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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Dodge Ram Prices Paid and Buying Experience
355 messages, Last post on Jun 11, 2008 at 7:15 AM
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Anyhow, I took delivery of a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 LWB. Laramie trim, H package, Protection group, side curtain airbags, heated seats, Hemi V8, anti-spin axle, rear window defroster and heavy duty engine cooling. I special ordered the truck on April 2, 2004. I used the Friends and Family of Chrysler program. I was originally quoted EP (Employee Price), of $29,828. However, when I took delivery of the truck on May 22, the dealer tried to charge me 1% under invoice for the truck, which was slightly above $31,000. There is a price at the bottom of the internal pricing printout that dealers get that is called "FFP" but my dealer kept explaining that I dont' get that price. A quick call to my uncle, and he told me I was supposed to get FFP price. My dealer did not him on this either. I ended up having to call the Chrysler zone office on this, and they straightened it out, and my deal was rewritten for FFP price, which was $580 lower than 1% under invoice. I did get all rebates taken out from those prices ($4500). My final price was somewhere around $27,500. This dealer was Waldorf Dodge in Waldorf MD. I was pretty unhappy with the buying expirence, considering they either 1) Tried to take me for a fool on that $580 or 2) Are completely in the dark on how the FFP program works. Also, they made me sign an arbitration agreement in order to take delivery of the vehicle. If I had known I could have walked from the deal and got my $1500 deposit I put down on the truck when I ordered it, I would have just gone to another dealer and had it exchanged. Besides the not so hot dealership expirence, I am pretty happy with the truck. I seem to be getting about 14 MPG without having a toneau cover on the bed. I am calling around for a price on having UConnect and a toneau cover added (the UConnect was on restriction when I ordered the truck, and I have decided after I ordered the truck to get the soft cover put on.). I had a spray in bed liner put on though the dealer at a cost of $450, which was over the rail and included the tailgate. Calling around before I took delivery of the truck, to be armed with numbers, I found that price to be pretty reasonable for a 8' bed. This truck can be driven with a light foot or with a lead foot equally as easy, because of the electronic throttle. It handles pretty well for a truck, the ride is bouncy, but that's not a bad thing, I don't want to forget I am in something that is less forgiving in the handling department. The build quality is solid, though there was a minor paint issue on the passanger side door (fixed by the dealer with no questions asked). The Infinity stereo is much better than the JBL system in the 2000 Camry I drove reguarly for the past 4.5 years and is light years ahead of the still stock system in the 1990 Ford Econoline 250 I drive for work on certain days. I have put 1100 miles on the truck in about three weeks (including a 500 mile road trip though the NE part of Maryland). I get looks wherever I drive this truck, because it is one of the few Laramie regular cab long wheelbase trucks out there without the sport package. Being Flame Red probably helps draw attention too. There are a few changes I would bring to this great truck. The first is I would like to see the overhead console from the 2003-2004 Jeep Liberty, 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee make it back to the Ram (it was on the 2002 early build Laramies, but was removed abruptly in the middle of the 2002 model year). Second, on the Laramie quad cab, there is a six way power Passanger seat. On Laramie single cabs, it is manual. Can we get a power seat on the Passanger side on a regular cab too? I also would love to see the dual zone A/C system be automatic, like in the Fords, GMs and Nissans. A factory spray in bed liner, like in the Nissan would be a good idea too. I also would steal the power rear window from the Tundra. I would move the cruise controls to a mini stalk, like in the Galant (DC owns a stake in Mitsu) or in the Tundra, but keep the current stereo controls on the rear of the steering wheel spokes. Also, the addition of an extended, club cab, model would be useful, and at the same time, make the quad cab a little larger. I would have liked to have a club cab truck with a eight foot bed, but since I could only go single or quad, and I use the 8' bed to the max pretty often, I went with a single cab (easier to park). Though most people can get by with a 6.25' bed.
