Drove an 08 3500 today, Is now the time to buy

[Forrest Nearing]

it had 200k on it, but it was clean as a whistle, bone stock, and ran like a top!

 

[JFought]

06 mega 3500 4x4 slt stickered for 44 or 45 i got them down to 35 and change. truck was on lot for nearly a year. if that helps. .

 

[mgoncalves]

I ordered mine in january, got it in march with a 6000 rebate plus farm bureau's 500, sticker was high 48, got it for 35. 5 with the rebates. On top of that they gave me 30 trade in for my 06, which I couldn't sell for that while waiting for the truck to get here. I feel like I finally got a good deal on a truck after several so-so ones.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I sold my '04! I put ~4 grand in it and sold it for $24. 5k



just bought an '06 Mega Cab, loaded to the gills... only options it doesn't have is Laramie/leather.

 

[RideSlow2004]

If you are a Costco or Sams Club member, see if they have a dealer in your area on their list. I checked Dave Smith, then went to the Costco guy, he matched Dave, then went to my local dealer, and he beat them both. That was on the 06 Hemi. On the CTD, best deal was at the Costco guy, local would not budge. Also, check out Cap One thru Costco for financing. If you let them direct draw from checking, they give you a really good rate, at least they did when we bought my wifes car.

 

[31b]

I'm in the California South Bay Area and I just stopped by a Dodge dealer to kill time. The dealer had "$14,000 OFF" marked on the windshields of '08 2500QC SB CTD SLT's & "$12,000 OFF" on one 4500 C&C. The Resistol Edition looked nice but no deals on that one. On the debit side, if you need to trade-in any full size truck/SUV the trade-in value will most likely be terrible.



Everybody wants to drive hybrids and Smart cars out here.

 

[ekroman]

I've got a 1st generation and a 2nd generation, and now I'm thinking of moving to a newer truck.



I prefer 2wd, and I found a leftover 2006 2500 2wd at a dealer nearby. Yes, brand new. Any thoughts on this? What should I look for?



The sticker was 41k, they're listing it at 26k on their website. I hate going to a dealer, but hey, it's cheap enough... ... .



Eddie

 

[HBarlow]

This is definitely the time to buy if you need or simply want a new truck and don't have to trade one in.

I was talking to my favorite dealer last month. They are honest and completely open with me. No games or tricks. They were happy to offer any new '08 at invoice minus a Dodge $4500 rebate minus an additional factory discount to the dealer of $4000. The numbers were MSRP minus about $15,000 or $31k or a truck with a window sticker of $45k. A desperate dealer could even dip into holdback and beat that by a little more.

The same deals are available from any dealer. There is no need to settle for an almost right truck, it is a buyer's market right now. If a dealer doesn't have exactly the truck you want or offer the deal I described above get on the phone or internet and look around until you find the truck and the price you want.

Dealers need to unload 2008 inventory.

 

[JimB1]

ekroman, That's about the best deal you'll ever see.



'06 & '07 5. 9's have more TCM & ECM electronics for tow/haul mode and exhaust brake than do earlier 3rd gens.



I researched & shopped used & new for good long time before spending $$$$ on my last rigs I'll most likely never wear out.



Not knocking the 6. 7's but the new 5. 9 opportunity you have is lowest spend on dollars for most return on value for long term keeper.

 

[topcat]

There is are 2 Dodge dealerships in L. A,Calif who posted ads today as follow's 2008 Dodge Ram 2500,6. 7L,SLT,2wd,quadcab,nav,tow package,auto,longbed,sirrus,fog for 27,800 after rebate's.

 

[ekroman]

We went and drove it last night on the way home. It's a nice truck, mega cab 2wd and it drives much nicer than my 1st or 2nd generation truck. I've never had a 4wd, and I've only been stuck twice in all my years of 2wd trucks. It was in a friend's yard, and I knew it was coming. I insisted on dragging out the tow rope before I backed in there!



I think the heaviest I've ever pulled with the previous trucks was about 8,000 pounds, so I'm not worried about an exhaust brake or bombing it, or any performance mods. I'll put side steps on it for the Mrs. and my Mom, and a shell on the back to haul stuff out of the weather.



It's the 5. 9 and 4 speed auto (48RE?). That suites me fine. Sure, I would prefer a 6 speed manual, but I have to drive a lot in city traffic, which means a lot of stop and go. I'm not as young as I used to be.



