Is Dodge KIDDING??? or on Med's???

[Wingate]

Ok, as of 6-03-09, Chrysler is coming out of bankruptcy, they got a pocketful of my tax money and say they are "leaning down" to get more competitive. With that being said, we took the Jeep GC to the local dealership to get serviced yesterday. When we returned to pick it up, I noticed a new Ram 1500 out front that looked interesting.

We (me and the wife) stopped and started looking around. The saleslady came out, unlocked it, and started it up. The truck is somewhat loaded. It doesn't have the "rambox" option, rear seat DVD, bed liner. But other than that, its pretty loaded with leather, 4x4, navigation,... etc... .

The window sticker on it 1/2 ton truck is $47,000!!!!!!!... Maybe its just me, but there is NO WAY I will ever give 47,000 for a 1/2 ton truck, no matter how many power accessories it has.

I guess I just compare it to only giving 34,000 for my CTD. Granted, it doesn't have leather, but its pretty loaded.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AH, but you see, they put the sticker price way up there, so you'll feel so GOOD when they take OFF that 40% discount... :-laf:-laf

 

[AMink]

I've noticed that the asking prices are through the roof lately. The other thing that has my attention is the cost of used CTD's. There's one on Craig's List in Reno. It's an 03 (I think) with a bunch of mods. He's asking something around $35,000! Maybe he really doesn't want to sell it.

 

[InfernoB]

AH, but you see, they put the sticker price way up there, so you'll feel so GOOD when they take OFF that 40% discount... :-laf:-laf

Not only Dodge that does that. Local Ford dealer's are the same. 10K off an inflated MSRP looks really good.

 

[Wingate]

Apparently they haven't learned anything... . well, except how to take my tax dollars from an inept administration and continue "business as usual". Guess I will do as others have started doing, just keep the vehicles I currently own and keep my money in MY pocket!.

Ever since I purchased a Honda Civic for my daughter, it seems that I have less and less tolerance for having to fight to get down to the REAL price of a vehicle. Honda doesn't mark their autos up x1. 5 then force the customer to gripe, kick, cuss, and threaten just to get the price back to where it should have been to begin with... .

 

[AMink]

When I bought my 06, I knew exactly, or pretty close, what a good price was. The salesman had sold me my last two trucks and knew I knew. It was easy. He knew I'd walk and that I could find that price elsewhere, so it was a good transaction. Unfortunately, he is no longer at Carson Dodge. I don't know if he retired, quit, was fired, or what. Anyone know what happened to Chuck Gillies?

 

[tempforce]

what ever happened to a nice 1/2 ton, equipped with a v-8, auto, a/c, ps-pb. for less than a mid sized car. and they wonder why the public is hanging onto thier rigs longer. it takes longer to pay the darn things off.

in the sixties it took about six months of the average persons wage, to buy a truck. a month more for a car. now your looking at least two years wages for the average wage earner. no most people don't make more than 25-30k a year. hopefully wages will start keeping up with inflation, (right dream on).

 

[Wingate]

tempforce, I see your point... . That used to be the average for a new vehicle... . It really doesnt bother me whether the price is more or less that my annual salary, its just that the truck IS NOT worth the money they are asking !!. In reality, its not even close. No matter how many accessory power outlets you give it, or speakers in the dash, in the end, its STILL a half ton pickup.

I have never really liked my wifes Jeep GC, its an '07 with 20,000 miles, fully loaded with every option, but I just don't like it. The drivers floorboard is too small for my legs, the seats are too short and don't support my upper legs well enough for long trips... etc. . The thing drives great, runs great, and we got a REALLY good deal on it (from the same dealership) I am really trying to get her to get rid of it and get herself a 1/2 ton pickup, maybe I need to take her to the Ford dealership?????

 

[tempforce]

the half ton pickups that are available now days are rated for a higher gvw than the old 3/4 ton rigs. and they ride much better. but i agree, the seats and the lack of leg room on some vehicles have allot to be desired.

 

[raksasa]

Rest assured that some knucklehead will pay close to that sticker price, finance the truck for 72 months and be upside down on the loan FOREVER. They'll probably roll the sales tax and licensing into the loan too. Need an example? Here is one cut and pasted from a ratings website:

Where do I start? XXXXXX Auto Acceptance lied about our term and interest rates. When we sat down to sign papers, the info on papers was diffrent from what we were told. High intersest rates for not so bad credit.

But... you... still... signed... the... papers???????????????? SOMEONE will pay close to sticker for that truck and end up paying 60k for it in the end.

 

[tempforce]

i bought on the 0% plan, kept the balance in the bank.
they tried to sneak window tinting into the deal.
i caught it and had the contract retyped.
very happy with my truck.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I've noticed that the asking prices are through the roof lately. The other thing that has my attention is the cost of used CTD's. There's one on Craig's List in Reno. It's an 03 (I think) with a bunch of mods. He's asking something around $35,000! Maybe he really doesn't want to sell it.