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Replying to: mppedersen (Jun 05, 2004 11:37 pm) |
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| I am in the market for a new 2004 Ram 2500 4X4 with a cummins 600 and a 6 speed manual. From everything that I can find the sticker with the options I want is around 39,000 - 41,000. I didn't pay too much attention to that. The invoice price is 34,900. I have access to the Friends and Family pricing which will get me I think about another 1,500 off, If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate it. And currently dodge has a 2,500 rebate. So In the end I would think I should be able to get it around 31,000. I figure that this is a pretty good deal. Any input would be appreciated. | |
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I have noticed that there has not been a lot of posting in here. Anyway I just got a 2004 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 in Graphite with the following options: 5.7 Hemi Engine Tow Package 20x9 Polished wheels Fog Lights Quad Cab Value Package Sticker was $34,941 and I paid $27500 including 6.7% taxes. First Ram, or truck for that matter, 25 miles and loving it. |
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| I am looking to upgrade from my 98 Ram 1500 with a 318 V8 (I'm from the old school!) to a Ram 2500 with either a Hemi or Diesel. I plan to also purchase a travel trailer (weight unknown right now) and do some cross-country traveling. In looking at fuel prices I see diesel is around 10 cents per gallon cheaper than regular unleaded and almost 20 cents than premium (this varies from state to state). Also, in reading some of the forums in here, I see the diesel gets around 20 mpg while the hemi is around 14 or so (unloaded). I am also reading that the hemi works best if using Premium gas. So even without towing or hauling, it seems the diesel is the way to go. But I want some other owner opinions. Thanks. | |
My apologies if this is not the correct forum to discuss this. Currently, I have been looking for a decent used truck. My 1st preference is a dodge 1500 club cab 4x4, then ford F150 ext cab 4x4 or f250 ext cab 4x4. Info that I've gathered so far is dodge: transmissions have a bad rep for failure if not maintained; usually go for a lower price compared to the fords, higher insurance cost(haven't figure out why yet). What I would like to know is what else to look for besides the basics. I'm only interested in the '98-'99 model years because it generally falls within my price range. I do run the vin # as well as going over any very carefully for anything questionable. Any extra tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Replying to: pb2 (Jul 22, 2004 11:48 pm)
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Replying to: pb2 (Jul 22, 2004 11:48 pm) After '98 all Dodge auto transmissions received changes that addressed marginal lubrication issues under extreme temperature conditions, as well as a new designed solenoid shift pack and more reliable electrical connectors in the transmission circuit. Still the vast majority of Dodge truck owners DID NOT experience premature problems or failures. I've seen many go 150,000 miles and more and never been touched. There is another problem that doesn't show up in the statistics: using Dexron-Mercon ATF in a Dodge will cause a number of performance problems and eventual failure. Unfortunately, Dexron-Mercon was used in a large number of these reported "failure" cases. I ran the following type of truck in through the Kelly online book: 1999 1/2 ton chassis Club or Extended Cab small V8 auto transmission 4x4 top trim line 60,000 miles good condition air, PS, PB, PW, PDL, tilt, cruise, AM/FM/Cassette/CD, dual front air bags, sliding rear window, towing pkg, premium wheels Here is are the Kelly trade-in values for my area (northeast): Chevrolet - 11,150 Dodge - 9,540 Ford - 10,425 In 1999 the F150 Lariat cost approx. $1600 more than the Dodge SLT In 1999 the Chevrolet cost approx. $3100 more than the Dodge SLT In real terms, all other things being equal, the Dodge retained its value better. Regards, Dusty |
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hey- I am about to Lease a new 2004 1500 Quad - the dealer told me that because I am leasing there is only a $4,000 rebate not $4,500?? Is that true??- thanks |
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I am considering an o4 Ram 2500 Diesel. Would the 6 spd manual would be better than the automatic tranny? I think the Jake Brake can only be installed on the manual. Any opinions?
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