Used truck market at standstill??

[blueshift]

All I know is I had a relatively clean, lowish mile (60k) 02 Camaro SS I listed on facebook marketplace a couple of weeks ago, and it sold in 5 hours. Then I listed a set of Weld wheels I took off the car the buyer didn't want (or didn't want to pay for anyway), and they sold almost as fast. Things are definitely slowing down, but I wouldn't say the market is dead by any means.

Yea, the sky definitely isn't falling, and things are still pretty hot for sure (especially compared to pre-2020). Just saying that, for the first time in several years, prices are noticeably declining on used cars and discretionary 'toys'.

Because I'm a nerd, I just took a look at the 'official' used car data from the Fed. Prices are ~20% off their early-2022 peak, but still ~20% higher than early 2020. The overall trend is still decreasing, though not quite as much as it was 6-12 months ago.

I deleted the listing earlier today, I'll wait till after the elections and then post it back up

Personal opinion, but I think it's pretty unlikely that the result of the election will swing the used vehicle market one way or another. And politics aside, used vehicle prices are probably going to continue declining, at least somewhat, due to broader economic forces.


On diesel truck prices specifically, there's two giant headwinds facing them: EPA's crackdown on aftermarket tuning, and the dramatic improvement in gas engine technology / performance. I love my LB7, but if anything ever happens to it, there's 0 chance I'd buy another diesel when there's as many good gas options as there is today.

Lots of other people are starting to feel the same way, which is going to push prices down.

 

[kidturbo]

2025 models be hitting the lots in under 30 days. Typically this is time when dealers are cutting prices and offering best deals to move the previous year models off the lot. Next up, we're closing in on the holiday season, when nobody is ever new car shopping. Unless you believe in those red Mercedes Benz Santa ads.. Believe that is only time they ever sell a Red car.. That market slow usually holds tight until about early March when tax refunds start arriving. Then everyone has a down payment in hand, and the process starts all over again.

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

I get what you’re saying about the gas jobs but they can not compete with 1000# of torque under load.

 

[malibu795]

Already have '25 models here in London Ohio.

I'm curious to see how the L8T 6.6 turns out once opened up, still won't keep up with a ~500/1000 HP/TQ diesel

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

They are pretty stout it seems. I would like to get one and bolt a TVS 2650 on it. Then it could keep up with a diesel.

 

[malibu795]

They are pretty stout it seems. I would like to get one and bolt a TVS 2650 on it. Then it could keep up with a diesel.

Those look fun, ugh...downside of run old-school rat engines

 

[blueshift]

I get what you’re saying about the gas jobs but they can not compete with 1000# of torque under load.

Of course that's true, but most folks don't need that. Modern gas trucks easily handle 8k-9k. Since that's more than the vast majority will ever tow, why bother with the extra upfront cost and maintenance nightmare dealing with the EPA BS?

That general sentiment is substantially more prevalent now than it was 10-15 years ago (when gas motors were turds). I know lots of people that have moved on from older diesels into newer gas motors, and 100% of them are very happy they did. That trend is going to push the prices down on used diesels (especially older ones). That's all I'm trying to say.

I just did a 4500-mile road trip in a Chevy 6.2 with a 9k pound toy hauler, which pretty well solidified my opinion that I'll never buy another diesel. It yanked that trailer up and down 7% grades at 10k+ feet with no issues. For towing loads that size, I simply don't need the big torque of the diesel when I have 400+ horsepower and a good transmission, and I'm definitely not willing to deal with the emissions hassle.

 

[malibu795]

@blueshift 400hp is the new 300hp is the new 200hp for gas, I'm still running around in a 310hp LQ4, pending weight and air drag, I MAY keep up with traffic,
If/when I rebuild it will be ~450-475 when I'm done,
I agree 70% of diesel owners probably never tow anything more than the truck itself weighs and 80-90% of the remaining 30% doesn't come close to 3/4 it's rated capacity towing

 

[kidturbo]

That new 3.0L Duramax is kinda the mold breaker on reasons not to buy a diesel. The one I stole from a lot to hack on a couple months back really impressed me. Clean, quiet, with very impressive MPG numbers on dash. Besides the fact ya have to push a PARK button on the shifter before exiting or it will drive off by itself, impressive truck. A local guy with one claims 30+ MPG normal driving, and 18 or better towing a decent size 5th wheel RV. Ok, I'm interested..

Coming from someone who deeply regrets selling his 05 MB 3.2L CDI. 42mpg at 125 cruising... Considered the best small displacement diesel ever produced, that engine brings more today than I sold the car for 10yrs ago.

 

[08lmm72mm]

I'm not getting any interest at all for my lb7 priced at 16k and it's well worth every penny. I see alot of nice trucks not selling, and they are listed for a bargain. Just 2 years ago things were quite different, when the chip shortage was going on of course. This is in Arizona

LB7s in Canada are going for under $10,000 Cad.

When I see what prices of used duramaxes are going for down south it's almost unbelievable.

 

[1FastBrick]

That new 3.0L Duramax is kinda the mold breaker on reasons not to buy a diesel. The one I stole from a lot to hack on a couple months back really impressed me. Clean, quiet, with very impressive MPG numbers on dash. Besides the fact ya have to push a PARK button on the shifter before exiting or it will drive off by itself, impressive truck. A local guy with one claims 30+ MPG normal driving, and 18 or better towing a decent size 5th wheel RV. Ok, I'm interested..

Coming from someone who deeply regrets selling his 05 MB 3.2L CDI. 42mpg at 125 cruising... Considered the best small displacement diesel ever produced, that engine brings more today than I sold the car for 10yrs ago.

Too bad GM just discontinued the 3.0L still not a fan of the belt in the rear of the engine.

 

[1FastBrick]

If GM had the Balls to install the 8.8L in the new trucks that would be a power house!!!

I would love to find a clean 06-07 8.1L truck

 

[JoshH]

Too bad GM just discontinued the 3.0L still not a fan of the belt in the rear of the engine.

Those were click-bait articles. The 3.0 diesel isn't discontinued. The LM2 is discontinued. The pickups have been using the LZO since 2023 while the SUVs were stuck with the lower power and less durable LM2. From what I understand, nothing has changed for the pickups, and the SUV will start getting the LZO option (except Cadillac it was discontinued).

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

Yep, Josh is dead right. The suv front facia had to be modified for the new LZ0 or it would have been available last year in the suv lineup. They are badass little motors, my buddy has one he put 200k on so far and is still loving it.

 

[08lmm72mm]

Too bad GM just discontinued the 3.0L still not a fan of the belt in the rear of the engine.

They didn't discontinue the 3.0

 

[1FastBrick]

Those were click-bait articles. The 3.0 diesel isn't discontinued. The LM2 is discontinued. The pickups have been using the LZO since 2023 while the SUVs were stuck with the lower power and less durable LM2. From what I understand, nothing has changed for the pickups, and the SUV will start getting the LZO option (except Cadillac it was discontinued).

What is the difference between the LM2 and the LZ0 that is replacing it?

 

[JoshH]

What is the difference between the LM2 and the LZ0 that is replacing it?

I'm not 100% sure what all has changed, but one thing I read is the LZO has steel pistons instead of the typical cast aluminum that the LM2 has.