The options game is always a fun one. Ford.com says the base F150 starts at $26,700 but I just optioned-up an F150 Platinum to $66,700... that's $40K in options!
But that's nothing compared to Porsche, where the price a base Boxster can inflate well into the six figures with options. Sound system: $4,690. Leather package: $4,460. Memory seats: $3,825. Optional wheels: $3,750. Sport exhaust: $2,890. LED headlights: $2,140. PDK transmission: $3,200. Ceramic brakes: $7,400. Etc., etc...
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
I think it's just going to take a devoted company that is a relative newcomer to the market segment to try that tactic. With Genesis models, Hyundai is trying to gain market share in a new market, so they're offering more content for the same or lower MSRP. The current OEMs in the truck game are very well established. They all seem to be content to pad their margins as much as possible using the idea that 'high tide floats all boats', rather than getting into a price war where the only winner would be the consumer. Seems that the market can bear current prices, but I think they'd be susceptible to a newcomer arriving with up-contented trucks for similar or lower MSRPs.
STM317 wrote: In reply to Tom_Spangler: I think it's just going to take a devoted company that is a relative newcomer to the market segment to try that tactic. With Genesis models, Hyundai is trying to gain market share in a new market, so they're offering more content for the same or lower MSRP. The current OEMs in the truck game are very well established. They all seem to be content to pad their margins as much as possible using the idea that 'high tide floats all boats', rather than getting into a price war where the only winner would be the consumer. Seems that the market can bear current prices, but I think they'd be susceptible to a newcomer arriving with up-contented trucks for similar or lower MSRPs.
We'll see, I guess. Toyota and Nissan are both relative newcomers to the full-size truck market, and they haven't taken that approach. I guarantee you that every auto company in the world is studying it. Clearly there's money to be made in that market, so there has to be a reason we haven't seen big companies like Honda, VW or Hynundai/Kia jump in yet.
SVreX wrote: If all companies sold their product at the lowest common denominator that they COULD, they'd go bankrupt.
No they wouldn't, because if they went bankrupt that would mean they were selling the product for LESS than they could afford.
You're constant over-the-top heavy handedness about every subject puts a smile on my face.
The big 3 know who their most loyal customers are. They have spent 50+ years developing their brand loyalty.
I absolutely guarantee loyal Ford buyers are NOT going to run out and buy a Hyundai truck, at ANY price. A lot of them wouldn't even take it if it was free.
Hyundai knows it. So does VW, Kia, Honda, etc.
Price has nothing to do with it.
As enthusiasts, should we be pleased that many people are willing to (over)pay $55K for trucks and SUVs if the trade-off is that Ford and GM can then sell the Shelby GT350 and Stingray for $55K?
SVreX wrote: The big 3 know who their most loyal customers are. They have spent 50+ years developing their brand loyalty. I absolutely guarantee loyal Ford buyers are NOT going to run out and buy a Hyundai truck, at ANY price. A lot of them wouldn't even take it if it was free. Hyundai knows it. So does VW, Kia, Honda, etc. Price has nothing to do with it.
Way to move the goalposts after your incorrect statement.
PS - There are loads of Escaldes on the road here in Atlanta. MSRP starts near $75K and rises to $100K in 4WD ESV Platinum trim.
For perspecitve, $75-100K will also buy you a brand new Class C motor home. A lot less material goes into the Caddy, and GM has much greater economies of scale than any RV manufacturer. There's a lot of profit in those trucks, and GM is riding that train straight to the bank.
In reply to z31maniac:
Hmmm...
Might be how I say it, or might be how you choose to hear it... 
If the voice in your head sounds like Darth Vader when you read what I write, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but that's probably not me.
I sound more like Steve Carell. (Or maybe Pee Wee Herman, when I've had a few to many!). 
So far my one-ton rated 2016 Ford Transit with a 7'x12' aluminum flatbed is still under $21k and it's only got 900 miles on now. It's not a pickup, but the only downside of that is that it's not 4WD.
