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2000 Dodge Ram - II
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Comments
Now I know what the cost should be for the 2000 and am willing to pay this, but the dealer doesn't even want to place my order because I told him if the increase in price was too much(which neither of us knows what that increase will be)it might kill the deal.
I was ready to sign the dotted line and they basically told me that we would have to wait till the 2001's arrived.(How long could this be?)
Does this sound rediculous to anyone else? The reason I'm mostly upset is this dealer is giving me the most for my trade thus far. Any suggestions on what to do and any info on the 2001's, and possible price increases?
Thanx
- Shane
I have not heard of any problems like that with brakes, I do not have 10,000 on my Y2K ram Cummins
Sport yet, everyone I know with Rams does not have that problem, mostly problems with the old Getrag 5 spd tranny (to small).
Shane,
Is it really that hard to get 2500 & 3500 Rams in other parts of the country? My Sport was on the lot with two other Diesels when I bought it, the next town over had a Y2K 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins,
6 spd, for a short while on the lot (2 weeks) $39,000.
1.) He doesn't know when the new truck will arrive.
2.) He doesn't know how much your trade will be worth at that time, assuming you plan to keep driving it.
It's better to have him be honest with you that way, rather than for him to accept a big deposit that deters you from further shopping, and then misleads you into thinking you had a firm deal when he asks for more, just as the new one arrives. (It can happen.)
Why not just put a deposit down, order the truck you want, and either make the trade when the new one comes in, or get rid of it in a private sale before that time?
Well I sent out a letter to the owner explaining the dilemma and I got a phone call today from the salesman saying he was gonna go ahead and order the truck, no deposit either. Don't know if this is a result of the letter or their desire to make a sale. Thats the good part, but my vehicle is still in my drive I'm affraid I won't get what I need for the trade come deal time if I can't sell it on my own. I guess we'll see!
It sounds to me like your dealer is trying to be very fair, and win your business. That won't stop him from trying to make a buck off you, and every other customer, so don't count the profit motive against him. Just be aware of it, and negotiate to your best advantage. Make it easier for him to sell you a car, and you will get a better deal.
If he is willing to order your truck with no deposit, he sees no risk if your deal falls through. That's good.
Expect surprises. The deal is not final until you sign a buyers contract with a VIN number on it. Keep in mind that until then, anything you and he agreed to previously can change without notice. Usually it doesn't happen this way, but you are under no obligation to buy if he does.
By all means, advertise your trade in the paper and try to make a sale to a private party. Almost any offer you can accept is better than what a dealer will offer you in trade. And since your new vehicle is going to take a few weeks, you have the time so get started.
The less complicated you make it, the better your chance. Do these things:
1.) Get yourself pre-qualified for financing at your bank or credit union.
2.) Get your trade sold beforehand.
3.) Find out if there are incentives, rebates, financing, cash back etc.
4.) Set a target price for the new truck.
5.) Be realistic, and prepared for a little give and take.
6.) Listen to offers on financing. If the dealer financing is 3.9%, and your credit union is 8.9%, there is probably some factory cash that you have to sign over to him to get the low interest rate. Often, it's better to apply the factory cash against your down payment instead, and pay the higher bank interest rate.
7.) The deal isn't over just because you shook on it. Your salesman now sends you to the finance guru's office, where they try to get you to buy extended warrantys, undercoating, paint sealants, fabric protection, etc. Listen carefully, be polite, and then decline them all. Pure profit to a dealer.
The art of a deal: Remember, the dealer does this for a living. He is prepared for you, and doesn't make mistakes. There is a reason why there is NEVER a calculator to be found, for your use, on the desk of the salesman. You have to know your numbers, and see through the smoke screen. Good Luck!
By the way, I have had good experience with ordering the truck. It was ordered on 10/23 and was shipped on 10/6 and the dealer is suppose to have it the week of 12/13.
