Used vs Employee Pricing

[meatdrink9]

So since we've had an addition to our family my little 2-door truck isn't large enough to fit everyone. I've been looking at 4-door trucks. I was hoping to get something used with about 50,000 miles for around $15,000, but it looks like to get something nice, 4x4, auto, etc I'll be more around the $17,000-$18,000 range. I was looking at either the Dodge Dakota SLT Quad cabs or Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad cabs.

Then I decided to go check out what employee pricing would run for something brand new. It looks like I could get a brand new Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad cab for 4,000 to 5,000 grand more. It would then come with a full bumper to bumper 3 year warranty. So basically I can get a $32,000 truck for $23,000. It's 8 grand more than I wanted to spend, but is it worth it to go new? With that much of a discount I don't feel like I'll be losing money when I drive it off the lot. There are tons of used comparable Rams for sell right now that are actually above that price for brand new.

I think I'm sold on buying new (despite it stretching my budget). It's definitely a change for me as I thought I'd never buy new. I'm a cheap bastard.

WWMD?

My mind is pretty well made up, but I'm curious what others think about this whole employee pricing thing.

[Big E]

I'll admit I haven't really followed the whole employee pricing thing since I'm not in the market. I've always been a big believer in used vehicles as well, but when I bought my truck (Dodge 2500 diesel) back in '01, I ended up going new. Since I plan on keeping that thing forever, having something where I would know the entire service history seemed like a wise move, and actually with those particular trucks (ie, w/ the Cummins diesel), they hold their value so well that used didn't make much sense.

On the other hand, if you were only planning on keeping it for a few years and then selling it, I'd probably stick with used, just pay attention to service records, etc. And for such a common truck, I think I'd buy from a place that offered a year or so warranty.

[K-Stormchaser]

So since we've had an addition to our family my little 2-door truck isn't large enough to fit everyone. I've been looking at 4-door trucks. I was hoping to get something used with about 50,000 miles for around $15,000, but it looks like to get something nice, 4x4, auto, etc I'll be more around the $17,000-$18,000 range. I was looking at either the Dodge Dakota SLT Quad cabs or Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad cabs.

Then I decided to go check out what employee pricing would run for something brand new. It looks like I could get a brand new Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad cab for 4,000 to 5,000 grand more. It would then come with a full bumper to bumper 3 year warranty. So basically I can get a $32,000 truck for $23,000. It's 8 grand more than I wanted to spend, but is it worth it to go new? With that much of a discount I don't feel like I'll be losing money when I drive it off the lot. There are tons of used comparable Rams for sell right now that are actually above that price for brand new.

I think I'm sold on buying new (despite it stretching my budget). It's definitely a change for me as I thought I'd never buy new. I'm a cheap bastard.

WWMD?

My mind is pretty well made up, but I'm curious what others think about this whole employee pricing thing.

Just make sure you don't get hozed on financing. The employee pricing requires you to finance with the manufacturer (Daimler Chrysler in your case). The car companies stopped the 0% financing for the employee pricing promotion. 0% over 5 years costs you $0.00. 5% over 5 years on $23,000 will cost you $5000.00.

[bad_roo]

It looks like I could get a brand new Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad cab for 4,000 to 5,000 grand more.

Sounds like a lot of money to me.

[Superstar Punani]

Don't
Own
Don't
Get
Ever

[meatdrink9]

We'd probably pay the truck off pretty quick and the plan would be to keep it for the long haul. That's why we're going with something that can seat so many and also big enough to drag some sleds in the future.

[truth]

We'd probably pay the truck off pretty quick and the plan would be to keep it for the long haul. That's why we're going with something that can seat so many and also big enough to drag some sleds in the future.

Buy it new for the 5 grand. As soon as the employee pricing thing ends you'll own it under the blue book value and be in the money. The warranty buys you 3-5 years of cost free ownership. At the price you paid you could easily dump it once the warranty expires and come out smelling like a rose. This is especially true if you think you'll accelerate your payments.

[frozenwater]

Go with the 4x option this time! What engine you getting??

[A-wreck]

You know.....Dodge builds a nice truck. It's a good deal, and will last you a long time.
However, Chrysler uses a lot of plastic in their interiors. It will rattle like a mofo after you have it two years. You may not believe this but, if you get the sweet looking hood with the dual hood scoops. You'll get better gas mileage and a few more horsepower from something that is totally cosmetic. Trust me.

