History made - RAM #2 in US sales in March...

[odcics2]

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2014/04/news-flash-ram-outsells-silverado     

[68X426]

I did my part.  I bought a 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi last week. 

I was looking for used, but the price reduction was killer, so grabbed a 2014.

[68X426]

It's awesome by the way.  Amazing advancements and quality.  And the Hemi screams power.  Plus the first tank of gas got 22 mpg, and it's only rated at 21 mpg.

So obviously America has figured out the Ram and the great prices.

The third Hemi in my stable, I'll take a group picture when the weather clears.

[twodko]

Alright Dan!!!!!! The 2014's are the bomb for sure. I am very happy with my 2009 Ram hemi.

Like they say, "Yeah, it's got a hemi!" Hard to keep my foot out of it.

So at Fire Base 68X426, the motor pool features: the 1968 Hemi Road Runner, the 2012 Hemi Challenger and now the 2014 Hemi Ram truck.

Absolute Hemi power corrupts absolutely.

In hate you.

[twodko]

Aw jeez I was so blinded by envy I forgot to ask about the particulars.

Standard, quad or crew cab? SLT, Laramie or The Big Horny? 2wd, 4wd? Color?

Console shift, Ram Box, inflatable female companion, 12v auto-fondle?

[Steve P.]

I'm still itching to see how the new 1500 with Diesel is gonna do. 

[68X426]

I'm still itching to see how the new 1500 with Diesel is gonna do. 

I was thinking the same in February and March.  I was itching too.

But I couldn't wait and the V6 diesel will be something between $3k and $8k more than the Hemi, which is $1150 more than the gas V6.  One dealer said he won't see any diesels until mid-summer, and maybe not until 2015 because the VR factory is overwhelmed with orders.

[Steve P.]

Since I rarely tow anymore I figured I'd look for a comfortable truck that got better mileage than my present guzzler. I have waited this long, I suppose I can wait a little longer.. I just still have not seen one anywhere or heard of anyone with one!!

I am still shocked they didn't use the cummins 4 cylinder diesel!!   

[68X426]

Absolute Hemi power corrupts absolutely.

Funny stuff. 

It's a 4x4 (we get snow and ice), 5.7L V.V.T. Hemi, 8-speed automatic (TorqueFlite 8HP70), Quad cab, 6.5 bed, Big Horn, no shifter (no column and no floor, just a knob on the dash, like the old push button days), full towing package, and it is Deep Cherry Pearl.

No Ram Boxes.  If you have those you can't use racks or a camper shell.

The mileage is rated at 15-21, and the first tank was 22mpg.  The transmission is revolutionary and raises the highway rating from 18 to 21.  Payload max is 1700# and towing max is 9000#.

Best part is that it was $19000 off the $52000 price.  I was looking at used for $28k, and a stripped SLT Express (2014) for $31k, how could I not buy a new Big Horn for $33k.  That's why Dodge outsold Chevy in March, steep discounts on great trucks.

No doll was included, but the counter girl gave me a hat.  I offered her a personal test ride, but the wife was right there, so that sort of fizzled out fast. 

[Steve P.]

WOW!!!  $33K .... What a deal!!!! And 4x4 to boot!!! I wonder how I can do on that truck down here in 2wd?

[Steve P.]

Was that $33K with a trade in or a ton of cash down??

[bakerhillpins]

Um...     We are looking to pick up a new 2014 RAM as well but were going to wait until the end of the calendar year for a variety of reasons. Almost the same specs as the one you got.  That price really makes it hard to not go into the showroom now. Was that on the lot or did you order?

[68X426]

It was on the lot.  We were not considering ordering, but I also think the deep discounts are only on in-stock trucks (I didn't spend much time on order details, so can't be sure).

No trade in.  None required.  We sold a Nissan XTerra privately.  I was prepared for all cash (we save our nickels).  Then they offered 80% financing at 1.9% at the nearly same price.  I had to consider that because the "nearly" same price was now lower, now including another rebate, making the interest rate effectively 1.2%.  So I financed.

Please don't hate me.

I have every reason to think that the same pricing is nationwide.  The Big Horn package was a $3250 factory discount, the Chrysler rebates and incentives were combined for $10000, the dealer discounted $6000, and the finance rebate was $500.  I bought in Davis, California, but as I shopped I saw almost the same deals in Reno, San Jose, Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield.  The internet is our friend and I shopped the whole western USA, including the big dealers in Utah, Idaho, and Texas.  Almost flew to Texas to buy one.

