Can't Believe Truck Prices!

[Old Moparz]

Supply & demand as well as the pandemic has made LD truck prices escalate & is pushing many people right out of the market, myself included.  

Two years ago I decided to get the small rust areas on my truck fixed because it still ran good, had relatively low miles on it for the year it is & I didn't want a monthly payment with one kid in college & another ready to start. Well, mechanically it's gotten a bit worn & has cost me a small fortune to keep it on the road since then. Every repair has been so expensive that a monthly payment would have been cheaper over the last 18 months. Last fall I spent over $1500 & decided that I am at that point of no return knowing that another $1500 looms on the horizon so it best be time to shop for a new one.

I knew I was going to get an end of year bonus so I started hunting for a truck around Thanksgiving. HOLY CRAP THESE THINGS ARE A TON OF MONEY!! My current truck is a 2004 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 4x4, 5.7 Hemi, SLT with the 8' bed that has a decent amount of options but it isn't fully loaded. The sticker price when I got it was $36,300 but it was a leftover & discounted to $23,300. I have yet to see that much of a price reduction since, so I assume I got lucky. The same truck now is no longer available, so if I want another one in this configuration I have to move up to a 2500 or a 3500 to get a 4 door & long bed.

The base truck is "somewhat affordable" at $38,000 until you see that virtually no dealership stocks base models & doesn't discount much, if at all. They're pretty stripped down with a vinyl bench seat. The rest are all fully loaded, come as a dually & maybe a diesel, or have a few packages added that drive up the cost to the point where it comes with a mortgage instead of a vehicle loan payment. One truck I saw was listed at $72,000 & didn't even have a diesel in it.

Used prices are absolutely insane & in some instances are more than a new truck. A dealer by me had a 2017 Ram 2500 Crew Cab, 4x4, 6.4 Hemi, Longhorn with 22,000 miles & wanted $56,000. The "more affordable" used trucks in the $20,000 to $25,000 price range are 6 to 8 years old on average, & have 85,000 to 150,000 miles on them. I saw one truck that was the same year as mine, a 2004 for $26,000 that had 245,000 miles on it. That's nuts!  

Looks like I'll be doing a few more repairs to mine & hope I get another year out of it.  

[70 sublime]

Yes I have noticed the stupid prices also
I am on my third Ram quad cab 4 X 4 hemi

I have been trading every 2 or 3 years and have been able to get a good deal
Had just started looking last year when this covid crap hit so gave up for a while
Started looking again for any 2020 year end deals because the 2021 were starting to show up
Nothing like i wanted out there just the really decked out big buck trucks

So fine maybe I will look at a 2021 truck now
My truck is a classic model and have come to learn they are still making the classic version till 2023 plus the new version that is out now
The classic is cheaper price tag
The trick is Ram just keeps getting rid of the lower model and cheaper price tag so now the medium price tag truck is now the lowest option price truck out there
My truck is a 2018 and it is starting to look like a better idea to just keep driving it  

[Todd Wilson]

Prices are insane!  I will keep my 2005 2500 Cummins 2wd    Hand crank windows and push button locks!



Todd

[RallyeMike]

Prices are insane!  I will keep my 2005 2500 Cummins 2wd    Hand crank windows and push button locks!

Like you.... I plan to run my 2005, 1500, Hemi, 2wd, standard cab, long box, crank window, push button lock, rubber floor mat Ram as long as I practically can. With only 114k and zero rust, I hope it will be at least another decade or more.

They pile too much crap into vehicles now. It's ridiculous. Bring back the good old fleet truck!

[Mike DC]

  
When the simple trucks come back, they probably won't be American brands.  

[GreenMachine]

I just bought a Tradesman 2500 6.4 Hemi. I wanted a crew cab with the 6'4" bed and a Rambox™. A 2500 was the only option for those requirements. This one linked here has all the same options except color to the one I bought, same MSRP ($50K):

https://www.ramtrucks.com/new-inventory/vehicle-details.html?modelYearCode=IUT202014&vin=3C6UR5CJ9LG250322&dealerCode=45086&radius=25&matchType=X&statusCode=KZX

My OTD price was right at $44K including unlimited time 100,000 mile BTB warranty, and DOC fees. I've been waiting for bigger rebates for over a year, but I got to the point where I didn't think that'll happen. Then one popped up locally with all the right options and color, so I bought it. I've been making due with an underpowered 6 cylinder 1/2 ton for far too long.

