Hi everyone! I need your input. Got a call today from my Dodge salesman. He said he just got off the phone with Chrysler and that they want to buy my truck back. It seems as though the truck was put on a ship that possibly took on some water. They are not positive my truck got wet, but are buying back all trucks that were on the ship. Now I've had the truck 5 months and have about 8,000 miles on it.

My dilema? I'd have to get a new 4.5/600. With all the complaints about fuel mileage I'm a little hesitant. I realize this would be better than having a truck with saltwater problems down the line. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?. Appreciate your thoughts. ALAN.

 

Finally getting one over on Chrysler? Go for new.

 

Id go for it.

 

Its good to know that they called you and made such an offer.
I too would go for the new truck.

After all, you never know just how much water damage your truck took on and how/when you'll find out.

 

I'd go for the new one. If they offer you a new truck, you say "no", then down the road you have a problem that could be related, guess what?

 

Great pic DieselDaze!!

I'd go for the new one... heck, for your inconvienience you might even see if they'd throw in some options that maybe you didn't get on the one you have now!

I wish they'd call me and offer to buy mine back!

 

if your truck had any salt water damage it would be easy to see.first of all you would have electrial problems on any thing that got wet. there would signs ofwhere the salt was present. you didnot say if you had any problems with
this one . is it a lemon, does it look like it was in salt water

 

That's a no-brainer.

Get a new one!

Even if the truck didn't get wet I'd get a new one.

There are already alot of 600 problems and recall issues that have been resolved on the assembly line by now AND you get an 8000 test drive to boot!

If you want you can get different options that you may or may not have liked now that you've driven it 8000 miles.

 

I can't believe that yo would enven take the time to ask such a question.

I'll bet there are atleast thousands of us that would take a NEW truck if they offered just because I bet I could get a better deal at a cheaper price.

GO FOR IT, then GO FOR A NEW ONE and make it bigger and BETTER than the first.

 

Go for the new one and get them to set up some sweetness on it. I just came from the dealership in town and they have 8 trucks on the lot that are totally custom, lift kits 35's chips intake exhaust and full DC warranty... i was like *** .. where were these last year..lol... said if they do it they'll warranty it... even had lowered hemis with lexani wheels and full custom leathert interior... Just milk it a little and say yeh get me a new 600 with that box and those tires and that bedliner and how about a 200,000 mile warranty on all of it... hell yeh GO FOR IT

 

What exactly are the details of DC's offer? Get it in writing!

Regarding buyback: What price will they pay for your truck, the amount you actually paid at time of sale or a depreciated amount based on your useage? What about the tax and title you paid at time of sale? What about the cost of any accessories you added to your truck?

Regarding replacement: Did they say that they would give you a deal on a new truck to replace your old one? What price would they sell you an exact replacement or one optioned as you would prefer? Since you can't order 2004.5 trucks any longer would you get a 2004.5 off a lot or a 2005 ordered to your specifications?

Will you be out of a vehicle between the time you sell your old one and get a replacement? Will this be a burden on you? Will DC give you a loaner while you wait for a replacement?

If DC is playing this straight up then "don't look a gift horse in the mouth", go for it. Just remember, the devil is in the details and you need to get all of the details before you will know if DC is offering you a deal or a devil.

 

I agree with Jonesboro. Do your homework on this one. First of all, you're not going to get full price for the truck, so I would be weary. If you did it, you may have to fork out some more money to get a new 600. I seriously doubt it would be a straight trade. If so, then make sure you get it on paper in black and white.

Me, I'd keep the truck I have. Why risk it when you're happy with the truck?

 

Adding to what Jonesboro and Jack said, if you end up doing it, take a look at what your other expenses would be. If you lived here, you'd have to pay another 5% sales tax on the new vehicle, $$ to transfer your plates to the new ram, another inspection sticker ($29) and excise tax again, which would be ~$600 or so.

I'd check with your insurance company as well to be sure an 04.5 or 05 ram doesn't cost alot more to insure. (It probably won't but you never know) Remember, what you've paid already since you've had your 04 is gone, i.e. the insurance you've paid since you've had it. No credits will be given. Just run all the numbers before you jump.

 

Hopefully this isn't a sales guy/dealership looking to make more money from you (a salesman is handling this???). Did your truck really travel by ship? Like they said above, study this offer well. If you don't loose out at all - I'd take the 600. Mine has been a pleaser!

 

Thanks to all that replied! DIESELDAZE--what a great picture. My wife and I were in stitches.

Today I got the details, and here they are. The "buy back" is not really a "buy back". What they actually do, is replace the truck.

1) It will be a 2005.

2) It will have the same equipment as my '04.

3) They will swap my Westen Nerf bars, air horn and tow mirrors.

4) Install a brand new 5th wheel hitch (they don't want to swap out the old hitch because it will leave holes).

5) Have the bed sprayed with a new Rhino liner.

All of this at ZERO COST!!. By the way, I have gone over my truck and cannot find any signs of salt water damage. The salesman said that Chrysler "bought back" the whole freighter load.

What is really interesting is that I had no complaints, and Chrysler has done this on its own.

I don't know about you guys, but I cannot say too many good things about Chrysler/Dodge.

Thanks again for your input, it really helped.

Alan Murray