America is a nation of entrepreneurs. The inspiration to find and deliver something new or provide something familiar but better than ever before is what drove people to search for this land, to settle it, to liberate it from a distant monarchy, and to transform it into the most powerful nation in the world. Today millions of Americans embody the entrepreneurial spirit, striking out on their own to make their mark on the world. If you’re one of them, then you’re familiar with the challenges of running your own business. Even if you’re not an entrepreneur, you may find yourself in a position to make significant capital purchases on your organization’s behalf, such as acquiring commercial vehicles. These important decisions can be the difference between success and failure as a business, so it’s critical to consider all of your options, including used Ford commercial vehicles.
The Ford commercial lineup is a diverse one. Work truck trims make Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty trucks viable business options, with classes all the way up to F-750 for all duty levels. The Transit and Transit Connect offer cargo and passenger van solutions, while chassis cab builds of van and truck models make them ripe for upfitting to your specific needs. The Ford brand is synonymous with American innovation, thanks to Henry Ford’s assembly line, and continues to partner with businesses of every shape and size to this day. That’s why we understand that buying brand new vehicles isn’t always the best option for many businesses and why we’re here to talk about your used commercial vehicle options.
While buying used has minor drawbacks – you might not find the latest tech, and getting the perfect upfit could be more challenging – the benefits in terms of cost can be enormous. And you do not need to sacrifice your reputation by purchasing decade-year-old beaters to realize those savings. Kings Ford is here to help you make the best decision for your business, so read on and work with us to achieve your version of the American dream!
The biggest and most obvious benefit to buying a used vehicle is the up-front cost savings. A brand new vehicle loses roughly 20% of its value as soon as it drives off the lot – allowing used vehicle shoppers like you to realize savings of 20% or more simply by choosing used. Whether you’re replacing an aging fleet, just starting out, or anywhere in between, those savings quickly add up to thousands of dollars of capital. Take the Ford Transit cargo van as an example. The 2020 model starts at $34,510, brand new for the base model – but you can find even 2019 models with extended wheelbases, elevated roofs, or passenger-friendly configurations for under $30,000. Those immediate savings make buying used commercial vehicles better for your business.
Sometimes it’s not strictly about saving money, but about making the most of the money you have. Buying used with a fixed budget can mean the difference between a new Ford Transit Connect with up to 145 cubic feet of cargo space and a used Ford Transit with well over 300 cubic feet, doubling your capacity and potentially leading to substantial efficiency improvements. Or it can mean the difference between buying nine new vehicles versus ten used ones. Whether the tenth vehicle functions to give you a backup in the case of a breakdown or the ability to operate with 10% greater capacity, the value you get from your substantial investment is significantly increased by purchasing used.
Of course, choosing to purchase a commercial vehicle isn’t as simple as the up-front cost benefits. Buying a truck for $10,000 sounds great until you consider that the truck is 12 years old with 120,000 urban miles on it. That is to say, consider the entire lifetime of the purchase in your decision. How long do you plan to have the vehicle, and how many miles do you expect to put on it? New vehicles often have the best warranties and the lowest risk of breakdowns – what is the potential impact of losing a couple of days of work to a mechanical issue? If you can get a warranty or guarantee on your used commercial Ford, go for it – shopping for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) models is a great way to save money on a factory-quality vehicle with extended warranties on parts and powertrain alike.
When purchasing an older vehicle, you’ll really want to consider the mileage. Thousands of freeway miles aren’t too hard on a vehicle, but hundreds of stop-and-go urban rush-hour miles are. Investigate how the vehicle was used – if it spent much of its time idling, that should seriously discount the cost because it seriously impacts the quality of the powertrain. Extra high-mileage vehicles will be pushing the serviceable life of the engine. Some extra investigation on your part could identify if a given model is prone to certain issues and if the example you’re looking at has had those issues addressed.
For any used vehicle, doubly so for a commercial vehicle, you’ll want a comprehensive history of the vehicle before you sign for it. Learn about accidents and traffic incidents – using open-source info associated with the VIN and CARFAX history reports if needed – and ask about any alterations or conversions it may have undergone during its previous service. Inspect it carefully – and have an in-house or third-party mechanic with you – looking for cracks or rust on the frame, springs, and suspension. Take the time to test all of the systems to make sure they work as expected, and pay careful attention to the sound and feel of how the vehicle drives.
Also, consider whether the looks are secondary to performance. You might not mind having a beat-up truck – but oftentimes, the outward appearance is indicative of how the vehicle was cared for, and how the vehicle looks may send a poor impression to your customers moving forward. Finally, take some time to identify your must-have features and capabilities, as well as technology features you do or don’t want to have for making the integration of the vehicle to your business as seamless as possible and update this list throughout your search.
Whatever used Ford commercial vehicle you choose to enhance your operational abilities, you’ll be making a serious capital investment that will almost inevitably have a low resale value. It just comes with the territory of using a vehicle to within an inch of its serviceable life. That makes it all the more important for you to protect that investment and extend the serviceable life as long as possible through responsible operating practices and regular maintenance performed by certified professional technicians.
That’s where our service team comes in. Time and time again, you’ll be able to count on our expert technicians for routine visits and major repairs alike. The Kings Ford service center uses only OEM replacement parts for Ford vehicles, so you can be sure that your commercial vehicle will leave our shop in tip-top shape. Whatever the need, we’ll be here for you throughout your commercial vehicle ownership experience.
When you’re ready to start test driving used Ford commercial vehicles to see which one is just right for you, be sure to give us a call at Kings Ford. Our helpful sales team will guide you through the process, including finding the models best suited to your needs (if you weren’t already certain). Be sure to ask about CPO commercial Fords, which are guaranteed to be under six years old, under 80,000 miles, and to have passed a 172-point inspection by Ford-certified technicians – it’s the best way to get factory-condition vehicles for pre-owned prices!
You’ll also find the Kings Ford FordPass Rewards program to be essential to your long-term cost of ownership plan. Through this program, you’ll accrue points for purchasing and maintaining your vehicle at Kings Ford, which you can then put towards free services and even discounts on future vehicle purchases. This makes your investment in a used Ford vehicle go the extra mile for your business. Also, ask us about intelligent services that Ford offers for managing fleet vehicles to get the most out of your commercial Fords. Our used inventory is always changing, so call Kings Ford to get the commercial vehicle that’s right for you today!
