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

KingJ2 said:

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.

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I'm not so sure the dealers really like it that much. The dealers around here...all brands...are begging people to come in and "order' what they want...No deposit necessary. They (some dealers) have said that they don't really care if you show up for it when it comes in, because they can sell it off the lot. Seems like maybe the new allotments are based on how many orders you can generate.

Scottly said:

I'm not so sure the dealers really like it that much. The dealers around here...all brands...are begging people to come in and "order' what they want...No deposit necessary. They (some dealers) have said that they don't really care if you show up for it when it comes in, because they can sell it off the lot. Seems like maybe the new allotments are based on how many orders you can generate.

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I agree. It can't be good for them. When I go to search the personnel I like and have bought from before from the local big chain dealer I like, the only staff members that show up are maybe dealer general managers and the service manager. No sales staff shows up, no sales manager, etc. I generally like to start by getting the deal going with the sales manager and go from there. Per the website, the sales manager doesn't exist at my closest Ram store. LOL

Somebody from cyber space at my closest Ram store did text me finally today. Even though their website shows $2000 (bonus cash) off MSRP for all 2022 classics in stock (which again are only QC, 4x4, pentastar warlocks), they won't give me a ballpark quote.

I repeatedly asked him for a 'here's what we'll sell it for' quote after any incentives are applied. His answer was $45865 is the starting price and the price you'll pay. That's MSRP! LOL

"But you've got a lot riding on your trade!" Yeah no kidding and no thanks.

He then sent me the general Ram website where it shows up to $2750 off in incentives. Still not enough.

Around the Metro Portland area all car dealers want $4995+ dealer markup, back in Dec when I was looking told them no way I would pay ADM, they all said well we can sell in it at XYZ for that, my reply was then why is it still siting on your lot saw a lot of unhappy faces when I said that, when I had mine old one sold told them what I found in transit to ID 495 miles away, told them if you drop the ADM I will buy their truck today, needless to say I had to wait 9 more weeks till mine arrive from MX, but then I also saved a lot of $$$ as gas for wifes car was still under $4.00 gallon....

Yeah I bought a 2018 Sport fully loaded with 45k miles in Nov. Paid 45K. Had to put a lot down, but was ready for a truck. I’m not saying I got a good deal, but I got what I wanted.

I was thinking about going with newer Ram to replace by 13 qc outdoorsman 5.7(I paid $18k for with under 30k miles) around 5 years ago. Trucks been super reliable, no ticks etc. Figured since It has around 80k miles, would be good time to get new truck. Once I seen prices, nope.

about 6 months ago i ordered a new explorer (it was lost in a flood last month). it was actually cheaper to order one and you paid basically sticker price minus about 1500 bucks in rebates. the same car on the lot was more and used ones where as expensive as new when it came to them. i tried to buy a kia telluride at first and it was told id wait 8-12 months and looking at least 5-10k over msrp at every kia dealer with 200 miles of me lol. at the time i could have got a durango ordered similar pricing as the ford. it was the other car we where looking at. so basically new price is what the sticker is for one minus some rebates.

Local lot



Then you have the 3500's

I guess my take-away from all this is, my net outcome would still land pretty close to what it would be in the good'ol pre-rona days.

For example, I owe ~$9600 on my 2019. With today's inflated trade-in allowances I should be able to get ~$26K trade-in allowance w/out much difficulty. (I paid $27K for this truck 26 months ago w/ 15K miles on it) It's currently got 59600mi.

45000-26000 = 19000 + tax = 20663

20663 + my 9600 payoff = 30263

My thinking is, even back in the ~$10K off sticker days and much weaker trade-in allowances, the overall net would be similar.

If anyone is looking next spring I’ll likely sell my ‘21 Tradesman 2500. Hemi, upgraded interior, 5th wheel prep group, bed lighting, skid plate, sprayed in liner, 8.4 screen, tow mirrors, MOPAR step rails, MOPAR bed step, heavy duty mats, etc. Had about $9k in upgrades when I bought it new. I’m in Florida.

Almost forgot..4.10 rear end and will have about 30k miles next spring.

Your first assumption that the Warlock is "basic" is way off.
Haven't read all replies yet but when I bought my 2019 it stickered for $45k just before covid so yes then the dealer gave me 10% off plus about 15% more in rebates but now it's pretty much sticker or forget it

Skyjockey said:

Your first assumption that the Warlock is "basic" is way off.
Haven't read all replies yet but when I bought my 2019 it stickered for $45k just before covid so yes then the dealer gave me 10% off plus about 15% more in rebates but now it's pretty much sticker or forget it

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I'm an older guy and have never owned a fancy daily driver, so I hear you to a point.

