Don't know if I'm making a mistake....
10-28-2006, 12:49 AM
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Don't know if I'm making a mistake....
Well, I've had my truck now for 2 1/2 years of trouble free life. Its been a really good truck, but I've really started thinking about trading it in for a new one. First, its a manual (good ol NV5600) and unfortunately my wife can't drive a stick. This has caused a problem a couple of times. Second, I really like the cab space on the Mega Cab. So my reasons for wanting a new truck, is to get the auto, so my wife can drive, and increased cab space in the back. I don't want one of the new 2007 trucks with the new emissions, so I have my mind set on a 2006. I realize that my time is running out on the 2006 models, so I need to make up my mind fast.
I suspect that that I will get to the dealer and they will not give me much on my truck. That's a deal killer for me. If they won't give me what I owe on it, then there will be no deal, and I will simply keep it. However, if they do want to work with me then I might be driving a new truck soon.....
Is this totally crazy? I really like my truck, but recognize than living in the city, in rush hour traffic, having a stick may not have been the best choice for me. I hate that when I'm out of town my wife can't drive my truck as well. Just want to get the experiences of other people who were in similar situations and see if they regretted keeping their truck and not getting a new one, or bought a new one and regretting trading their truck in.
I suspect that that I will get to the dealer and they will not give me much on my truck. That's a deal killer for me. If they won't give me what I owe on it, then there will be no deal, and I will simply keep it. However, if they do want to work with me then I might be driving a new truck soon.....
Is this totally crazy? I really like my truck, but recognize than living in the city, in rush hour traffic, having a stick may not have been the best choice for me. I hate that when I'm out of town my wife can't drive my truck as well. Just want to get the experiences of other people who were in similar situations and see if they regretted keeping their truck and not getting a new one, or bought a new one and regretting trading their truck in.
10-28-2006, 01:03 AM
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I say go for it! Besides it will make the wife happier! You are always going to be in debt on a vehicle and they will never give you what you want but if you can get out of one and into another and still be in the same boat why not and get an up-graded vehicle!! I love the new mega's especially the dually thanks to D wiggs but I am hesitant about the new 07 motors and the emissions b.s. My truck gets worked the he!! out of so I will probably keep it till I push it off a cliff and when they get this emmissions crap worked out I will be driving a mega-cab shortbox or dually!
10-28-2006, 06:03 AM
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According to what I have been reading on various forums and you experts please let us know if this is not correct- the new 6.7L CTD will be available as a 2007 model in cab/chassis form only. The 6.7L engine will be available in 2500/3500 pickups as a 2007.5 model. This is probably being done to allow 6.7 production to "ramp up" as we get into the new year.
So, IF THIS IS ACCURATE, you should be able to buy an '07 with the 5.9L CTD without the new emissions? I hope that I got that right.
Good luck,
John
Last edited by JCStrasser; 10-28-2006 at 06:14 AM. Reason: typing error
10-28-2006, 09:12 AM
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I really liked my 03 truck but traded it on an 06 this fall. I too went from a manual which I liked to an auto for many of the reasons you are looking at. I don't regret the auto so far ...its a pleasure to drive and I've towed right up to 22000 lbs GCVR with it. I changed to get a truck with a heavier GVWR. I didn't care for the interior design on the 06 at first but it has grown on me. Good luck.
10-28-2006, 09:21 AM
#5
teach your wife to drive stick and buy a 6 speed mega 
just buy the truck that fit's your needs, and if you can get out of your old truck without going upside down on it then get the new one.
if you have kids take them in for a test drive in a mega, but be careful because you will probably end up buying it!
good luck
53
just buy the truck that fit's your needs, and if you can get out of your old truck without going upside down on it then get the new one.
if you have kids take them in for a test drive in a mega, but be careful because you will probably end up buying it!
good luck
53
10-28-2006, 07:35 PM
#7
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i posted this before.
$3500 rebate on 06
$1000 if on lot before march (red dot on screen during dealer locate)
$1000 from chrysler finance (i can't verify that- salesman said..?)
http://www.dodge.com/ram_2500_3500/index.html
i went from 4x4 to 4x2, and i lost my power seat,
and my steering wheel controls.
i miss the steering wheel controls most.
used 4x4 twice in 2 years, and get better MPG without it.
with 69k, they gave me GOOD money for it.
they are EAGER to get the 06 off the lot
$3500 rebate on 06
$1000 if on lot before march (red dot on screen during dealer locate)
$1000 from chrysler finance (i can't verify that- salesman said..?)
http://www.dodge.com/ram_2500_3500/index.html
i went from 4x4 to 4x2, and i lost my power seat,
and my steering wheel controls.
i miss the steering wheel controls most.
used 4x4 twice in 2 years, and get better MPG without it.
with 69k, they gave me GOOD money for it.
they are EAGER to get the 06 off the lot
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10-28-2006, 09:38 PM
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6-Speed Mega Dually!!!
