Stateline is absolutely right. Run, don't walk, as fast as you can from that dealer. They thought they had found a sucker when you showed up, and they tried to pull a fast one on you.

Now is a great time to buy a used vehicle, with inventories at record highs and new cars languishing on the dealer lots. Take your time, do tons of research on the various Ram diesel forums, and then search for a truck within your budget. There are lots of honest sellers out there, but you have to do the work to find them.

And don't be afraid to travel for the right deal. I'm pretty sure you can buy an airline ticket "one-way"!

 

Hey guys:

Went back to the dealer to get my deposit....It was strange how they said "they were just talking about me" and how they were getting ready to call me. Yeah right. Then they said they had just marked it down to $34,000. That's great. Still not the price on the windshield for $25,995 the day before. They continued to say that I was the one making the mistake, and the price was on the Ford next to it. I looked out there...couldn't see the Ford that was right next to it. Ok, yeah right. Just admit that you made the mistake. If I were looking for a Ford, then maybe they'd have a deal.

Sorry to be like this...Then they pulled up cars.com and showed me they were in the ballpark. That's great. Its still not the price that was on the windshield, bottom line.

Thanks for all your help guys.

STAY AWAY FROM NAPERVILLE (ILLINOIS) DODGE.

 

ecaff, you have mail.

 

Hey guys:

What do you think about $33,800 plus tax/title/license for a SLT diesel? This is after my Sprint employee discount of 1% under invoice. Do you think they can possibly nudge any lower? I told them I want to do a trade, and said I wanted $11,000 for my trade. I owe about $8500 on a 2003 Toyota Corolla w/68,000 miles, kissed in the *** twice, but no damage, just painted bumper.

This one doesn't have the leather, and all the other toys that the other one had, but its brand spankin' new and its $4000 less. Thoughts? I still want to get my payments as low as possible.

Is the general rule that for every $1000 I put down, it reduces my monthly payment by $20?

Thanks guys. You all rock!

Erick

 

That sounds a bit high, even if it is a 4x4. Plus, is this an 05 or an 06? My 05 2500 SLT with Lone Star package and Sport Package was 29.3K in September. I've seen 4x2 SLT's advertized for $25-$26K here lately. If its an 05, offer them 24K drive-out. If your upside-down on the Toyota, I'd make the same offer with the trade.

 

solarexpress-

Its a 2006 SLT. No laramie package. What do you all think?

Erick

 

i would agree to stay away from that dealer!! you'll only have more problems with them dealing with a different truck. Also.. if you could somehow sell your car and buy from an individual selling an '04 or '05 truck.. go for it!! Most people with these trucks understand maintainence and do it on their trucks! You'll also get to meet the owner firsthand and ask how the truck was used, etc. Good luck!

 

They should do your Sprint deal MINUS rebates, which are $3k right now, IMO. You need to do the research on your Corolla, cause I think you are high, but I am just guessing. Check KBB, NADA and use those numbers as a tool (tradein value is typically the number you need).

It took me 3 weeks of negotiating on my new truck to get them to be where I wanted. Most of the $$$ we were negotiating was on the trade I had (04.5 CTD). Don't be afraid to drag this out. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET!!!! You are the one making the payments, not them. And quit talking about monthly payment with the dealer. You need to do the research on interest rates etc, and figure out what you want to pay. Here are some examples:

If you finance 33800 (no money down):

48 months @ 7% interest = 809.38 mth
60 months @ 7% interest = 669.28 mth
72 months @ 7% interest = 576.26 mth

When they talk about $20 per $1000, that is usually a 60 month loan at 7% interest (roughly).

You can use an amortization calculator to figure this stuff out. Here is one I use that is online:

http://ray.met.fsu.edu/cgi-bin/amortize

Use this information and figure out the most $$$ you are willing to finance. When you talk to the salesperson, demand 2 numbers. What they are selling the truck to you for, and what they are going to give you for trade on your Corolla. At that point, do the math. and figure out if it is where you want to be.

There are many variables in your payment:

Downpayment
Tradein Value
Negotiated price of new truck
Interest Rate
Tax/Title/License (We don't have to pay this at dealer in NE, so I never finance this, even though they offer. Why pay interest on taxes???)
Extended Warranty (That is a whole other subject)

Do your research and you will feel better about your purchase when the time comes.

 

DJBikemann:

Thank you for your reply.