I think the options are just about right except the chrome package and the wheels. It's odd that generic looking wheels are an added cost item. I would've liked power folding mirrors and no bedliner though. The rubber floor mats cover almost every square inch of carpet, so carpet is a waste of money.

I also got sticker shock when I went to get it tagged and titled, it was another $2,000!!

[JB400]

Due to all the regulations any more, you won't find much of a choice for a simple truck. A fleet vehicle is your only choice.

[Kern Dog]

355,000 miles on this one and I am strongly considering an engine swap soon......and keeping the truck a lot longer!

[Old Moparz]

I'm definitely going to invest some money into my 2004 but I have no idea just how much.  

I had the rust fixed & the paint touched up 2 years ago but since then it's been tires, brakes, some front end & axle work, something minor but expensive in the transmission, broken leaf spring, & a few other minor things. I also redid the driver's seat because the back was ripped & the seat foam was shot. New headlight housings to replace the yellowed ones, new taillights, running boards & tail gate hardware.

Now my oil pan is heavily rusted & needs to be replaced. This repair cost blew my mind because the transmission & motor are in the way & the estimate was over $1000.  

[LaOtto70Charger]

How often do you use the truck as a truck compared to renting one when needed? Asking myself the same question.  Biggest use i got out of mine was easier to haul a kayak in the bed than towing a boat on trailer. Did pick up a 10 ft trailer but the minivan is actually rated to tow it for even the runs to home depot.

[Old Moparz]

How often do you use the truck as a truck compared to renting one when needed? Asking myself the same question.  Biggest use i got out of mine was easier to haul a kayak in the bed than towing a boat on trailer. Did pick up a 10 ft trailer but the minivan is actually rated to tow it for even the runs to home depot.

I use it as it's intended to be used quite a bit. I sold my camping trailer, but I tow my 7000 pound car trailer with it & have been loading building materials in the back for various projects regularly for years. I prefer the 8' bed of the 2500 but would consider the 6'-4" one on a 1500 if a dealer would make it worthwhile. That probably will not happen considering they are barely discounting a thing. The last few weeks Chrysler had been pushing the "Employee Pricing For All" promotion. A dozen dealerships I've been watching & talked to haven't changed their prices much at all since the promotion ended 01-04-21. So the gigantic discount Chrysler offered allowed the dealerships to skip offering a discount entirely. Now that the promotion is over they are discounting things to keep the prices the same. If they had added the dealer discount to the factory one I'd have probably pulled the trigger on a purchase.  

[Old Moparz]

Prices are insane!  I will keep my 2005 2500 Cummins 2wd    Hand crank windows and push button locks!



Todd

Todd, that truck sure looks clean. 

Did you ever fix rust on it? I remember you asking where I had gotten the repair panels for mine from.

[Todd Wilson]

Prices are insane!  I will keep my 2005 2500 Cummins 2wd    Hand crank windows and push button locks!



Todd

Todd, that truck sure looks clean. 

Did you ever fix rust on it? I remember you asking where I had gotten the repair panels for mine from.

I got a few little bubbles starting on the rear wheel well now on the drivers side. There's some scratches on the passenger side bed but other then that it solid. 123000 miles on it. I used some eastwood rust stopper and got some silver paint to touch up the rust bubbles on the wheel well. Its been doing well so far. Its worthless in the snow and ice. It doesnt see much bad weather driving anymore. I use it for my nice vehicle and travel stuff.


Todd

[John_Kunkel]

My local Ram dealers still have new 2019 models priced in the 30's.

[Old Moparz]

My local Ram dealers still have new 2019 models priced in the 30's.

John, do you know if they're base 1500's with the 6 cylinder?

[ACUDANUT]

 I might Add, that Fiat Rams are the lower priced full size P/U out there.

[70 sublime]

Got an email from my local dealer last night

2021 Ram classics are 20% off MSRP plus another $1500 ( I am in Canada so may be different )

Will see what that boils down to for a trade on my 2018

[John_Kunkel]

My local Ram dealers still have new 2019 models priced in the 30's.

John, do you know if they're base 1500's with the 6 cylinder?

