So, I went to this large used car dealer here in my hometown and asked the salesman if he had a truck for 8 -9,000... he said maybe...
Then he went and got a key and took me out back and showed me a great truck. Its a '02 Ford F150, extended cab, short box. Its immaculate, no rust, very nice truck. He quoted me $8,500. Told me it was the manager's truck and "he's a very picky guy".
I drove it to my autobody guy. He said is was good but that the price was too high for the year. But he confirmed, no rust.
I went back to the dealership and asked to take it to my auto mechanic the next day (today) but the sales manager said, he's decided not to sell it! He says its his truck and he doesn't really want to part with it. The sales manager told me last night that he drives the truck seldom, because he gets a company car, just to tow his boat trailer.
The salesman took me aside and said, "I'll work on him, come back tomorrow..."
I drive away, certain that i would not get the truck and then went back about an hour later to look at it again and the salesman came out and said, "Set it up with your mechanic, he's willing to sell it".
I took it to my mechanic this morning and he found about $500 worth of things that needed fixing, or were at risk, but otherwise found the truck to be in great shape. He also said that $8500 was too high.
By this time, I really wanted this truck.
I drove it back to the dealer and spoke to the salesman, telling him the list of things that were wrong with it and offered him $7000. He just shook his head and said the manager doesn't even want to sell it and the lowest he'll go is 8, 200 sold as is, or 8500 certified.
I raised my offer to 7500 and he said no, the price is firm.
I left.
Just got a call from the salesman and he said the manager is willing to sell it for 8,000 as is.
I reconfirmed my best offer was 7,500.
So that is where it stands. I want the truck, but do not want to pay more than 7,500 and even that is a high price for a 11 year old truck. But considering the shape it is in, with no rust and little needed to fix everything, I'm willing to pay that for it, but no more.
I think its all a game.... there are new plates on it, yet he tells me he's been driving it for 7 months. He says he doesn't drive it much, yet his dog's leash is in the truck and a few dollars of change in the cup. He's got a typical dealership keytag on it with an inventory number and so on...
i think this whole story about "not wanting to sell it" is just a story...
We'll see...
