Better to buy this year or next?

[psallee]

I'm anticipating buying a new Ram 2500. Anyone have any incites about whether before or after the new year would be more favorable to buy? I'm aware of the 100k warranty and 0% financing until 12-31. Any other factors anyone has heard of? Thanks in advance of any info.

 

[CharlieMiller]

Well the warranty is available but I don't think they offer the 0% financing on the 2500 & 3500 models but that may vary by region of the country. Don't forget to join the Farm Bureau at least 30 days before so you can get the $500. 00 dollar rebate. This is in addition to any other incentives DC is offering at the time.

 

[RustyJC]

All I can do is share our thinking in our decision-making process - you'll want to do what's right for you.



We elected to go with the last year of a proven (or at least known) design versus the first year of a new design. We've been guinea pigs for first-year models too many times over the years, and without exception it has never worked out well.



Also bear in mind that, if you're considering BOMBing, upgrades are already available that will put you even with or well above the BHP and torque that will be available with the stock 2003's, and there will be an inevitable delay before the vendors have BOMBing parts available for the new common rail, cooled EGR Cummins ISB.



JM2CW... .



Rusty

 

[emarsh]

We made this decision last week. We were told by the owner of the dealer (he should know) that the cab will be the same as the new 2003 1500, so we compared side by side on his lot. The cab is SUPPOSED to be 3 inches longer; you certainly cannot tell. But now instead of having a large front door and rear facing rear door, it will have two forward opening doors of the SAME size (IE front SMALLER). Spend just a few entry/exits in both and I believe you will want the old body. However, bear in mind that we have no children, do not plan to regularly have adults getting into the back seat, plus I have a bad back and have no problem getting into the old body style, no twisting required. This also means the new bed is 3 inches shorter, yes a weirdo size for campers, etc. I think the new interior is not as well finished, too plastic, bad fit, etc. It does have an excellent rear storage option that folds forward from under the seat and a completely flat "rack' surface. I will try to duplicate in my 02 truck. The new one has rack & pinion steering, a separate "on the side" A/C condenser with its own fan, roughly 9% more power, according to Cummins, much quieter( I want mine to sound like a truck!). Those would have been nice, but a proven package with thet 100k warrenty PLUS the 5. 9 60 month financing was why we chose to buy the 02, plus there was no way I could wait another year! These are my opinions, thats what makes this forum great, you get LOTs of opinions, you get to make the decision based on what criteria that is most important for your own intended use. ED

 

[Big Sur]

Financing

emarsh,



I believe you should still be able to get the 3. 9% rate for the 60 month term. It is something you will negotiate with your dealer, so don't believe them when they tell you it's not available.



Best wishes,



Big Sur

 

[Sregorb]

psallee

It took over 6 months of agonizing torture before I finally came to my decision after comparing everything on the trucks (now and expected). I too decided that the last year of a 'proven' design was for me. I feel the bomb'ing bug welling up in the future so I wanted something that has a large following that can provide alot of background and experience. Versus relying on the 'also new to the truck' trial-and-erroring that I figure will happen with the new design.



Bottom line is find whichever of the two is the better fit for you and stick with it.



Brian



good luck whatever you decide!!!

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by RustyJC

We elected to go with the last year of a proven (or at least known) design versus the first year of a new design. We've been guinea pigs for first-year models too many times over the years, and without exception it has never worked out well. Rusty

Agreed- BTDT! Never again!



Also, as mentioned in another post above, DC switched to a standard crew cab- type of rear door configuration. I think they screwed up big time! I have an old CC Chevy and its rear door isn't nearly as handy or easy to get things into and out of the back seat as are the "suicide" doors on my QC. Just my opinion from living with both types.

 

[CharlieMiller]

I agree with all

I have to agree with what the others said. Thats exactly why I went with and 02 model. I know what I was getting instead of waiting for something and not being happy by whats available. I hate being a guinea pig because it always is worse that expected until the bugs are worked out. I also love the quad cab getting in and out is great even though I don't generally ride in the back. Who knows what the pricing will be like for the 03's but you can bet there is definately going to be a price increase. DC held the line for the 02 models but that won't last with the new design they have to make up for tooling costs. Go with what is right for you - you are the one that has to live with it and will be driving it. I love my truck.

 

[diesel DOG]

Pick up mine X-mas eve 2001 3500. I looked at the new 1500 and didn't like it except for the rear seat. The sticker was over 40 and I paid 32700 plus 7/100 warranty to boot. I looked at the Chevy and Ford but liked the style fo the Ram and the Cummin's engine. It was the same color as the 99 Vette I road race and it was made in USA which I liked. The new one looks like it's melting.

 

[Pit Bull]

If we were talking about Toyota and a new model I would say wait. But Toyota gets it right the first time out of the box. Now don't get me wrong Dodge will get it right, but it will take a couple of years . What you get with the present Dodge Cummins is a heck of a good deal and most all of the manufacturing bugs worked out. Now if you like the new 1500 look then that changes things and you should wait. But if you liked the new style you would not be asking this question. The only other benefit I see from waiting is the common rail addition to the Cummins (more power) but (it will also come with more emissions cr*p) the present Cummins comes with more pulling power than everything else, with its present configuration (I don't care what the advertising numbers show) dyno testing has shown the present Cummins as being superior. Also that 7/100 power train warranty is sweet and worth $1500 (if you had to pay for it). Add in the low finance charge and you have a winner. I would have bought a new one but I found a low mileage used (35K miles) and added the 100K mile diesel wrap (cover my bu**). This saved me a lot. My truck was 18 months old and would have listed new for around $40K (and with the best new purchase deal of out the door price of $33K) mine has everything but leather and I bought it "with" the diesel wrap for $27K So I saved $6K more than I would have even with a great deal on a new one. Plus I have a great Dealer (that means a lot) located in a small town in SW Missouri that sells and services mostly diesel trucks. I hope this information helps you with your decision. If you are going to buy new check out "Melton Sales" located outside Tulsa Okla. They are a "no dicker" price dealer and you can check out their inventory on the internet along with their selling price. There are also other dealers like Melton sales that you can find out about on this site.