New Ram TRX 1500 $50 K markup

[Bulldog9]

Becase of the 8000 buck premium on full size truck Diesels, Ford   and GM have introduced larger more powerful gas engines. How much gas can you buy for 8 grand? And Diesels that once were about  minimal maintenance, reasonable power and fuel economy are now complicated things that aren't so economical and brutal maintenance costs..Ask any Diesel owner that had the CP4 pressure pump failure that spread debris in the fuel system...A truck just out of warranty with $4-6 grand repair bill. In my opinion, unless you're pulling heavy loads every day, a gas engine will do...

I quickly crossed a Diesel off my list with all the recent emission nannies, complexities and DEF systems. Not that I needed it, the 5.7 in the Tundra is a decent tow vehicle for the 5K max I ever tow.

[Moparnut72]

I have a 6.7 diesel Ram. It is a 2013 that has served me well so far. It is a 3500 dually which is more than I need but at the time I had a heavy truck camper and the dually helps a lot with that. If I were to buy another truck I would probably go with the 6.7gas engine that Ram now offers. However when my wife finally retires in a couple of years we will use it a lot more to pull the 5th wheel. Then I will be glad that I have the diesel.

To pick the best diesel truck ever built I would go with the older 12 valve diesel Dodges. These engines had mechanical fuel injection and were virtually bullet proof however the rest of the truck left a bit to be desired. I once had what was considered to be the holy grail, '98 12 valve Club Cab. That combination was built for only six months. It was a bit rough when I bought it used and was rougher 11 years later, my wife kept bugging me to get a new truck which I did. I think she was embarrassed to be seen in it with the beater camper on the back. We looked like we were homeless.     Anyway the current truck is my last barring anything disastrous.
kk

[twowheeladdict]

Becase of the 8000 buck premium on full size truck Diesels, Ford   and GM have introduced larger more powerful gas engines. How much gas can you buy for 8 grand? And Diesels that once were about  minimal maintenance, reasonable power and fuel economy are now complicated things that aren't so economical and brutal maintenance costs..Ask any Diesel owner that had the CP4 pressure pump failure that spread debris in the fuel system...A truck just out of warranty with $4-6 grand repair bill. In my opinion, unless you're pulling heavy loads every day, a gas engine will do...

Yep, a guy down the street has a repair shop on his property just to working on Ford Diesels.  He probably has 6 months of work sitting there. 

[Rough Edge racing]

The 7.3 older Ford Diesel is an excellent engine, not stressed , mechanical injection...I can't say if the Ford has less stuff falling off than the older Dodges.
 The new smaller Diesels in 1/2 tons get good reviews..
  I am not in the class as many of you. Never buy new, run older junk ....They do job well and if necessary the engine can be serviced without lifting the cab off the frame...

[blu guzz]

5.9 Ram diesel - 2005.  Engine has never missed a beat, the rest of the truck is rusting out around the engine.

[LowRyter]

Yep, a guy down the street has a repair shop on his property just to working on Ford Diesels.  He probably has 6 months of work sitting there.

 

One of the "Big 3"?   

Warranty reputation and certain models in '00s.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[LowRyter]

5.9 Ram diesel - 2005.  Engine has never missed a beat, the rest of the truck is rusting out around the engine.

 

[s1120]

2020 F150SWB V6 XL with X plan discount, end of year rebate, trade in.  Has all the add on including chrome and aluminum wheels, except carpet.  To much electronics though.

SWB trucks with regular cabs do not sell well. The one I bought set at dealer for 6 months.

Ya really any truck with a std cab is almost unheard of anymore. Sounds like you got a good deal on that. I was looking for deals on new trucks, but not being able to get a manual any more turned me away.

[Milosh]

Ya really any truck with a std cab is almost unheard of anymore. Sounds like you got a good deal on that. I was looking for deals on new trucks, but not being able to get a manual any more turned me away.

The base price on a F-150 base model is $28k. 

I have been looking for a truck with a manual as well and the only ones I can find are in the used market.

[twowheeladdict]

Ya really any truck with a std cab is almost unheard of anymore. Sounds like you got a good deal on that. I was looking for deals on new trucks, but not being able to get a manual any more turned me away.

The closest V8 standard cab is 150 miles from me.  No more short beds, but I need long bed anyway.

