Are basic Ram 1500 classics really selling for ~$45K?

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PoMansRam

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Just curious on this one. When I say basic, I'm referring to a new 1500 classic Warlock, quad cab, 4x4, pentastar powered. They all seem to sticker for ~$45-48K, with dealers offering maybe $2500 off at best (per online adds). All I see in local dealer stock in terms of classics is warlocks.

I know prices have been bonkers since COVID, trade in values are at an all time high and we've all talked about it here for years now, but it's still crazy to me.

The reason I even somewhat looked into it is a co-worker of mine leased a basic warlock, V6, QC, 4x4 and if I understood him correctly, he said they had something like ~$12K off via rebates, etc. Best I can see online is maybe $2500 off total. I had it in my head if I could get a new warlock for in the mid-ish $30K range, I might jump. I love 4th gens that much I know they've got another year and that might be it.

I contacted two different local Ram dealers online to inquire. One said they'll only talk price in person "in the showroom" (LOL). The other I went so far as to message the dealer GM directly and never got a response! Crazy times I tell ya. They used to blow up your phone within minutes of inquiring online.

I know those days are gone, but in 2018, when I bought my used 2017 Ram 1500 express QC, 4x4, V6 w/ 12K miles on it, I paid under $24K for it.

In 2020, I paid $27K for my used 2019 Ram 1500 crew cab, hemi, 4x4 SLT w/ 15K miles on it. I may be hanging on to my 2019 classic for quite a while yet.
 

Jeepwalker

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Many saavy Ram buyers have, for years, reported (on this forum) getting quite a large discount off sticker. The dealers' willingness to 'deal' is one reason you see so many Rams on the road. And a lot of owners here basically claim that Chrysler was willing to 'deal' when Ford and GM weren't (or not as much). Of course not all buyers were getting steep discounts. But many were ...pre-pandemic. The more expensive the pickup, the more dealing room there is. And 4x4 adds a premium to the base price.

Pre-pandemic is the key word. I haven't heard too many reports lately what kind of deals buyers have been getting post pandemic after shortages kicked in. My guess is sales will tick up pretty soon if fuel keeps coming down (my dad saw $3.11/gal (reg 87) yesterday), and maybe better deals will start up again to draw sales away from Ford and GM. Just a WAG guess..... who knows?
 
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Perforator

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It’s not a Warlock, but last November I picked up a brand new, 2021 Classic with the V6, carpet, cloth seats, chrome package and alloy wheels for $28,028.
The sticker was around $35k, and they had 7 of these on hand. Was the Ram dealer across from Tinker AFB in OKC
 
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PoMansRam

PoMansRam

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But I haven't heard too many reports lately what kind of deals buyers are getting post pandemic after shortages kicked in. My guess is sales will tick up pretty soon if fuel keeps coming down (my dad saw $3.11/gal (reg 87) yesterday).

Same! I'm assuming people are getting a couple grand off sticker at best and just not talking about it because it's nothing to write home about.

Locally, dealers seem to have a ton of V6 powered Warlocks. 100's of them. All quad cab 4x4s.

I liked my pentastar powered 2017 enough that I wouldn't have a problem dropping back down to the V6 from my current hemi. Going back to a QC doesn't thrill me, but for the right deal I'd do it. Either way, I so love my 2019 that I don't mind hanging on to it. I'm a tank of gas away from 60K miles on her currently.

I think what's floored me the most is my dealers not giving a crap enough to get back to me. Business must be that good?
 

MADDOG

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Pricing seems crazy these days. I saw a 2020 3500 Laramie with the Level 1 option package & 25k miles. It is on a Phord lot nearby.

Asking price is $83,999 and they listed an "internet price" of $81,951

WTF?
 

csuder99

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Patience, grasshopper :) Things are starting to change, just see today's inflation news. I've been looking at Jeep Gladiators recently, and there are dealers around here that have 30 or even 70 new ones on their lot. Some of them since April and that costs. I've seen 6-7k off which we haven't seen in a long time.

Having said that, the same dealer has only 3 Classics at 2.5k off but even a Tradesman with 8 speed and Hemi lists for 47k nowadays.
 

turkeybird56

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DITTO The market bears what PPL are willing to pay. It always cracks me up to go by a Dealership and dang till recently see almost every brand there but the one the Dealership is about, LOL.
 

turkeybird56

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And at some dealers you will find this next to the window sticker on a new Ram truck.

View attachment 502257
Market Adjustment, I cannot say/type wat my answer would be to a piece of paper like that. That better say -10K and not add 10K, just a saying.
 
