Ram 1500 Buying Advice NEEDED!

[adam1976]

Hello, I am just about to buy a new 1500 quad cab but having a hard time figuring what would be the better investment (resale etc). I have a 2005 on hold that is pretty much loaded with many options and with the current $6K off incentives it sounds like a great deal. I also have a 2006 sport on hold which is pretty much stripped of almost all options but carries a incentive of 3K off. Is buying the last year before a body change etc (2005) not the best "investment" as far as resale. I like the new front end but im trying to look at as far as resale might be. Im having a hard time figuring out which is the better route to go. Talking to salesman about it is pointless i have found..any suggestions on swaying my decision would be great!! Thanks

ADAM

[TurboDuck]

The major thing I found, was that as soon as you drive off the lot, the year old truck becomes a "used" year old truck. And all the depreciation that goes with it. As long as you plan on keeping it, the loaded up truck is the better deal. The added options will help the resale value, but it will still be a year older. Ultimately it's up to you.......

Good luck, Gary.

[TurboDuck]

Originally Posted by TurboDuck

The major thing I found, was that as soon as you drive off the lot, the year old truck becomes a "used" year old truck. And all the depreciation that goes with it. As long as you plan on keeping it, the loaded up truck is the better deal. The added options will help the resale value, but it will still be a year older. Ultimately it's up to you.......

Good luck, Gary.

In addition, if you decide towards the older truck, beat the salesperson up for more discounts. There are a lot of trucks out there, and they really need to sell off the older stuff. I personally like dealing on the older vehicles, it's fun to make them an offer. Just be prepared to "walk away" But, leave them your contact info in case they change their mind. You might be surprised at what they'll accept, they get $$ back from the manufacturers........

[neon_rt]

Make a reasonable but low offer.
Make sure your financing is in order. I prefer to bring my own financing with me. They know that if I have a blank check to write, that it will be just as easy to write it to the dealer down the street as to them. I arrange my financing with my bank and they send me a blank check with a minimum and maximum amount printed on it. I then make my offer as a "take it or leave it" and show them the check (discretly keep your finger over the MAX amount). If they accept, I write the check for the full amount of the purchase and have the rebate sent to me in the mail. With the rebate, I take the family on vacation in the new vehicle or have accessories installed (wheels, spoilers, etc..). Many dealers will make financing offers to you based on the kick back they get from the finance company. They will usually not offer you the best finance deal that you qualify for if the finance company doesn't offer them a healthy kick back. In march a salesman thought he would play the "mind game" with me by not accepting my offer. I told him "fine", if you change your mind, make sure to call my cell phone before I reach the other Dodge Dealer and then showed him the address in my notebook and ask him if it was quicker to drive across town or take the Freeway. After I crossed the street in front of the dealer and got into my Jeep, the sales manager came running across the street (almost getting ran over) and said that my offer was acceptable and he would be happy to "write it up" for me.

[TurboDuck]

Great description.

It's also a lot of fun seeing them sweat. :-)

Too many people get intimidated by the Salespeople, and forget that they are the customer.

-Gary-