Well, I finally joined the Ram Family after ordering & selling quite a few, finally got one for myself.
Please be kind as now the tables have turned and it will be I that has questions!
Not likely to do a ton of mods or anything but a few tweaks for sake of cargo/carrying in my various use-cases.
Lucky for you all, I'm a big fan of self-deprecating humor, so I will share my wins and losses (some of which have already happened)
THE SCHEDULE
Ordered 12/2/23
VIN # 12/2/23
Scheduled D1 1/5/24 (estimated date 1/25)
Production Start 1/24/24
On a train 1/27/24
Dealer Delivered 2/6/24
THE DEAL
You know, you'd think I would have figured this out. I tried to time it right at the end of the model year, to hopefully capitalize on the best rebates as 2025's were going to start production by the time mine would be delivered. This ALMOST worked out.
When the truck arrived on 2/6 we knew that the rebates were going to change for 2/8 and I had my heart set on the glory of a 10% Ram Rebate.... alas, not on a Bighorn. Ultimately, I ended up leasing, because the MF on the lease made financing the first 'half' of the vehicle dang-near interest free - and then I'll most likely buy it out at the end. OR, if it turns out that I am drooling over a hurricane, or need larger backseat by then, I can get out free and clear.
I tried the Ram Mastercard program where if you spend $7500 in the first calendar year, you get a $1K voucher towards the purchase of a new vehicle. This worked reasonably well, despite a little delay in getting the voucher. However, as it turns out, this is the same $1K voucher category as a classic TDM you can get online that you've all seen me post about. So, in the end, I could have just done that.
Otherwise, my deal was fairly clean cut same 11.5% off MSRP for a bighorn factory order, plus 1% off MD price for affiliate (I used tread lightly), and my $1K voucher. 42mo lease with 15K miles even though I know I won't use nearly that much, it was about maximizing use of capital/cash and "using up" more of the SFS low MF rate to buy a larger % of the truck. That's just my logic that works for our own situation and financial outlook at the moment, compared side by side with interest rates on traditional finance with the cash rebates available, it just worked out well this way.
I ended up adding the interior/exterior protection package with the self-awareness that I'm a mess, and knowing how I will use the truck will have potential for good utilization.
THE BUILD
2024 Bighorn Quadcab 4x4 HEMI, 6'4 Bed, Level B, Safety, Bed Utility, Blind Spot, Anti Spin, Wheelhouse Liners, Floormats, Trailer Brake Control, bench, bright white
I really wanted the longbed, and for that reason sacrificed the back seat... we'll see how that turns out. Prior truck has a 6'8" bed and I couldn't fathom dropping a full 13" off of that.
Main reason for getting the Level B was ability to snag the blind spot and safety features, but really enjoying the Alpine so far and there are plenty of other gadgetry of course.
THE TRADE
Man I'm going to miss this other truck. I'm only the second owner, though it's on it's second engine .... I have enjoyed the love/hate relationship of an older truck needing love and care every now and again - and just being unique. I suppose if I keep this HEMI long enough it may feel the same lol. Aaron lowballed me on the trade value so I'm going to sell it to a neighbor, at least that way I can still see it around town.
Please be kind as now the tables have turned and it will be I that has questions!
Not likely to do a ton of mods or anything but a few tweaks for sake of cargo/carrying in my various use-cases.
Lucky for you all, I'm a big fan of self-deprecating humor, so I will share my wins and losses (some of which have already happened)
THE SCHEDULE
Ordered 12/2/23
VIN # 12/2/23
Scheduled D1 1/5/24 (estimated date 1/25)
Production Start 1/24/24
On a train 1/27/24
Dealer Delivered 2/6/24
THE DEAL
You know, you'd think I would have figured this out. I tried to time it right at the end of the model year, to hopefully capitalize on the best rebates as 2025's were going to start production by the time mine would be delivered. This ALMOST worked out.
When the truck arrived on 2/6 we knew that the rebates were going to change for 2/8 and I had my heart set on the glory of a 10% Ram Rebate.... alas, not on a Bighorn. Ultimately, I ended up leasing, because the MF on the lease made financing the first 'half' of the vehicle dang-near interest free - and then I'll most likely buy it out at the end. OR, if it turns out that I am drooling over a hurricane, or need larger backseat by then, I can get out free and clear.
I tried the Ram Mastercard program where if you spend $7500 in the first calendar year, you get a $1K voucher towards the purchase of a new vehicle. This worked reasonably well, despite a little delay in getting the voucher. However, as it turns out, this is the same $1K voucher category as a classic TDM you can get online that you've all seen me post about. So, in the end, I could have just done that.
Otherwise, my deal was fairly clean cut same 11.5% off MSRP for a bighorn factory order, plus 1% off MD price for affiliate (I used tread lightly), and my $1K voucher. 42mo lease with 15K miles even though I know I won't use nearly that much, it was about maximizing use of capital/cash and "using up" more of the SFS low MF rate to buy a larger % of the truck. That's just my logic that works for our own situation and financial outlook at the moment, compared side by side with interest rates on traditional finance with the cash rebates available, it just worked out well this way.
I ended up adding the interior/exterior protection package with the self-awareness that I'm a mess, and knowing how I will use the truck will have potential for good utilization.
THE BUILD
2024 Bighorn Quadcab 4x4 HEMI, 6'4 Bed, Level B, Safety, Bed Utility, Blind Spot, Anti Spin, Wheelhouse Liners, Floormats, Trailer Brake Control, bench, bright white
I really wanted the longbed, and for that reason sacrificed the back seat... we'll see how that turns out. Prior truck has a 6'8" bed and I couldn't fathom dropping a full 13" off of that.
Main reason for getting the Level B was ability to snag the blind spot and safety features, but really enjoying the Alpine so far and there are plenty of other gadgetry of course.
THE TRADE
Man I'm going to miss this other truck. I'm only the second owner, though it's on it's second engine .... I have enjoyed the love/hate relationship of an older truck needing love and care every now and again - and just being unique. I suppose if I keep this HEMI long enough it may feel the same lol. Aaron lowballed me on the trade value so I'm going to sell it to a neighbor, at least that way I can still see it around town.
