This is my web page about my recently purchased 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 SLT truck. The hunt began for it when Daimler-Chrysler announced employee pricing, along with Ford, in order to match GM, who had started their promotion in June. I went to the dealership not far from my house first and test drove a silver Ram 1500, regular cab, 4x4, automatic, 4.7 litre V8, and 20 inch tires and rims. I really liked the way the 20" tires looked on it, the standard 17" ones just didn't seem to fill the wheel openings as well in comparison. The V8 was peppy, similar to the 360 I had in my 2001 truck, but I was looking for something a bit more special.

Since they didn't have a regular cab in stock with a HEMI I test drove a Quad-Cab 4x4. I could tell right away there was a difference. Acceleration was much quicker and just overall better response. Unfortunately, they did not have what I wanted in stock and every truck they did have had rather over-priced dealer installed add-ons, like paint/fabric protection for $1000, step bars for $900, and bed liners for $500.

There didn't seem to be employee pricing on those things and I couldn't really see paying for things that I didn't want (or settling for less option wise that I wanted).

Next, I went on the Dodge web site and started building a truck online, to get an idea of what options there were and what the MSRP would be. What I came up with was this:

Ram 1500 4x4 SLT

Colors: White, Silver, or Mineral Gray

Sport Appearance Group (makes the grill, front/rear fascia, and body side molding same as the body color), plus fog lamps

5-speed automatic transmission

3.92 Axle ratio (mandatory with 20" tires/wheels)

Anti-Spin differential

5.7 HEMI Magnum V8 engine

20x9.0 Aluminum polished wheels.

ABS (it's only standard on the rear axle)

Most of the local dealers had their inventory available for browsing online so I found a couple close matches at the next closest Dodge dealership, which was about 15 miles away. They all had hail damage though, so that was a big let down. I am sure the discounts would have been good but they just looked too dimpled.

After searching each dealership by proximity I found 5 matches at Royal Gate Dodge, which is about 35 miles from my house. I called the dealership, asked to speak to a sales person, and then was connected to Matt Malone. Matt pulled up the trucks by the VINs I had printed out and verified they were still in stock. I asked him if they had any dealer-installed options on them and he said they didn't do that like other some other dealerships do and then charge double the cost.

I am thinking that this place is worth the trip down there to take a look at these trucks.

As he is working Saturday I tell him I will be there fairly early in the day and will ask for him. I took a friend with me, arrived there, and made introductions with Matt. We made a short trip down to where the trucks were and it was just rows and rows of Ram trucks, more than I had seen at any other dealerships. There were 2 mineral gray ones, 2 bright silver ones, and 1 white one to choose from. I picked out the mineral gray one, he went to get the keys, and we were off test-driving.

I have to say it was cool also that he let me and my friend just go on the drive, he did not accompany us, which is not what is normally done. I took it for about a 30 minute test drive on the highway and side roads. You definitely sit up high with the 20" tires and it being a 4x4. The HEMI is so much more powerful than either the 4.7 or 5.9 litre engines. You hardly have to press down on the accelerator to get the truck moving. The one I had test drove had some scraping on the back where the emblems were, probably from some kids trying to take them off, so we went with the other mineral gray one they had in stock, virtually the same options, and sat down to negotiate.

I already had a good idea on the wholesale and retail price ranges on my '01 Ram, so I knew what it was worth. There was some haggling on both sides but it was all professional, no high pressure or mind-games going on, and we arrived at a final trade-in price. Once that was done it was time to visit the business manager, Doug, who was very nice and also professional. There was no hard-sell on extended warranties, loan pay-off protection, or anything else you would normally expect, which was refreshing for a change. The truck was prepped during this time, so it was ready once I was finished with the paperwork. We shook hands and then I drove off in it. I came back later in the week to get my finished paperwork for taxes and titling.

Overall, based on the buying experience and seeing how their service department is, I was very satisfied. The one other nice thing about working with Matt is that he had been at the dealership for 7 years. It seemed most salespeople I had talked to at other dealerships just started a few weeks or months ago. He knows his products.

So, what did I get? Virtually every option I was looking for except the ABS brakes on both axles, but that wasn't a must-have feature.

Color: Mineral Gray

Sport Appearance Group (makes the grill, front/rear fascia, and body side molding same as the body color), plus fog lamps

Trailer Tow Group (750 Ampere battery, Class IV hitch/receiver, 7 pin wiring harness)

5-speed automatic transmission

3.92 Axle ratio (mandatory with 20" tires/wheels)

Anti-Spin differential

5.7 HEMI Magnum V8 engine

20x9.0 Aluminum polished wheels.

Leather-Wrapped steering wheel

Rear manual sliding rear window