are the deals on new trucks that GOOD to trade up?
i'm financed at ~5.9 now.
looks like that is chrysler's "special rate" by thier website
could not find rebates stuff on thier site?

will they crank up the rebates when the 07's start rolling in?

my truck is at ~62k miles.
it looks NEW when i spent 6 hours cleaning it- then it rained for 6 days straight.
got a tranny shudder, needs tires, needs a muffler (straight pipe getting old)


i only see as benefits:
3:73 gears - possible better MPG - 15~17 depending on mood of straight pipe.
new truck - my seat back is broke, carpet has hole (battery acid - under floormat)
just kinda tired of it...had it for few years -used to trading cars every few years, while was in military, out now, money ain't so good - seems time to quit doing that....

Lose:
BullyDog
straight pipe.
4:10 gears
6 seats
tranny shudder
7/70 powertrain warranty

gain
MPG
less roar
muffler
3/36 warranty
better head lights


Take off
FIPK
step bars
DIY cranksensor
rear floor mat (covers acid hole from lawnmower battery spill)
wheel well liners
block heater
hood liner

the REAL drawback to the 06 looks to be losing that front center seating postion, and the goofy headlights.
i like being able to put 6 folks in there.

 

Unless you can sell your truck for a really good price I would think there is little to gain. It's a case of the Devil you know versus the one you don't as it sure seems like the 06's are having their share of reported problems.

If you take the sales tax, higher registration fees, higher insurance costs, etc. on a new truck into account that would go a long way towards fixing any problems you have in your '04. Also, you might try to find someone who wants to swap for your 410 rear end. If your engine is solid I'd say keep what you have unless there is a must have feature on an '06. For me, I have considered trading up to an '06 just to get the exhaust brake approval for the automatic, however my 04.5 is running so darn well that I don't want to chance trading up to an unknown build plus I want to know more about the 07's and the six speed automatic offerings.

If fuel prices go up any more there could be a lot of 06's that get parked and then you might find a really good deal on a slightly used one or even left over 06's on Dealer lots when the 07's land.

Good luck with your decision...the new truck bug bites me every now and then but I just say NO to it and it crawls back under the rug and hides for a while.

 

that's what i was looking for - a REAL reason to upgrade,
you're right - hold out for a real tranny behind the cummins..good plan

does your wife call you a liar when you tell her you look at nekkid women on the internet? our computer is behind her tv chair, when i draw a sharp breath, and murmur "um, um....um!"

and she goes, "cummins or harley, what you looking at?"

 

Wow it's like you read my mind. I had the "itch", started like friday night or so. I've had my o4 since Nov. 05, love the truck, but two things have been bugging me since day one- the paint (color and quality ) as well as transmission. I have the auto. I would absolutely love the 6 speed. All started when I drove by the dealers lot- they have 10 CTD on the lot (All 06,4x4) . ONE 6 speed. A black ST QB LB with not much more than A/C. Manual locks, windows, base wheels, ect. When I got mine, same dealer had TWO CTD. Today, they ranged from very nice 2500 SLT w/ empl. $$ of about 35500 (42+ sticker), 2 standard cab 4x4 in the low 30's. So to clear my mind, I went on a long drive. Just rolled 15,000 miles yesterday, she actually sounds like she's loosening up, starting to get that Cummins rattle we all love, sounding like a rods about to shoot thru the hood All the previous 2 posts offer very valid reasons to keep out of the o6 hype- I think I am staring to show decent mpg#'s- paper 19-20 (est)- stupid foam! I dont think it is a good idea to think the grass is greener over in o6 land. More emissions, yada yada yada, We may get lucky and get a o6 that can get 17-19 out of the box, but more likely 12-14. Those of us with o3 and o4's are very fortunate to have the best of the 3rd gen motors. I'll hold out on an o6 w/ 6 spd....for now....

 

the 06's are ugly, hands down!!!
keep your truck, and save your money.
i bet that the the new 6 speed is crap too, just like the d max, that was to be the best, but those trucks get the worst fuel mileage.

 

Get a 97

 

My vote is keep what you got. Go spend a little money on her and get running and looking 100 percent like you want. You have just now got her broke in at 60k, so you would have to start all over again on an 06.

Take the money you will save by NOT getting an 06 and buy a special present you have been wanting for your 04 truck! (turbo, injectors, built auto tranny, front end replacement like Ranch Hand or Buckstop, Power Wagon flares, or something else to dress it up and make you forget about the new trucks) You can make it BETTER than a new one if you want!

 

Keep what you got, Tranny should be repaired under warrenty (get it done now )
Replace your mat = filling the new truck up with fuel, so no loss of fun funds.
Go get the truck professionally waxed and detailed, and enjoy it as a new truck, its not ever broken in, and you got a cleaner running engine with less emission bs to worry about.
Just my 2 cents.

 

I just did this very thing. I had to refinance the ol' 04.5 to get the ex's name off of the title. When I went through this, I found out it was just as easy to get a new truck as it was to refinance the old truck. I do miss my old truck but the new 06 I now have is just as nice. I forgot what a new nice tight truck feels like.

Yes, the front face lift is kinda ugly but is growing on me. But the best thing is I got my 06 48re from the dealer with the Jake brake, with warranty.