Insider Tips: Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, RAM

This week, I'm starting a new series called "Insider Tips", where I interview people that work at car dealerships - to get you money-saving tips and advice you won't find anywhere else. This week, I talked with Alex Stelling, a sales consultant for Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and RAM vehicles. Alex was leaving useful comments on my site, so I reached out to see if he would share some of his insider knowledge.

Q: For car shoppers considering Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram - please walk us through some things you've noticed in recent months as far as deals go (which models are offering the best deals now?)

FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) is pushing Ram trucks right now. They have increased market share by 150% since separating the Ram and Dodge brands in 2009. They seem to want to continue the trend. They even announced they will be focusing less on Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, and more on Ram and Jeep. I have seen up to around $10,000 off the Ram 2500 and 3500 Laramies and Big Horns. About $9,000 off Tradesman pickups. A little less off chassis cabs. That's a combination of factory rebates and dealer discounts. Not including "qualifying" rebates (which many customers feel is 'bait and switch' on price) which provides even further discounts for certain people and/or certain situations. (Loyalty, Conquest, and Military discounts). Ram 1500 also has good discounts, about $10,500 off MSRP with standard rebates and discounts. The pickup truck segment is the most competitive segment in the industry, so I don't expect FCA to switch the deals over to their other brands like Jeep. The other brands have discounts, but not $10k!

Q: Which models would you recommend a car shopper hold off buying/leasing right now, because you think the market will be more favorable down the road?

The only one that may decrease is price in coming months is the Charger or Challenger with the Hellcat engine. Dealers are charging a premium because of a short supply/high demand. Supply has increased, but it's too early to say if it will be enough to see a price drop. We have one coming next month, and then another 2 in the pipeline this year. Before, we would only get them if somebody pre-purchased one. I'm still expecting a premium on the Hellcat for the foreseeable future. 

Q. Which of the models you sell do you truly believe are the best or near the top of their class as far as value, price, etc? Please be honest, don't say all of them.

Right now I am excited about the new Pacifica. I think the Kia Sedona (competitor vehicle) is the best minivan right now until the new Pacifica comes out (how's that for honesty?), but Chrysler competes with the current vans on price. The new Pacifica will be amazing with some features like 5 LATCH anchors (not 4 like the others), ZF 9-speed transmission, electronic park brake, easier Stow-N-Go seating. It will gain independent rear suspension. They have made it even easier to use by including a button on the B pillar to make it easy to move the front seats out of the way and back to their original position. The uConnect 8.4 NAV system is linked to the rear 10" screens with a DVD/Blu-ray player. But discs are obsolete. With the Pacifica system, kids can stream videos from their phones. There's also apps and games linked to the Navigation system called "Are We There Yet?" Kids will be able to see on their own screen where they are in relation to the destination! How awesome is that? Another key feature is the styling. They have made it less 'minivan' like, and have made it look stunning. Parents with a minivan-phobia need not fear!