Well I got approval from the CFO (my wife) to buy a new truck. We bought a YukonXL not too long ago, then bought a travel trailer, and after a 2,000 mile trip decided the YukonXL wasn't really up to the task.

I've driven GM, Ford and Dodge, and decided to go with a Dodge. I'm pretty sure of what I want ... '04.5 600 3500 SRW QC 4wd long bed 3.73 6 speed SLT. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but it's really the way the power comes on low and the excellent 6 speed manual that sold me on the Dodge.

I'm going to be ready to purchase the truck in a month or so, and it's time to start doing my homework. Here's my first stop, so fill me in. What's the best way to purchase a new Dodge 600? I'm just East of Sacramento, CA, but I would have no problem driving up to a day to take delivery of the right rig.

 

First, Welcome!

Second, I'm sure lots of people will chime in with better advice than mine, but I would begin by figuring out exactly what options you want, then price out the rig at Kelly Blue book (www.kbb.com, I think).

Figure true dealer cost would be invoice minus about 3%. Shop some dealerships, and I would imagine you would end up around invoice.

 

Welcome even if you don't have a CTD yet
You do have lots of choises It all depends on what you want to do with it. Me myself would tell you to get it loaded including the AUTO. I myself prefer the AUTO because I just hate driving a stick unless it's a fast car
Good choise on the CTD keep us informed.

 

I figured out what I wanted then went to Costco, that gave me a baseline to start negotiating with other dealers. I didn't get the best deal out there but I was happy with the deal I got and I LOVE THIS TRUCK
Tom

 

I bought my 600 at Swift Dodge in Davis CA , took me three days of wheeling and dealing , but I got my deal at what I was willing to pay, and I did try dealing with every Dodge dealer in the Central CA , these guys do want to make a deal , but they will try everything to make it favorable for them. LOL was actually told to leave by two dealers.

 

Thanks, all! I just went to kbb.com, and they don't appear to have it updated for the new 600 in California yet. It kept switching me back to the SO and not letting me pick the 6 speed. I wonder how up to date that site is in terms of pricing?

I did most of my test driving at Shingle Springs Dodge. They're nice enough, of course, but I don't think they're quite prepared for what I want to pay.

Tom, I've thought about going through Costco as well. What are their prices like?

 

For me it was easy as pie. Go to Costco.com, fill out the form and a dealer will call you back the next day.

I went to the dealer, picked out exactly what I wanted from what they had in stock. They give you a price, no haggling, no negotiating. When I went, they showed me some type of dealer paperwork, showing retail, EP(employee price) and then invoice, that's what you pay. Dealer gets holdback, and as far as I was concerned that was ok, I liked the convienence and that can cost you several hundred dollars. You can find better deals but my time is worth more.

They couldn't come up with the exact color I wanted or I would have purchased mine there.

Did I mention, I LOVE THIS TRUCK !!!

 

Hmmm... so at Costco you pay dealer invoice with no haggling?

 

Once I decided on a Dodge and took some test drives in different versions, I figured out how I wanted the truck configured. Then sat down at the phone (ask for Sales mgr. or Fleet mgr.) and called Local dealers . Do this on the last day of the month. I told them I wanted to buy a truck today but I wanted to order it to get it exactly the way I wanted. I then asked them if they could do 2% under invoice. It took four phone calls till one bit. So total sales talk wheelin and dealin time ~ten minutes for all four calls.

The reason for:
* asking for Sales /Fleet mgr. is no floor salseman involved.
* last day of the month, possible incintive to dealer to make a sales quota for the month.
* 2% under invoice, it still leaves them 1% of holdback.

BTW in reading these forums DTR , TDR, Dodgeram.org., etc., I came across a fellow on TDR who works for DC and had some EC #'s that were expiring at the end of the month. He managed to get one to me one day before I was to pick up the truck, so I got the EP price, which is about 4.5% under invoice. woohooo.

Goodluck on your truck search!
Dan

 

I agree with all the members. Also, dont settle. If the dealers dont have what you want, then order it with exactly the options you are looking for.

Mine took about 7wks but it was worth it. It seems no local dealers order their trucks with side airbags. I dont understand that.

Never pay more than invoice for these trucks. Not that they are not worth it. Other members have gotton below invoice, I paid right at invoice than minus all rebates. Dont forget to become a member of farm bureau for another $500 off the price. Do it now so you will be a member for at least a month prior to delivery.

I have learned sooo much from these sites.

Good Luck,
Doug

 

Two thoughts:

Call tomeygun. He sells flat 3% under invoice on ordered trucks. He's in St Louis, but it might be worth the trip, or at least it's leverage for your dealer.

See if you know anyone who works for DCX. Employees can "give" their employee discount pricing to something like two friends a piece. The offer is good through the end of the month. This is like 5% off invoice.

Both deals also let you have the rebates too. But you can't combine them with the FB discount.

 

If you are going to order it from the factory, do it at least 8 weeks before you want it. I'm still waiting for mine. Here soon I hope. It is sitting in a railcar for 3 days, less than 50 miles from the dealer.

 

Go to

http://www.newdodgeorderform.com/

and look at quick quotes and use it as a bargaining/negotiatiing tool

dave

 

I'm at 10 WEEKS and counting - supposedly been in Baltimore (only about 100 miles from my dealer) 10 days and counting now, and dealer can't say WHEN it's going to be here. Unless you want an item that most dealers don't stock many of, if at all - like a 6 speed, then you will probably (once the dealers get all their stock in a few months) find something without having to order. I am not REAL picky about colors, so that helps there.

DC's ordering process is a real nightmare, and I will never do it again.

 

Hey Joel, congrats on your wise decision to purchase a CTD. You will not regret it. When I bought my truck I did the research thru the internet at dozens of dealers in five states. The one that gave me the best price was La Grange Dodge in La Grange, Texas. OK, they are quite a trek from you, as they are from me, but even when I included the airfare and the cost of the trip home it was still worth it. Plus they are the best dealer I have ever dealt with. If you buy from them they will pick you up in Houston or San Antonio free of charge. There is a Rhino dealer about a mile from them so if you want the spray in liner they can have it done for you before you even pick up the truck.
Give them a call at 1-888-891-JEEP and talk to Sydna. Tell her Stan from Mexico sent you.
Let us know your final decision and then of course post the huge smiles after you have driven it for a while.