warranty to 100k or 6 years. That car stickered for nearly 40k at the time, new. That steep depreciation curve has gone away for a lot of the domestic cars, except ford, but man, I miss those days.

450X_FTW > Ash78, voting early and often
08/02/2016 at 09:35

Definitely the higher the initial cost the worst depreciation. Exception being diesel trucks, because I was looking at 2500's with diesels at first, and I struggled to find any below $40,000 with less than 75,000 miles on them and basic features

450X_FTW > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/02/2016 at 09:35

Used prices between Silverado and Sierra were almost identical, very surprised

Ash78, voting early and often > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
08/02/2016 at 09:39

We bought an Odyssey about 18 months ago (brand new) because the 3-4 year old models were still 80%+ of new prices and were far from mint condition. I'd probably do it again...or just not buy a Honda, whose market (IMHO) is far overvalued based on historical reputation.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:43

I like this a lot. 5.3 or 6.2? 4WD?

BigBlock440 > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:47

My brother-in-law tried that, went from a Ram to a GMC (though he’s had vehicles that weren’t Chryslers before), bought it brand new. Got impressive fuel economy, but he got so fed up with the little issues (and a couple looming bigger issues) that he traded it in after 3 years and is now in a Power Wagon, also purchased just a few (2 I think) years old.

TheBellKing > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
08/02/2016 at 09:57

Considering the cylinder deactivation on the Honda V6 takes a dump eventually (requiring a new piston in my case), I’d rather get new and have a few more worry free months before I see the shop.

yamahog > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 09:59

Nicely done!

And yea, unless one has a burning desire to order something exactly how they want it from the factory (me with the 1LE) or the promos are crazy good, used will likely be the better financial option. Luckily as far as trucks are concerned, after that initial plummet they tend to stay pretty valuable on the used market.

450X_FTW > BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE
08/02/2016 at 10:02

5.3 4WD. 6.2 sounded like it would be fun, but MPG wise I’d be back where I was with my Ram 5.7L and just overkill for how much weight I tow

Wacko > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:02

i saved about 20000$ when a bought a 2014 pathfinder SL with 20000kms in feb 2015.

i was looking at a 2014 Highlander also, but it had 30000km on it and it was base model. The dealer was asking the same price as a brand new 2015. when i told the dealer that, the saleswoman told me well good luck finding a base 2015.

450X_FTW > BigBlock440
08/02/2016 at 10:03

I ended up leasing the ram for 3 years then buying the lease out at the end. I was happy with it at the time, but was just ready to make the upgrade. Plus being that we’re planning for kids soon, crew cab was necessary (ram had a quad cab)

ThatGuyWhoBuysUnreliableCrap > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:05

Not a truck fan for the sole fact that for what i need a truck fore, i can buy a 1500 from the 90's for 1000$, but i like those rims alot

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:11

That’s fair. Great looking truck!

Lekker > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:11

Congrats on the purchase. I rented a Sierra over the weekend to move stuff and I was mesmerized with it. Have interior pics to share? I’m considering one as my next vehicle.

GordonBombay > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:18

Congrats on the new truck! I love the All Terrain package - looks like a great ride.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:19

God damn that’s a nice looking truck.

That’s a lot of miles for 1 year, I know it’s nothing for the life of these trucks but it’s a looooong year.

Here’s hoping the original owner bought it in 2014 and it’s closer to 2 years old.

Also, I never buy new, you can get so much more for your money letting someone else borrow it for the first few years.

450X_FTW > Lekker
08/02/2016 at 10:30

Just these two. The thing is definitely above my normal consideration of “luxury”

Kinja'd!!!

450X_FTW > GordonBombay
08/02/2016 at 10:31

I love the all terrain for it’s unique features and styling, like almost no chrome on the truck. 1 downside I’ve realized with non chrome bumpers, is the paint chips on the fascia are going to be more common.

Lekker > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:32

That’s nice looking! The feel and materials are above par as well, much jelly, very wow. I hope you enjoy your new truck!

hike > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:33

Thanks for the insight! Congrats on the trucks. Very nice looking.

Milky > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:36

Next gen ram 1500 will have the mega cab option :)

Kinja'd!!!

