Sterlings Here--No test drives/Prices

[Wiredawg]

Sterling dealer here in San Antonio has sveral Sterling Bullets on the lot, but you can't test drive them or get a price on one. Not too smart from a sales perspective. Thought I would drive a 4500 and see how it drives and how much. They said they would call me when they get approval to drive and prices.



Not sure about buying again... the only thing better than a new truck is a paid off truck.



You never know though if you get bit by the new truck bug.



Wiredawg

 

[jelag]

My 5500 was delayed 45 days with a problem... during that time it sat on a lot... I'm guessing some have been shipped to Sterling with the same HOLD... . not to price, or drive... .

My salesman went to a DC show during the time my truck was on hold... . there were 4 trucks for them to look at... . they could not start them... ... or move them..... until the issue was corrected... .

 

[HBarlow]

Wiredawg:



Lots of Dodge Business Link dealers around the country now have 4500/5500 trucks in stock and you can test drive them. I've driven several in the past ten days. As far as I know the only difference between the basic Dodge and the Sterling is the grill and badge on the Sterling are different.



I think you can find Business Link dealers near you on the Dodge website.



Harvey

 

[Wiredawg]

H-Barlow,



Yeah, I know. I'm skeerd if I look too hard I might buy one. Bluebonnet Motors, my favorite 5-Star, in New Braunfels probably has some. If I get too bad of an itch, I might head over there.



Thanks and Merry Christmas.



Wiredawg

 

[HBarlow]

Wiredawg:



I hope you do get the itch and buy one. I'm anxious to hear from a fellow TDR member who tows a large 5er how he likes a 4500



I'm in the itch mode but it is a big move from a dually which I am very familiar with and which is a good daily driver to a 4500 which appears to be a great tow vehicle but not so good as a daily driver.



And Merry Christmas to you also.



Harvey

 

[Wiredawg]

Yeah, mine is a daily driver too. I'm probably sticking a lightning rod in it, but it is in perfect condition, has about $5K in performance and looks upgrades and really meets my needs. By all accounts, I need to keep it another 5 years to get full return on the investment. I know it sounds petty, but I like pick-up beds over tow bodys or utility beds.



Did I say Bluebonnet has one like I want for $45K sticker? If it still rains Sat, I'll take her for a ride. I could get bit.



Ron

 

[HBarlow]

Ron,



I can tell you in advance of your test drive that although they ride mighty stiff empty, when a flat bed is mounted the ride is tamed enough to make it tolerable. A full skirted tow bed, auxillary fuel tank, tools, hitch, etc. would probably make one ride even better as a daily driver. A 4500 would probably ride great with that equipment plus about 4k in king pin weight.



Harvey

 

[DennyDay]

Wiredawg - - -Sounds like a good dealer to avoid!

A Sterling Bullit was brought to our shop late in October, completely outfitted with a stake/dump body auto trans 4x4 - - about 6 of us got to drive it that day. No problems. 'cuz we are in love with Fords w/ 6. 0 (bet me) got 9 of them and are lucky to have 5 on road at any time.



We've now got 5 Ram 5500's being delivered the first week in January.



Denny

 

[jelag]

My 5500 has 4 paint marks on the cold air intake to the engine... I can only assume those are mods... . my truck sat in Mexico and AZ for 45 days for changes... hope you get yours on time... .

We've now added an extra tank and bed... . the box is not done yet... . but with the weight of the tank, fuel (80 gal) and bed... it's still a very hard running truck... this is not a truck you'd want to drive as a daily driver without weight... I was going to order a personal 4500... . but now think I'll get 3500 max cab and lengthen the frame... but thats late next year... my 05 driver only has 70K miles to date... .

 

[DonFitzwater]

I just looked at one in Little Rock this morning. Silver Quad cab 4500 Sterling. I didn't know the Dodge used the same rear ends as the Sterling. That thing looks heavy duty as far as axles go. It was 19 and it fired right up. Some service outfit was over looking at it because they are miserable with the fleet of Fords that they have right now. I was told 37,000 was the price by the salesman there but he seemed like an idiot. I was thinking the truck would sell for more like 45,000 or so. It had no stickers or info anywhere on the body.