Hi guys,


I am looking at buying an SRT4, either a 2005 or preferrbly a 2004 or 2003. I have a 2001 Ford Svt Lightning that i would be trading in, it has 13,000 miles on it. Im wondering though if a dodge dealer would be interested in a trade like this and what kind of deal would i possibly get on the srt 4. Thanks

 

You wont find any 2003's. Unless you buy used, which isn't something I'd recommend for any car. I only buy new, I don't want someone else's problems on my hands.

If you find a leftover 2004 (which would probably be in black or silver) then you'd get a better deal than you would on an 05, but only by a small margin.

Theres literally NO money in these cars for dealerships, so they can't go "lower" like they can on other vehicles. Dodge dealer's take in ANY type of vehicle. But if you want the most for your truck, find a compiled dealer or a chain. Like here in RI, we have Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, etc all together at Tasca. Then we have Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Chevy, Hummer at Hurd. In MA, theres Boch Kia, Boch Ford, Boch Used, Boch Hyundai, Boch Dodge....so if Boch Dodge takes your car in, they might transfer it to Boch Ford or Boch used....in which case they'd have a better use for it.

Being that its winter time you'd probably get more for your truck than you would in the summer time. If you pay MSRP for your SRT, you got screwed.

Keep in mind Orange Blast for 2005 is $150 extra than other colors. Bringing the loaded price with Kicker, Viper Seats, and Sunroof to 22,890 (in or around there). 22,7XX if you don't get Orange.

The dealer I used to work for would take Boats, Jet Ski's Motorcycles, etc in trade. Dealer's take in anything. Dealers in RI use www.nadaguides.com for their appraisals, my dealership SWORE by it. www.edmunds.com gives you prices too high, and often www.kbb.com has prices that are too low.

If you've got any questions/concerns about the car, feel free to ask us we'll help you out as best we can. And search around here, as most topics are covered somewhere, but if you can't find it, don't be afraid to ask.

-Crystalmarie

 

Stay away from the 2003s, they have less power and no LSD, which is a MUST on this car........

 

It shouldn't be too hard to trade in your Lightning. Great mileage for a 2001. They will simply dump it off to a reseller since it will be hard to get a 4 yr old vehicle to get a decent finance rate. The mileage makes no difference to banks or finance co's. The Lightnings were not cheap so you should definitely come out of this pretty well, depending on how much of your current loan is paid off. I traded my 2001 Explorer Sport Deluxe pkg with low miles. The owner basically called a reseller to find what he was giving since the SUV was going to him. My truck only had 58,000 on it. I got 8k for it and bought the SRT directly. It's great to have a new car and no payments.

 

You'll be just fine trading in your Lightning, they will take any car/truck in trade. If you can get an '04 since they have the longer powertrain warranty and all the other goodies mentioned, plus it will be far cheaper than an '05.

 

What kind of deal would i end up getting though, i mean i know its hard to tell without going there. I owe about 14,800 on the lightning. And theres one at a dealer here that is about $21,800.

 

Mine was $21,680. It all depends on what they will give you for your Lightning, you might be better off selling it outright like I was and did with my '99 Neon R/T. I sold my R/T and paid off the loan I got it with and made an extra $2,400. That is how I have been able to buy the toys for my SRT-4 and I still have more yet to buy.

 

You might want to check and see what the Kelly Blue Book value is on your truck before taking it to the dealer for an offer. You'll know then if they're giving you a fair offer or if you'd be better off selling it yourself.