Folks,

I'm new here and as of yet, don't have a ram. However, I'm looking at trading in my F150 for one. I was looking for some advice from those who know:

Details of the truck:
2009 Ram 1500 SLT
22,000 miles
4x4
extended? cab
Hemi engine
Has a center console with shifter in it.
cloth interior
I think it has bluetooth and all that jazz since it has the buttons
Old owner apparently had a gooseneck in it (something I don't need)
It has a tow package on it (looks like a class III hitch)
They have it listed as brown, it looks like a gold.

I can't think of any of the other details off the top of my head.

Essentially, the offer is $25,900 and they'll take my truck in trade for like $7,500 (my 04 f150 is in pretty rough shape. It was just painted, but the interior is hailed, it as 92000 miles on it. New tires, but I think the transmission is on its way out, plus the backup lights stopped working.)

The final price, out the door (tax, tags, etc.) will be $19000 flat. It looks like trade in on my truck would be about $6,000 but that isn't considering the fact that it's been t-boned on both sides (hence new paint) and it has a ****ty repair job.

What does everyone think about the new generation of ram trucks? I see towing ability is less than other brands, but I'm not super worried about that with just some occasional car towing and home supplies. Obviously, the issue is reliability and am I getting cleaned out on the deal.

Any help is appreciated!
Mike

 

i'd say they are giving you a good deal on the trade in, only i think they need to come down a little. the 2012's are out. 22k miles is... not bad, but HE HAD A GOOSENECK on it! that means that thing took some weight. I would definitely throw that into consideration. sure the trucks are made to haul to an extent... but thats quite the extent on a 1500, especially without some helper springs or bags. I would just play the it took some abuse for 1500 line and get them to drop some off the price. every little bit helps

 

Definitely carfax it. 22k isn't too many miles considering the truck is 3 or some odd years old now. Maybe try to figure out exactly what he was towing with it. I don't know of many people using a gooseneck in a half ton pickup. As far as towing ability the difference between the Ram, Silverado, and F150 is rather negligable. The Ram is the best of the three hands down and is rated the highest of the three trucks. I love my 2011 1500 and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Besides the Ram has the coil spring rear suspension and the ride quality is much better than the F150, Silverado, Tundra, or Titan for that matter. Also on the topic of towing capacity, if you're going to be towing the trucks maximum consistently then you should probably be looking at a diesel. Putting a V8 under that heavy of a load all the time would wear on the engine.

You might look into buying a new 2011 though. They are probably trying to get those off the lots to make way for the 2012 models which means they should be making deals. I would imagine you could probably get an SLT Hemi 4x4 Quad Cab for under 30k with your trade and you would be getting a new truck with a 5 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

 

I too say you will not be making any sort of mistake here...
I previously had an 07 1500 laramie, and going to the new the new model with the coil springs and the "evolved" hemi.... UNBELIEVABLE! Its hard to believe but the 1500s drive more like a car then a truck! I came from a previous dodge and I was not upset, I could never imagine how someone coming from a ford would feel :P

My work truck is an 09 250 superduty, and when I get in that thing it feels soo horrible compared to my ram. You can feel the difference almost instantly. HOWEVER as far as towing, I can't vouch for that. I have not towed with mine yet. It does seem that there are a lot of 1500 rams that are definitely sitting much lower then they should. Now I don't know if its just people not using an equalizer hitch or if its the coils themselves. For the price of a set of bags, that will increase your GVWs, equal your ride height when you need it, and not give up those amazing coils when you need them, I will make that payment if it becomes nessesary. When it comes time to pull the 7500lb (FULL LOADED) holiday trailer I guess I will see!...

However if you are going to tow LOTS like im talking every week, not just the odd holiday trailer pull couple times a year, AND your towing like 7000lbs. Ya look into a diesel, and look at getting a 2500 not the 3500 if your not towing goosenecks and MAJOR loads, the cummins wont let you down. Unfortunately you will loose those coils, but when your towing, your not getting a smooth ride anyways

I also noticed you had a question-mark by extended cab? Dodge does not make an "extended" cab anymore. They call it a quad cab. Dodge has a regular, quad, crew, and a mega. Equal to everyone elses, regular, extended, crew, (whatever!) They just figured they would stop making a truck with suicide doors for the back and just put in 4 doors.