[Rough Edge racing]

 I live in an agricultural region. Most farmers do not drive top of the line Diesel pu trucks. They are the white work trucks in standard or 4 door cab with long beds. 4x4 ,gas engines.
  The fancy Diesels are seen pulling horse, enclosed race car, or RV trailers Contractors have older Diesels or beat up gas engine trucks..I see lots of high buck trucks that have the look of never being worked or carrying more than the driver.
   I drive a 09 Ford Ranger 4x4 5 speed.It has rubber floor mats , a basic truck. To me, it has a better seating position than Nissan or Toyota, has a natural engaging feel to it...It's not as refined as the Japanese trucks but does the job. I was always a Chevy guy, owned a bunch of used Chevy trucks from the 70,s until recently.All were manual trans, all were reliable.Then I bought a clean 03 Silverado 4.8 V8 5 speed a few years ago...It always had something wrong with it..I do my repairs and can deal check engine lights , scanners and such..But it was too much trouble...And shitty build quality to go with the problems.

[roadventure]

So, just stumbled across this at 7:44 am on this Sunday morning.  TFL on YouTube latest truck episode on dealer mark up of the new TRX Ram 1500.
$25 to $50 K over sticker.  Some dealers are asking as much as $146,785 for the truck.  A 1500 series pick up truck.  Life is weird.

One can ask for any price.  The trick is finding someone foolish enough to agree and buy.

[AJ Huff]

Agreed Roadventure. They can mark the prices up, but when nobody ponies up for the premium the prices will come back down.

Once again I find myself the polar opposite of people here. I want a badass truck with as many bells and whistles as possible. I looked at the Tundra and really liked it. But the only badass version was the TRD Pro and it doesn't come it blue. Liked the 4Runner but again limited options in blue and felt too much like my Durango. And I wanted something that felt new not familiar. I really really really wanted to love the Gladiator but it felt smaller than my Durango.

 Seriously thought about the TRX but once I started adding bells and whistles, it got to be way too much. So went with a new Power Wagon which in it's on way is more badass than the TRX. It was that or a Widebody Red-eye Hellcat  , but since I have a teenager in the house said noooo.

I fully intend to trade my Power Wagon in in a couple years for a Hummer EV. So looking forward to it!

-AJ

[twowheeladdict]

I live in an agricultural region. Most farmers do not drive top of the line Diesel pu trucks. They are the white work trucks in standard or 4 door cab with long beds. 4x4 ,gas engines.
  The fancy Diesels are seen pulling horse, enclosed race car, or RV trailers Contractors have older Diesels or beat up gas engine trucks..I see lots of high buck trucks that have the look of never being worked or carrying more than the driver.
   I drive a 09 Ford Ranger 4x4 5 speed.It has rubber floor mats , a basic truck. To me, it has a better seating position than Nissan or Toyota, has a natural engaging feel to it...It's not as refined as the Japanese trucks but does the job. I was always a Chevy guy, owned a bunch of used Chevy trucks from the 70,s until recently.All were manual trans, all were reliable.Then I bought a clean 03 Silverado 4.8 V8 5 speed a few years ago...It always had something wrong with it..I do my repairs and can deal check engine lights , scanners and such..But it was too much trouble...And shitty build quality to go with the problems.

The farmers here are the rich folks.  I think part of the reason is that you can trace their family back 150 - 200 years. The farm workers, the poor folks driving the white pickups.  I mostly buy white pickups with steel wheels.  Easier to touch up. 

My 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4.8 was the most reliable vehicle I ever owned.  It cost me 6 cents a mile to own not including oil changes, tires, or gas.

My wife's 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.0 regular cab has spent 95% of its 120,000 miles towing and hauling.  It had its first break down a couple months ago when the starter went.  Now my wife wats to trade it off.  LOL!  Both of those trucks had manual crank windows, so yes, basic trucks, although GMC basic trucks have more than Chevy basic trucks.  We bought this truck when it looked like GM was about to file bankruptcy.  We literally paid 1990 pricing for a 2008 truck.  If we sell at this mileage it will have cost us 4 cents a mile to own not including normal maintenance.

[twowheeladdict]

Agreed Roadventure. They can mark the prices up, but when nobody ponies up for the premium the prices will come back down.

Once again I find myself the polar opposite of people here. I want a badass truck with as many bells and whistles as possible. I looked at the Tundra and really liked it. But the only badass version was the TRD Pro and it doesn't come it blue. Liked the 4Runner but again limited options in blue and felt too much like my Durango. And I wanted something that felt new not familiar. I really really really wanted to love the Gladiator but it felt smaller than my Durango.

