HELP! Would you buy this truck?

[zzzilb]

I need some help on what I should do. I found the exact F150 that I want. In fact, it’s the only one across the country that I have found. I’ll have to fly in to pick it up and drive it home. Its 2024, MSRP is $76,420 and the dealership agreed to my offer of $66.5K plus tax, tag, title plus I can take advantage of Fords 1.9% financing. Basically, it’s the same cost as a 2025 from Grainger but I won’t have to wait and I can lock in the financing incentive. Who knows what financing will look like when 2025’s start coming in.

I call the dealership to discuss details and they disclose it was a service vehicle and it has 500 miles on it. I am kind of surprised they would use such an expensive truck as a service car, but maybe it was a manager driving it? I don’t love that, but maybe that’s not a bad thing as if there were issues with the truck, they would’ve shown up already. I am having him confirm the service records are clean and no previous issues.

He also disclosed there was hail damage from a storm in October. He said the truck only needs paintless repair on the spots and then it’s perfect and he’s having the work done now.

Can someone give their opinion on the hail damage? Is this a big deal? Assuming its all fixed perfectly and I wouldn’t even know without him telling me, is there anything else I should be considering with the previous damage? I imagine its only cosmetic, but is it bad to buy a brand new $66K truck that has to have these repairs? I don’t garage park my cars, so this type of damage could easily happen to me during ownership as well.

I am really torn on what to do and appreciate any advice here. It’s the exact truck I want, excellent price and excellent financing. If I walk, I’ll likely order a 2025 from Grainger and will probably have to take a worse financing deal costing me more overall.

TLDR: Would you buy a new truck for $10K off MSPR and 1.9% financing with 500 loaner miles and previous hail damage that's being completely fixed?

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[v8440]

Given that it's apparently the only one you can find of exactly what you want, I probably would.

 

[Popplemer]

My opinion, order what you want and wait. While a bird in the hand might be worth two in the bush in some instances, there have been too many stories of shady dealers to take that kind of gamble. I'm an impetuous person, bought a truck that was mostly what I wanted, then traded it in for an ordered truck from Granger a year later. Buy once, cry once and learn from my mistakes.

 

[v8440]

But it's exactly what he wants, not just close to it.

 

[zzzilb]

My opinion, order what you want and wait. While a bird in the hand might be worth two in the bush in some instances, there have been too many stories of shady dealers to take that kind of gamble. I'm an impetuous person, bought a truck that was mostly what I wanted, then traded it in for an ordered truck from Granger a year later. Buy once, cry once and learn from my mistakes.

I just spoke to the sales person again, and my gut tells me he's not being shady. He's trying to set proper expectations before I fly in. He believes I wont see any damage on the truck at all when I come in.

He confirmed 500 miles on the car and no service records which is good.

He said there 20-40 dents throughout the hood and roof. No damage to any plastic or seals. After fixing they will detail and pressure wash to confirm no water leaking anywhere.

Here is a pic he sent me for reference.

 

[nicholsbradley]

Take it, and it's under warranty. Paintless dent repair has come a long way, and even if it needs body work, for that price and interest rate, who cares? Get pictures as they speak a thousand words.

 

[zzzilb]

Take it, and it's under warranty. Paintless dent repair has come a long way, and even if it needs body work, for that price and interest rate, who cares? Get pictures as they speak a thousand words.

Thank you. Seeing the pictures he sent, the dents all look really small. He is also offering to throw in a spray bedliner before pickup. I am leaning towards moving forward.

 

[astro_fusion]

They disclosed all this after talking money I'd walk or lowball. This truck's warranty is already ticking away if it was a service/ loaner also, would look into when it started before pulling the trigger.

 

[rjinaz]

I'd buy it.
I bought my 23 Platinum, that was a service vehicle (loaner) with 4k miles on it... if the dealer treated it right, take the deal and save the $$$.
They shaved $14k off of mine.

 

[HammaMan]

So you lowballed, they took it, and then the deal changed with hail damage? New painted hood is $1k and roof will probably be $2k or more to fix.

25s will have some deletes and probably higher prices. Won't know until they start shipping.

 

[nvabill]

NO!! I would absolutely not buy this vehicle, I don't care what anyone says those dents will never totally go away with the paint less dent repair. And they will be on your hood which you look at every time you drive the truck Do what you want but I am a hard no, I am just that particular about my vehicles.

 

[zzzilb]

NO!! I would absolutely not buy this vehicle, I don't care what anyone says those dents will never totally go away with the paint less dent repair. And they will be on your hood which you look at every time you drive the truck Do what you want but I am a hard no, I am just that particular about my vehicles.

I have never had a car with paintless dent repair. You believe I'll still see all of the spots after repair? The sales person said their entire lot was affected by the storm and the repairs are done flawless.

 

[nicholsbradley]

I had dents removed that size and I bet money you can’t find them

 

[zzzilb]

So you lowballed, they took it, and then the deal changed with hail damage? New painted hood is $1k and roof will probably be $2k or more to fix.

25s will have some deletes and probably higher prices. Won't know until they start shipping.

I offered basically what Granger was offering for the same truck, but I wouldn't have to wait and I can take advantage of the financing deal. To be fair, our initial negotiation was all through text. They didn't meet my price and I said no thanks. And then he called the next morning and said the owner was in and wants to accept my offer and then we discussed the hail damage and other details. I don't get the impression they were trying to mislead me in any way.

The hail damage does not show up on the cars history and he said it technically doesn't need to be disclosed but he wanted to be up front.

 

[zzzilb]

They disclosed all this after talking money I'd walk or lowball. This truck's warranty is already ticking away if it was a service/ loaner also, would look into when it started before pulling the trigger.

Thank you for bringing up the factory warranty. I hadn't considered that and will ask them. I do plan to buy an extended warranty so not if this matters to me.

EDIT: Warranty start date is 11/30/24. So not a concern.

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