[BradKW]

It will be a couple months before I'm ready to purchase a used T250/350 high, hopefully extended, but I'm starting to watch the market closely now. Its difficult to tell how much volume there is out there, and I see a higher % of low roofs than anything.

But I have never shopped for a 1yr old vehicle before and I am not sure I understand the market too well. The first question I always have in the back of my head is "why are so many people selling at less than a year and taking such a loss?"

Second question is "does mileage really matter when we're talking about 8k vs 14k vs 20k?" I'm not even certain that mileage is effecting prices in any predictable way.

And third question is how much are these used Transits in demand, as in, will dealerships negotiate? Or is it one of those things where if I see it advertised what I want, best snap it up and don't try the old "hmm, lemme think about it" walk out trick.

Sorry if this isn't posted in the correct place, but it seemed to fit. And any advice appreciated...my car shopping experience has always been a much more open-ended process with lots of input from Edmunds, KBB, etc, if you know what I mean.

-B

 

[CrewVanMan]

BradKW

Most of the Transits coming out now will be rental or lease units. They will be base units unless you find some that are ordered by corporate standards where they request specific options on the van. There was a group of red ones in San Antonio that were HR 148" Ext vans and some white ones at Five Star Ford in North Richland Hills, TX that were HR 148" Ext Wagons. The low mileage ones (under 20K miles) run through the Ford Factory auctions and are exclusive to Ford dealers. If over 20K miles or pass the auction block 2 times with less than 20K miles, they go through the open auctions where any wholesale dealer can bid/buy them. You will see the ones that go to the Ford dealers will be higher priced than the higher mileage open sale units.

Right now based on the rebates from Ford and the local dealer discount, you may get a NEW 2015 Transit cheaper than a used 2015. There may be some long distance travel involved but when you can get $6000+ off of the MSRP and get specific options you want, it may be better to go with the NEW one. The mileage on the used one will be affected by the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. If you somehow end up with one that may have had prior damage that voids the warranty, then you lose that part of the value that would be there in a NEW one.

What exact Transit are you looking for and at what price range? What area of the US are you located? Sometimes the area of the country has a lot to do with Transit value.

 

[BradKW]

Thanks Crew. I will have to evaluate my finances in a couple months and see if I have some flexibility to shop for new. What I would like to get is a high/long/ext for a stealth conversion, and pay around $25-$30k. I don't know how likely that is...I have seen a few examples of this, but always been too far away to see if real or not.

I live in Key West where our local Ford dealer couldn't fit a Transit on his lot if he wanted to. So basically my primary shopping area is the Miami thru West Palm corridor. The idea of flying to get buy a car that you haven't seen yet. or using ebay, is not something I've ever done. But if its how to get the best bargain, its something I need to consider. ty!

 

[brittles]

If your financing you should also weigh the difference between used vehicle interest rates compared to new vehicle interest rates.

 

[greg-92083]

Take a look at Enterprise Rentals sales lots

The first real live Transits I saw here in the Vista California area, were different sizes and types of white Enterprise Rentals, both wagons and vans including the longest tallest DRW diesels. They are prolific around here with small businesses.

Now I see them for sale on the local Vista Enterprise Sales lot.

Lets see if this works:

http://tinyurl.com/pnz9nq9

<http://www.enterprisecarsales.com/list/buy-a-car-1?campaignid=veteransCA#0/10/Distance/a//make%3D%22FORD%22%20model%3D%22ford--transit%20250%20van%22>

I see they do not list any cargo right now but the last time I went by they had a lot of both white Transit's and Promaster's in various sizes. They say every vehicle price is displayed on the windshields and they do not negotiate any discounts.

Greg Hayden

 

[audiopyle]

I received a postcard today from Ford touting $4600 incentives plus $1000 upfitter rebate on 2015 T350 HR EXT models. Taking that off of invoice would be a pretty good deal.

 

[klp]

If your financing you should also weigh the difference between used vehicle interest rates compared to new vehicle interest rates.

I am in the same position as the OP but looking for a different rig.

In regards to finance if you buy a current year vehicle with less than x miles you can still qualify for new car rates. I forget the mileage cutoff but talk with your local bank.

Patience is key to a search like this, also you must be ready to move when the right rig comes along. I would expand your search to the eastern half of the country, it's not much to fly out and drive home.

I forget your other question but there are a million reasons why people sell low mileage vehicles. **** happens, low mileage mint cars are pretty common. My last buy was a '12 Mustang I bought in '12 with 4k miles on it.

I am looking for a van with less than 10k on it, '15 or '16. The mileage does not make a huge difference in regards to value but I would like one that has not been driven too much.

I use Autotrader as my main search tool - you will find plenty of vans that suit your needs there.

My .02