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

[SBeretz]

You can always take the rear block out of the 4x4 to reduce the overall height of the truck. Some guys have done it just to make more room for their 5th wheels. Scotty

 

[RVTRKN]

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

Kind of like free 4X4 with a good discount if you go with the 4X4. It sounds like a good deal to me, and I was happy with 5K off my sticker price when I purchased my 04. 5.

 

[ekroman]

Okay, we pulled the trigger yesterday. Picked up an Inferno Red 08 Quad Cab, with the Big Horn package, and we did get 4 wheel drive.



I figure it's a 10 to 15 year vehicle. I don't like to trade very often; I would rather have the truck longer term; that's one reason I buy diesels to begin with. They don't tire with age.



We didn't trade the '95, so now I'm ready to sell it. It's a 2wd extended cab (no rear doors), but it runs sweet.



FWIW, one dealer offered me $1500 trade for it, and he seemed VERY INTERESTED in getting it. I think he has someone lined up to buy it on a side deal. Needless to say, that's not the dealer who got my business.



One motivating factor to buy now? It's cold here. We're averaging 15 degrees cooler than average temperatures here in Virginia. Now, when we have January weather in November, what are we getting in January? Yeah, white stuff which is sure to cause mayhem. Also, at first snowfall, the dealer lots will clear of anything which can plow snow.



Also, I wanted to borrow the money to buy, since interest rates are increasing. We were able to get a decent rate, because we put down quite a bit, and we're financing for 5 years. The finance guy said that longer than 5 years and the interest rates skyrocket.



I know a lot of guys don't particularly care for the 6. 7, but it seems fine so far. However, I only have 150 miles on it. Time will tell, but I have faith it shouldn't blow itself to smithereens anytime soon. Also, the 6 speed auto seems nice. Don't rule it out until you try it.



Thanks everyone!

Eddie

 

[RVTRKN]

Okay, we pulled the trigger yesterday. Picked up an Inferno Red 08 Quad Cab, with the Big Horn package, and we did get 4 wheel drive.



I figure it's a 10 to 15 year vehicle. I don't like to trade very often; I would rather have the truck longer term; that's one reason I buy diesels to begin with. They don't tire with age.



We didn't trade the '95, so now I'm ready to sell it. It's a 2wd extended cab (no rear doors), but it runs sweet.



FWIW, one dealer offered me $1500 trade for it, and he seemed VERY INTERESTED in getting it. I think he has someone lined up to buy it on a side deal. Needless to say, that's not the dealer who got my business.



One motivating factor to buy now? It's cold here. We're averaging 15 degrees cooler than average temperatures here in Virginia. Now, when we have January weather in November, what are we getting in January? Yeah, white stuff which is sure to cause mayhem. Also, at first snowfall, the dealer lots will clear of anything which can plow snow.



Also, I wanted to borrow the money to buy, since interest rates are increasing. We were able to get a decent rate, because we put down quite a bit, and we're financing for 5 years. The finance guy said that longer than 5 years and the interest rates skyrocket.



I know a lot of guys don't particularly care for the 6. 7, but it seems fine so far. However, I only have 150 miles on it. Time will tell, but I have faith it shouldn't blow itself to smithereens anytime soon. Also, the 6 speed auto seems nice. Don't rule it out until you try it.



Thanks everyone!

Eddie

Congratulations on your new truck, please post some picks so we can see that inferno red truck. Did you get the 15K discount you mentioned earlier?

 

[ekroman]

It wasn't quite 15k, about 14k, but that's close enough for me. I figured it was time to go, and the dealer I did buy from is a really nice shop; no pressure, no crap. I dealt with him on my used '95.



The dealer who lowballed me on my '95 in trade called back. That truck would have been a better deal; it was a MegaCab with a few hundred dollars of what I bought the red QuadCab for.



An interesting side note: the dealer with the Megacab also had a dually 3500, and he offered it to me at the same price. Good info for anyone looking for a dually.



Also found something interesting. For anyone looking for a brand new 2wd MegaCab, a 2006 (!) with the 5. 9 and 48RE transmission, there's one at Farrish Dodge in Fairfax, Virginia. He's asking $27k for it, but I'm sure they'll come off that one. Again, it's a 2wd, but it's a pretty screaming deal. You should be able to get it for $25k out the door.



