Is there a best time of the year to buy a Ranger?

[ExpoGuy]

My Ford dealer has a 2025 Lariat FX4 Ranger in the color I want. In fact, it's has everything I want in a Ranger.
I've been told that at the end of the year is the best time to negotiate a price because the new models will
be arriving. Does it make any sense to wait till December to buy?

Of course if I wait this truck may be sold. But I can always buy a 2026 Ranger configured the way I want.

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[HighDesertRanger]

If it has what you want, and you can get it at a price that you're ok with....buy it. There is absolutely no guarantee of any additional incentives in December and considering the lack of Ranger inventory you'll probably be very lucky to find another.

 

[OffRoad308]

If it has what you want, and you can get it at a price that you're ok with....buy it. There is absolutely no guarantee of any additional incentives in December and considering the lack of Ranger inventory you'll probably be very lucky to find another.

This. I've found dealerships are more negotiable on pricing towards the end of the month, but that's no guarantee that they will be on this one. If they have what you want, make the play for it. My local dealer has a ton of Rangers on site, or at least did when I purchased at the end of August. Supply and demand.

 

[Onceaneagle]

Why wait? Good prices right now. Inventory is still good nationally. I am working a deal now for a truck that has exactly what I want. Before you dicker, look up and print the 2025 Ford Proprietary sheet the administrator posted last year and calculate your truck's build with the MSRP, dealer invoice, and factory holdback of 3% MSRP. I bring those numbers with me when negotiating.

 

[superj]

I try amd wsit till thr last week of the month buts its not a hard number. If i find something amd i am ok with the price, i have gotten vehicles other times of the month.

But if you really want to argue the price down, the last day is a greay day to do it.

I got my ranger the day after christmas. I told the three dealers i went to that this number is what i want to pay and no money down. Two of the three gave in and my wife picked the truck by color from those two. And actually, one agreed to the number and the dealer with the color she wanted tried to say no way but i showed them the price from the ford dealer about 8 miles away and theu callrd someone up higher in the food chain and that person said fine, give it to them so thats how it worked for me

 

[Satex]

There is a best time, but that time won't be the same in all cases.

If a dealer's inventory tax is based on his stock at 5pm on December 31st, the best time is at 4:59pm on that day.

If the manufacturer provides an incentive to the dealer for all Rangers sold in March, the best time may be March 31st. Of course, if the dealer sold every Ranger by March 30th, then you're a day late. However, the sales were strong enough that the dealer never felt huge pressure.

Do a bit of research. Are Ranger sales robust in your area? Is Ford offering a time sensitive incentive? Is that dealer's floorplan based on the inventory on the 15th of each month, or some other date?

Long story short ... you have more negotiation power when the other party is under pressure AND you know it.

 

[crawford]

Do your research and decide on an OTD price you are happy with. If the dealer has the truck you want at that price buy it and don't look at prices after maybe if you wait you save $500 or so...or maybe you have to settle for a color you are only ok with, etc.

 

[CoastieN70]

Ford has a $2000 cash back offer on all Rangers but the Raptor and there's a $500 military credit available also.
So NOW sounds good!

 

[Texas Ranger]

I think the best time to buy a vehicle is a tie between Christmas and your birthday.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll do some research and see what other dealers are asking for similar Rangers.
My problem is that I'm not good at negotiating car prices. Although I've been watching
some YT videos on that subject.

BTW, here's the Ranger I have in mind...
https://www.galpinford.com/vehicle/1FTER4KH5SLE50136/2025-Ford-Ranger-North_Hills-Ca/

It has the $2k bonus cash applied.

OR...I can get the same truck in XLT trim and save $6700. But then I would give up the
B&O sound system, 360 degree camera, larger instrument cluster, and push button start,
and advanced towing package.

https://www.vistaford.com/new-Woodland+Hills-2025-Ford-Ranger-XLT-1FTER4HH3SLE54970

Decisions, decisions...

 

[CoastieN70]

Not a lot of discounting out in your area. Have you been to the dealership and driven this truck?
As far as haggling, I don't see then doing too much. But if you have a trade in, sometimes they will bump up your trad in value. It never hurts to ask.
My best advice is, if this is the truck you want go for it...

 

[dss]

Some dealers, like this Galpin, have an online express store that is supposedly the last price and goes directly through Ford website for the purchase. I wonder if anyone was able to get a Raptor at the listed price using this way.

 

[dss]

 

[JrHDRanger]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll do some research and see what other dealers are asking for similar Rangers.
My problem is that I'm not good at negotiating car prices. Although I've been watching
some YT videos on that subject.

BTW, here's the Ranger I have in mind...
https://www.galpinford.com/vehicle/1FTER4KH5SLE50136/2025-Ford-Ranger-North_Hills-Ca/

It has the $2k bonus cash applied.

OR...I can get the same truck in XLT trim and save $6700. But then I would give up the
B&O sound system, 360 degree camera, larger instrument cluster, and push button start,
and advanced towing package.

https://www.vistaford.com/new-Woodland+Hills-2025-Ford-Ranger-XLT-1FTER4HH3SLE54970

Decisions, decisions...

I was stressing about haggling with the dealer before I bought mine as well, watched a ton of videos. Ended up being no haggling at all and the price they offered for the truck (that I ordered) and for my trade was better than I was expecting, and they didn’t try to upsell me on any dealer addons either. Was a huge relief in the end and I drove away very happy with the terms I received. Hopefully you have a similar experience with the dealer.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Not a lot of discounting out in your area. Have you been to the dealership and driven this truck?

No, I have not driven a Ranger before. So there is a slight chance that I won't like it. But before I retired I drove a F-150 often, and although it was larger than what I like, the driving experience was good.
Hopefully the Ranger will be better.

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