Used diesels, particularly the Cummins, are bringing excellent resale to people who want to avoid the troublesome 6. 0 and 6. 4 Fords and the anti pollution garbage on the new 6. 7 Cummins. The Cummins Dodge trucks have always held their resale value well, but they are a jewel now!

NO WAY I would pay that kind of money for a 1500, even if it had a diesel. I paid nowhere near that for either of my trucks and they are nicely equipped... the way I like them anyway.

 

[JMetzger]

AMink: I think Chuck Gillies left because he is like most of us, he likes to eat & sales are nothing. I know the last time I was at Carson Dodge last week they have left a lot of people go I think that they said 7 to 11 people. They even let some tech's go. Sign of the times

 

[PatrickHansen]

Isn't Carson on the list of 789 dealers being dropped by Chrysler?

 

[JMetzger]

No, Carson Dodge is still strong. The Jeep dealer in Carson City is one that is going. Where everyone thinks that Carson Dodge is on the hit list is there is a Carson Dodge in southern CA that is on the list.

 

[AMink]

AMink: I think Chuck Gillies left because he is like most of us, he likes to eat & sales are nothing. I know the last time I was at Carson Dodge last week they have left a lot of people go I think that they said 7 to 11 people. They even let some tech's go. Sign of the times

Bummer. I really liked Chuck. I think he was truly a good guy who actually knew something about the product he sold.

 

[Wingate]

Just to post an update... . the saleslady called my wife yesterday at work. (Same saleslady that sold her the Jeep) She asked if we were really interested in the 1/2 ton. The wife told them that we were until we saw the price tag. The comment was made that they could probably get 7k off the price, my wife took a page from my buying techniques," well, I guess thats good that you got the 7 changed to a zero, now when you get the 4 changed to a 3 to match it, call me back!" I'm so proud of her!

I stand corrected, I thought my wife NEVER paid attention to me!!!!.

 

[tempforce]

as soon as i get a place to work on it. i'm starting a 56 ford f100 project, with a 4bt in it. as i'm out growing my 83 ranger and i miss my old 55.

i don't plan on buying anouther new truck.

my 08 should last at least 20 years. by then i won't need a full sized truck.

 

[rscurtis]

Apparently they haven't learned anything... . well, except how to take my tax dollars from an inept administration and continue "business as usual". Guess I will do as others have started doing, just keep the vehicles I currently own and keep my money in MY pocket!.

Ever since I purchased a Honda Civic for my daughter, it seems that I have less and less tolerance for having to fight to get down to the REAL price of a vehicle. Honda doesn't mark their autos up x1. 5 then force the customer to gripe, kick, cuss, and threaten just to get the price back to where it should have been to begin with... .

Despite how one may feel about the Saturn lineup, I think they were on to something with their pricing strategy. What we see today is a race to the bottom brought about by the "Home Depot" mentality. And it doesn't just apply to vehicles- look at the mess we have today that passes for the once-proud airline industry.

 

[Wingate]

I agree... When the trans. started letting go on my daughters Pontiac, I quickly realized that although I could get it rebuilt, the cars value wasn't much beyond the cost of the trans. All this being said on a 4 year old car with 75,000 miles on it.

I started shopping for a well built car that "fit" her style. My mental list got narrowed down to a Toyota(Scion) or Honda. When she came down that weekend, I pretty much told her that was her options, but that she would get to choose between them.

We objectively looked at both cars, but the really incredible thing about the Honda was the entire 3-4 hours we spent looking, talking, driving... . etc. . with the salesman, we NEVER discussed price or financing!!. We made comments about window sticker prices on several different cars (different options. . etc. . ) and the salesman would discuss the different options, but still wouldn't talk price. He said that they,(Honda) did not do business that way, and that his job was to show the customer the vehicle and its options, then when the CUSTOMER is ready, if they wanted to persue it futher, then go inside for a sitdown and fill out paperwork. Not once did I EVER hear the words, rebate, how much do you owe on... . , how much can you afford to pay a month..... , etc. . etc. . etc. . I mean nothing!!!. .

After we walked into the dealership, he actually asked that he be allowed to give us a tour of the service dept. and parts dept. , introduced us to everybody that would be involved in the sale of a new vehicle, before we started doing paperwork. . !!. . All the way from the G/M down to the guys in make-ready. We financed this car thru Honda and I REALLY wanted my daughters name first on the title (to help build her credit) The finance manager made several calls to Honda and was actually able to get that done while still using my credit score so that we could take advantage of a VERY GOOD interest rate... The only discussions of pricing were on how much they would give us for her old car, and the dealership gave us a year of scheduled maintenance for free.

It just seems that the american car manufacturers need to be more appreciative of the consumer. It also seems that they could take some much needed lessons in professional ettiquite.