The 2022 Warlocks I'm referring to with the ~$46000 sticker have the same one step up from base model interior, same 5" unconnect touch screen head unit, same base model dash cluster, HVAC controls, etc. It's all I need and would really want, but I think your average truck shopper would call this bare bones basic.

Sure it's got power windows and locks, but I've never seen a quad cab w/out those.

Got me curious. So I checked our local dealer. Just 8 2022 classic 1500s on the lot, all tradesman with V6, all between $38K and $46K.
Yikes.

PoMansRam said:

The 2022 Warlocks I'm referring to with the ~$46000 sticker have the same one step up from base model interior, same 5" unconnect touch screen head unit, same base model dash cluster, HVAC controls, etc.

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You’ll want to get one with the upgraded cloth bench or bucket seat option. Dog, cat, wife, horse, male pattern solar panel, ect. hair does not stick to those seats.

Hey Guys,

Here's my story on how crazy trade in and new prices are, but can be OK if you push hard enough and are willing to walk away.

Oct 2020, bought New Jeep Gladiator Overland, loaded. Sticker was 52K, paid 44.8K/0% with dealer discount and factory incentives. Traded it in with 22K March of 2022, on new Challenger GT, sticker 38,710 plus 5K dealer markup = $43,710. Refused to pay mark up. But did pay sticker, 38710/0% but got 48K for the Jeep as a trade (paid 44.8K 18 months earlier, crazy), pocketed the difference.

August 2022, traded in Challenger (impulse buy just wanted to get rid of the jeep) on 5th Gen Ram 4x4, Crew Cab, Sport, 5.7 e torque, with a lot of upgrades. What I really wanted in March and should have gotten then. Dealer had to do a search and had to bring it in from another dealer 100 miles away. Truck sticker 62.7K plus 5K dealer markup. Flat out told them I don't pay "market adjustment" at the beginning again, and if 67K was where we are starting, I'm heading out. Ultimately paid 58 with dealer discount and incentives and got 37600 for the Challenger. I lost 1.2K on the car, but I've never seen such high trade ins in my life. Used to be you'd lose 25-30% driving it off the lot.

The same dealer, our local CDJR Dealer has 39 RAMS on the lot, only a couple of 4x4. Offering anywhere from 4500-6500 off. https://www.pauldingchryslerdodgejeepram.net/searchnew.aspx?Year=2022&Make=RAM

Cheers.

I spoke with a sales person from another local Ram dealer today. They too won't budge off of sticker price. One interesting thing I did find out from them is they are offering 0% financing for 72 months for Ram classics.

I just find it nutty that my trade-in value is my original sticker price. And since I bought for about $16k below sticker, I am even more amazed. But then I see what it would cost to buy my truck today and it is no deal.

I also was reading that Ford wants to get their sales all direct to customer, virtually eliminating dealer stock. The CEO said the goal is non-negotiated price and direct to customer delivery in both sides of the house (Model E and Ford Blue). The GM CEO said this same thing over a year ago. We may be in a permanent new world where true discounts go away.

tron67j said:

I just find it nutty that my trade-in value is my original sticker price. And since I bought for about $16k below sticker, I am even more amazed. But then I see what it would cost to buy my truck today and it is no deal.

I also was reading that Ford wants to get their sales all direct to customer, virtually eliminating dealer stock. The CEO said the goal is non-negotiated price and direct to customer delivery in both sides of the house (Model E and Ford Blue). The GM CEO said this same thing over a year ago. We may be in a permanent new world where true discounts go away.

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Could be true. Shortage equals higher prices. However, if shortages end, competition will lower prices. Seems by me, market adjustment has already disappeared.

Badger 13 said:

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

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The dealer can stick that massive mark up where the sun doesn't shine! Absolutely ridiculous! Just my opinion though.

Best regards,

-Mike

PoMansRam said:

I spoke with a sales person from another local Ram dealer today. They too won't budge off of sticker price. One interesting thing I did find out from them is they are offering 0% financing for 72 months for Ram classics.

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If someone will pay it off over the full 72 months or nearly so, then thats a deal. They would have to resist the urge to pay it off early. Inflation matters.