REALITY CHECK: Market is in the LOW $30k's
The market for the first series (03/04) of new SSr's is definitely in the low $30k's for vehicles with 1SB, compartment trim, mats, boards, et cetera (i.e. MSRP of in the order of $45,970 or more). There are a number of dealers with 4 or more 04's, with equipment as above or better that are, apparently, willing to sell for $31-$32 thousand with low or no admin fees and are looking only for additions that are incremental cash costs (i.e. license fees, transit stickers et cetrera).
The market for the new and improved 05 SSr is very weak in most, if not all, regions as demonstrated by the fact the Craft Center is shut down for a number of weeks this quarter for inventory adjustment and prices on eBay for new 05's are well below MSRP and may even be at or near dealer cost levels.
There is little doubt that the low $30's price is a result of the high inventory levels (rumored to be in the order of 8 thousand units) of unsold units or about 40% of the total made, the collapse of the used market for our trucks, and the severe discounting of even the new 05 (take the new 05 market pricing and take 30% off of that to derive the probable price for a new similarly equiped 04)... and don't forget the dealer has $7500 in his pocket plus you likely can get a further $1500 fideltity discount and, if the dealer is really motivated, a further $3-5 thousand off dead cost as these people now understand that as time goes by the value of the 03/04 SSr is very likely to decline further due to both the price being too high at the outset, surprisingly weak used market (the word "dead" is what I hear) and the huge overhang of new product in the field.
SO, if you have any plans to buy, now may be the time while prices and selection are good. Pricing may ease further but then you may not get what you want and you should only expect to save a further $2,500 over the next 3-4 months (my forecast)
arty
The market for the first series (03/04) of new SSr's is definitely in the low $30k's for vehicles with 1SB, compartment trim, mats, boards, et cetera (i.e. MSRP of in the order of $45,970 or more). There are a number of dealers with 4 or more 04's, with equipment as above or better that are, apparently, willing to sell for $31-$32 thousand with low or no admin fees and are looking only for additions that are incremental cash costs (i.e. license fees, transit stickers et cetrera).
The market for the new and improved 05 SSr is very weak in most, if not all, regions as demonstrated by the fact the Craft Center is shut down for a number of weeks this quarter for inventory adjustment and prices on eBay for new 05's are well below MSRP and may even be at or near dealer cost levels.
There is little doubt that the low $30's price is a result of the high inventory levels (rumored to be in the order of 8 thousand units) of unsold units or about 40% of the total made, the collapse of the used market for our trucks, and the severe discounting of even the new 05 (take the new 05 market pricing and take 30% off of that to derive the probable price for a new similarly equiped 04)... and don't forget the dealer has $7500 in his pocket plus you likely can get a further $1500 fideltity discount and, if the dealer is really motivated, a further $3-5 thousand off dead cost as these people now understand that as time goes by the value of the 03/04 SSr is very likely to decline further due to both the price being too high at the outset, surprisingly weak used market (the word "dead" is what I hear) and the huge overhang of new product in the field.
SO, if you have any plans to buy, now may be the time while prices and selection are good. Pricing may ease further but then you may not get what you want and you should only expect to save a further $2,500 over the next 3-4 months (my forecast)
arty