No, most are 5.7 V8's. Here's one that I'm sniffing real hard at.

https://www.elkgrovedodge.net/new/Ram/2019-Ram-All-New+1500-08399cbf0a0e0ae841cb61bda708bc24.htm

[Kern Dog]

It is surprising to see a 2019 still unsold.
It wouldn't matter to me to buy a truck that is 2 model years behind since I don't replace my vehicles that often.
I just can't bring myself to buy a Quad cab truck. I don't like the styling. I grew up with short bed regular cab trucks and still like them.

[GreenMachine]

My local Ram dealers still have new 2019 models priced in the 30's.

John, do you know if they're base 1500's with the 6 cylinder?

No, most are 5.7 V8's. Here's one that I'm sniffing real hard at.

https://www.elkgrovedodge.net/new/Ram/2019-Ram-All-New+1500-08399cbf0a0e0ae841cb61bda708bc24.htm

The problem with the crew cab 1500 is that the shortest bed is the only option. That's the main reason I stepped up to the 2500, to get a crew cab with a usable bed length.

[John_Kunkel]

I just can't bring myself to buy a Quad cab truck. I don't like the styling. I grew up with short bed regular cab trucks and still like them.

Me too, to a point. I think they screwed up by making the quad cab a crew cab, I liked the short rear doors of the original quad cab...nice to have more inside storage room.

[Kern Dog]

Guys that I have worked with in construction like the quad cab for storing extra tools or extra passengers. I rarely car pool so the regular cab and bed cover work fine for me. A $30,000 new truck is very tempting but the  4 door thing kills it. Also, I don't like the center screen being a "command center" for everything. Yeah, they are usually reliable but the one in the Wife's Challenger did crap out when the car was 2 years old. The radio made sound but the display was blank. This left no access to the heater or A/C, the settings for electric power steering, compass and a few other things. Oddly, the backup camera still worked.
The new Rams use that dang shift knob instead of a lever. I am not a fan of that either.

[Old Moparz]

You can get the either the quad cab or the crew cab with either the 5'-7" or the 6'-4" bed on the newer body style. On the Classic style, only the quad cab is available with the 6'-4" bed and the crew cab with the 5'-7" bed. It must be the same frame on the Classic and it's made in a different plant. I also noticed that the quad cabs are significantly smaller than the older ones like mine. I climbed in the back of a new one and my knees were against the front seat.

I have 4 people in my family and a regular cab isn't going to be as convenient. We don't go camping anymore, sold the trailer, but I'd hate to lose the option of fitting 4 to 6 people if I had to. It sucks that they don't offer the 1500 as a 4 door with the 8' bed because I would definitely get another one. I did drive a 2500 and it is really nice, not like an old truck that drove like a truck. 🤪

Also drove a 6 cylinder version and surprised by how much power it has. If I wasn't going to tow my car trailer I'd actually consider one.

EDIT: I just saw a used Classic 1500 with a Crew Cab and the 6'-4" bed. Seems like the specs and info about what's available is wrong. 😮

[ACUDANUT]

A six cylinder produces over 300 HP. More than enough to tow our Chargers around.

[John_Kunkel]

You'll see the difference when you get in the hills with a load.

[Kern Dog]

I was thinking the same thing.
Torque keeps the speed from falling when climbing the hills.
Flat landscapes are the easy part. Hills and long grade are the real test.
My 2007 is no powerhouse when towing so I can only guess what a slug it would be like with 1/3 less torque.

[Old Moparz]

You'll see the difference when you get in the hills with a load.

Very true. I had towed a small camping trailer many years ago with a 6 cylinder & hated it. Even a V8 that isn't geared right & without a towing package is horrible. The car trailer I have is rated at 7000 pounds but I would like to get a different trailer in a couple of years & possibly an enclosed one. The V6 isn't going to pull that so I'm not going to be considering one.

The Ram website lets you build your own & with the options I want, a 2500 Crew Cab comes in between $42,000 & $45,000. The problem with ordering something is that the dealer never discounts it below full retail. I'm not in a big rush so I am sure I will find something in stock somewhere. The color choices are cool .  

[Kern Dog]

I C K.
The blue looks great. The other colors? Uhhh....Not.

