Hello everyone, first I'll introduce myself, I live in the Bay Area, California, and just joined this forum yesterday! I love Ford trucks, I think they're the best trucks available, and we've always used them as service vehicles with great success, and very few problems! I own a small pool chemical company, and am currently using a 96 F150 XL as my everyday service vehicle. It is time for a brand new "everyday" service vehicle, and use the 96 as a back up. The 96 is great, but now little things are starting to go, as it has 96,000 miles on it, and due to the nature of my business, it gets used hard! I specifically waited until the 2004 F150 came out to replace my current truck, as I liked the idea of the extra storage area in the regular cab, plus I love the new look! Now to my questions, if anyone can help me! I'm looking for a basic work truck, however, since I commute, and the summers can be long and hot out here, I want AC, my current truck doesn't have it! I found an 04 F150 XL with AC, single CD, and a cloth seat at a local dealership that seems to suit my needs. But since I also will have to drive the truck during non work hours, I'd like to get carpet in the truck, as well as nicer seat material, the material on the cloth seat in the XL seems to be pretty heavy duty, not much luxury! Can I get carpet and nicer cloth seats in the XL? How much should I reasonably expect to pay for a new 04, $1000 over invoice, plus tax and license? What is the best way to get the lowest possible price? Your help is much appreciated! Thank You!

 

First thing .... delears still make money when you buy at invoice price. Anything you pay over invoice is simply more money in their pocket! You'll pay more for the extras you want (better seats and carpet), but even those have invoice prices. Add them to the base invoice price, and that's what you should pay at the most.

 

I would say on the more work styled trucks you should be able to get it between $0 and $500 over invoice.

Also, they sometimes have a $1000 upfitter's rebate for buisness owners. I think you can use it to buy accessories for you truck.

 

Call every dealer near you and tell them what you want and that you will only pay invoice for it. I did exactly this and purchased a 04 Lariat SCrew for invoice plus they took off the $207 FDAF fee. So, you could say I purchased it for under invoice. I also got Ford to give me 3.29% interest on a 60 month loan. I had alot of dealers pretty much tell me I was crazy and that I would never be able to get one at invoice. However, most people on this site have either bought or have one on order for for somewhere betweeen invoice and $200 over. This is also not using any of the Ford Plans. You also may want to tell them that you are very serious and would come in that day to purchase. My guess is that they get alot of people who just call to see what kind of price they can get and aren't given the best price. I am sure someone else will have answers to your other questions. Good luck.

Scott

 

How did you get the 3.29% interest rate?

 

Welcome fellow Bay Area resident. Nice weather we're having eh?
I've just spent some time pricing FX4's on edmunds.com and carsdirect.com. My co-workers have had great luck with the accuracy from those sites, and have used them to seal the deals on their '02, 03 F150's and 250's. They show invoice prices on the trucks and options. And the one reply here I read is right, there are incentives for business owners. Talk to the fleet managers. I know a good one in Petaluma who'd love your business.

 

Hey KD, thanks for the welcome! The weather is finally nice, cooler and a bit fall like, its been a long, hot summer, I'm ready for the cool weather! I'm looking for the best deal I can get on a truck, if your friend up in Petaluma can get me a good deal, that would be great, I'm over here in the East Bay, but I'll certainly make the trip over to Petaluma for a great deal! I'm already pre-approved for a loan through my credit union, so I'm ready to buy! If I can get your friend's name and number, I'll give him a call, and see what we can work out! Thanks!