In reply to oldopelguy:
Did you buy that new?
Here's the issue, if I need a truck, I need a truck. Not a car, van, or SUV. What's my option? Gotta pay the price. I will also buy a full size Ford, nothing else, so a cheaper truck from another manufacturer is irrelevant.
If any manufacturer wants to get in the "cheaper truck" game, all they have to do is look at Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier sales. Those are cheaper and don't sell close to the numbers of the big boys.
SVreX wrote: In reply to oldopelguy: Did you buy that new?
Technically used, but only 59 miles on it. The dealership has another one with dually rear for the same $ and I am seriously thinking about buying it too.
I think I could put a steel bed on that one and a cab back and sell it for a profit.
They have a diesel SRW one too, though only a 250, but nearly twice the $.
In reply to oldopelguy:
That's a good deal.
What engine is in that? How's your fuel economy been?
It's the 3.7L V6 that is in the F150. I haven't driven it much, just home from the dealership and over to the cab back place and back because my driveway is too muddy, but the first 800 miles has been around 19mpg. Empty weight before the aluminum bed went on was @4300#, nearly a ton less than my HD Silverado. I'm waiting for the cab back guys to finish up my extended cab before the bed gets bolted down for good and I can get the under bed tool boxes mounted and get a final weight.
I am in industrial sales - a truck makes my life easier and at age 54 I am tired of hernia lifting a 200# reel of air hose into my back seat since the reel won't fit into my trunk. It's time for a bigger vehicle.
A truck works best since there are days I can be running an emergency 900# conveyor belt out or a $50 box of o-rings. I do a lot of "emergency" deliveries - so I was looking for a truck and found a New August built, 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4X4 in Indiana - road trip tomorrow. The price and sticker reflect 1/3 off?
I really want a WRX but that makes my job harder and the dealers were taking $100 off sticker telling me the WRX is a rare performance car - not many to be found.
In reply to oldopelguy:
That's a really interesting choice.
Is that an 8' bed? Does it have any towing capacity?
Wish you'd posted that about 2 weeks ago before I bought my Silverado 2500HD.
Mine has a 12' bed, though the chassis could support up to 16' I think, and towing capacity is right around 6000#.
Mine has a 9500# gvwr, so as long as I keep the empty weight below 5500# or so, I can haul @4000# on the bed. The dually one I linked to has a 10,500# gvwr, so even with the steel bed instead of aluminum it should be good for more.
oldopelguy wrote: Mine has a 12' bed, and towing capacity is right around 6000#.
Hmm... I wonder how much a full box with cab pass-thru would run. I'd like a Transit or Sprinter but the more I look into them, I get the feeling the van sides would be limiting for the toy-hauler-esque RV I want to build.
In reply to Ian F:
I think you could just buy a used one and bolt it on. I actually have a 24' box my dad was using as a storage shed. I bet it could be cut down and mounted in a weekend.
I have no idea if the prices are reasonable or not but I do know that when I ordered up my '01 F250 optioned exactly the way I wanted it the sticker was about $38k. That truck now has 270K miles on it and a new replacement stickers at a bit over $58k. I struggle with the idea of paying that.
In reply to Datsun310Guy:
So I take it you found a truck? 
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to Datsun310Guy: So I take it you found a truck?
APEowner wrote: I have no idea if the prices are reasonable or not but I do know that when I ordered up my '01 F250 optioned exactly the way I wanted it the sticker was about $38k. That truck now has 270K miles on it and a new replacement stickers at a bit over $58k. I struggle with the idea of paying that.
Are you taking into inflation, increased reliability and pulling power, and and and and
In reply to APEowner:
There's no question that it's a lot of money. But $38000 in 2001 is equivalent to over $52,000 today according to The US government. So Ford is basically asking 6k more, but you get a truck that presumably gets better fuel economy, improved crash safety, lower tailpipe emissions, and increased capability. And if you can work a deal and get it under MSRP, then the gap gets even smaller.
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