My 2015 Tradesman totaled :( Looking at 2015 or 2016s. Thoughts?

[Screamer Dreamer]

You might want to shop around for new ones too. The local dealer here (and not even a Volume dealer) has 2018 QC Tradesman v6 4x4 with chrome+cloth, 3.55 axle for 28k.

Edit: As for equipment, RAM is obviously the best source: https://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/ram/index.html

For the truck in question: https://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=1C6RR7LG9FS713661

Thanks csuder99. I never even considered new, but I guess it'd be foolish to rule it out.

 

[Random_Walk]

Yeah the "not falling in love" part is hard, but so true. Like you said, there is always anther deal coming along. I guess patience is the key if you don't need a vehicle in a set time frame.

Especially this.

To give you an idea, I started looking at trucks in general back in February or so, got serious in March, chose Ram in April(?), and researched deals heavily from there. I finally pulled the trigger on the 16th of June.

Now I did have a small advantage because of my employer (auto dealership software industry), but to be honest, all of the critical facts and research can be done with cargurus (and similar), with Bing or Google to find anything else out (dealer reviews, specs, etc.)

The point is, this is going to take time, and it should take time. We're talking a shedload of money here, so take the time and do it right.

 

[Random_Walk]

PS: but for what you need, not overbuy just because you can. With my income and FICO, I could have easily bought a 2018 Laramie 4x4 Crew with an Ecodiesel, but I didn't, because I didn't want the debt. So I set my terms first ($26k max on a 4 year note), then shopped to that.

 

[Hootbro]

You do have to remember that prices depend a lot on where you live. Out here in Western Oregon, trucks are fairly common, Oregon has no sales tax, but a vehicle generally costs more out here because of shipping. This is a different dynamic than where you live. http://kbb.com can give you a better feel for what trucks go for in your area, but if you get pre-approved from your bank or credit union, you have a much better tool to negotiate with.

AFAIK, shipping/transportation is the same fixed price in the lower 48 whether you are 1 mile from the factory or 3K miles.

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

My appreciation to everyone here. My main problem is that I will be without a vehicle after 9/6 when my insurance rental reimbursement runs out (my insurance company and the shop that had my previous Ram just determined it was totaled last week - luckily all the other driver's fault, after being in the shop for 2 weeks) so I really need to find something by 9/6 or so if I can. I can stretch it a bit using my wife's car but she's not too keen on me driving it (let's just say she's over-protective of her's) so I'd really like to find one next week. Now I certainly would not let any salesman know that, so for the time being, I am feverishly researching all option online within my budget, as well as financing to try and work the best deal I can on something that really works for me. The help I have received from so many great, helpful people here has been a real plus and I thank you all. I'll continue to keep everyone informed (and leaning on you all as needed). Many thanks!

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

BTW, earlier discussions on rear axle ratios made me do some investigation to find out more (I am really ignorant to this aspect of trucks). I found this excellent article that really helps clear things up for me. Thought I'd share:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-to-choose-the-right-axle-ratio-for-your-pickup-truck.html
And then I found this Ram web page that lists the ratio choices for each model. VERY helpful (IMHO):
https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

 

[csuder99]

... My main problem is that I will be without a vehicle after 9/6 when my insurance rental reimbursement runs out (...) so I really need to find something by 9/6 or so if I can.

Check with the rental car company if they are willing to renew your rental with the same discount rates the insurance co pays (or maybe a smaller vehicle). It may only be $20-$30 a day and you can make up for it if you find the right deal on a new truck.

 

[huntergreen]

There s a lease special going on right now in my area. 2500 down and 169.00 per month. Find out the buy out price at lease end. You have to check out the all the details and see if it works for you. If it works, at lease end you are essentially buying a used truck that you know the history of since you maintained it.

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

There s a lease special going on right now in my area. 2500 down and 169.00 per month. Find out the buy out price at lease end. You have to check out the all the details and see if it works for you. If it works, at lease end you are essentially buying a used truck that you know the history of since you maintained it.

