BAJA MAN

As written on my previous post I am in the market for a new Dodge. Here are the two I am seriously considering:

1. BRAND NEW - 2004 Dodge 2500 ST, 600 diesel, Quad Cab, 4X2, long bed, 6 speed. No anti-slip rear end, and no power options (windows, mirrors, etc. no sliding rear window, but does have tow mirrors, tow package( I can't believe tow package does NOT include anti-slip rear end!), and alloys - I need anti-slip because I tow a boat and launch at slippery ramps at the ocean. (I have a post up right now to see how difficult and costly it would be to convert to anti-slip). Price $24,900 + Tax and lic.

2. Used (Lemon Law Dealer Buy Back) 7000 miles, 2004 Dodge 2500 SLT, 24V engine (not an HO 600 engine), 48RE auto trans., 4X2, long bed, antislip rear end, and many options (Infinity sound system, rear sliding window, full power package, tow package, tow, mirrors, 6 CD stereo, two-tone paint. Buy back was due to rear end problems (ring and pinion had problems 3 times, til dealer finally bought back and replaced ring and pinion. Price with a 5 year/100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty $24,000 + tax and lic. Title to this truck states "Lemon Law Buyback" right on the title.

As you can see both trucks are priced very close.

What are your thoughts?

I tow a 5er (12,000lbs) 4x/year about 500 miles RT, and tow an ocean boat to ocean (200 mile RT every month.

Many thanks!!!

Patriot_RAM

Have you ever owned a lemon? I have.

Geico266

The resale of the lemon truck will kill ya.

bmoeller

Given how close the price is, I'd go for the new one. It will be easier to sell later. And since you tow, I'd rather have the 6spd. myself, vs. the auto.

bulabula

How's it go? Once a lemon, always a ...?

Why are you avoiding looking at a 4x4? Is it the cost?

For the small amount of towing you're doing (to Rosarito and back?), you could save some money and buy a 4x4 gasser. I love my diesel, but the bottom line is the bottom line.

gsdog1

If the price difference were closer to half, I would be mildly tempted at the Lemon. In my opinion, there really isn't a comparison at those prices.

Buy new.

Matt

BAJA MAN

Yes, cost is a factor. This 4x2 with the 6 speed is brand new for $24,000!!! A $1000 investment for an anti-slip and I've got a nice diesel truck for $25,000!!! A 2500 gasser 4x4 is probably around $28,000. Plus less towing capacity. The 2005 3500 Quad with diesel, leather,4x4, longbed, I believe can be had for around $34,000 + tax and lic. not too bad. That's 10K more than the diesel 4x2!!

I currently tow 12,000# 5er down to Ensenada about 2x/year. plus have plans to tow to Sierras once a year. In the next 2-3 years I'll be going down to La Paz 1x/year (need to let latest family member get to around 3 years old for those longer Baja trips!). I do tow 200 miles once a month and launch in the ocean. Had 4x4 2 years and only used once. Most of the guys I fish with don't even own 4x4 and launch without any problems.

Tough decision!! That's why I need some guidance!!!!!

Thanks!!

By the way this is a GREAT site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

wv smoker

It would be no contest between the two, for a few dollars more you could have a new truck. If you could get a bargain on the lemon truck it may be worth it. Sounds like as much as you tow and weight wise I would opt for the dually, there are some good buys around right now on left over 2004's, especially 2x4's if you are willing to shop around......I doubt if you would be satisfied with that stripped down 2004........

Squidward

That title will still say Lemon Law Buyback on in in a few years when you're trying to sell it or trade it in. I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10 foot pole even if it were 5k less than the new one.
The salesmen at that dealership will be high-fiving each other until they've got blisters on their hands if they can sell a documented Lemon for 900 bucks less than a brand new truck, in fact, I'll bet whoever sells it is named employee of the month!

torquefan

You say you actually need a limited slip diff. If I were you, I would buy a truck with just an open differential, then go out and buy an aftermarket locker or limited slip unit, which are not terribly expensive, but way more effective than the factory unit.
Another thing to think about, is that while that truck was branded a "lemon", it likely only had a problem with one component. That differential was maybe looked at by some "doofus" at a dealership who was incompetent, or didn't take the time to set it up properly. It doesn't mean that every, or any, other component on that truck will cause problems. Most major components will have come from different plants or different vendors.

PapaPerk

Keep looking. Sounds like you still haven't found what you are looking for.

IA_James

I'd keep shopping. I for sure wouldn't buy that lemon, if you're willing to look at that thing you just as well buy a salvage one from some body shop.

murray

Baja Man,

Either choice is a problem. It's been already stated concerning the Lemon Law truck, so I don't need to comment.

As for the no power options there are two problems. 1) re-sale or trade-in value will be greatly diminished. (2 No power options. Think about having to jump out of the truck and lock 4 doors/roll-up 4 windows. It could be a pain. If your sharing driving duties with someone else, don't forget every time you switch drivers it's time to re-adjust both outside mirrors. As far as the sliding glass windows, I have them in my '04 but did not get them in my '05. When the sliding window is open, if you have sand, leaves, or any debris in the bed a wind current develops that blows that stuff up pass the driver and passenger right to the windshield.

It sounds as though you can do a lot better if you ordered, or got something more fitting to your needs off a dealer's lot. Of course, I can understand the need to hold the line on the price/budget.

Good luck,
Alan

Tfeore

Baja, it is just my opinion that the only reason you would concider the Lemon is due to the 5yr/100k warranty(and of course the price). What happens when this thing is still a tank, and after 2 or 3 years of dealing with it you get tired of it and try to sell it.

IT'S JUST MY OPINION but you are going to be stuck with that thing for a LONG time. Sombody already got tired of all the problems, the dealer is not going to tell you honestly what all went wrong with that rig.

If I were buying a used vehicle and wanted it for more than just parts, I would be running from a Lemon before you could get the title out of the safe!

Keep looking, would you buy a used lemon?

Good luck in your hunt!
Tom

Dave65

Go for the new one..