This was the first time I used the internet exclusively to buy the dodge. I found that most all the dealers have web sights. So I sent out emails telling them the options I wanted and asking them for quotes. I also did the same thing on the Ford I was going to trade. I played the dealers against one another and got an excellent deal. I did find that the 5 star dealers could give the best deal. I also found out that dealing this way with the dealers gave me a better deal that going though a buying service. I drove to the dealer to confirmed the deal and negotiated few hundred more dollars off the deal before I ordered the 2000 Ram. Like I said before, unless the dealer tries to pull a fast one this has been a good experience and the way I will buy autos from now on.
This was the first time I used the internet exclusively to buy the dodge. I found that most all the dealers have web sights. So I sent out emails telling them the options I wanted and asking them for quotes. I also did the same thing on the Ford I was going to trade. I played the dealers against one another and got an excellent deal. I did find that the 5 star dealers could give the best deal. I also found out that dealing this way with the dealers gave me a better deal that going though a buying service. I drove to the dealer to confirmed the deal and negotiated few hundred more dollars off the deal before I ordered the 2000 Ram. Like I said before, unless the dealer tries to pull a fast one this has been a good experience and the way I will buy autos from now on.
By the way....(ahem), someone on one of the other topics said he got an order number and delivery date on a GM 4 door.
Eric16
My 2000 2500 QC LB V10 auto was ordered on 7/27 and I took delivery on 9/30. It sat in the rail yard here in Mass. for a week so really it took 9 weeks. Color is Forest Green Pearl Coat over Driftwood.
Go Bucs!
It seems there is an extremely limited amount of info for the dodge vehicles. Are there really that few incentives/rebates or is the information that came out on the 13th still in transit to the site. Anybody know if their are more to come, hopefully?
They have an incentives list (customer only)
I think they are listing $500 cash back on any 2000 Ram or low financing.
Sport comes with: Quad halogen headlamps, P265/75R16 OWL on/off road, 16x7 alum. wheels.
On another subject, I just purchased RAM Accessories Side Bars. I can't figure out where the brackets attach to the frame rail. Is there a specific mount that Dodge put there for Side Steps? OR Do you have to take out the bolt that attaches the cab to the frame? Help!!!! I would really like to put them on this weekend.
Thanks...........
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
hope this helps!!!
I guess it depends which towing mirrors you are talking about. If they are the chrome mirrors that attach to the outside of the door with the chrome bi-pod frame, I think it would be difficult to switch. If you are referring to the new black towing mirrors, those APPEAR to be switchable. The difference on the new black mirrors (GPD) compared to the ones you have is that they are NOT heated, and they are NOT electronically controlled. You have to adjust them manually. The new mirrors also have small convex mirrors built into them, and the entire mirror can be swiveled into either a vertical, or horizontal position.
KCRAM, you should be President of the Dodge truck division. You know more about what is going on with Dodge trucks than the company and the dealers!! I told my dealer a few months ago about the info you gave on the new ETH engine and the 2001 models and they laughed at me and said no way that would happen, now they are the fools. They now have info on these changes that they though was a big made-up story.
I know salesmen aren't researching while they are at work - of course I'm not either . I'm also guessing few go home and research on their computer either. I don't think the manufacturer or dealership do any real education about the vehicles or update the salesmen on new changes. I'm sure most of the salesmen are more concerned about new selling techniques than the product they are selling. The end result is that the buyer knows more about the truck than the salesman. It cracks me up, what are they good for now? I guess they are good at pointing out the cup holders.
After a lifetime of drudgery, my wife and I will be retiring come June. Our long-considered post- retirement plans call for a year long grand tour of this wonderful country in a pickup and fifth wheel. After the tour, we'll probably park the trailer at a lakeside lot and use it for a "vacation home" and for intermittent month long cross country trips. We've decided upon the fiver; a 10,000# (gross) unit but have yet to finalize our decision on the pickup.
I started this process certain that what I wanted was a Ford 150 stepside extended cab shortbed 4X2 with automatic and gas V8. Months of research have convinced me that what I actually need is a 2001 Dodge Cummins 2500 QuadCab long bed 4X2 6 speed with limited slip and LT265/75R16 tires.
I'd been waiting until the 2001's came out to order. You say DC is now accepting orders and I'm ready to sign on the dotted line but for a couple of questions. Here goes...
1. Should I expect to have to pay an adver-
tising fee on an ordered vehicle?