Thanks Huntergreen. I found it, it is offered locally here in northern VA. Says it is for "well qualified current lessees of a competitive brand vehicle " (which I would not fall into) but I assume that can be worked around at the dealer. I'l look into it and if the math makes sense over the long run, I'll visit a dealer. It expires tomorrow, so I have work to do!

 

[huntergreen]

Thanks Huntergreen. I found it, it is offered locally here in northern VA. Says it is for "well qualified current lessees of a competitive brand vehicle " (which I would not fall into) but I assume that can be worked around at the dealer. I'l look into it and if the math makes sense over the long run, I'll visit a dealer. It expires tomorrow, so I have work to do!

.

. If it works for you, you buy the the truck at end of lease. Kind of nice buying a used car that you took care of.

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

Check with the rental car company if they are willing to renew your rental with the same discount rates the insurance co pays (or maybe a smaller vehicle). It may only be $20-$30 a day and you can make up for it if you find the right deal on a new truck.

Yeah I've considered this too csuder99. Not really wanting to go that route but it would essentially replace my car payment if I did so it is definite option. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[skyline090]

So you didn't get your truck yet? I shopped for nearly 1 month before getting my '15 express crew cab 4x4. Paid $25.5 with 34k mi. I originally had planned to go with a older used 2wd quad cab, but after learning how much money I would be saving on insurance (had a '16 charger r/t) I made the idiot choice of spending a little more per month on a car loan. The only compromise I made was not getting the lsd. They don't come up often in the market around here. I did swap the RA2 for the 8.4 screen. I couldn't live without it.

 

[atom13]

.

. If it works for you, you buy the the truck at end of lease. Kind of nice buying a used car that you took care of.

Rarely do you get a good discount on lease buyout. You are paying depreciation the entirety of the lease. Then you buy it and eat the depreciation in total until you resell.

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

Rarely do you get a good discount on lease buyout. You are paying depreciation the entirety of the lease. Then you buy it and eat the depreciation in total until you resell.

Yeah Atom I've never been a lease person because they cost you more over the entire life of the transaction in reality (buying is always cheaper). Short term payment savings sure, and a way to get a brand new truck (I couldn't otherwise afford, or could only if I raided my IRA which I don't want to do). So after crunching the numbers, as attractive a a 2019 1500 would be, I think I'm not going that route. I'd be going out 7 years before it got paid for. After tons of searching, I really have not seen a better truck deal (for me) than the 2015 Outdoorsman I have reserved at Carmax (being shipped to me from Ohio). I'll be driving it this week. I will keep looking, but so far I haven't spied any others that beat it for me. We'll see.

 

[Screamer Dreamer]

So you didn't get your truck yet? I shopped for nearly 1 month before getting my '15 express crew cab 4x4. Paid $25.5 with 34k mi. I originally had planned to go with a older used 2wd quad cab, but after learning how much money I would be saving on insurance (had a '16 charger r/t) I made the idiot choice of spending a little more per month on a car loan. The only compromise I made was not getting the lsd. They don't come up often in the market around here. I did swap the RA2 for the 8.4 screen. I couldn't live without it.

Not yet. Shopping online every day, and have one being shipped to me at Carmax that'll come in next week (a 2015 Outdoorman crew cab (18K miles) with just about everything I want, (like the 8.4" screen you mentioned). In the meantime, I keep searching. Funny, I've always lusted after a Charger R/T. I used to have a 2001 Stratus R/T coupe that I LOVED and drove 'til it died in 2017 when I bought my now deceased truck. Yeah the truck was cheaper to insure as you say (vs a sports car), but I did toy with the idea if a Charger before I ended up going the truck route. I've just always wanted a truck, especially being a die-hard fisherman.

 

[huntergreen]

Rarely do you get a good discount on lease buyout. You are paying depreciation the entirety of the lease. Then you buy it and eat the depreciation in total until you resell.

Depends on the initial special. I have done it and the math worked out.