2013 3500 4WD Crew Cab Long Bed Dually ST

[RUSSELL5000]

OK, so I have been reading all the posts and the magazine regarding the changes made for the 2013 model year.

I was using the inventory search on the Ram trucks website and found a 2013 3500 4WD crew cab long bed dually in ST trim. It is in a color I really like, it has the Aisin, as well as all the things on my "nice" list (bedliner, tube steps, backup camera, ...

The dealer website says $44K, which is about $10K off the sticker.

I would need to trade my 2012 2500 4WD crew cab short bed with the 68RFE auto in ST trim. It has 11,000 miles and I have been obsessive in care of the truck.

So, as quite the newby, what kind of a deal might I expect here?

Joe Donnelly, are you reading today?

Thanks!

 

[mfurrh55]

Just get out the vaseline

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If you can't sell your old one separately, be prepared to get a low trade-in price because they have to make money on it. They didn't leave any "fat" in the price of the new one. 10k off on an ST is very good.

 

[TFucili]

That'll be painful.

 

[JLandry]

RUSSELL5000,

Go to NADAGuides.com to get a rough idea of what your trade in will be worth. Expect the dealer to initially toss out a very low offer on your trade in (well below what NADAGuides.com says) and be prepared to haggle up from there.

TrueCar.com is helpful at finding out what similarly equipped trucks have been selling for.

Good luck,

John L.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks, guys.

I did a couple of hours of homework last night: this is a new thought for me, as the shortest amount of time I have kept a vehicle in the past was 15 years.

Using the websites John recommended, I developed a range of what I think I could get on selling the truck and trading it in. 10K off on a new 54K MSRP truck looks like there would not be any more room, as Joe observed.

It looks like I would be out something between 5K to 8K to make this happen; as mfurrh55 so appropriately observed, "get out the Vaseline".

While I certainly appreciate the advancements in the truck, and certainly would like the revisions, that is a lot of money to me. I am tempted - if I could sell my truck on my own at a good price I could minimize the cost - get it down to the 5K level. Still, a lot of money.

The fact is the truck does what I want better than I imagined possible before I bought it; since I almost only ever towing something down the highway with the truck, from what I have read here on the forum I can expect things to go well.

It just occurred to me I would have to explain the reasoning here to my dear wife - I had not thought of that earlier. Maybe I'll drop a couple of comments tonight and see how she reacts. I have a feeling she won't see the benefit the way I do, and we are not well enough financially situated that this can just be a hobby for me and of no interest to her.

Thanks for the input - I learn something here every day.

 

[JLandry]

Russell5000,

Assuming you have to pay sales tax (or use tax) on a new vehicle purchase in your state, keep in mind that trading in your old truck lowers the tax you'll pay. The trade in price of the old truck gets subtracted from the new vehicle purchase price.

Every bit helps.

John L.

 

[SnoKing]

Russell! Looks like you have figured out the reality of the situation! This is that you are going to take a large financial hit to trade trucks at this point. I would love a new RAM and my reality is that it is just a heck of a lot of money that I really do not have to spend at this time. We have not taken a loan to buy a vehicle, house or other toy for years and it is probably not a good time turning 70 this year to reverse that plan. So I sleep well at night as long as no one starts my 2001 RAM in the garage!!!! Along with waking me and the neighbors I think it can wake the dead! It does the job for the trailer we have and is getting fully broken in at 110K on the clock.

Chris

 

[SnoKing]

Russell5000,

Assuming you have to pay sales tax (or use tax) on a new vehicle purchase in your state, keep in mind that trading in your old truck lowers the tax you'll pay. The trade in price of the old truck gets subtracted from the new vehicle purchase price.

Every bit helps.

John L.

Speaking of sleep, how is the wait going? Chris

 

[JLandry]

Speaking of sleep, how is the wait going?

I fell asleep trying to read the 387 page Uconnect 8.4AN manual last night. Talk about mind numbing!

Zzzzzzzz....

John L.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Well, I did not factor in the tax. That adds a twist if I am reading this right: (1) I can't expect the most money out of the current truck if I trade-in, as the dealer needs to turn a profit, and (2) I can expect more money put of the current truck if I see the truck myself, but then I'll pay full tax on the new truck; the tax rate is 6% in Pennsylvania, so for a 44K truck that is 2,600 and change. I'd still have to pay tax on the difference between any trade and new as well - I had not added that on before.

The arithmetic is tough here, and I suppose it is seems more so for me because I had never spent so much on a vehicle before I bought my truck. My 2008 Jeep Patriot was 15K - I thought it was a lot then when I bought it. Could buy three for the cost of a new truck.


If wishes were horses beggars would ride....

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Four points to consider:
1. both the legal and the actual load and towing capacities will be a lot better.
2. The new one has a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty on the entire powertrain.
3. One rebuild of your 68RFE to performance specs that still aren't as good as the stock Aisin would cost about $5-6000.
4. fuel mileage will be significantly better, more power, and no maintenance of the egr system.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Well, I can't argue with any of Joe's points; for that matter, a reading of the magazine and the trip to the TDR rally at CMEP show that there are a lot of advancements in the 2013/2014 trucks - they are better trucks, no two ways about it. The question really come down to whether I have the cash to absorb the depreciation loss (which is much larger than I thought t would be - I am a rookie at this!).

Broached the subject with my wife; she could see no reason to have a new truck since we just got a new truck last year (I should point out she really likes the truck - we have to flip a coin to see who gets to drive).

I would really like to have a 2013 or 2014, but I would have to absorb the depreciation cost as big chunk of cash today as well as convince my wife. The former is possible, but not desirable - the latter is probably not possible.

I have learned a lot from this forum, the magazine, and the CMEP plant tour. After I got the truck and before I found the TDR, I was highly impressed that such a large, capable truck could be so comfortable, quiet, and get such great fuel mileage. If I had found the TDR sooner, I would have waited for a 2013. However, I still love my 2012.

I'll stick with TDR and be on top of things for my next truck, whenever that is.

Thanks!