Justifying my 2025 Maverick Order

[SloopJB]

Years ago I developed a belief: if you have to justify something (to yourself or others), you probably shouldn't do it. Anytime I say that to someone, the knee jerk response is something like, "I don't think that's true" or "Really? why?", or "That's nonsense." But if you think about it, most times it's true.

I've wrestled with "Should I trade my MY22 school bus yellow/orange XLT Hybrid w/ 35k miles on it for a MY25 XLT Hybrid w/ the luxury package. The '25 will cost about $34k out the door, and Carvana said they'd give me $25,400 for my '22. A $7,600 difference. Now for the justification.

Since I now buy half as much gas with a hybrid, I've taken $45 every other week for 2 years and sent it to my investment account. It's now worth about $6,000. That money was going to be for when I needed repairs after the warranty, but I can use it for the new truck and reset the bumper to bumper warranty. That means I'll finance an additional $1,600 for 3 years (an extra $50/month). But that might be less with interest rates coming down next month.

Plus, I get a larger screen (which I've been wanting for 2 years), Synch4, a heated steering wheel, and a brand new truck with a 3 year warranty. Lastly, the old adage is "Don't buy the 1st year of a new model, because the reliability (both short & long term) are unpredictable. My Maverick has been great through 35k miles, but what about once it's out of warranty? No telling.

I put all this in writing to see if it all made sense on paper...of course it makes sense in my head. It seems wise (or at least acceptable) financially. It seems good emotionally since I've had a problem with the color (felt like I got duped with the Cyber "Orange") and the screen size since day one. AND the heated steering wheel is the most decadent, senseless amenity that I love (my wife has one).

I almost deleted this, because I've made my decision and placed the order. Putting it in writing solidified it makes sense to me logically. But I'm curious what everyone else thinks about either my belief about justifying something or my thoughts on "trading" a MY22 for a MY25. Maybe your thoughts will help someone else struggling with this dilemma.

Thoughts. By the time your Mac will be delivered your present 22 Mav will bring less (age and mileage). On the plus side, you have prepared well and your justification is sound. I think you did well to order. Besides you don’t have to take it when it delivers if your situation changes

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[710-oil-614]

I sold my 23' Tremor for a $3,100 profit and then downgraded to a 24' Civic EX and put the $8,600 in high yield savings until my 2025 AWD Hybrid Lariat arrives.

Still the Civic will likely only fetch about $22k then (it is worth $26,250 right now) and it will be about a $17k difference before tax. which will be painful to pay but I really want the AWD Hybrid.

 

[BuddyS]

I haven't read through all 6 or so pages of replies so i don't know if this is a popular opinion or not, but I think it's a bad move. Be happy with what you have, keep investing that extra money, and watch it grow and grow over the years. Virtually very time one makes a car purchase they lose on the deal, pay more in taxes, and strain their budget.

Or think if it this way -- you can give the car dealer your money now , or you can pay it to your future self.

 

[Deb from MN]

I thought more people would be jumpin on the eruption green bandwagon...sad the hpr isn't available, as you can see I love it!

 

[npaladin2000]

I haven't read through all 6 or so pages of replies so i don't know if this is a popular opinion or not, but I think it's a bad move. Be happy with what you have, keep investing that extra money, and watch it grow and grow over the years. Virtually very time one makes a car purchase they lose on the deal, pay more in taxes, and strain their budget.

Or think if it this way -- you can give the car dealer your money now , or you can pay it to your future self.

I figure live it up now because my future self may be dead or something.

 

[BlueOval1954]

I'm going through a similar mental exercise now. My 2022 ECO AWD LUX 360 HPR was $30,500 OTD. I priced the same as a 2025 and it's $35,200 OTD. My calculations...

$35,500 purchase price - minimal taxes because of a closely valued trade.

• My personal incentives for buying...
• -1,000 new tires I won't have to buy. (mine are almost toast) checked with Tire Rack
• -1,000 value of the new tech to me personally
• -1,000 value of restarting the 3 year warranty to me personally (based on past Ranger ownership experience - upkeep costs real money once the warranty is gone)
• -2,000 my personal allowance for 27,000 miles (two years) of depreciation
• - 500 military discount if still offered
• - ?? future ford incentives ?? I'm ready to wait for them to appear this winter.

So $5,000 or so is the difference I'm willing to pay for the trade. Less is better. So I'll simply call my dealer, Carvana offer in hand, and (without sharing the info above) see if he can get me in a 2025 Maverick for at or less than $5,000. Any more than that - not worth my trouble. I'll wait for better sales conditions, which I think are coming.

Not saying my approach is right for everyone. It's just right for me. I'm a spreadsheet kind of guy.

BTW, I laugh when the media guys (or MTC members) talk about list prices - while leaving out the $2,000 in delivery and fees Ford charges. What a laugher.

Edit: After checking my Carvana offer, I don't think my numbers add up. Carvana is only offering $25,400 for my pretty mint, pretty loaded Maverick. $10,000 to upgrade to a 2025? No thanks. I'll double check that trade with my dealer and a few other sites, but Maverick resale values seem to be plummeting in my area.

Carvana must have learned that your tires are almost toast.

 

[Scupking]

I figure live it up now because my future self may be dead or something.

Exactly! I'm either trading in for a 25 XLT hybrid AWD with tow package or a Ranger... I will decide once I see what upgrades the 25 Ranger has.

 

[BuddyS]

I figure live it up now because my future self may be dead or something.

I'll be dead someday soon, too, but the difference is I'm retired at 54 and a LOT of people will be working until the day they die. That $6K now could mean retiring a year or two earlier. This chart shows what your investment could be over 25 years.

 

[Bill Quattlebaum]

Remember the song: You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you get what you need!

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