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:40

Nice truck! Yes, this is always the dilemma of the gearhead. We want to buy new, because we want to “vote” for a carmaker to keep building that car, but the depreciation is insane. At the stroke of a pen, the car loses so much value. It just doesn’t make sense.

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/02/2016 at 10:40

Definitely a lot of miles. I’m glad though because 2015 was the last year GM had 5 year/100k mile warranty for powertrain. 2016 they decreased it to 5 year/60k miles.

450X_FTW > hike
08/02/2016 at 10:44

I’m very picky when it comes to driver ergonomics, so button placement is always a hot topic for me.

450X_FTW > Lekker
08/02/2016 at 10:44

It’s a big step going from plastic interior ram to leather stitched GMC

camarov6rs > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:46

Makes sense for most vehicles but I dare you to find a 1-2 year old Subaru with average miles for anywhere near a “good deal”.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:49

Oh nice!

Quadradeuce > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 10:59

A little insight from someone who bought a 2011 Sierra Z71 Extended Cab brand new: If you don’t get at least $8k off the sticker, you got taken for a ride. I’m sure the original buyer paid closer to $40k, but I’m still surprised that it has depreciated that far. When I was looking, there was a price delta of about $4-5K for 2 yr old used trucks versus new. So I went with new.

whoarder is tellurium > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:10

Love the GMC Sierra.

Congrats OP, great purchase.

nermal > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:16

Excellent choice, mine is similar, but bought new.

The thing that kills the value on these is the 20% off MSRP sales that GM has done from time to time.

Beyond that, it’s a great truck.

What type of tires does it have? If it’s the Goodyear SR-A, ditch them ASAP. They work great in the dry, decent enough in snow, but are downright dangerous in the rain. You need to run the 4x4-auto mode if it’s wet out, unless you like drifting a 20ft long pickup through traffic.

Arrivederci > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:19

Awesome looking truck! Congrats!

Nothing > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:21

Congrats, I think the full size GMC are the best looking trucks. For what I needed/wanted, it was the opposite situation. Used Tacomas were nearly the price of new.

Meatcoma > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:32

FYI that warranty started on the ‘in-service date’ which they never tell you until you take it in for a warranty repair and it’s been 5 years 1 month. I’d find that date out if I where you.

In my case, the PO bought the car when it was released, so the 5 year thing bit me in the ass. 2010 but in-service date was in 09.

Meatcoma > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:32

I love the rear bumper step cutouts.

Chasaboo > 450X_FTW
08/02/2016 at 11:51

If you like the smell of other people’s farts, go for it, buy used.

450X_FTW > Chasaboo
08/02/2016 at 13:21

They used plenty of new car smell in a can to mask that

450X_FTW > Meatcoma
08/02/2016 at 13:21

I’m convinced GM has a patent on those, because they need to be standard on every truck out there

450X_FTW > Meatcoma
08/02/2016 at 13:21

Yep I have the paperwork for it, shows the date the warranty started from when it was initially sold

450X_FTW > nermal
08/02/2016 at 13:24

Thanks for the tip I’ll have to check it out later

450X_FTW > whoarder is tellurium
08/02/2016 at 13:24

Thanks man, took a while to find it, but worth the wait

Meatcoma > 450X_FTW
08/03/2016 at 07:57

I agree 100%.

GeneralSnus > 450X_FTW
08/03/2016 at 14:27

LS motors geared right can do super low revs on the highway.

GeneralSnus > 450X_FTW
08/03/2016 at 14:30

first thing get rid of the front airdam that makes the front fascia go way lower than the side skirts. Then itll look great.

450X_FTW > GeneralSnus
08/04/2016 at 07:38

Yep was under the front end last night putting the bull bar on for light mounts and noticed that thing comes off pretty easy.

GeneralSnus > 450X_FTW
08/04/2016 at 09:18

Yeah and the <1mpg efficiency difference is defintely worth how much better it looks. Even the part above that comes down a little low for my tastes...I miss when the bottom of the trucks used to be at the exact same level in the front sides and back.

450X_FTW > GeneralSnus
08/04/2016 at 09:48

That’s why I put the leveling kit on my 2012 Ram 1500. Front end was WAY down compared to other trucks, so much it damn near looked like a 4x2. Best $150 I ever spent on it.