3 Tips to Save Money and Still Get the Pickup of Your Dreams

The trick to navigating the minefield of flashy offers in the automotive world is keeping our heads on straight and doing research

By Luke Vandermeer

It often feels as though firefighters and shiny new pickups go hand-in-hand. Whether we own one ourselves or just like the look of them, by and large a pickup seems to be a firefighter’s vehicle of choice. Not only that, but it’s almost impossible to sit through an hour of North American television without seeing at least one truck commercial where the manufacturers flaunt the power a new truck will give, so how could you not like one? 

One of the driving factors of our decision when purchasing a vehicle is most likely cost. We want one that will make us happy, but we’d prefer to not break the bank over it. If that’s the case, what would be our best option?

Depending on our financial status and overall comfort level at face value, the market seems ready to provide on any level. However, there can be pros and cons to each alternative if we aren’t smart about it.

Does Vehicle Age Make a Difference?

Let’s say you fit into the following category: You’d like a pickup, but you either don’t have a huge nest egg to buy one outright or you don’t want the burden of yet another monthly payment. In this case, you’d be looking for an older truck you could purchase with just one lump sum payment. It may not be the flashiest truck at the firehall, but it’s paid for and it serves its purpose. 

The pitfalls with this type of purchase would be getting a vehicle with a higher mileage or one that is worn out, potentially costing you more than a monthly payment in repairs alone. The best way to keep yourself safe in this situation is to ensure the truck of choice has had a proper certification done prior to your commitment.

Stretching Your Dollar by Being Resourceful

People like staying loyal to a dealer if they have a long-standing relationship with them, but at the end of the day, it’s a business transaction. If they don’t have the specific truck you’re looking for, don’t jump in and settle before trying to get what you really want.

Take a look online at private deals or other dealerships, and if you still want to stay loyal at that point, it’s not unheard of for a dealer to purchase the truck you really want through a wholesale transaction and in turn sell it to you. 

The importance of taking this extra time to look around before committing shows in price comparisons, as well. If you’re looking at a truck that’s thousands of dollars cheaper than every comparable vehicle, chances are there’s a reason.

On the flip side of that coin, not taking the time to compare could mean overpaying just because someone thinks their truck is worth more than it really is. Ask about extended warranties, certifications, and service history before signing on that dotted line. 

Once you find a truck you’re happy with and it passes the test of reliability, take it one step further and ask if there’s any room on the purchase price. Most often the price you originally see has some room for leniency.  Doing so could secure you a relatively new truck without the extra $10,000-$15,000 required to buy a truck in next year’s model.

When New is the Best Option for You

Finally, we have the third category – buying new. It’s no secret we would all love to have a brand-new pickup with all the bells and whistles parked in our driveway. It would have the latest technology, be the hottest truck at the hall, and with you being the first owner, it would hopefully mean that nothing needs immediate attention.

Even if something does need fixing in the short run, chances are the warranty will take care of it. These are seductive tools when thinking about that new vehicle purchase, and the manufacturers know it. 

There is no single right answer for everyone on what to buy. As it is with houses or any of the many purchases we make in our lifetime, the choice on what brand/year/trim level of truck we decide to buy will in part depend on our financial situation but also our comfort level. 

If you’re happy with your purchase and have minimal to zero purchase regret, then that’s all that matters. The trick to navigating the minefield of flashy offers in the automotive world is keeping our heads on straight and doing the necessary research before giving that final approval on the deal. 

Much like those carpentry lessons from your dad, where he always reminded you to measure twice, and cut once, buying a vehicle guilt-free means you walked into the dealership ready to negotiate within your comfort level, not theirs.

Luke Vandermeer is part of a multi-generational family working in the automotive industry, and has himself spent more than 16 years specializing in auction sales, fleet management and dealer relationships. Luke has also been a freelance writer for more than 30 years, and in his downtime can be found either working on his novel or spending time with his wife and two children.