Do you think current prices on all models and makes is fair price? Also here in Texas the current rate of auto insurance is climbing, its REAL high compared to some other citys and states. What is your oppinion?

 

did you see that gal on the cell phone cut across three lanes of traffic to make the left into walmart at preston and park? did you see that 16 years first new car,a sallen mustang?did you see that korean lady backing off the 190 onramp at central because she didnt have money for the toll? did you see that tech idiot(23 year IT executive) fly by you on 190 in his dodge viper at 150 MPH? did you see all those harly riders going down the road wearing thier shorts and sandels and no helmets? did you know you subconsiously wait four seconds after the light turns green before you go? and you wonder why insurance is so high here?

 

I'm not to unhappy about the insurance rates (1997 XLT SCAB) but I do wonder about the prices. Seems to me that it won't be too long before truck companies will need to have two lines of full size trucks,

a) one for folks who need a maintainable, practical truck, don't care much about looks ( i.e. would like to see the plugs when they pop the hood!), trade MPG and performance for reliability.

b) and one for folks that like a truck for style and occasional truck use.

 

Here in New Hampshire I think Ford truck prices are pretty good. Before I bought my last truck 01 XLT I looked at Chevys and Dodges (only looked had NO plans on buying ) and the price of my truck compared to Chevy and Dodge was excellent. Here a Chevy or Dodge is about $2,000 to $2,500 more for a comparable Ford model. Blows your mind these other people who buy those trucks pay so much more for so much less

As far as insurance here it is very reasonable and no complaints, well I'd rather not have to pay anything, but since I do it is very fair.

 

I'm sure it's all "location, location, location" and age and past driving record as far as insurance rates goes. I've got full coverage with 100K and 300K coverage. $100 Comp, $250 Collison deductable. Towing, car rental, 50k uninsured motorist for $841/YEAR. This is a combo rate with one other vehicle @ $520/year and home owners @ $450/year (which includes earthquake and volcano coverage! Gotta love the Great NW!)

Now, new car prices are another subject........ Why it costs over 35k for a new F150 or 45k for a new F350 PSD (granted, fully optioned out) is ridicules. But, it's also "supply and demand" too. You see more of these types of rigs on the road then ever before, and being driven by people that 25 years ago would have never been caught driving a "truck".........

I'll probably never see the day I can buy a brand new rig, but don't really want one either....... Whatever floats your boat..........

 

Just to give you an idea.
All prices are before 19% tax.

New F350 CrewCab V8 7.3 L Turbo Diesel $53,317 $Cdn 81,434
New F250 CrewCab V8 7.3 L TD i $53,317 $Cdn 81,434

1999 F250 XLT V8 7.3 Turbo 4x4 $32,241 $Cdn 49,511
1997 F150 SuperCab XLT V8 4.6 4x4 $25,592 $Cdn 39,088


2000 Ford Explorer Limited V6 4.0 L $29,431 $Cdn 44,951

New GMC SLT 2500 CrewCab V8 6.6 L Duramax $50,757 $Cdn 77,525

Local non Ford dealer
1997 F150 V8 4.6 SuperCab $21,384 $Cdn 32,661

Other dealer (Hessing)
New, loaded F150's Lariat
$36,455 $Cdn 55,682 (19% tax included

Lightning and the new F150Harley probably in the $53,500 $Cdn 81,830 range.

 

F-150Europe:

While everyone is complaining about prices, taxes and insurance, what are you paying for gas? I am curious. I am sure it is nothing compared to what we pay in North America.

 

$4.05/US Gallon 95 Unleaded
$2.77/US Gallon Diesel

See for gasprices 1999-2002 in this table.

MPG Cargo Log

 

Egads!

I am impressed with your devotion to the truck despite the significantly increased costs that you must bear to own it. The next time I think about my fuel bill, I will remember you.

Are all of the trucks in your area purchased for work related reasons or do people buy them just to have one?

 

I don't think all of them but the majority is used for business/work.
We can off course write of tax money but it still is expensive.
We live in a small country, we don't drive the distances Americans/Canadians drive.That makes a difference off course.
Also a lot of these trucks run on LPG, it is much cheaper but installation of a LPG-system, a good one, cost about $3000/3500.
Well, I have a lot of hd-towing to do, my truck is still running on petrol.
Much better for the engine and engine is also stronger.

Yeah, you can call me a FTE, that's why I am here.
But it was close, I almost bought a Chevy in 1999.
It was this site that changed my mind.

 

Trucks and SUVs are simply doing what sports coupes did back in the late 80s through mid 90s. Their popularity drove the manufacturers to constantly make something better and therefore raise costs to buy, insure and maintain until they simply priced themselves out of existence.

Now we are seeing a resurgence of sports coupes on the market but they are simpler, cheaper and likely just as fun.

I see trucks and SUVs taking the same route they will reach a point where they will price themselves out of the reach of most consumers and the fad will die down and eventually return as cheaper, simpler vehicles.

 

well my truck was cheaper than a chevy or dodge so the price of the truck was not to bad. its the ins. that is killing me i pay 160 a month. that is the same as my truck payment. something about being 20 and a male

 

CrazedF1 - At least you know you will grow out of it. Wisdom and lower premiums are worth waiting for so enjoy your youth while you can. I just had a birthday so I am being maudlin.

And F150Europe, thanks for the insight into continental truck ownership. The one thing that stood out to me when I went to Europe in college was how small the cars were. Coming from a western state where we drove big vehicles before it was hip, I was really struck by the tiny cars. I biggest vehicle I remember seeing (other than a bus) was an armoured vehicle in Belfast.

 

F150Europe

You should seriously consider moving here. I mean I would go broke! Whats the price of a Mercedes up there? Do you see many of them on the roads? Iam just wondering because if a Ford Truck is 22gs used then a Mercedes must be the cost of car, house, and everything I own combined. LOL

 

Mercedes, you see them on every streetcorner, just like the F150,s in the USA.

http://www.mercedes.nl/default2.asp?...roupPage=False

Prices are at the bottom.

Prijs.... Eur ......

The current exchange rate is 1.065249
You have to divide the price in Euros by this number to get US $.

Click on the little orange triangle in the top right corner, to view other models.

BTW got one here on Sunday. My cousin paid a visit.
Really nice, you can't go wrong with this merc, it tells you how far you can back up by sensors in the rearbumper and frontbumper.
Nice little gadgets, a car for women.