Help guys, should I get an 03 or 04?

[LightmanE300]

Heres the situation. I can get either an 03 or 04 for invoice less rebates. I've found 03's with most of the options I want.



My jetta is probably going to be selling tomorrow, so I'll be out of a tow vehicle for my ATV and Jetski. I have another car to drive in the meantime but its not able to tow.



Pros of 03:

- available now

- no EGR

- $2500 cash back or 0-2. 9 financing

- ability to play on weekends with toys



Cons of 03:

- year of depreciation compared to 04

- cheesy woodgrain



Pros of 04:

- exact options I want

- silver dash trim, other trim upgrades



Cons of 04:

- no current announced incentives or financing

- EGR??

- 6 to 8 week wait with no atv or jetskiing



Arrrrghhh what to do!? I have been going over this backwards and forwards, such a tough decision, I could argue it either way. I could have an 03 now, for less money and no egr, but the 04 will have my exact options. Not sure if having those exact options is worth the $3000 difference or so and the 2 month wait. If I'm keeping the truck for a long long time, it probably doesn't make a difference. If something happens or if I fall in love with some other vehicle 3 years from now(doubt it), the model year will make a difference.



I can't seem to find any 03's that have rear window defrosters. I know living up north in cleveland I certainly used mine a lot when the window was iced over. Is this still a problem considering a trucks rear window is vertical? First truck



Also, none of the trucks I saw elected to get side airbags. Do ppl think these aren't necesary on such a big truck? I know if my passenger got hit in the door, and was gouged or something, i'd feel awful for not getting the airbags, or in the stretcher on the way to the hospital I'd be cursing myself for not getting them.



Any and all insight welcomed and appreciated!!

 

[DBVZ]

Sounds like you want the 2004 to me. Last news I read said no EGR until 2004. 5, so that should not be a problem. If you want the automatic, it will be upgraded for 2004. There is no substitute for getting exactly what you want when you order. Don't you know someone who can pull the jetski for you, or barrow something for the 8 weeks when needed?

 

[LightmanE300]

Well not sure on anyone to haul the quad or jetski, but I do think the 04 truck is what I want. However the $3000 or so less the 03 will cost and immediate availability is surely tempting me. Not sure what financing will be available or incentives for 04s. I should note I'm planning on getting this thing loaded, BLACK, laramie, sport, light group, protection group, non slip diff, etc. So the changes in trim will be pretty significant between the years. However, the savings of the 03 is tempting . Arrrghh!!

 

[plntmgr]

I went on line to dodge.com and to new inventory and picked cities on bothcoasts. I found mine in Reno NV and couldn't pass up the incentivies and the dealing on line. We made a deal which included my 98. 5 5. 9 trade in. Just had to go and pick it up. I keep my stuff for years, so the year model was not an option. Mine has side babs. There is one equipped with them in Seattle and Myrtle Beach also.

 

[Ladders]

Ifn it were me, I would check any and all dealers thru the 48. Exactly what you want and nothing less. If this doesnt pan out go for the 04. You lose $$ either way but I think ifn you plan to keep it for 5 or so then it wouldnt matter. If you are not satisfied with the options, you will regret it later. Been there, done that. Yes, getting it equipped now (03) and the rebates will ALMOST offset the loss later for the yr diff. Another what if, DC starts rebates 1-2 months after you get the 04 in your hands? Will you be po'd or... .

You may "luck-out" and find the one you want and it might be possible for "us" TDR bro's to assist with delivery/finding (for a fee? - not me). Give us the list let us look. . wont cost too much and you could set better goals for it that way. If we dont find one, then your "stuck" with the 04 PERIOD/FINI/etc



I think we have a gud bunch that would help/assist.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[LightmanE300]

Ben thanks for the ideas. I have been searching everywhere on dodge's site looking for the truck I want. Apparently I prefer a strange combination of options, haven't found anything yet. Found many close, but always with one or two options I don't want, or one or two missing. I really think I like the idea of no woodgrain and the other trim upgrades in the 04 and may just bite the bullet and order the exact truck I want. The money isn't quite as bad as the 2 months with no playtime. I'm trying to take in all of the florida outdoor sports I can before I have to move back up to the freezer(cleveland).



Guys the dodge site doesnt explain this. What are the body color side moldings that the 03 has that's been changed to chrome on 04s?



How different do the trailer tow mirrors look than standard? I doubt I'll be pulling many really wide trailers that will require the big mirrors.



When is email notification ever going to work?????????

