New 2023 Dodge RAM Laramie 1500 2WD Truck

AUTONATION Dealership: (3 in Houston, TX) - Can buy off of all 3 lots.

MSRP = $62,795
Paid = $48,000 + TTL
No Dealer Add On's = $0.00

Traded:
2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country - 106,700 miles
CarMax = $20,000
They gave me = $18,000

On Tuesday:
I started with 18 trucks from 18 different RAM dealers in Texas = Houston, San Antonio & Austin
By Thursday had it down to 3 - On Friday morning had it down to 2 - Bought Friday afternoon.

Very Easy - Have your new truck price & trade price done before you walk into the dealer.
They will email you all the price, discounts, rebates & trade before going in.

RAM's really do ride so much smoother than the Chevy Silverado's
The Laramie interior (all leather) (12in screen) is much better than the Silverado LTZ level.

$14k off sticker! Nice job!

Obligatory "Rule Juan" statement.

I just took my 2020 Ram Limited in today because of excessive warping on some of the plastic trim pieces. It's about the 5th time I've had it in for warranty issues in 33K miles. Only this time they told me that it wouldn't be covered under my "bumper to bumper" warranty because it's parked in the sun and the warping was caused by heat. Funny my 2011 Tundra and 2015 Super Duty never had that issue parked in the same place.

Congrats on buying a great looking POS. The bells and whistles got me too

FIDO*98* said:

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I just took my 2020 Ram Limited in today because of excessive warping on some of the plastic trim pieces. It's about the 5th time I've had it in for warranty issues in 33K miles. Only this time they told me that it wouldn't be covered under my "bumper to bumper" warranty because it's parked in the sun and the warping was caused by heat. Funny my 2011 Tundra and 2015 Super Duty never had that issue parked in the same place.

Congrats on buying a great looking POS. The bells and whistles got me too

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That sucks, sorry man. Ram box warping? I read about that issue and now I see it on every Ram on the road with the Ram box in the bed. Talk about an epic fail by them

SouthCollegeStation said:

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Traded:
2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country - 106,700 miles
CarMax = $20,000
They gave me = $18,000

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Why didn't you just sell to CarMax then? Even figuring the tax savings CarMax was the better deal there.

you might be the first ever post pleased with Autonation

Nice pink license plate frame, Nancy.

You saved $1,125 on sales tax by trading it in

You lost $2,000 not letting CarMax buy it.

aggiedata said:

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You saved $1,125 on sales tax by trading it in

You lost $2,000 not letting CarMax buy it.

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Possibly...we don't know if he gets the same deal by not having a trade in with the purchase. But on paper, you're correct.

seeing similar deals advertised in KC

https://www.reedjeep.com/new-vehicles/ram-1500/

[url=https://www.reedjeep.com/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-big-horn-4x4-crew-cab-5-7-box-4wd-crew-cab-1c6rrffg1pn702188/][/url]New 2023RAM 1500 Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab 5 7 Box
[url=https://www.reedjeep.com/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-big-horn-4x4-crew-cab-5-7-box-4wd-crew-cab-1c6rrffg1pn702188/][/url]Stock: R23334
VIN: 1C6RRFFG1PN702188
Details
MSRP $57,750
Dealer Discount $7,000
Bonus Cash $1,000
National Retail Consumer Cash $4,000
Regional Chrysler Capital Bonus Cash $1,000
Final Price $44,750
Conditional Offers

Retail Loyalty Bonus Cash $1,000

Well that's what Autonation would say.

Aggiedata would say to give me more for my trade in or it's going to CarMax.

FIDO that stinks, my 2020 bighorn has been great through 47K miles. Ride quality is head and shoulders above every other truck I've had. Also pulled quite a few different trailers with no issue.

I've bought from an Autonation dealership before...and had a good experience.

Also, my 2022 Silverado is super smooth. So was my 2020. One of the reasons I keep buying them.

I bought my 2020 Ram 1500 from AutoNation Katy and had a satisfactory experience.

I'd wager to say the only people that have a "good" experience are those that do their homework and don't get screwed around.

Did you do it 100% over email? And if so, did you automatically drop the ones trying to get your phone number and call you?

YES - I did it 100% over email and the phone. This Method works for Trucks.

1. Know exactly what you want - Trim level, options & color - Then find 10 to 15 exact trucks
2. Set your goal for what you want to pay. My goal was a minimum of a $12,000 discount
(after researching common discount levels throughout the state - You will know the facts)

2. Start with the pricing listed by your selected trucks on their websites (A fact)
I researched and knew that their were some discounts in the $12K to $16K dollar range
Only look to buy a truck in a Major city where the competition is very high.
Yes - you may have to drive to a major city to buy your deeper discounted truck

3. Do not go into any dealer to talk - You will loose all of your leverage.
Also for Ford, Chevy or Dodge Trucks - If the discount is only $5K to $8K
Then don't bother with this dealer - They are not going much lower.