 Seriously thought about the TRX but once I started adding bells and whistles, it got to be way too much. So went with a new Power Wagon which in it's on way is more badass than the TRX. It was that or a Widebody Red-eye Hellcat  , but since I have a teenager in the house said noooo.

I fully intend to trade my Power Wagon in in a couple years for a Hummer EV. So looking forward to it!

-AJ

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have bad ass trucks and cars and boats and toy haulers, but motorcycles are too high on the priority list and I can't have it all.

Plus, I hate insurance costs.  Bikes are so much less to insure than cages.

[Kev m]

Agreed Roadventure. They can mark the prices up, but when nobody ponies up for the premium the prices will come back down.

Once again I find myself the polar opposite of people here. I want a badass truck with as many bells and whistles as possible. I looked at the Tundra and really liked it. But the only badass version was the TRD Pro and it doesn't come it blue. Liked the 4Runner but again limited options in blue and felt too much like my Durango. And I wanted something that felt new not familiar. I really really really wanted to love the Gladiator but it felt smaller than my Durango.

 

I get this. Jenn and I have ordered a lot of our new cars to be built for us because we like to pick and choose and we want, what we want.

We may have been too hasty ordering the Pangea Green Defender because once she saw the Blue in real life (we'd only seen it in brochures when we ordered) it was much nicer. She'd considered the 4Runner as well, but it was really barren of luxuries and options and she wanted a combination of that with solid off-road performance for the OBX beaches/dunes! Too bad cause like you said that blue is great on the 4Runner as well.

Toyota and most of the JAPanInc. manufacturers drive me nuts because the so severely limit options/packages and like you pointed out even colors. I'm more a mid-size truck guy anyway (crap they are as big overall as the full size of years gone by) but the Tacoma is the same way, you can't get the awesome blue or that desert sand color in the TRD-Pro, only the TRD so you'd have to forgo some of the other options.

Many EU and US manufacturers allow you more leeway - from Rover and Mini and BMW to Jeep especially. I love that I was able to go crazy on my Jeep JKU spec'ing things like the 3.73 gearing LSD gear and a 6-speed, but still get brown heated leather, NAV, and a premium sound system. Truthfully when it comes time to add to the fleet again (I kinda hope we'll keep the JKU around at that point anyway) I would be sorely tempted by the Gladiator just because of configurability. But I'll have to see what else has changed by that point.

[twowheeladdict]

I get this. Jenn and I have ordered a lot of our new cars to be built for us because we like to pick and choose and we want, what we want.

We may have been too hasty ordering the Pangea Green Defender because once she saw the Blue in real life (we'd only seen it in brochures when we ordered) it was much nicer. She'd considered the 4Runner as well, but it was really barren of luxuries and options and she wanted a combination of that with solid off-road performance for the OBX beaches/dunes! Too bad cause like you said that blue is great on the 4Runner as well.

Toyota and most of the JAPanInc. manufacturers drive me nuts because the so severely limit options/packages and like you pointed out even colors. I'm more a mid-size truck guy anyway (crap they are as big overall as the full size of years gone by) but the Tacoma is the same way, you can't get the awesome blue or that desert sand color in the TRD-Pro, only the TRD so you'd have to forgo some of the other options.

Many EU and US manufacturers allow you more leeway - from Rover and Mini and BMW to Jeep especially. I love that I was able to go crazy on my Jeep JKU spec'ing things like the 3.73 gearing LSD gear and a 6-speed, but still get brown heated leather, NAV, and a premium sound system. Truthfully when it comes time to add to the fleet again (I kinda hope we'll keep the JKU around at that point anyway) I would be sorely tempted by the Gladiator just because of configurability. But I'll have to see what else has changed by that point.

All manufacturers are frustrating when it comes to options.  I've built a lot of different vehicles online, and for some reason when you add a feature you want a pop up tells you that it will remove X to give you Y.

Mazda is finally allowing the sport package with the touring features in the Miata that you previously could only get in the club trim.

If after I invested in the education of my children, funded my retirement, took care of charities, medical insurance, other insurances, and bought everything I needed to maintain my property, keep my motorcycle passion going, six months of income in a savings account, etc. Then found myself with $70,000 in disposable money, I would love to have other toys.

I have met too many people with a glitch in their employment having to sell off everything because their whole lifestyle is financed. 