I'm kind of a big guy (6 foot 4 inches, 260 pounds) so I find trucks much more comfortable. I have an affinity for Dodge trucks; it goes back to my childhood, when the first truck I ever experiened was a neighbor's Dodge stepside. I also have a VW Passat 4Motion (AWD) which we'll keep as a snow buggie. I'll sell the 2nd generation outright, and keep the first.



It will take a few weeks to make the cash fall into place, but it's looking like I'm pulling the trigger.



Eddie

 

[JimB1]

With my '06 & '07, when doing a fair bit of urban driving, not faster than 35 mph, keep shift lever in manual 2nd, then TC clutch will lock at about 26 mph and rpm will be about 2000 @ 35 mph.



Urban driving, 35-45 mph, shift lever D and OD off, gives 3rd gear direct and TC clutch will lock about 36 mph and rpm about 2000 @ 45 mph.



When headed for open highway speeds I don't bother with any of this but when from cold start if urban driving is mainly what's happening, then I believe keeping rpm up a bit is all 'round good for engine and transmission oil pressures, flow rates, heating, better cylinder combustion & scavenging.



I'm also a recent convert to fuel additive, Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement Cetane Boost with Slick Diesel, part # 1025, now that ULSD fuel had arrived.



As part of the purchase aggreement, have dealer software ENABLE manual high idle feature, then you can use cruise controls to step up idle rpm as desired for cool morning starts.



Below freezing it steps up entirely on its own to about 1000 rpm.



Sure is nice having enough room behind steering wheel to stretch out & relax a bit.

 

[10-9jc]

Even before the economy slump, buying went like this:

Price should be - approx 3 percent LESS than dealer INVOICE.
Then subtract any factory rebates, farm, etc.

Note: YOU will never know the current dealer COST (not Invoice).
Dealer Holdback and incentives may rapidly change due to the economy.
Consequently, the 3% less than invoice may be more now.

So, get your "benchmark" price from Dave Smith, Lou Futz, or
other high volume dealer. Shop that deal around to your
local dealers.
If they can beat it -or come close enough- great!
If not, time to travel.

NEVER, never deal (negotiate) with a "floor" salesperson!
NO phone deals.
Meet only with the fleet manager - or via printout from internet salesperson.

There is no such thing as a "good trade in deal". The dealer
is *NOT* losing money on a trade! Sell it yourself.
If you need to finance it - arrange your own (bank, credit union, etc. )

Happy hunting.

JC

 

[SBeretz]

Totally agree, I bought from Lou Fusz and it was an awesome experience. I paid Invoice Minus 3% plus the rebates at the time. I also had a 500 Farm Bureau Ticket (paid for bedliner). I tried to get a couple local dealers to play ball and they laughed at me. They had trucks similar to the one I ordered, but they wouldn't even mess with me, they told me they could never stay in business for that price. So I paid 125. 00 for a one way ticket to St Louis and was picked up at the airport. 2 hours later I was in my new truck with a fuel tank of fuel (from the dealer). I probably cost me 250. 00 to save quite a few thousands. Overall, it is worth traveling, or having the truck shipped from one of the high volume dealers to a local dealer. It is always under a thousand and then you can laugh at the local dealer when you pick it up there. My sticker was 48,900 and I paid 38,000 out the door with a bedliner and a 5th wheel hitch installed. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Scotty

 

[ekroman]

Before ruling out a 4 wheel drive, I wanted to at least drive one, and so I went to another dealership yesterday. They were very accomadating to let me test drive a few trucks: a 3500 diesel with a 6. 7 and a 6 speed manual, and a 2500 with a Hemi and Automatic.



I have to say, the Hemi is a good motor for a gasser. I would consider one, definitely worth investigating.



However, I decided pretty much against 4 wheel drive. I don't like the way the front end feels on 2 lane roads, I can tell it has a solid axle in front. Also, the higher entry height will make it difficult for my wife and my mother to get in the truck. Not to knock 4 wheel drive, but at least I know it's not for me.



BTW, I would never buy a truck at the dealer I test drove with yesterday. I know another TDR member had a bad experience there, but hey, I'll go test drive their mules anyway.



I've found another 2wd, almost identical truck at another dealer about 40 miles away. I'm probably going to play the two dealers against each other. I did that in 2001 when I bought a new VW, so it's nothing new to me.