And right in my backyard was the perfect truck.  I drove away very fast in case they changed their minds about giving it away.

Yes, luck was on my side.  Remember luck is where preparedness and opportunity intersect.

Will the same deals be available in April?  Don't know, but if you are prepared then check all the dealers' stock.  After all Chrysler still needs cash flow after the long winter, and if they want to sell their Rams at no profit, I won't stop them.

I just did a quick look on line at two dealers and see lots of rebates and discounts, and it's April 2.  So the deals are out there.

[twodko]

Niiiice Dan! Congrats. I'm eager to see, pix the color sounds gorgeous. I thought it would
be 4wd given your locale. I forgot about those cool dash dial shifters.

$33k was a steal! Good on ya.

[bakerhillpins]

Thanks for the info Dan. 

Are you looking at the Dealer websites for the listings and rebates published?? I have been looking here in New England for the past month and most dealer sites didn't show ANY discount info. IIRC only one showed any discount info at all and it was just the dealer discount, no Factory ones.  Ill have to spend more time on this after I dig out from under my current work load this week.... 

[68X426]

Yes, dealer sites.  Tried to use the Chrysler main site, but it was only good for an initial sort of the dealers and links to their sites, not the cars.  I did find maybe one-third of the dealer sites listed only full MSRP.  I just moved on to the sites of the "aggressive" sellers.

Only items missing were side steps and bedliner.  Aftermarket items already on order.

Big adjustment right now is all the computers and u-connect stuff.

Pictures after the rains:

[DadsCharger00]

I recently bought that exact same truck (mine was a 2013 though....new, but not a 14) I love it. You'll love it! Great truck! Mine has the two tone brown interior. How about this one?

The uconnect stuff is actually pretty great. Once you get it all figured out. Sync with the phone is quick and painless. sound quality is fantastic.

GREAT RIDE! Enjoy it!

[twodko]

Great looking truck Dan! I just installed a set of Westin straight 5" oval step bars on mine.
Even the 2wd are a bit tall to climb into especially with back problems. These are the polished ones with
rubber step pads, look elegant and they don't stick out. Super easy socket wrench install, no drilling because the brackets use factory openings. Took me an hour......even with my back.

I don't care for the oval or round nerf bars that have the 90* bends on each end.

[Steve P.]

This has me convinced to go and the wife, (who HATES WITH A PASSION to look at cars),about half convinced to go to the dealer. 

[Steve P.]

Just called the local dealer. They cannot believe the deal. Sounded like they CAN, but want all the coin they can get. He was trying to give me around 34K on a truck with 42K msrp. I told him I was sure there must be a big difference in bells and whistles. He says: Oh we can work that out!!

On to the next dealer.. lol...

[twodko]

Steve, have you considered buying through a car broker?

[Steve P.]

I figure that the car brokers have to make their money, so I will do it myself. I did pretty damned well on the last 3 trucks I bought, so I will use this new knowledge from Dan and see if I can get the same or better..

So far I have had 3 dealers say it's impossible. I may just have to fly out to California and stay with Dan and go to his dealer.. lol.... 

[twodko]

Well sir, while I've never been to Dan's home I do know the area. IMO its God's country.

Was that $33k out the door or before T&L? I suspect the latter.

Nevertheless that's still a super bargain for a new Ram.

[Steve P.]

Well, it seems we are not comparing apples to apples. Everything I have seen with an MSRP of close to 52K is a LONG HORN.. They are loaded to the gills. The best anyone around here will do is around 8K off that figure before tax, tag and title. And of course the obligatory dealers fee. Too rich for my blood..

So I have a few dealers calling me now with offers on less of a truck than that, but still higher than what Dan found and bought.

I did, however, find out one dealer about 18 miles away, has a 2014 1500 with the new diesel on the road to them now!! So maybe we will start to see some on the dealers lots now. It didn't have a price, but did look pretty well set up. I am liking the 4 corner air bags. They say that they self lower on the high road to get better mileage. Also something closes off the air through the radiator at highway speeds. I'm not so sure I want that going on. I hope it has a failsafe in the open position!!

[twodko]

Damn if that isn't some large money.