The dealer invoice on this truck is (from what they told me)
$37,709
-1% (Sprint discount)
-1% (additional)
-$800
-$2500 (factory rebate on 06 model)
-$1000 (if financed through Chrysler Financial)
=$32,654.82

This is not figuring in my trade, which they told me would only be worth $7,000 without seeing it. So, I'll take it in and have them look at it and see if I can push them any lower.

I know I'm high on my trade, but I have to get enough to pay it off, and then if I've got any left over, I want to use that as a down payment, plus a portion of my tax refund, which, from my estimates should be in the neighborhood of about $5,000 give or take.

The KBB on my car is between $9250-$12,250. $9250 of course being what I can expect to get for trade in, $12,250 is what the dealer might sell it for. So, I think nothing less than $10,600 is a reasonable offer, but I'd like to get $11,00 for it. I'll put all of my tax refund into it, but I want to be around $300/month. That might be stretched a tad. If it can't be done, I'll just have to put the truck on hold (again).

The other truck at Naperville Dodge was more than in my budget. I could've easily swung that...a loaded laramie diesel with 4k miles on it for $25,995 was easily doable. I walked because they upped the price on it by $13,000, and were constantly talking to me while I was trying to read the paperwork. If its in my budget, I'll sign, if not, I'll pass. They can be my best friend in the world, but in the end, I'm the one that will be paying for it for 60 or 72 months.

To get my cars paid off faster, I learned in my Economics class in college to pay half of the car payment four times/month (take the total car/mortgage payment, and divide it by 4, or 2 depending on how you get paid). This reduces the overall interest you pay because of the way interest is compounded. This also hits the wallet with less impact on each payday.

You also mentioned something about an extended warranty. When I bought my 03 Corolla, I bought the platinum extended warranty for $408, and it has paid for itself several times over again. Wheel bearings just went out on both back wheels, and the warranty covered it! Parts/labor would have exceeded $800! The basic warranty is 3/36 on the 06 (compared to 3/36 b/b and 7/70 pwt on the 05). I don't want to slam american cars, but seeing all the problems my parents have had with their cars, I will always buy the extended warranty. Sometimes its a waste of money, but like insurance, you may never need it, but if/when you do, you're glad you have the extra protection.

Guys, thank you all so much for your help! With all the info I've learned from reading the posts here, I'm sure things will work out when the time comes. Not sure about biodiesel though just yet, however.

Have a great weekend!

Erick

 

Absolutely agree, it would have been a great deal and the 05 is a great truck. As oone other member mentioned so is the libery diesel. I got mine for just under 25K and its very cool, so is my '05 2500.

Sounds like the dealer should be reported to the BBB for false advertising

 

Well fellas....

Left another dealer disapointed...but the guys at Downers Grove Dodge in Downers Grove, IL, are at least professional about it. They did try to get me to lease, but it was almost the same price as buying it, so I didn't want to do that. I have to come up with about 5k more for a down payment (total $10k), unless I find something that's too good to be true...so I guess my hopes of finally getting a diesel are put off once again.

They did try to get me into a 1500, but I got to have a diesel. They said diesel prices fluctuate and stay high, while gas prices fluctuate and will ultimately get lower. But, the gas engine doesn't make the sound/vibrations that the diesel does. They asked me if I towed anything, and I said no, and they both looked at me like I was nuts....Hey, we all have our motivators.

You guys have no idea how much I want one....I just can't go with pre 2002 as I hate the body style...

Thank you guys so much for all your help and advice. Wish I could somehow help you out. Man, I love the way these trucks drive...the more I drive them, the more I want one. They are so incredibly heavy, and that's what I love about them. You actually know that you're driving a truck! Well, folks, maybe someday....

Thanks again for all your help...

Erick

 

I have a new '06 3500 4x4 dually Big Horn. it listed $41,172 minus $2500 rebate, I also got another $5000 off with my fathers employee discount. Now I know you may have no way of getting that 5000, but if I were you I would try getting out in the countryside and looking around for a small town dealer. 2500 Ram CTD's are starting around $28,000 and maxing out around $37,000 here in central Indiana.

 

I paid 32 for my 2500 qc slt @ invoice - rebates last summer in S.E. PA

 

You seem pretty serious about getting a new Ram, so check out http://www.newdodgeorderform.com. This site is run by Tom Cheney down in St. Louis. He is "tomeygun" on the Turbo Diesel Register forum. He gets some of the best prices in the country on new Ram diesels. Guys have flown in from all over just to buy a truck from him. If he can't get you into a new truck for the price you want, then nobody can.