Blog Posts
Black Friday Pickup Truck Shopping? Here's What You Need to Know
By Jim Travers
If you're looking for a good deal on a new or used pickup truck as Black Friday sales begin and want to get the most bang for your buck, there are several key issues you need to keep in mind. Yes, near the end of the month and close to a holiday can be a good time to score a deal, but here are some key tips to keep in mind.
Before you even step foot on a dealer lot, read expert reviews, check for incentives on the models you're considering, know your current vehicle's trade-in value, line up financing ahead of time, shop near the end of the month and always be ready to walk. Additionally, research the dealers you're considering first by checking sister site Cars.com's consumer reviews of dealers.
Ready to hit the lots? Here are several other things to keep in mind when purchasing a pickup truck, especially if you want to buy something brand new.
Accessories for Your Truck
If you're thinking about personalizing your pickup truck, consider buying installed accessories from the dealer rather than buying them later. Add-ons like light bars, custom wheels, ladder racks or extra storage boxes can be rolled into your loan and will likely mean those accessories will covered by your truck's factory warranty.
Extended Warranty: To Buy or Not to Buy?
An extended warranty can provide additional peace of mind and can even pay for itself with a single large repair. Additional coverage also can be a good idea if you plan to keep the pickup for a long time; however, at $1,000 and more, they are not inexpensive. A better bet might be to buy a truck with good reliability ratings and simply maintain it regularly.
Don't Purchase Too Much Truck
Overall, pickup trucks offer many more powertrain, cab and bed-length configurations than your basic sedan, crossover or SUV. Even a base-model six-cylinder full-size pickup will likely have more power and towing capacity than most people will ever need — about 7,000 pounds of towing and 1,500 pounds of payload. Although we understand, more than most, that more is always better in the land of pickup trucks, keep in mind options and higher trim levels add up fast. And the more options your truck has, the heavier it will be, which decreases fuel efficiency.
Avoid the Add-On Trap
Even if you choose to add dealer-installed accessories and options, make sure to get only what you want and/or need. Paint, undercoating and fabric protection plans and other add-ons can add hundreds of dollars to your bottom line. As you might expect, some of these extras may not be necessary or functional and may be easy to do yourself.