You know what else, Chevy and Ford make a nicer truck than Dodge. The extended cab F150 has almost as much room in the back as the Dodge. But neither compare tho the comfort of the backseat of a chevy/gmc. You can get a car seat in the back of any of them.

[str8line]

Build up the exact truck you want on their Website then e-mail that info to every Dodge dealer in the Intermountain region and see who comes back with the best price. If two are close in price negotiate for floormats or something else to get your business(spray in liner, bug deflector, chip, etc.).

Also,

Once you have your color and trim level picked out you can usually find a cool salesperson who will go into the database and search every Dodge dealer in the nation to find the truck that matches your criteria. He can also tell you how long it's been on that dealers lot. The longer on the lot=the higher the chance they will deal on it.

Do it all over the phone. Don't go to the stealership!

[meatdrink9]

Good info on here for buying new. Thanks.

frz, definitely going 4x4. Going with the 4.7 litre V8. No super special diesel magic truck like you've got. I'm too damn cheap.

[Camilo]

If you can hang on a little longer, the market is getting flooded with trade-ins due to employee pricing. I read an article on this and it makes perfect sense. Dealerships are taking tons of trade-ins because they're selling the employee discount cars. Used car inventories are doubling. Dealerships will have to start getting rid of their used cars, which means even bigger discounts. . . so while you're looking at a new car that is going to cost you 4-5 grand more than you budgeted, the used car may cost 2-3 grand less than you thought in a few months. If I were in the market right now, I'd hold out and wait for the used car prices to start dropping.

[Mcwop]

Does it have to be a truck?

You can probably get a Suby Impreza wagon new for around $15-16K. Better mileage too.

[meatdrink9]

I'd heard a couple things regarding used car prices:

1. That they will go down due to employee pricing.

2. That they will go up due to Hurricane Katrina. I guess there are over 400,000 cars that need to be replaced in the south and whereas insurance is fitting the bill dealerships are trucking cars down there as fast as they can. I guess there's a big demand.

[meatdrink9]

Does it have to be a truck?

You can probably get a Suby Impreza wagon new for around $15-16K. Better mileage too.

Must be a truck given all the remodeling I do. I use that truck bed multiple times a week.

[Buzzworthy]

I had a Dodge Dakota 4x4 (94) for a decade. I never had problems with the interior. Dad has the Dakota Club cab, loves it, no problems. When I get another truck, it will be a Dodge again.

We did replace a car with a NEW Jeep Liberty for the wife in 2003, first new car. Worth it with what we got and the service package and all, plus a killer warranty, refinaced for super cheap.....

I did trade my truck in for a USED Subaru Outback Wagon H6 3.0 a year ago.

I am happy with both decisions and I never thought I would buy new either.



Nice pick on the Ram for sleds later.

[Blatant]

Here's .02 from seldom if ever heard but often read and followed. Given all the rebates and discounts, be certain you're buying what you want but more importantly keeping it for the haul. B/c of all the kick backs, you'll get hosed at the time of trade in. Dealers know exactly what the score is with the rebates and cash back options and will often back those out of the trade in price.
Also fwiw, I have a 2500 Cummins and it's bombproof, but my Subaru Outback gets better mileage and believe it or not is way better in the shitty weather. Quite possibly one of the best foul weather vehicles I've ever owned(some may agree) Assuming there's less that a foot and a half involved, it'll run circles around the dAdge, especially on the passes. Then there's the fuel prices, they are not kind to trucks and even though you say you don't care, and may not initially, 6mths from now, you bet you're ass you'll care. Especially when it cuts into the beer fund. Remember when you thought 1.99 was outrageous for fuel. Well you'd give a nut now, especially if you roadtrip it alot.

peace.

[meatdrink9]

Fortunately we're not trading in our current truck. We've traded to a contractor to pay for his time and it's been a mutially beneficial arrangement.

I know about the fuel costs. It does suck, but we do need something that can fit the whole family and we also need a truck. We were planning on upgrading both of our cars, but now due to gas prices we've held off on getting rid of the Dodge neon (great fuel economy) and figure we'll drive it into the ground.

[A-wreck]

\we'll drive it into the ground.

