My 2004.5 is a GREAT truck. However, it's beginning to get tight. Four kids, all growing, add the wife & that makes for six of us in the truck!

I got the 2004.5 new figuring that I would keep it 300K plus miles. It now has 80K miles. I would want to get a pre-2007 mega, but how much will I get raped in trading up? I'm not in the habit of trading in vehicles every couple of years, but want the Mega. Wish they had it out in '04.

Ideally, would want a six speed, manual transfer case 4X4, either SLT or Laramie.

What's the best way for me to proceed?

 

I would start by selling yours outright other than trade. I know it is kind of a pain, but dealers always want to take advantage of trade ins. "Oh we can't give you what kelley blue book says because we'll have to wholesale this 2 year old rig because no one will buy it from us. It has 18000 miles on it and they just don't sell." Yeah whatever. I hate dealers. I traded one rig in, the very first time. Now I just take my time and sell it outright. It takes longer, but I usually end up getting exactly what I want for a better deal anyhow. I've had good luck selling stuff on craigslist, and the nickel.

 

That's kind of what I figured. At this point, would I be better off holding on to the quad cab until it hits 150K miles then get a Mega? This would be about three years down the road. Worried about supply of low milage unworked 5.9 Megas drying up by then.

 

There are still some around, I would think. Try Dave Smith Motors. they can so a search.

 

You may lose more than you want ,but in the long run you will be ALOT happier. We just trasded up from an 06 QC, but the xtra room will more than make up for it in comfort for the family. I don't regret it one bit now. My dealer found a new 07 with a 5.9 & even the wife said it was worth it on our
1st trip with the Family. The kids are more comfortable so fewer arguments amonst them.

 

I concur with everyone so far. Selling outright, or just living with it. You really can't go wrong. The way I see it.....people will be looking for low mileage 5.9's if you keep it another two years....win/win either way you look at it. Take your time..as I gurantee you will find that Mega you're looking for when you're not looking for it, if you know what I mean! Good luck!

 

traitor

brett

 

i've traded in two ctd's and got way over blue book and just about what i would have wanted if selling them privately. around here, dealers will give you big trade in $$$ for well kept, late model ctd's, as they turn them over quickly for a good profit. you might get a really good deal on a new truck this time of year, as there aren't lots of people looking to drop $40k right after christmas, and with diesel around $3.50 gallon.

 

Yeah and then you overpay for the new truck. I got bluebook value for a perfectly maintained mint 98 F150 lariat with 74K miles then when the smoke cleared and I thought things through I ended up overpaying for the new Ram about $1500. Kind of confusing keeping up with the numbers on a trade in especially with the new truck fever factor. Agree with others keep the deals seperate - private sale the used rig get your cash in hand then go negotiate on the new price - it's the only sure way to not get messed over.

 

I really like my quad cab, but 4 kids & already pushing the back of my seat. Not that they mean to, but the QC back seat is short. Throw in an extra 80 lb. dog ontop of six passengers, and the dog gets kicked to death. Literally kicked to death - no room for her back there. No room for her in the bed of truck either as it's full of crap most of the time (wife won't let the dog ride there anyway).

I WILL NOT BE A TRAITOR on the 5.9 though.

 

I strongly agree with the majority. Sell on your own and buy the truck you want with the cash from your private party hard earned cash. USE CRAIGSLIST!!!!! I didn't check your profile to see where you live but is Craigslist is used at all in your area, you are almost assured a sale if you stay ontop of the listing (Plus it is FREEEEEEEE). I saved myself $1,800 by doing it this way. The dealer didn't want to give me enough to make the deal work for my trade in. (understandable though, it was a Chev) In the end for just a little effort, I made it all happen two weeks after talking to the dealer. Good luck.

 

i guess if you think overpaying means paying $30k for a truck that stickered for $42k, and getting asking price on my trade, i did overpay. plus when you trade in, they reduce the selling price by the amount of your trade, meaning you only pay sales tax on the adjusted amount. if sales tax is 8% where you live, you save $800 for every $10,000 you get on trade.

 

i have a friend here in town looking for a diesel. PM me with a price if you are wanting to sell

 

I paid $30,500 before taxes, title, & tags from a sticker of $42,600 trade in there was a $3000 rebate off that and they gave me blue book don't even remember how much time all was said and done I paid about $34,000 moral of the story I got ripped. They probably got my old truck for little of nothing really. Now maybe you didn't I dunno but I do know it's hard to juggle the numbers and not get ripped when that new smell hits your nose on the test drive. I'm happy with what I've got now it was paid for with cold cash no interest at all and I've seen other guys pay almost full sticker before so oh well.

 

Yeah, I want to trade to a Mega too!
Actually may have a line on one....woohoo!
I'd say your 04 Quad, 80k mi, is worth about $22-23k if it's in primo shape, selling it outright.
Used Mega SLT, 30k mi or less, about $30k, Laramie, about $32k. I'd say cost you $8-10k to upgrade.
I'm in the same boat w/ my DMax, same mileage, although I have a crew cab, so backseat space is not a big deal, but bigger is better!
Found an '06 3500 Mega, Laramie 4wd, every possible option, 30k mi for $32k, may be able to talk him down to $31k. Trying to justify spending that $8k difference.