I don't follow the F.I.R.E. movement, but I like many of their thoughts.  Financial Independence is freedom. You might not own as much stuff, or fancy stuff, but knowing that you have zero debt is an amazing feeling.

[Kev m]

All manufacturers are frustrating when it comes to options.  I've built a lot of different vehicles online, and for some reason when you add a feature you want a pop up tells you that it will remove X to give you Y.

Yeah, that happens with any brand to some extent but play around with some configurators like from Jeep or Mini and then compare them to Toyota and you'll see what I'm talking about the difference is stark.

In more than a few cases the Toyota (once you have a motor and trim level) will have ZERO options other than color (or some dealer installed accessories).

With Jeep you can be configuring dozens of items from LED lights to different motors, gearing, NAV system, stereo, different color interiors, hell on the Wranglers there might be 6 top options now.

Mini has been a minute but when we built ours we could choose multiple interiors, trim, sound system, wheels, decals, hell multiple roof options (colors and sunroof) etc.

The Defender we just ordered was a lot like that. You could get multiple seating configurations - 5, 6 (folding jump seat for a center console), or 7 seats - the rear seats could be fully electric, or could be manual, the rear seats could be plain, heated, heated/cooled, hell the REAR REAR seats are heated in ours but they are manually folded (as we wanted). We didn't get the jump seat, opted for the refrigerator lol. We got the active locking configurable differentials and all terrain package but we got the size and color wheels we wanted with all seasons instead of the off-road tires, etc. etc. etc.

I have met too many people with a glitch in their employment having to sell off everything because their whole lifestyle is financed. 

Yeah that happens to a lot of people, though I tend to see it more in younger than older adults and we certainly financed more than our fair share over the years. That said now we have a 15 year mortgage and ONE car payment (on which we owe less than half of the purchase price that we paid this past October). No other loans (well other than student loans and I'm getting really tired of them but he we're finally below the $70k mark and started at $200k so there's that). Credit cards are used for all purchases, for rewards, but they are paid off multiple times a month. Took us a while, but we almost feel like adults finally. 

[rocker59]

It makes no sense and drives up an already inflated market and product.
 

Demand drives the prices in a market, not the asking price.

People who can afford them want the RAM TRX and the new 427 Raptor and will pay a premium.

Supply and Demand.  Capitalism at work.

I can remember 30-years ago when Mazda Miatas were fetching $10,000 over MSRP.  It's nothing new.  Just the market at work.

[rocker59]

The base price on a F-150 base model is $28k. 

I have been looking for a truck with a manual as well and the only ones I can find are in the used market.

Manual transmissions in full size pick ups are a thing of the past. 

You'll need to look at 2017 and older.

[Bulldog9]

I get this. Jenn and I have ordered a lot of our new cars to be built for us because we like to pick and choose and we want, what we want.

We may have been too hasty ordering the Pangea Green Defender because once she saw the Blue in real life (we'd only seen it in brochures when we ordered) it was much nicer. She'd considered the 4Runner as well, but it was really barren of luxuries and options and she wanted a combination of that with solid off-road performance for the OBX beaches/dunes! Too bad cause like you said that blue is great on the 4Runner as well.

Toyota and most of the JAPanInc. manufacturers drive me nuts because the so severely limit options/packages and like you pointed out even colors. I'm more a mid-size truck guy anyway (crap they are as big overall as the full size of years gone by) but the Tacoma is the same way, you can't get the awesome blue or that desert sand color in the TRD-Pro, only the TRD so you'd have to forgo some of the other options.

Many EU and US manufacturers allow you more leeway - from Rover and Mini and BMW to Jeep especially. I love that I was able to go crazy on my Jeep JKU spec'ing things like the 3.73 gearing LSD gear and a 6-speed, but still get brown heated leather, NAV, and a premium sound system. Truthfully when it comes time to add to the fleet again (I kinda hope we'll keep the JKU around at that point anyway) I would be sorely tempted by the Gladiator just because of configurability. But I'll have to see what else has changed by that point.

The mandatory packaging of features tied to trims is a real pain, but in reality the % of people who actually order a mainstream vehicle is very small. Many of the Premium brands, Porsche in specific are almost completely alacarte in the selection of options, but all have a base level of content set to that trim level.  Jeep takes this approach with the Wrangler platforms, but not so much their SUV's.