[ACUDANUT]

Torque is always a good thing. However Gearing is another.  My 1970 Ford 6 banger gas (300 CI) dump truck can haul 10 times it's weight.

[GreenMachine]

You'll see the difference when you get in the hills with a load.

Very true. I had towed a small camping trailer many years ago with a 6 cylinder & hated it. Even a V8 that isn't geared right & without a towing package is horrible. The car trailer I have is rated at 7000 pounds but I would like to get a different trailer in a couple of years & possibly an enclosed one. The V6 isn't going to pull that so I'm not going to be considering one.

The Ram website lets you build your own & with the options I want, a 2500 Crew Cab comes in between $42,000 & $45,000. The problem with ordering something is that the dealer never discounts it below full retail. I'm not in a big rush so I am sure I will find something in stock somewhere. The color choices are cool .  

Here's a thread of people posting their truck orders, I didn't read all 57 pages, but I'm sure there's info on how to get the best deal when ordering. This website is for the 2500/3500 HD trucks.

https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/2021-ram-hd-builds-and-orders-post-and-discuss-your-order-here.2622/

[Mike DC]

Torque is always a good thing. However Gearing is another.  My 1970 Ford 6 banger gas (300 CI) dump truck can haul 10 times it's weight.

Yeah those are strong motors.  

But with 300 inches, they oughtta be.  I'm sure a 300ci version of a Mopar slant-6 would be pretty damm powerful too.
           

[Old Moparz]

I've decided to pump some money into my old truck and postpone purchasing a new one for a while. I'm not going to even consider a late model used one because the prices are absolutely stupid. Besides, I have a problem with spending that kind of coin on used. Reasonably priced ones are already worn the hell out with 100,000 miles and more. 😕

I just bought an oil pan and gasket for my truck and the mechanic in the shop at work said he can do the work for me on the side. It'll save me more than half of what the $1300 estimate I got was and allow me to fix a few other things.

The option I am 99% sure that I will do is to get a different, but much less expensive, new vehicle and use my truck as needed. Once the oil pan is done I'll address the leaking steering rack and rear end seal. Most of the other things are minor annoyances and won't prevent it from being driven or make it unsafe.

[John_Kunkel]

I'm not going to even consider a late model used one because the prices are absolutely stupid.

Until this thread I hadn't really paid much attention to used prices but, after checking around, I agree...you can buy new left-overs for the asking price of some late used. 

[Old Moparz]

I'm not going to even consider a late model used one because the prices are absolutely stupid.

Until this thread I hadn't really paid much attention to used prices but, after checking around, I agree...you can buy new left-overs for the asking price of some late used. 

The only used trucks that are affordable right now are basically worn out junk. There are several with mileage in the 150,000 to 250,000 range still commanding over $30,000. Who the hell buys these things?

[Aero426]

My '04 Ram 2500 is not going anywhere soon.    It's "small" compared to a current Ram 2500, but the prices on late model trucks....   nfw.   

[67440chrg]

I have been looking lately because they are offering 0 percent financing. I have a old truck for hauling and pulling a trailer. I am going to retire in a couple years and want something to pull my boat anywhere I want and take on trips. I have been looking at a 21, 1500, 5.7, 4x4  crew cab Longhorn for around $45,000 if not for the no interest I wouldnt be looking.

[darbgnik]

Guys that I have worked with in construction like the quad cab for storing extra tools or extra passengers. I rarely car pool so the regular cab and bed cover work fine for me. A $30,000 new truck is very tempting but the  4 door thing kills it. Also, I don't like the center screen being a "command center" for everything. Yeah, they are usually reliable but the one in the Wife's Challenger did crap out when the car was 2 years old. The radio made sound but the display was blank. This left no access to the heater or A/C, the settings for electric power steering, compass and a few other things. Oddly, the backup camera still worked.
The new Rams use that dang shift knob instead of a lever. I am not a fan of that either.

Thing is, the knob is connected to an excellent 8 speed, the lever is connected to a decent 5 speed, or later, a terrible 6 speed.

But ya, most would prefer a lever for the 8 speed.....