Eddie

 

[10-9jc]

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.

. :-laf

Trade -vs- sales tax.

May work that way in *YOUR* home state, but not everywhere, LOL!



My previous point about trade ins - is this:

If the dealer is giving you more than *YOU* could sell your trade for -

he's making up the difference on the price of the new truck (or high-rate financing).



He is *NOT* "losing money" on -ANY- deal! Period.



Same for the Motorcycle and the "GM".



But, if you're happy with the end result - then all is good.



JC

 

[Kry226]

Trade -vs- sales tax.

1. May work that way in *YOUR* home state, but not everywhere, LOL!



2. My previous point about trade ins - is this:

If the dealer is giving you more than *YOU* could sell your trade for -

he's making up the difference on the price of the new truck (or high-rate financing).



He is *NOT* "losing money" on -ANY- deal! Period.



Same for the Motorcycle and the "GM".



But, if you're happy with the end result - then all is good.



JC

1. True, I don't know the laws of every single state, but everywhere I have purchased a vehicle, it has been that way. Although I also admit that the motorcycle is the first vehicle I ever traded. Normally, I sell outright and then purchase new.



2. May work that way in *YOUR* home state, but not everywhere, LOL!



Some dealers cut deals on vehicles to move them. Do they always lose money? No. Should they ever lose money? Not at all. Dealers are in the business to make money. Everyone else in this world is in the busness to make money. But some dealers do take losses on vehicles to get them sold. Additionally, some buyers don't go into a dealership and take hand-to-mouth the financing they offer, and some even pay cash outright too.



As for the motorcycle, we're talking about a Harley. I got full retail for my trade, and paid nearly $1,000 less than MSRP for the new bike. Now I don't expect that the dealer actually lost all of their money on the deal, but I assure you, they didn't "make-up" what they gave me in trade on the sale price of the new bike. If you're very familiar with HD sales, you'll understand that getting a bike for MSRP is generally considered a good deal. Walking out for less than MSRP is generally considered a great deal.



I am happy with the end result AND all is good. :-laf

 

[AKaiser]

He is *NOT* "losing money" on -ANY- deal! Period.

JC

Well, JC, guess what? You get the "Well Duh!" award for this thread. I think if he lost money on the deal he was either a. screwing up royally, or b. trying to get rid of a vehicle before it cost him more money. Either way, he's taking care of his bottom line.

 

[CYauch]

For what it's worth, drove off the lot on Monday night with a brand new Mega SLT for $27,300. It's an 07. 5 and had 17 miles on it. Both the salesman and I thought it was on 08 at first, but were amazed that it was an 07. 5, and NEW not used. Sticker was $46,515. I know its not a dually, but still. I feel I could have a few more weeks, and will second guess myself for a long time, but I told myself the only way I would buy a new rather then used truck was for them to get in my wheel house of 25-27,000. I thought it was unrealistic, but it happened so I jumped on it. Given what's being said yesterday and today in the Beg Three hearings in D. C. , looks like the prices may only drop more in the coming weeks as they try to work their inventory off the lots. I also feel that since it was an 07. 5 i could have gotten a better price, but before signing, i talked to a friend who works for a Chrysler dealership in Chicago. He said any dealer holdback they had evaporated by having it sit on the lot for so long so there was no bargaining power there. Said they have the same problem there, but with the 08's, and are willing to lost money on a sale so they can stop the bleeding by paying for insurance and other costs for the vehicles to sit on the lot. Still, i bought my 01 Quad SLT for $25,000 out the door, so I don't think what i paid for the Mega is that bad. Doesn't really matter though. If i could have worked the dealer down to a dollar, I still feel I would have to go the hospital for a rape kit. Just my $. 02 cents.

 

[SBeretz]

Sounds like an awesome deal to me. You need to update your signature so we can see what you are rolling in now. That is a steal to me. Good luck with your new rig. I hope it treats you as good as mine does. I am sold on Dodge Cummins after this truck. It has been the single best vehicle I have owned and I have owned a few now. Scotty