Do that.
And get the hood scoop on the truck. Trust me.

[lost]

If you can hang on a little longer, the market is getting flooded with trade-ins due to employee pricing. I read an article on this and it makes perfect sense. Dealerships are taking tons of trade-ins because they're selling the employee discount cars. Used car inventories are doubling. Dealerships will have to start getting rid of their used cars, which means even bigger discounts. . . so while you're looking at a new car that is going to cost you 4-5 grand more than you budgeted, the used car may cost 2-3 grand less than you thought in a few months. If I were in the market right now, I'd hold out and wait for the used car prices to start dropping.

Meat,
I just dropped my lease truck back at the dealer (HM Brown down in denver). I picked up an audi for 5000 below blue book on auto trader two days ago. I would not buy new, find a low mileage 03 or 04 that is still under warrrenty. Once you drive off the lot that car depreciates super quick. The used car already has depreciated a bunch.
Also, I could be wrong, but all the car brokers I have talked to say the employee pricing is the biggest scam. Raise the prices, get rid of the rebates and agrresive financing and then offer the reduced price.
AS for the used car market, i read in the denver post that two weeks ago, dealers in the metro area took in over 500 used trucks and suv's due to the jump in gas prices. THere is a huge oversupply on the type of truck you are looking for. Someone out there is dying to sell you a used truck that gets marginal gas mileage.
Good luck

[Big E]

Also fwiw, I have a 2500 Cummins and it's bombproof, but my Subaru Outback gets better mileage and believe it or not is way better in the shitty weather. Quite possibly one of the best foul weather vehicles I've ever owned(some may agree) Assuming there's less that a foot and a half involved, it'll run circles around the dAdge, especially on the passes.

An Outback damn well better get better mileage over a 2500 Cummins! A Suby weighs, what, 3500lbs? My Cummins tips the scales at 6800lbs without anything in the bed. Unloaded in 2wd, the truck is useless in the snow. Throw 500 lbs of sumthin in the back - sand, cinder blocks, Ski magazines, whatever - and gets waaayyyyy better.

Also, I'll second what Buzz says, I was a little leery when I bought my Dodge, but I wanted the Cummins, so it was the only show in town. Now, almost 5 years and 65k miles, the interior is still holding up great, no buzzes or shakes or rattles. Well, other than the engine

[nealric]

why not get a subaru for family and a old beater truck to haul things with?

It would save $ in the long run.

[meatdrink9]

why not get a subaru for family and a old beater truck to haul things with?

It would save $ in the long run.

Insurance for 3 cars, registration for 3 cars, parking for 3 cars.

[Beaver]

Insurance for 3 cars, registration for 3 cars, parking for 3 cars.

I did some calculations a couple months ago and based on gas prices at the time and the distance I will probaably drive with each of my 3 vehicles it was actually cheaper to have 3 cars insured and only drive my diesel PU when I needed it. Now that fuel prices have increased it makes even more sense. Over a year I will save $1500- $1700cad after insurance for the 3rd vehicle. Get out your calculator and figure it out. With the consumption of a truck and fuel prices gone stupid you may be surprised.

Think of all the free beer you will get when you loan your truck to people. If it's a beater (or less that a shiney new 'spensive truck) you will not have any trouble saying, "Sorry I can't help you move but you can use my truck." while you head up to the hill in your Suby guilt free because you've helped out.

[meatdrink9]

I did some calculations a couple months ago and based on gas prices at the time and the distance I will probaably drive with each of my 3 vehicles it was actually cheaper to have 3 cars insured and only drive my diesel PU when I needed it. Now that fuel prices have increased it makes even more sense. Over a year I will save $1500- $1700cad after insurance for the 3rd vehicle. Get out your calculator and figure it out. With the consumption of a truck and fuel prices gone stupid you may be surprised.

Our current truck only sees real road time when hauling stuff. It's a 2000 and it just barely hit 50k. My commute to and from work is under 2 miles. I frequently ride a bike if I don't have errands to run. When we roadtrip we take the car. The fuel costs aren't much different from that of our current truck anyway. Buying 3 cars makes no sense for us. But when we need to go buy something large for the house it's good have a second person there to help (my wife) but we can't leave our kid at home alone and she can't fit in the smaller truck. Hence the need for a 4-door truck.