[Kern Dog]

I heard a Volvo ad on Pandora radio yesterday.
The announcer was first speaking of how the public scoffed at 3 point seat belts when they were first put in cars but then learned to accept them. The announcer used this as a basis to justify Volvo's recent decision to voluntarily roll back the top speed that their cars can reach. They seem to think that customers need nanny-tech to make their decisions for them.
I do not like that way of thinking.
I can afford a Hellcat. I choose NOT to buy one. If others want one, I support their decision to make the purchase.
I don't like it when freedoms are infringed upon.
The 8 speed transmission is great in our Challenger R/T. Well, most of the time it is. Sometimes, it reacts really slow.....Like when you're tooling along easy and then jab the throttle. The programming must operate in some slumber mode that takes a moment to shrug off. I've slowed to make a U-Turn and stabbed it, only to have the car lag, and lag....WTF ??

[armor64]

I heard a Volvo ad on Pandora radio yesterday.
The announcer was first speaking of how the public scoffed at 3 point seat belts when they were first put in cars but then learned to accept them. The announcer used this as a basis to justify Volvo's recent decision to voluntarily roll back the top speed that their cars can reach. They seem to think that customers need nanny-tech to make their decisions for them.
I do not like that way of thinking.
I can afford a Hellcat. I choose NOT to buy one. If others want one, I support their decision to make the purchase.
I don't like it when freedoms are infringed upon.
The 8 speed transmission is great in our Challenger R/T. Well, most of the time it is. Sometimes, it reacts really slow.....Like when you're tooling along easy and then jab the throttle. The programming must operate in some slumber mode that takes a moment to shrug off. I've slowed to make a U-Turn and stabbed it, only to have the car lag, and lag....WTF ??

completely off topic on this one but my friends challenger did that same thing, and it turned out to be the throttle pedal/ TPS switch. for him it was apparently a combo of Canadian Salt and mud from construction sites effecting the sensor. he swapped it out for one at a junkyard to test and was snappy again.

[70 sublime]

Truck prices

I ended up ordering a new 2021 Classic Ram to get the colour and options I wanted
I placed the order on Jan 20 2021
They said 8 to 10 weeks to get my truck when I placed the order

Yesterday was week 9 so I thought I would touch base with the sales man

Just got off the phone with him this morning
Told me my truck now has a VIN but at this point it will be another 4 to 6 weeks 

So order it in January and might be here in May
Not very happy at all
I did ask about canceling my order but he kind of side stepped that question
At this point I think my 2018 Ram is going to have a lot more miles on it before that get there hands on it than they were originally thinking

[GreenMachine]

Truck prices

I ended up ordering a new 2021 Classic Ram to get the colour and options I wanted
I placed the order on Jan 20 2021
They said 8 to 10 weeks to get my truck when I placed the order

Yesterday was week 9 so I thought I would touch base with the sales man

Just got off the phone with him this morning
Told me my truck now has a VIN but at this point it will be another 4 to 6 weeks  

So order it in January and might be here in May
Not very happy at all
I did ask about canceling my order but he kind of side stepped that question
At this point I think my 2018 Ram is going to have a lot more miles on it before that get there hands on it than they were originally thinking

This was posted yesterday on hdrams.com:


https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/2021-ram-hd-builds-and-orders-post-and-discuss-your-order-here.2622/page-160


"Ordered a 21 Bighorn 2,22,2021 in BC Canada got a Vin 3,24,2021 ETA before xmas I hope. Dealer said over 3500 2021 3500,s ordered in Canada in the last 3 months, so the Mexicans are pretty busy Im sure . BSM was not available when I ordered."


Seems like the Rams are getting a lot more popular

[gsmopar]

Not that expensive when you factor in the resale.  I drove my 06 for 120k+ miles.  Sold it last year for more than 1/2 of what I paid new (better than the 1 Honda I've owned).  Picked up this guy last April.  0% financing on the previous model year.  I did the same thing when I bought the 06. 

IMG_5191 by Greg Ault, on Flickr

[ACUDANUT]

I paid 30K for a used 2012 F-150 4x4. a NEW ONE COST 65K plus.

[Old Moparz]

Truck prices

So order it in January and might be here in May
Not very happy at all
I did ask about canceling my order

Seems like the Rams are getting a lot more popular

There is a shortage of parts, all manufacturers are effected so canceling your order isn't a good idea.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/03/22/chip-shortage-has-detroit-automakers-struggling-to-maintain-truck-production-and-meet-orders.html