[Kev m]

The mandatory packaging of features tied to trims is a real pain, but in reality the % of people who actually order a mainstream vehicle is very small. Many of the Premium brands, Porsche in specific are almost completely alacarte in the selection of options, but all have a base level of content set to that trim level.  Jeep takes this approach with the Wrangler platforms, but not so much their SUV's.

Yeah, maybe less so. But there's still a lot more options say on a Jeep Grand Cherokee than on a Ford SUV.

For instance, I just went to their website. There are something like ELEVEN possible Jeep GC models. There are 3 powertrains. If you go with a mid-level model like the Trail Hawk you still have two different interiors (cloth or leather) and choices of 4 option packages including: Luxury (to get the leather), Tech (adaptive/automatic stuff), Lighting (HIDs/LEDs), Entertainment (rear seat).

And there is a lot of crossover between the various models, more so than on some of the JAPanInc. brands.

On a Limited you can go with different size tires, four different interiors (leather or perforated leather in two possible colors), 8 different packages, normal or heavy duty suspension.

Now they still lock you out of certain features in certain models, sure. I just have found more flexibility in their builds over the years that's all.

[twowheeladdict]

The mandatory packaging of features tied to trims is a real pain, but in reality the % of people who actually order a mainstream vehicle is very small. Many of the Premium brands, Porsche in specific are almost completely alacarte in the selection of options, but all have a base level of content set to that trim level.  Jeep takes this approach with the Wrangler platforms, but not so much their SUV's.

As a guy who never wants leather or a sunroof, it really limits my choices.  I'm amazed at the cars I see with sunroofs the the owner tells me, "It came with it, but I never open the sunshade.".

I'm thinking, and you paid $900 for that potential leak point.   

[tommy2cyl]

I absolutely love the drift off topic of the original post.  Get a bunch of motorheads together and it is inevitable.  Seems we are now  talking about option packages on Miata's and Jeeps and lamenting the loss of manual transmission in trucks.  I got one.  Last year that Porsche was at the Detroit Auto Show there was a Boxster on display that had a base price of $65 K.  With options as it sat on the floor it was $105 K.  Not $146,XXX like the Ram, but still ridiculous.
Thanks for the entertainment.  I was hoping this thread would have legs.

[PeteS]

Ya really any truck with a std cab is almost unheard of anymore. Sounds like you got a good deal on that. I was looking for deals on new trucks, but not being able to get a manual any more turned me away.

I wanted a 2WD, regular cab, V8, 8ft bed when I got this truck. In the northeast all you could get 4x4s with crew or extended cabs. Found this in North Carolina so rode the EV down to get it.





Pete

[Phil/TX]

My truck is a Subaru Outback turbo with a hitch.

[ozarquebus]

 Back in the 70s and even 80s. you could get a good new pickup stripped down with three on the tree and a 6 cylinder. Even floor mats and AM radio were options.
Where is that stripped down model, now? What happened to the small pickup? Why was the diesel Mahindra pick up not allowed into the US?
 The US auto market is a monopoly, charging the consumer too much by squelching competitors via
'owning' the federal regulators.

[bobrebos]

I will be in the market for a new truck in about four years.  Currently drive a 2013 Ram 1500 4wd, gas engine.  Motor blew up at 90,000 miles (100,000 mile warranty saved me).  Got new motor put in and 150k on truck now with 60k on the new engine.  I use it as a truck, hauling stuff for my home (7 acres) and cabin.  From gravel, to bricks, to lumber, to 100 pound propane tanks, you name it.  lol.  Anyways, i might replace it with a Toyota Tundra next.  My problem is i am not paying 50k for a truck, so it might be a used truck next.  I tow an enclosed trailer that is fairly heavy i guess, so a new Tacoma is probably out of the picture, although I like them.  Time and finances will tell. 

[Kev m]

My truck is a Subaru Outback turbo with a hitch.

My truck was once a Subaru too (I miss it):

[rocker59]

I absolutely love the drift off topic of the original post.  Get a bunch of motorheads together and it is inevitable.  Seems we are now  talking about option packages on Miata's and Jeeps and lamenting the loss of manual transmission in trucks.  I got one.  Last year that Porsche was at the Detroit Auto Show there was a Boxster on display that had a base price of $65 K.  With options as it sat on the floor it was $105 K.  Not $146,XXX like the Ram, but still ridiculous.
Thanks for the entertainment.  I was hoping this thread would have legs.

Cheap-Assed old Guzzi riders never fail to disappoint.  Especially when it comes to bragging about being Cheap-Assed old Guzzi riders...