I have talked to lots of other ford and chevy guys and they were turned away from these trucks because of it. When they went into the dealer they looked at a 4 door truck and were turned off by the space, THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THE CREW! Where you get the same amount of room as anyone else. So if you need space, look at a crew, if you don't a quad cab is your extended! Might I add its so nice not having to open the driver door to get at whatever in the back!

Price wise, agreed with everyone else, its a little steep, try talking the dealer down!

 

Moved to the non tech section

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll go back to the table and see what I can come up with in regards on getting the price a bit lower. Are there any problems with these trucks that I need to know about? I've never owned a ram, like I said, I just had my f150. In fact, I wasn't really looking at a ram given the stigma they used to have. The truck is really nice though. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the lump in the bed of the truck where the cover for the gooseneck is, I'm thinking it'll damage some sheetrock.

Maybe I'll talk to them about throwing in an extended warranty on the thing. The chrysler one looks like it would be about $2000.00 for a basic job.

Oh, here is a link to the truck in case there is something I missed on there:

http://backwebs.homenetinc.com/param...V18T19S756258/

I noticed they have a laramie for not too much more.

Mike

 

Look into a new one as well. I would definitely compare prices. I think you could get into a new one for a good price. There's usually more leeway on a new one and they might throw some extra money at your trade, plus there are incentives. If you do look make sure you barter with them. I told my dealer I wasn't buying the truck unless they put on a tonneau cover and a spray in bed liner free and I got what I wanted.

 

Folks,

I wanted to thank everyone for their advice and let you all know what happened.

I took everyone's advice and went and looked at the new Rams. I also went and looked at some F150's since that's what I had. First, the news on the F150: I looked at an '09 supercrew with the 5.4 liter. After trade in and all that jazz the final offer from the dealership (and them being insulted when I told them it was too high) I told them I'd think about it.

I contacted the dodge dealership in Lake Norman, NC and told them what I was looking for. He said he had something for me to look at.

Ford: '09 supercrew with 33,000 miles = $32,000 final (for an xlt)
Ram: '11 crew cab with 67 miles = $24,000 final

Needless to say, I'm now the proud owner of a 2011 Ram crew cab, metallic silver 4x4 with a hemi. Dark gray cloth interior. 20" wheels. This thing is an awesome truck. I put about 250 miles on it last night when I picked it up (I was fiddling with all the new gadgets and missed my exit when I finally ended up in VA). I had to turn around, go back to Charlotte so I could come back home to Asheville. One of the tires has a bulge coming out the side (it looks like it's defective). I called the local dodge dealer... It's going in tomorrow for a new tire... gratis.

Such an incredible truck.

I'll try to figure out how to snap some photos and post them so you all can see your handiwork. The only other problem is that I thought the truck had bluetooth, but apparently it's only "capable". I've ordered the UConnect kit and it'll be here next week. I'll also try to snap some photos of the install for anyone else interested in doing it if you haven't.

Thanks again!
Mike

 

You made a steal there! You will enjoy it if you have not already...

I am REALLY surprised that it did not come with uconnect! I know all the dodges shipped here to Canada it all comes standard, even on the lowest model (due to the distracted driving laws!) I don't know what the US has for laws like that but I imagine cause the manufactures are putting them in for canada, why not spend the extra and not have to worry about having a truck with or without it. Make it standard!...anyways good luck with that! Let us know how things go!

 

It looks like it's a common deal that they put in the radios but not the devices here. Everywhere I've searched people are complaining about the same thing. However, I ordered the module yesterday and when I got back from work installed it. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to get the computer reflashed for it since it doesn't pick up till the prom is programmed, but it doesn't look good since I have to help the ex-girlfriend move out. I'm going to do a different thread on it for anyone interested. Unfortunately, it won't have photos since I was working to get it done.

Mike