You could teach your wife to drive that truck in 20 minutes. There is no vehicle easier to learn a manual on than a Dodge Diesel! All you have to do is ease out the clutch in 2nd gear with no accelerator use and shifting is simple. Go for it!
You could teach your wife to drive that truck in 20 minutes. There is no vehicle easier to learn a manual on than a Dodge Diesel! All you have to do is ease out the clutch in 2nd gear with no accelerator use and shifting is simple. Go for it!
10-28-2006, 09:52 PM
#10
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Just get the 06-07 Mega with the auto. You will love it she will like it and it will last longer than you will want it!
I love my Mega, true the auto isn't the best but it can be and faster than a manual, plus it is WAY nicer to drive in town with.
I love my Mega, true the auto isn't the best but it can be and faster than a manual, plus it is WAY nicer to drive in town with.
10-29-2006, 01:42 AM
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Well guys, thank you for you input on this. As said, I visited the dealership today, and well, its time to change my login name 
I stayed up till 3:00am last night crunching numbers, looking at options, analyzing rebates, etc and just getting overall prepared. I knew exactly what I wanted. So, long story short I am the new owner of an SLT Inferno Red 3500 4x4 Mega Cab. MSRP on my truck was $46K and some change. Negotiated price down to $36500. Then I had a choice to make. They offered $4000 in rebate on top of the negotiated $36500 price, or 0% financing for 60 months. That meant I could have bought the truck for $32500 + TTL or $36500 + TTL with 0% financing. When I calculated it out, if I took the $4000 rebate and financed a final price of $32500, I would have had to gotten around a 4.75% - 5% interest rate to come out the same as paying $36500 with 0%. I didn't think my chances were good getting less than 5% interest rate, so I took the safe route and opted to pay $36500 with 0% interest. I'm confident this would have been cheapr than taking $32500 and financing at whatever rate.
After my first day with the truck, I can now see why some people are fanatical about manual transmissions. This truck just doesn't feel as strong as my last truck. It feels sluggish. Its hard to explain. I just felt like my last truck was putting more power to the wheels than my new truck. I'm sure I'll get over it, but now I see why people appreciate manual transmission trucks. This new tranny will take some getting used to. I must have reached for the shifter a hundred times today out of habit.
First impressions are good. I LOVE the extra space. Its so much bigger than my Quad Cab. I'm having to get used to the longer wheel base a bit, but its not as bad as what I thought it would be. I was mildly surprised at my RPM on the highway. In my last truck, with the BFG 315/70/17's I was turning about 1900-2000 RPM at 70. With the 265/70/17's that came with it originally, I seem to recal that it would turn close to 2100 at 70. In my new truck, I was turning around 1850'sh at 70 with the 265/70/17's. I wonder with larger tires, how much the RPM will drop. I guess I was expecting higher RPM's that what it was turning.
I stayed up till 3:00am last night crunching numbers, looking at options, analyzing rebates, etc and just getting overall prepared. I knew exactly what I wanted. So, long story short I am the new owner of an SLT Inferno Red 3500 4x4 Mega Cab. MSRP on my truck was $46K and some change. Negotiated price down to $36500. Then I had a choice to make. They offered $4000 in rebate on top of the negotiated $36500 price, or 0% financing for 60 months. That meant I could have bought the truck for $32500 + TTL or $36500 + TTL with 0% financing. When I calculated it out, if I took the $4000 rebate and financed a final price of $32500, I would have had to gotten around a 4.75% - 5% interest rate to come out the same as paying $36500 with 0%. I didn't think my chances were good getting less than 5% interest rate, so I took the safe route and opted to pay $36500 with 0% interest. I'm confident this would have been cheapr than taking $32500 and financing at whatever rate.
After my first day with the truck, I can now see why some people are fanatical about manual transmissions. This truck just doesn't feel as strong as my last truck. It feels sluggish. Its hard to explain. I just felt like my last truck was putting more power to the wheels than my new truck. I'm sure I'll get over it, but now I see why people appreciate manual transmission trucks. This new tranny will take some getting used to. I must have reached for the shifter a hundred times today out of habit.
First impressions are good. I LOVE the extra space. Its so much bigger than my Quad Cab. I'm having to get used to the longer wheel base a bit, but its not as bad as what I thought it would be. I was mildly surprised at my RPM on the highway. In my last truck, with the BFG 315/70/17's I was turning about 1900-2000 RPM at 70. With the 265/70/17's that came with it originally, I seem to recal that it would turn close to 2100 at 70. In my new truck, I was turning around 1850'sh at 70 with the 265/70/17's. I wonder with larger tires, how much the RPM will drop. I guess I was expecting higher RPM's that what it was turning.
