'19 Ram Rebel

Fugly as hell and worthless in 3 years or less....a vehicle is an investment I’d rather not lose my ass on a big purchase like that..

 

Buddy had a 2015 Ram, he had a total of 5k miles on in this year when he traded it for a Hell Cat. The ram's alternator melted down in his driveway at 3k miles, took out the battery and main harness, after he got it back the 3rd brake light started leaking. When he got rid of it the whole interior smelled of mildew. Rode in it a few times and was not very impressed, seemed like it was just waiting to fall apart.

 

Just a quick check, as close to apple to apples as could get both 4 door, 4wd, v8 miles, ....



Almost $6K difference

 

My buddy’s 2y old RAM wouldn’t start over winter, battery was good. Here we are cresting over a slope camping last summer, nice Cummins 2500 though.

 

Not sure what the price is new, but in your higher trims it is probably $3-6k more than a comparable Toyota. I guarantee that number is pushing $10k when looking at 3 year ownership taking into consideration up front costs and then dealer trade in/sell value.

When I was researching Fords last year, hard to know what they really sell for but a new F-150 King Ranch has MSRP for $70k. I could buy a 2 year used in our market with 40k miles for $38 to $40k. A Platinum with an MSRP of $52k could not be found for under $40k unless you got up into 60k + miles and 3 years old. Markets vary, but Toyota is on a completely different level compared to the Big 3, especially Ram. I find the national publications like car & driver, autotrader, etc... are not even close on their resale value rankings. Ones where they say Tundra is worth 55% and Ford is 52%. I have no clue how they come up with those numbers as looking on lots and used prices they are not even close!!!!!

The Rebel is a pretty sharp looking trucks, and the future is hard to predict but it would be real interesting to be able to look ahead at the trade in value for a TRD Pro compared to a Rebel in 3 years. It makes me cringe to think of how big a difference there is.

Before buying my Tundra we test drove a new loaded Ram. Interior is pretty nice! Had stitching coming apart on the back seat and pieces in the dash were not even straight. Made it 2 miles down the road and the salesman already started selling and reduced it by 12k right then and there without us e en asking. It was a major red flag and my wife was not a fan of the truck. Those big fancy screens are already messing up and seen it with a buddy's truck at work.

 

Bottom line, OP needs to buy what he likes best. If he is not going to have it long, problems with Rams will not be an issue but will absolutely wear it when it comes time to trade in.

As much as we love our Tundras we seem to be the minority in the truck world and everyone wants turbos, butt massages, fancy gadgets, and a truck that will last 3 to 4 years. Unfortunately that is what is selling and what people are flocking to. I would imagine 89% of people buying trucks do not research issues and buy out of features and comforts and that is it.

 

New purchase is not an easy choice. I know, been there done that, got the hat and t-shirt.
When shopping I tried to make my discussion on a number of factors, I have to say the Titan and F150 were major contender for me. I liked both, for handling, MPG, bells and whistles, blah blah blah...
It really came down to the facts.
I had issues with a 2014 Nissan Quest, and CVT needed replacing at 60k miles ( i know, the Titan doesnt have CVT but it was still in the back of MY mind)
The Titan had noise and vibration issues I was not willing to deal with, and I had the "back of my mind" issue still going on.
Drove the v8 F150 about 50 mile test drive. It had more road noise on the highway than I was willing to accept. Then comes the residual value, not as good as Toyota.
My 1999 2wd, 4 banner, 240k miles, 4Runner is still going, never been in the shop for anything other than maint.
After I weighed all the facts...........
TUNDRA was my choice.
But that's just my choice, it really depends on what you want, need, like.

 

My boss always buys Ram and he never had any issues until he got his 19. It’s been on the shop 4 times with electronic and ac issues. He’s not happy with it but I bet he will buy another. People like what they like.
He drives everywhere he can so he is usually trading in around 120k mostly highway miles within 3 years.

 

Id buy a 2014 Tundra with 75k and no warranty miles over a 2016 GMC with 55k and 100k warranty left.
Matter of fact, that is exactly what I did when I traded my 2016 GMc for my 2014 Tundra.

Good bye rook leaking, transmission slipping, driveline clunking, loose seat having GM product

 

The only way I would buy a Ram is diesel. I did consider one before i bought my 19 Limited Double Cab TRD, Since i do some towing but not a whole bunch I decided to stay with gas which means stay with the Tundra and Toyota reliability and resale value.

 

I don't want a butt massage. [Just wanted to get that on the record.]

 

Haha, I understand. A guy I work with got a King Ranch with every single option they make. First time I rode in it he made me turn on the massaging seats. Did nothing for me I turned them off quickly but he was bragging about them and loves them.

 

Now, heated butts [seats] are an entirely different thing: there's something about warm buttocks on a cold morning that really floats my boat.

 

You can mod old tech to new tech, but you can’t mod reliability. Stick with the tundra.