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Comment by tcbawo | Hacker News Reader

Even IC trucks are pretty close to 70k these days

Many IC trucks are expensive, but the best selling truck, the Toyota Tacoma has a base price of only 28k. Realistically, they end up being mid-30s once outfitted by the dealer, but still a big value compared to the lightning.

Technically the F-150 has a base price of $33k -- but in the real world, the ASP for one is north of $60k now. Similar to how the $28k starting-price Tacoma actually sells for north of $40k on average.

The price is going up in '24 as well, by about 4k per model. However they are putting their Co-Pilot package (blind spot info system, collision detection, lane keep), extended range fuel tank and 12" screen standard across the board. This is bound to annoy fleet purchases but overall at 37K it's a nice truck at the basic trim level.

The Co-Pilot stuff is good to have standard as it increases the safety of the big, unwieldy trucks.

Some of those higher priced models are priced so business owners and the truck manufacturer can optimize for the Business Use Depreciation Deduction [0] [1] (and also convos with family friends)

[0] - https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/small-business-taxes/bu...

[1] - https://www.crestcapital.com/section-179-deduction-vehicle-l...

Does § 179 look at price? I thought it's only based on weight.

It's based on weight, but the $70k+ models tend to weigh around 10,000-14,000 LB

Not even close.

A new GMC Sierra Denali and mega cab RAM 3500 goes for around that much - though to be fair, it's often bought be people who either have more money than sense or (more commonly) by someone running a small business that requires lugging stuff (eg. Construction)

Neither of those trucks weigh anywhere near the quoted weights. The average full size pickup is around 6000 pounds.

A Megacab 3500 for both GMC and RAM is 16,000 LB, is covered by Section 179, and $70k+. They're also amazing workhogs.

Ah, I see you're quoting the "every seat occupied, full load, with a trailer attached" weight. To be clear, the trucks you referenced weigh only ~7000 pounds.

Yep! The Towing Capacity/Gross Vehicle Weight is the measurement used in Section 179, as this is primarily meant to help smaller construction companies and taxi companies, and they don't want people abusing it to buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini and still deduct it as business expenses.

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