[Leisler]

Two years ago I went to buy a new Ford truck. Fairly basic, low 20s. In order to get the good price, I had to finance at a very low rate. I told the salesman, I didn’t need or want to. That I had a check and would write it. He explained that the minute I got my first payment, I could pay off right then with no penalty. I asked what was up and he said Ford made more money on the finance. The the trucks were just a tool to get notes. Further that if the people missed any payment at the low low rates they bumped up fast. Ford was in the sizzle business that just happened to give away vehicles.

[Hydroshock]

Yep, you want to make a auto dealer choke, pay cash.

[TWohlford]

“I asked what was up and he said Ford made more money on the finance.”

I assure you that the dealership got a huge cut too. Ford might be making money, but the dealership is living on those finance deals. Most dealerships sell the vehicles at cost, and make their money on financing and insurance (F&I), as well as rustproofing, service contracts, etc.

[BlabItGrabIt]

Ford was in the sizzle business that just happened to give away vehicles.

It's not just Ford, for I bough a Nissan Titan and got a similar story when I wrote the check.