I would never trade in a car at a dealer, unless there is a pending doom under the hood, such as a failing transmission or bizarre electrical problems.



Thanks everyone for your help and insight. It's really a tough time for a lot of folks out there, and I know it's kind of rude to talk about spending this kind of money. But, I didn't buy the McMansion all my coworkers bought, so I can go buy a truck and not sweat bullets paying for it.



Eddie

 

[MMeilicke]

I have been looking at new trucks and I suggest you spend a couple of bucks and subscribe to Consumers Report on line and then spend $14. 00 to get the complete pricing on the new trucks. I found that report to be extremely valuable in evaluating just how a good a deal is. Not only does it show the pricing for a truck but all of the dealer incentives and it also shows the value of the hold back. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

FWIW, I was about to buy an '06 Mega SLT 2wd auto w/ 57k on it for 18k but got a great deal on my 4x4

 

[Kry226]

Totally agree, I bought from Lou Fusz and it was an awesome experience. I paid Invoice Minus 3% plus the rebates at the time. I also had a 500 Farm Bureau Ticket (paid for bedliner). I tried to get a couple local dealers to play ball and they laughed at me. They had trucks similar to the one I ordered, but they wouldn't even mess with me, they told me they could never stay in business for that price. So I paid 125. 00 for a one way ticket to St Louis and was picked up at the airport. 2 hours later I was in my new truck with a fuel tank of fuel (from the dealer). I probably cost me 250. 00 to save quite a few thousands. Overall, it is worth traveling, or having the truck shipped from one of the high volume dealers to a local dealer. It is always under a thousand and then you can laugh at the local dealer when you pick it up there. My sticker was 48,900 and I paid 38,000 out the door with a bedliner and a 5th wheel hitch installed. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Scotty

I had the same exact experience with Lou Fusz. One-way ticket to St. Louis and 1,300 miles back home. Wasn't as much a buyer's market back in Jan 04, but I did get $8k off the sticker.



Also, for those who are frightened about trading in, remember, you don't pay tax on the trade deal. So if you buy a truck for $20k, and they give you $15k in trade, you only pay tax on $5k. A lot of folks don't realize that. So before you decide to refuse to trade, it never hurts to ask the question. I know with the economy, dealers aren't giving jack on trade, but you might just run into a lunatic just wanting to sell a truck. If you don't ask, you'll never know.



Back in April, I wanted to replace my current motorcycle (2 years old) with a new one. General Manager saw me looking at a bike and came up to me and asked what's up. In about two seconds, he offered me full KBB/NADA retail for my bike. The business manager, with whom I was working a deal on the new bike, about had a hormonal disturbance when the GM came in and said to give me the trade. By the way, this was the third time I asked them to give me a trade-in figure. The first two times, I told them to go pound sand as the offer was insulting to me. This time, I walked out with a new bike and only lost $1,200 on my trade. That means, I drove my old bike for two years for $1,200. How can you beat that?



Not trying to compare apples to oranges, but again, you just never know until you ask the question.



I guess it never hurts to deal directly with the GM either. :-laf

 

[Jumbo Jet]

June 2008 - local dealers were taking $12,000 off MSRP. I got my $46,000 MSRP 3500 4x4 for $34,000. In Dec 2003, I gave $34,500 for a $42,000 MSRP 2500.

Diesel prices in June 2008 were over $3/gal. In July I paid $4. 89/gal in SD.

Fuel prices might have helped with the cost savings!

 

[ekroman]

Wow, this is really insightful and providing a lot of information.



Thanks everyone. It's worthwhile to look around. I went thru Costco sales, and although the dealer wouldn't make a quote over the phone, he cited $15,000 off sticker without being asked. He said the leftover '08's are where the action is at.



Problem is, he has only 4wd, and he said the closest 2wd is a long distance off. I know there's at least one closer, but his job is to sell what they have in stock. I can't fault him for that.



I've considered a 4wd, because at 10 years old, it's easier to sell off or trade, since there's a bigger demand for something like that around here. That is a consideration.



In other words, for about 5k more, I can get a leftover 08 with 4wd. That's almost too close to think about, since it's 2 years newer, and resale will be better on it (although that's 10 years out!). However, the step in height of a 4wd almost makes it a deal killer. Almost.....



Eddie