Just pay cash if possible and you will have all the cards. You will get the best price from the dealer and you can control the situation. Toss all the psychology and all the bull***** out the window, tell the dealer you have the cash and tell him what you will pay.

As long as you have done your research and you let the dealer make a few $$, you likely will get the price you want.

 

I'm not flaming, just curious. Why would you pay cash when Ford is going to literaly give you the money for FREE. Take the cash(assuming you have it) and put it in a money market or CD that guarantees a return and you win. If the market comes back you may even be able to make 10% safely. At 10% thats over <b>$10,000</b> dollars in 3 years that Ford indirectly gave you. Unless you have money to burn, don't want to get full coverage insurance or like the prestige of owning your car outright, why? Again I'm not trying to be rude or flame you. I'm am really curious. BTW, my wife is a CPA/CFO of THAP and she wants to know as well.

Shane

 

Perhaps, because if you don't take the zero percent financing deal because you are paying cash, you get additional several thousands of dollars more in incentives off the price of the car??? Either take the zero financing or get cash back.

Works for me.

 

The HD does have the rebate but only $1,000 dollars. The standard cab, and extended cab are $2,500 dollars. I asked several dealers why the screw doesn't get the 2,500 and they said they have no problem unloading the screws but it's harder to sell the standard and supercabs so they get the bigger incentives, but all vehicles(minus svt and T-bird) get the 0% financing. The new loaded HD sticker is over $38,??? dollars and you can finance the taxes so you can save even more. Where else can you get over $40,000 dollars for three years interest free.

Again no disrespect intended. I love this forum because it offers so much information, opinion and fact. The Lighting owners have been incredible so I am not intending rock the boat and after this post I'll let it go. Ford is losing their A$$ because of the 0% and they most likely will continue offering the cash back but history has proven that low/0% financing is short lived. The last time I remember it happening was in 1991-92 during that recession and even then I think it was only like 2-4% not 0.

I got the A-plan so I'm only paying $32,000 plus tax. I even put a down payment that I'm taking back after I get 100% financing.


Shane

 

Well, you certainly have an excellent point if that is all the incentive currently offered on the HD truck! I thought it was closer to $3K.

I do have to comment that my investments have been negative lately, though, so can't really determne if that is me and poor investment choices or not. Anyhow, in "normal times" pay cash -- perhaps, in the turmoil of today's times it really is better to go for the zero percent financing. Seems as if it is.

 

I had hoped you wouldn't bring that up. I have lost over 60% of my portfolio. I was very agressive in tech stocks and didn't see the train coming but I felt it hit HARD. I'm currently using the safe 3-6% annual yield. A little late but I'm 32 so I should be ok when I retire at 85.

Shane

 

I put the cash down to be able to afford the monthly payments. I didn't even look at the lease, nor will I ever want a lease, I have heard way too many bad things to even consider it. Yeah you might save money, but I don't even want to take the chance. Plus I plan on keeping this truck for at least 10 years. I just sold my previous truck, a 90 ford ranger. In fact I just saw it yesterday, and I got real depressed. That was one truck that I spent lots of time with and with TLC it would run forever. Sorry, getting a little emotional ! But seriously I put 7500 down and got 4.9% before sept 11, so I think I came out good. One thing I recommend is find out before you go in what interest rate you can get. I applied online with ford and it was initially 5.9% and the dealer was gonna charge me this, but I checked it the day before I went and saw it was down to 4.9%. I also bought another vehicle and was preapproved through the credit union, well after meeting with the finance guy he had on his computer all banks and credit unions current finance rates, so I couldn't fudge and say I could get lower than I could, and he offered me lower, so I took it. I have to admit though, if I would have waited until after 0% came out I don't think I would have put that much down, instead I would have put it into paying off the whole loan, after 2 yrs of earning market interest and borrowing fords money for nothing. Oh well live and learn.

cajun