2. While on the road with the fiver, we'll probably drive for a day, park for a week, drive for a day, etc. and will be traversing all types of terrain. I know you typically recommend a 4.10 rearend but don't you think a 3.55 would adequately satisfy our needs?
3. How do you feel about an exhaust brake?
4. You've mentioned that Dodge has fixed its shift gate problems on the five speed but now has manufacturing problems with the six speed. I've driven the six speed and found it quite satisfactory but wonder about its long term reliability. What do you think?
5. Do the 1500 and 2500 Rams share the same chassis?
6. How do you feel about extended warranties?
Thanks
Congrats on the retirement. My mom retired in July and my dad retires this coming July. They deserve the quiet.
To answer your questions:
1) You should expect to pay the national ad fee. This is on the invoice from DaimlerChrysler, and dealers generally pass this on to consumers. Do NOT pay a markup on it.
2) Because you will shift for yourself, you should be able to get away with the 3.54 axle. Be sure and check the 2001 tow ratings when they are released to make sure you can handle that much, although the 2000 was able to handle a 10K fifth.
3) Excellent investment for the manual trans. There are several available for the truck, but Cummins recommends the Jake - click here for info.
4) By the time you get it, it should have been sprayed with enough "Raid" to get the bugs out. Make sure whatever maintenance is specified in the owner's manual is followed, and you should be just fine.
5) No. The 2500 shares with the 3500. Dodge dropped the light-duty 2500 several years ago.
6) I swear by them, after some major repairs on previous trucks. One nice touch to the Chrysler extended is that it also extends your roadside assistance to whatever length plan you buy. A major plus, since you plan on touring the USA and won't be near the selling dealer for quite a while. There are alos aftermarket companies that sell them, but no dealer is obligated to honor it, and some may require YOU to pay the bill and let your warranty company reimburse you.The factory warranty is honored by any Dodge, Chrysler/Plymouth, or Jeep dealer, and the dealer has the option to authorize warranty repairs to the nearest Cummins factory shop if it's engine work they can't handle.
Another recommendation I would offer is the Cummins Owners Club. You get parts and service discounts at Cummins factory shops, and they have social events for Cummins-poewered Ram and RV owners.
If you have other questions, please ask!
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
After reading other posts, I understand there is a price increase. Can you tell me what items went up? The ETH is $5225 MSRP? Is this right?
Here's what I want to get- 2500LWB QC, 2HH, AGG,
AHC, AHJ, ATK, DEE, DHG, DSA, GFD, and of course the ETH.
Do you know if the prices of those options increased from the 2000 pricing? Please excuse my brevity, but I think you probably know the codes.
It is now crunch time with going to the dealership. I just want to go in there with the right prices in mind (on paper) and not have some salesperson saying that certain items I've chosen have inflated drastically. Invoice prices on options are 15% less than MSRP prices, right?
I really appreciate all your help on this. I've been researching Rams, diesels, negotiating, and pricing since 4/98 and I want to have the ol' ducks in a row.
Thanks
I'm especially glad (and somewhat suprised) that you consider the 3.54 adequate for my needs; you've been a most consistent advocate of the 4.10 in those many postings I've read. My co-pilot has been in my ears incessantly about fuel milage and this should mollify her somewhat. By the way, my December copy of Trailer Life rates the 2k 2500 Ram QC at 13,850# with a 5 or 6 speed and 3.54 or 4.10. I suspect the 2001 will pull at least as much.
I also appreciate your words on the extended warranty. Research has yielded another source of repair coverage I might consider. My son just recently bought a 2K Silverado and purchased his warranty through Allstate Insurance. $420 for a 60/60. I don't know if you'd consider it "bumper to bumper" but it seemed to cover all the essentials. A nice feature is that you can have the repairs accomplished at any garage, not just a Dodge dealership.
Question: Will a Cummins repair shop perform warranty work on a Dodge Cummins? Also, I prefer heated, power side view mirrors and so don't know that I will order the new pivoting trailer mirrors. Do you know of a particular brand of "mirror extender" that I might attach temporarily to the standard mirrors whenever I'm towing?
Thanks again,
Trambitis