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PoMansRam

PoMansRam

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I hear you guys, but those big numbers are way more expensive (and in demand) than the truck in question.

I've read about these "market adjustment" add-ons over the past two years or so, but I'm pretty sure that's never been a thing for a base model, V6 powered 4th gen Ram 1500. A truck that up to about two years ago you could buy 1-2yr old used for about half of it's original sticker price.

Just for grins I contacted another local Ram dealer through their website in regards to a 2022 warlock QC, 4x4, V6, no options. I clicked the "get today's price" button just like I did the other two dealers and all you get is a canned email telling you thanks for looking and contact the dealership for an appointment. FWIW, these trucks had ~$47K stickers w/ $1500 off if that and I want to say $500 of that was a military discount.

There's gotta be larger discounts than that.
 

Docwagon1776

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There are several dealers doing some 5%-ish off invoice if you'll order. Koons and Gupton come to mind.

There are zero Warlocks in my area, just a handfull of Express and Tradesman trucks in a 150 mile radius.
 

star_deceiver

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Reminder that a Warlock is not a base model truck. Here anyways, the Warlock trim is the highest option package you can get on the classics.
DD1081EF-DAC6-4C44-A3FF-0A5A3A11AF0C.png
The base model, no options quad cab 3.6 tradesman starts at $46k up here…. Or about $35k US. I wish you luck in trying to find one.
 
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PoMansRam

PoMansRam

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Reminder that a Warlock is not a base model truck. Here anyways, the Warlock trim is the highest option package you can get on the classics.
The base model, no options quad cab 3.6 tradesman starts at $46k up here…. Or about $35k US. I wish you luck in trying to find one.

Yes, for sure on that. Thank you.

For what ever reason, all I can find locally for 4th gen 1500s are Warlocks (all QC, V6, 4x4s). I haven't priced a tradesman, but I'm pretty sure even one of those equipped with quad cab and 4x4 is in the low $40K USD range anyway.

Looking into it further, my largest chain dealer that lists a $1500 and $500 "bonus cash incentive" means you pay sticker, all your fees and taxes and then that $2000 comes off like a cash down payment afterwards.
 

KingJ2

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Yes, for sure on that. Thank you.

For what ever reason, all I can find locally for 4th gen 1500s are Warlocks (all QC, V6, 4x4s). I haven't priced a tradesman, but I'm pretty sure even one of those equipped with quad cab and 4x4 is in the low $40K USD range anyway.

Looking into it further, my largest chain dealer that lists a $1500 and $500 "bonus cash incentive" means you pay sticker, all your fees and taxes and then that $2000 comes off like a cash down payment afterwards.
The Big 3 used to play the market share game: produced as many trucks as they could and, at year's end, offer massive discounts (up to 10K sometimes) to get rid of the left-over inventory. The logic was that, let' you buy a RAM, well, it means you are not buying a GM or Ford equivalent. Of course, what was left over were usually the lesser popular trims.

Now, with the chip shortage issues, those days are over. The Big 3 have all announced that they will follow more of a Telsa model: built on demand rather than chase market share. Granted, they can't fully go Telsa since they have dealer allocation contracts to fulfill but beyond that, no more flooding the market to prevent a sale from the other guys to maximize profits.

This new arrangement is both beneficial for the dealers and manufacturers. Not so much for the customer.
 

stembridge

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I ordered my '21 Classic Tradesman 4x4 QC 3.6 from Mark Dodge in late June of '21, and took delivery seven weeks later. With the boxes checked for 4x4, skid plates, towing, 32 gal tank, black package and a few other options, it came to a sticker price of just over $40K.

Mark Dodge gave me a 10% discount, and with another 8% off in incentives when I took delivery, my total was a bit over $33K. I then put another $5K or so in mods to make it the way I wanted it. IIRC, the Warlock I specced at the same time stickered for a bit over $44K.

A '22 model with the same specs as what I ordered comes to $44K+. Did not B&P a Warlock, but the numbers being bandied about here sound like what I would expect.

es
 

Loudram

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I looked up classics around here and most if not all were Warlocks. Many with a V6 and some with a Hemi. The ones with the Hemis were anywhere between 46k and 52k. That's just the online price, I didn't call.

My lease is up in June but I'm buying my lease out. I'll owe less than 20k and finding a truck in this good of shape for under 30k is nearly impossible around here. Even if I think about selling it and buying a new one I love this truck so they'll really have to give me a GREAT deal or else I'll walk with no regrets.

And as for that market adjustment garbage, my price negotiations would start at the MSRP not at the market adjustment price. Again if they don't like it I'll walk. I'm in the driver's seat.
 
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