2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Guess what my truck's worth?

[jeepit]

You need to know exactly what your truck is worth and exactly what the new truck is worth. I sold my gasser in my yard and got $4500 more than what the trade would be. Then I found the truck I wanted and its invoice. Then down to dealer with window sticker off internet. Sat down and said this is what I will pay for truck. It took a few times back and forth but that is the fun part. In the end I got the deal I wanted and I am happy!

 

[BCFAST]

That's all fine and good, but when we're many thousands apart... there's no point in being angry or insulted. I just need to travel to a part of the country that values a manual transmission; Florida does not. Anybody know where that might be? I was in Tenn. this summer and stopped at a dealer. They had 12-14 trucks, all Cummins and all ETH !!! Salesman told me they cant give away an automatic to the manager never orders them for inventory. I may have to drive up there!

 

[Big Dawg]

BCFast...



I would try to sell your truck outright if possible. I was in the same boat you are in now. I could have traded in my old ride for about $11000. This meant I would only pay tax on the difference between the trade in and the purchase price. It would have also saved me some time in not having to deal with tire kickers that want to buy my old ride. I will still get more for it selling it outright. Remember that when you go and buy a car that there are usually three transactions involved.



1) Trade In

2) New Car Purchase

3) Financing



Car dealers like to wrap this into one convenient, money making transaction. (Guess who's making the money?) Sometimes there are advantages to going this route but most often not. Sell your truck outright. You might even want to list it on Ebay either nationally or regionally. I just purchased my truck and it stickered for $34,500. I ended up getting it for $28,000 (that does not include sales tax). That is about $6,500 off. Some say you can get $8,000 off. Additionally, it appears that some regions are offering a $2,500 rebate and some a $3,000 rebate. You also need to look into the Farm Bureau rebate. I joined for about $35 and was able to get an additional $500 off of the truck. You have to be a member at least 30 days so go ahead and drop of your application if you're so inclined. Anyway... Good luck!



CAUTION: The preceeding post is only MY opinion and a collection of rambling thoughts. Following, emulating, extrapolating, or thinking about any part of my post could cause world anihilation and extiction of spotted owls and/or other endangered species. Reading of my posts have also been known to make babies born naked. EXTREME CAUTION URGED!

 

[Big Dawg]

P. S. Go to www.kbb.com to get a ballpark figure of what your truck is worth.

 

[RKohn]

Sometimes I just don't understand....

why would anybody ever want to sell one? Run it till the wheels fall off, then buy new wheels. Oo.

 

[Hammer]

Fair offer,WHATS THAT ????...

After reading up some more on this I'll ask a question to those who consider BC's dealer a fair offer by asking them this simple question,What do determine to decide whats a "fair offer" to them. Is it KBB,which we all know is updated monthly,the dealerships black book,which is used by most all auction houses or what the truck is truely worth to the OWNER?.



See the way I see it,no matter what the Blue Book,Black book or any other simular book says, it whats being offered currently fair market value on the open street in your area. Dealerships are only going to give you "average wholesale trade'' on your trucks no matter what shape its in. This way if the truck ends up at auction they will still stand to make money in the deal. Sure you may not get all of the average price in the area but why accept a big loss just because they do not want your truck for one reason or another(i. e. -too old for them,too many miles,not a stick,not a auto,needs cleaned or some paint work,etc,etc).



Bottom line is his truck is worth to him what he wants for it and he should not have to accept any demeaning BS from a dealer who only is looking at the bottom line,his profit. Shop around BC and make sure you look both ends of the deal overfront and back,because what seems like a deal up front may snatch you on the back end. Great discounts,rebates and markdowns can be hidden in the finance end of the deal,so make sure where you buy what the average finance charges so you do not find the dealership adding to the interest rate, like the all do, to recoup their losses. Just my . 02 worth..... Andy

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I did the trade in and then no trade in deal and walked away with a smile. I showed them a trade in that had negative equity. Then as we wrapped it up I dropped the car off the deal. I got the truck for 20k. After I put 40k miles on it the truck was still worth what i paid for it.

The best way to get a good price is to not tell them anything about what you make what you want to spend or if you have a trade in. Especially dont tell them what you have to put down. All they need to know is that you are a prospective buyer and that you are shopping around. Take a notepad to jot down names and offers it intimidates them. Like the man said sleep on it. Stick to your guns and bring a book and a snack. Dont dress too well the will smell a sheep walking into the slaughter. Best thing you can do is educate yourself. A very very good investment is a book called How to buy a car for complete dummies. It will be the best money you spend.

 

[RHoblitt]

After working in the auto field for over 35 years i learned one thing and that is you can't buy low and sell high. The only way to get retail for your trk is to sell it yourself and buy the new one cash. Skip talking to the salemen and go striaght to the fleet sales office and talk to the head guy, tell him you want a new trk and will pay cash. I always buy mine that way, there is no haggling and you pay dealer cost plus but it works out to 5 or 6 thousand off list. As far a your 97 goes that is top merchandise and you should have no problem selling it on your own. It should bring more than retail with all of your goodies, go on the net and look at NADA for a price. I would like to have a 2003 four door but since i have over 12,000 additional stuff on mine i can't see parting with it for a few more years. Good luck . Richard









98 3500 RC 5sp 2wd

 

[John Berger]

My truck was devalued due to the wreck I was in this past June. I got a check from Progressive for $132. 63. It dropped the value of my truck to 21. 2K. Your truck is worth more than the 5K that stealer offered you, but that's probably close to the best you will do with a dealer. Like some others suggested, sell it outright. Or just play hardball with the dealer and see how bad they want to sell you a new truck. There's lots of ways for them to make money on your vehicle. They might be hoping you see the old '97 next to the newer one and the drooling takes over and before you know it, you got a deal made in heaven... for them!!. Good luck

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by Big_Daddy_T

Dont dress too well they will smell a sheep walking into the slaughter

This one has me thinking. I bet if you smelled like a sheep they would not play that wear you down game trying to keep you there all day while they pretend to speak with the so called manager.

 

[magaliasram]

When I purchased my truck I went to 23 dealers from the SF Bay area to the North border of California. I am only dealing with cash no trade. Told every dealer the same story tried all the same questions and not one dealer will discount for cash. Could not even talk 500. 00 off. Final purchasing dealer in Red Bluff Ca. Threw in Two not one but TWO Dodge Ram Caps WOW. Said if I wanted to finance it then maybe they could do a little dealing. You see they all get kickbacks from the interest. The Dealer in Chico was willing to do a dealer trade for an extra 300. 00. I shopped for almost two months. Part of the problem was not waiting for an order I wanted the truck now and knew what color I wanted and what I wanted on the truck.



I'm happy the Dealers happy and I would certainly go back to the same Dealer for another vehicle. They have a wonderfull service and parts staff.



Now that is just my . 02 and experience.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Sell it on Ebay! I sell a lot on ebay and cars/trucks sell very, very well. I sold a car recently on ebay for well above the KBB "retail". Write a good complete description and take a lot of good quality pictures and you will get top dollar. Also, go to the ebay web site and do a search of completed auctions for "Dodge Diesel" and you will get a very good idea of what it is worth. Also, keep in mind that the convienience of trading it in and not having to put the work into selling it yourself is worth something. How much that is worth in dollars is up to you. I just did a search and there are currently 29 Dodge Diesel trucks for sale on ebay and they are getting some good bids. Here's a link to the current listings:



http://search.ebaymotors.com/search...6197&siteid=100&categorymap=6001&BasicSearch=