Two questions;

I'm looking at buying a dodge and wanted to know if you guys think I'm getting a good deal?

Truck has 55,066 miles and is very clean. Wanted to get some opinions from guys & gals who already own a dodge ram.

Dealer was asking $22,500, now they're down to $15,500. I found out the truck has been on their lot since Jan and they're ready to move it.

Blue book value is $14,025 for the base model; however with all the upgrades listed below the value goes to $19,925 (Sug Retail Value)

Second question: Can you replace a 2004 rear bumper with a 2009 or 2010 bumper?

Thanks
dfskinner


2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4X4 5.7L
6 1/2 Foot Bed
Camper Top (Same color as truck)

Items below were not listed as standard equipment, they're listed as upgrades that add to the value:

5.7L V8 Hemi
4 WD
ABS (4-Wheel)
Sliding Rear Window
Running Boards
Bed Liner
Tow Package
Oversized Wheels 20"

 

I dunno what "book" you are using, but MY book shows 100% full retail, EVERY available option except the topper to be $16,700. But realistically you look at loan allowance on a vehicle which is what a bank would finance on it. With the truck you are looking at, that would be somewhere in the mid $14k range.

In my area, '04 QCSB Hemi Laramies with lower mileage (<60k) list for around $15,995 and dealers will come down to about $13,500. The $22,500 sticker was hoping for some a$$ to walk in, I can buy a used '08 Hemi 4x4 with under 20k miles on it for less than that here.

Hell, I got over $13,000 in modifications on mine, it's won truck shows, been truck of the month on a bunch of online sites & here more than once, has lower miles on it, puts out close to 100 HP over stock and I'd take $22,500 for it without a second thought.

IMO, you get them down around $14,500 and you are getting fair deal, anything under that and you are ahead of the game...


As far as the bumper goes, I would tend to doubt a direct bolt on fit, since the body styles have completely changed, but anybody who can weld can fab up some brackets to make it fit...

 

Welcome to the site

Dealers asking $22k for an 04? WTF?!?

The ONLY thing IMO that may make that truck SLIGHTlY more than normal is it being a 4wd. All that other stuff is standard and/or cheap to add on. IMO, you need to be checking out of Classifieds section for used trucks or looking around locally to you for a personal and better deal.

As hammer said, the 09+ bumper with the those nice dual tip cutouts will not fit. If they did I would have one by now....lol

 

Anything in particular I should have checke prior to purchasing this 2004?

It has a small dent in the bumper; if I purchase it, I was thinking of changing it to a newer year bumper? Any thoughts if a 2009 or 2010 bumper would fit?

Carfax reported that the pinion seal was replaced? Any concerns there?

Thanks in advance for your input

 

Nah, Pinion seal is a known issue.

If it has the factory LSD the clips are known to fail and take out the whole rear diff with it. Usually happens anywhere from about 50k miles and up.

Other than that no major issues. Just check the normal stuff, fluids, etc.

If everything checks out and you can get them to drop a grand to $1500 off that $15,500 price you got yourself a decent deal...

 

I've got them down to 13,900 including title, tags and tax....... got them to take off $650 for the dinged up rear bumper; we'll see what else I can get them to do.... (Haven't told them yet that I'm trading in a vehicle).

Thanks for the info about the repair.

I'm trying to get them to give me a 6 mth warranty.

 

I bought by 2004 5.7 with 94,000 miles on it for 13,500 so i think that seems fair.

 

I bought my '04 June 2010 and it had 60k miles, lifted, wheels tires etc. Very clean and was out the door at $14k tax/title/plates

 

$13,900 is a pretty good deal, like I said before if you get them down to $13,500 you got yourself about as good a deal as I've seen on comparable trucks in my area - Provided there are NO mechanical issues.

Most dealerships will automatically give a 3 month, 3k mile warranty on used vehicle purchases which is generally long enough to know whether it has a problem or not. Anything you can get them to give you IN WRITING over that is gravy...

 

I got my 04 with 95,000 miles for 11,500. Even had a 6 month warranty that I used to the fullest (new rear end, new steering rack, tie-rods, barrings) Even came with 2 keys!