2023 RAM 2500

As a Resident of WI/IL State Border, Should I Buy a New RAM Vehicle in Illinois or Wisconsin?

Purchasing RAM Vehicles in Wisconsin vs Illinois 

Planning to purchase a new RAM vehicle this year? Well, a great decision indeed! RAM vehicles have a solid build, are durable, and come packed with modern features and upgrades. If you’re a resident near the Wisconsin/Illinois border, you may wonder if you should buy your new RAM vehicle in Illinois or Wisconsin. This decision can be a tricky one to make. Check out this blog to determine which state is better for vehicle buyers.  

Wondering where to test drive the latest RAM models in Wisconsin? Head to Palmen Motors in Kenosha, WI, and explore the numerous RAM vehicles available in our inventory. We also have the latest Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge models in our inventory. People who want new RAM near the WI/IL state border have two options: buy it in Wisconsin or Illinois. Read below to understand the vehicle purchase factors in both these states. 

Should I Buy a RAM Truck in Wisconsin or Illinois? 

For easy understanding, we will discuss this question based on three factors: vehicle purchase laws, auto insurance, and car sales tax. This will give you a fair idea of which state to purchase a new vehicle from, in our case, new RAM.  

Vehicle Purchase Laws (Consumer Protection Laws) 

These are also called Lemon Laws. These consumer protection laws offer legal ways to address grievances when faulty products are sold to customers. Wisconsin’s Lemon Law covers vehicles such as motorcycles, RVs, and large trucks purchased from a Wisconsin dealership or delivered to the buyer residing in Wisconsin. So, if you buy new RAM across the border from Illinois, you will not be covered under Wisconsin’s Lemon Law.  

2023 RAM 2500
2023 RAM 1500 off-road

There are some vital differences between WI and IL vehicle buyer protection laws. To cite one, under IL’s New Vehicle Protection Act, the manufacturer need not pay your attorney’s fee if you win your lemon law case in court. But, under WI’s law, the manufacturer must pay your attorney’s fee when you win. Another glaring hole in IL’s law is that it does not apply to used vehicles. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act does not cover them. This is not the case with Wisconsin vehicle buyers.  

Illinois’s lemon laws are patchy and weak compared to Wisconsin’s, offering little consumer protection. 

Vehicle Sales Tax and Title Fees 

In Wisconsin, the vehicle sales tax is only 5%, whereas in Illinois, it is 6.5%. Illinois residents pay sales tax based on where they register their vehicle and not from where the vehicle is purchased. For a Wisconsin resident, buying new RAM in WI makes more sense than crossing the border to IL.  

A vehicle title is proof of ownership and has vital information, such as the vehicle’s identification number (VIN), mileage at the time of sale, make, model, and date of manufacture. 

[Additional Read: Where Can I Get a Free Vehicle Appraisal in the Kenosha, WI Area?

Explore New RAM Vehicles in Kenosha, WI 

To get the best deals and consumer protection, Wisconsin is a better choice when compared to Illinois. Visit us at Palmen Motors in Kenosha, WI, and browse our RAM inventory.