You're not imagining things, and it's not bizarre at all if you've been watching the broader economic signals. This was completely predictable. The rows of low-mileage Ranger Raptors are the result of a specialty vehicle colliding with the end of a market bubble.
Here's exactly what's going on...
It seems the distinction between a lagging indicator (technical recession) and the current reality for consumers is being missed.
The point of the data is to show that for millions of people, an economy with crushing interest rates and record debt is far more painful than many past "official"...
I used the word 'recession.' Let's be precise: the germane point of my comment isn't to debate the technical definition, which is a lagging indicator that tells you where the economy has already been. And even if you want to focus on GDP, most forecasts from leading economists are pessimistic...
I know it's hard to use the internet, but here's 243 examples listed on cars.com: =ford&maximum_distance=all&models[]=ford-ranger&page_size=20&sort=best_match_desc&stock_type=new&trims[]=ford-ranger-raptor&zip=83864']New Ford Ranger for Sale Nationwide | Cars.com
I don't know if buying an over $60k midsized truck going into a recession is going to help with the issue of depreciation? But let's be honest, that doesn't matter, congrats on the new truck.
To be fair, some of those issues may be generational differences. After sitting in a Maverick the issue is not vinyl, I'd happily take durable vinyl with ventilation over leather. The issue is not the interior colors either, the interior is really attractive, just a bit chintzy or cheap feeling...
Have you seen the Tacoma has sold around 200,000 units/yr.. Not quite F150 numbers, but I'd call that gang busters. Making the Ranger a $50,000 truck when you option leather is just plain wrong.
I want a Lariat, but I haven't been able to make sense of the deal yet.
I think what you'd need is a complete reworking of the model lineup.
XL and above:
Trailer plug on bumper
XLT and above:
Sunroof\moonroof (OPTIONAL PLEASE)
Lux Package:
60-40 Rear seat Split
Rear ambient lighting
Rear Heat\AC ducts
Vinyl or leather seating
Push button start
Lariat...
Sand is a very interesting color, I haven't seen a Ranger that color yet so I wouldn't be comfortable ordering. Anyway, I also want the sandstone interior and I'm not sure how it'd go together with sand exterior.
Does it matter who pays?
As a country, the US has been living off a proverbial credit card for decades. That bill is going to come due and so as a country the US has to start making its own widgets, no more treating China or others as our servants.