4. Start calling the dealer to have them send you a price quote.
They should send you the MSRP - Discounts - Rebates - Add On's - Final price - TTL
Be very aware of any add on's - This is where they will screw you
I don't purchase add on's. It is a marked up ripe off. If they wont tell you then RUN.

5. If you are willing to do you research, then travel to a big city. This method will work.
But you must know what is a good deal and when to walk away from a bad deal.
Trust No One until you have their price quote with all of the information.

Why no rule 1? Is it already on fire? It's already on fire isn't it?

Why even call it a truck if its 2WD....just sayin

crowman2010 said:

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Why even call it a truck if its 2WD....just sayin

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Eh, I've had 5 trucks in my lifetime. The current one is the first 4WD I've had. The only time I turn on the auto 4WD is when I'm driving in wet weather. Haven't noticed any difference.

The Kraken said:

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crowman2010 said:

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Why even call it a truck if its 2WD....just sayin

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Eh, I've had 5 trucks in my lifetime. The current one is the first 4WD I've had. The only time I turn on the auto 4WD is when I'm driving in wet weather. Haven't noticed any difference.

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You will when you sell it.

I've had 7 trucks, none 4wd and even in mud if your not an idiot you can turn off traction control and get by

aggiedata said:

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The Kraken said:

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crowman2010 said:

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Why even call it a truck if its 2WD....just sayin

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Eh, I've had 5 trucks in my lifetime. The current one is the first 4WD I've had. The only time I turn on the auto 4WD is when I'm driving in wet weather. Haven't noticed any difference.

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You will when you sell it.

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Nobody cares about selling.

big ben said:

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I've had 7 trucks, none 4wd and even in mud if your not an idiot you can turn off traction control and get by

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I wonder what % of 4 wheel drive pickups sold never get off of hard pavement? 98% ......99% ?

Yesterday said:

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aggiedata said:

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You saved $1,125 on sales tax by trading it in

You lost $2,000 not letting CarMax buy it.

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Possibly...we don't know if he gets the same deal by not having a trade in with the purchase. But on paper, you're correct.

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This.

Almost certain he didn't get $14k off MSRP.

He got $12k off MSRP because they took the additional money off the trade in.

I suspect this is to the dealer's financial advantage because they book a lower profit on the new truck sale, and they find ways of washing the margin on the trade-in.

But someone in the business might have actual insight.

Rattler12 said:

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big ben said:

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I've had 7 trucks, none 4wd and even in mud if your not an idiot you can turn off traction control and get by

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I wonder what % of 4 wheel drive pickups sold never get off of hard pavement? 98% ......99% ?

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I bet it is more than than.

And it snows in a lot of places.

I suspect that 4WD is the lowest depreciating option on a new truck -- you probably get 90% (or more) back on the initial investment when you sell it. Maybe over 100% on older trucks.

Avoid getting stuck on a lease or off road once in the life of your truck and the investment almost pays for itself.

Trinity Ag said:

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Rattler12 said:

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big ben said:

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I've had 7 trucks, none 4wd and even in mud if your not an idiot you can turn off traction control and get by

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I wonder what % of 4 wheel drive pickups sold never get off of hard pavement? 98% ......99% ?

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I bet it is more than than.

And it snows in a lot of places.

I suspect that 4WD is the lowest depreciating option on a new truck -- you probably get 90% (or more) back on the initial investment when you sell it. Maybe over 100% on older trucks.

Avoid getting stuck on a lease or off road once in the life of your truck and the investment almost pays for itself.

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That old......"rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" outlook

you overpaid

I've never owned a 4WD where I didn't need it occasionally.

Even if that is rare, the price of not having it sucks.

Compare it to the cost/benefit of a sunroof you pay $1500 for and never use that offers zero at resale, and will cost you money when it breaks the week you post your truck for sale (ask me how I know).

To answer your questions:

We have farms and ranches in Texas, but I was not interested in a 4WD:
Most have well built gravel roads.
My 2 sons own a new 4WD Jeep and a new Ranger for bad weather/hunting parked at our places.

Just looking for the best interior and best ride in a 2WD truck at the best price. (Value)
I found that in a new 2023 RAM 1500 2WD truck that was discounted $14,000+

It would have cost me $12K to $14K more in price to buy the same high level of interior
in a Chevy or Ford. Both of these brands are overpriced and not discounted aggressively.

The truck I purchased meets my needs and I am happy with my purchase.

SouthCollegeStation said:

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It would have cost me $12K to $14K more in price to buy the same high level of interior in a Chevy or Ford. Both of these brands are overpriced and not discounted aggressively.

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They are not overpriced, they are simply pricing their product where supply and DEMAND meet. If they were overpriced, they would not be selling any units, and they are selling plenty of units.

The reason Ram prices their product lower than the other two major manufacturers is simply because the demand for Rams is lower.

I'm glad that you are happy with your purchase and I hope it is a good vehicle for you.