 

[nickleinonen]

perfer the look of the trailer tow mirrors. they are nice. i have them on my 1500, but i'll never tow with them. they have the little spot mirror that is nice and they have a larger glass surface to make visibibility a bit better... .



in this album there are some pictures of the dodge towing mirrors and the regular mirrors that i took while at the 2k3 toronto autoshow... [if the link gets buggered up, my pictures link in my sig and under TIAS2003-2 album]

 

[Posm]

Do what you think is best. I opted to go for the 04. My order to delivery time will be less than 6 weeks!!.

In the competitive environment that is todays truck market I would bet that 04s would have a rebate by Oct 1st.

As far as depreciation goes, I made that mistake once. I got a June new Jeep and it cost $2500. 00 more in depreciation when I traded it. Go to one of the used car sites and price identical 3 and 4 year old trucks and see if it makes a difference. I would think it would be close to the rebates.



Also, go get a cheap bolt on hitch for your other "ride" and continue to enjoy the toys. You only live once.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Originally posted by Ben Stair

... Another what if, DC starts rebates 1-2 months after you get the 04 in your hands? Will you be po'd or... .

That's exactly what happened to me, between the zero % interest and cash back, I figure I lost my shirt :{ #@$%!

 

[FDavid]

Just curious as to where you guys got the info that on 04's you can get silver dash trim and an upgraded automatic?

 

[Dean Upson]

The trailer tow mirrors are great and I personnally don't think the rear window defroster is a huge benefit. I can never remember having a problem with the rear window being fogged up. You always have the mirrors and they are heated .



Dean

 

[Posm]

I got the rear window defroster in order to delete the sliding back glass. I have never been a fan of sliding back windows, just something personal. If'n I could have gotten standard glass, I would have.

 

[DBVZ]

About the upgrade of the 48re, look at the engine/transmission forum, and look for Carlton Bale Good News - Bad News. He is an insider who gives us the info on transmission changes related to the e-brake. Hardware upgrade for 2004, software upgrade for 2004. 5 (which you can flash later) and e-brake certified are expected. But they said something similar for 2003 and it did not quite work out that way (no e-brake certification).



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76813&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[LightmanE300]

Guys, here is where the info on updates for 04 is - 04 rams



As far as slapping a cheap hitch on my other ride - nice suggestion but don't think I could do that to my E class Mercedes Well maybe could, but no way!



I think I'm going to order the 04. Luckily, I just got off the phone with the buyer, and he now can't get the car till the 29th. Therefore I can order soon and still have a tow vehicle for a while. As soon as the first 04 gets here and it's determined there's no EGR, I'll place my order.



I'll have to look at those pics of the trailer tow mirrors. I certainly am getting the defroster in case I need it, and don't like sliding windows.



Thanks for the input guys!!!

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

I personnally don't think the rear window defroster is a huge benefit. I can never remember having a problem with the rear window being fogged up. You always have the mirrors and they are heated .



Dean

I usually just use the side mirrors anyway, so the back window fogging up is no big deal. It might be nice to have the defroster for snow plowing though.

 

[LightmanE300]

Are all of the side mirrors heated, or just the power towing mirrors? Do you have to hit a switch?



Does anyone think the power adjustable pedals are worth the money? I'm 5'11.



Thanks again guys for the direction. Can't wait to order this truck!

 

[Prairie Dog]

The heated mirrors are standard equip on the SLT and Laramie whether you get the towing mirrors or not.

 

[DBVZ]

My wife is 5'6" and I am 5'11". We found the seat adjusted enough without the power pedals, and we are both still far enough back from the air bag. I think they may be worth it for people shorter than 5'5" though, so they can set back from the bag a little more in case of accident.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by LightmanE300

Are all of the side mirrors heated, or just the power towing mirrors? Do you have to hit a switch?



Does anyone think the power adjustable pedals are worth the money? I'm 5'11.

You have to hit a switch to defrost the mirrors and the power pedals are great. Don't forget the folding rear floor . Have you considered the Laramie package? Lotsa goodies .



Dean

 

[LightmanE300]

Thats cool on the heated mirrors, sounds nice. I thought I posted above ,but if not, yes I'm planning on getting a HO Laramie 48re black with short bed, light group, protection group, sport pkg, anti slip diff, trailer tow, side airbags, and not sure on the mirror choice yet. i'm going to likely decline any stereo choice if theres any money to be taken out of the price, because I'll put something good in there.



I figured I'm pretty normal size at 5'11 so I wouldn't need the pedals, but if my mom who's 5'1 decides to drive it I was thinking she might have probs. I doubt she'd drive it more than a few times ever though.



Edit. nickleinonen thanks, I saw the pics of the mirrors on your photo album - no question, i'm getting the trailer tow mirrors, they look way nicer.