Maybe stupid question. Why are Ram trucks so cheap?

GTSpartan

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I still rock an '06 Ram 2500 w/ 5.9 Cummins. @ 275K, I can't seem to kill this thing. It has a goose neck attached ~70% of the time. It is serviced religiously. Compared to the current generations of trucks rolling around, it's flat out archaic.

Now, I can't possibly make a blanket statement about all the GM/Ford's out there, but I can say from personal experience, many of the diesel versions of the other two from that era would have needed major work to get that many miles. My family business has >50 service trucks, covering all of the big 3. They all lived hard lives, and all had their problems.
 

mc01svt

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ram trucks arent cheap, the fact is f150s are overpriced by about $10k for similar features. F150 is one of the few vehicles in the world where you can approach msrp of $50k and still not get leather seats. In fact ive seen XLTs for over $50k.

only way the avg joe can buy these trucks is with 72mo financing and a trade in. The median individual income in this country is less than $40k per year. Its incredible that ford is able to sell as many trucks as they do.

i personally prefer the f150 but ram Laramie is nothing to sneeze at. These are nice capable trucks.
 

allister

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Have you sat inside of one?

Enough said. I'm in the market for a new truck, and we build Rams all the time, just a basic interior that I cannot get over. The Ford trucks are just on another level...

This. All day. When I was in the market in 2013 for a gas pickup, I thought I was set on a Dodge until I test drove one. It didn't feel right and just wasn't sold on it. So on a whim I decided to test drive an F150 and I was sold. IMO just gotta test drive them both to feel and really see the difference.
 

tones_RS3

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When you say, "cheap",...do you mean not expensive or not very well made? lol
I'm on my second Ram truck. I had a 2005 GoMango Daytona 4X4 rcsb before the current one, which is a 2016 Ram Sport 4X4, rcsb. The 2005 was such a great truck!
Only one issue with it and that was the EVAP issue, which was common for that truck and year. All fixed under warranty with not even a co-payment. It was 11 years old when trading it in for the '16 and had a very small hole on the driver's seat from wear and tear and was beginning to rust a little on the rear bumper/tailgate. Mostly from being exposed to the crappy winters here in MA. But, it was 11 years old too.

I ordered the '16 Ram Sport the way I wanted it as far as color and options. It totaled over 44K for a rcsb.
 

OETKB

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When you say, "cheap",...do you mean not expensive or not very well made? lol
I'm on my second Ram truck. I had a 2005 GoMango Daytona 4X4 rcsb before the current one, which is a 2016 Ram Sport 4X4, rcsb. The 2005 was such a great truck!
Only one issue with it and that was the EVAP issue, which was common for that truck and year. All fixed under warranty with not even a co-payment. It was 11 years old when trading it in for the '16 and had a very small hole on the driver's seat from wear and tear and was beginning to rust a little on the rear bumper/tailgate. Mostly from being exposed to the crappy winters here in MA. But, it was 11 years old too.

I ordered the '16 Ram Sport the way I wanted it as far as color and options. It totaled over 44K for a rcsb.
Tony, when I posted I was referring to price only. I probably should have worded that differently... BUT WE CANT EDIT THREAD TITLES HERE. :D

Back on topic. I actually went to look at that RAM today, and as someone pointed out, the Quad cab is definitely not crew cab which is really the whole reason I'm looking at all.

I was just so surprised at the price difference between used RAMs and Fords.
 

slow06

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I picked up a ram in November, needed it for the long trips to Memphis, I'm happy with it. It's comfortable, Anthony has plenty of room along with his bags, but I'm just using it as a daily. I haven't towed anything yet. Only complaint is the "eco" mode.

I was also wondering about the price difference also when I was looking for a truck.

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jeffh81

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When you say, "cheap",...do you mean not expensive or not very well made? lol
I'm on my second Ram truck. I had a 2005 GoMango Daytona 4X4 rcsb before the current one, which is a 2016 Ram Sport 4X4, rcsb. The 2005 was such a great truck!
Only one issue with it and that was the EVAP issue, which was common for that truck and year. All fixed under warranty with not even a co-payment. It was 11 years old when trading it in for the '16 and had a very small hole on the driver's seat from wear and tear and was beginning to rust a little on the rear bumper/tailgate. Mostly from being exposed to the crappy winters here in MA. But, it was 11 years old too.

I ordered the '16 Ram Sport the way I wanted it as far as color and options. It totaled over 44K for a rcsb.

And you probably paid half that.
 

Screw-Rice

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nope, you are mistaken. $59k is the median income for households, not individuals.
You are correct, however household isn't accurate as it makes assumptions for number of people per house. Everyone I know is over the national average and live alone. But for the census they're a household. Quick google and can't find how they differentiate individual vs household. From what I remember, I'm a household even though it's just me.

Best I could find before heading out, is earning breakdown by age/sex. Still explains how people can afford these trucks.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/how-much-americans-earn-at-every-age.html
 

mc01svt

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You are correct, however household isn't accurate as it makes assumptions for number of people per house. Everyone I know is over the national average and live alone. But for the census they're a household. Quick google and can't find how they differentiate individual vs household. From what I remember, I'm a household even though it's just me.

Best I could find before heading out, is earning breakdown by age/sex. Still explains how people can afford these trucks.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/how-much-americans-earn-at-every-age.html

your personal circle is far removed from the reality of probably at least half the country.

According to that chart anyone less than 35yrs on average makes less after tax pay in a whole year than the msrp on a base model xlt f150.

As a ford share holder i think they should charge as high as the market will bear but at the same time it is a shame that the blue oval is getting further and further away from its "blue collar" roots. I know of several people who make a decent living that ended up buying dodges cause they perceived they got more for there money.
 

gimmie11s

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If you want the simple answer, Rams are not built as well as Fords or GMs. That being said, I'm still considering buying a 2002 Dodge 2500 at some point.

I would agree with this overall. The interiors on the Ram trucks are not NEARLY as nice as Ford or GM.. not even close.

In my region of the country, the reason Rams are cheaper is because its much easier to find a "base" model truck.

All of the Fords and GMs on dealer lots are all optioned up like crazy driving up the prices.

I bought this truck 2 years ago brand new for $43k before taxes/fees. Sticker was $52k and some change. Got a fair deal, not greatest, but fair.

Ford and GM were not willing to deal as much as Ram for some reason.

All that said... I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!! Hauls my 11k lb loaded toybox very nice and stable as hell.

The coil rear suspension is amazing. Superb ride (vs the others in segment) while unloaded and VERY confidence inspiring while loaded.


My best hand-calculated MPG for a tank is 19.7. Have not cracked 20 yet but plan to and have no reason to doubt it will do it.


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gimmie11s

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This is a big part. Ram isn't cheap, the others are too ****ing expensive.
You can NOT convince me a 4x4 F250 is worth 72K
I don't give a shit what the inside is like.

That said, My brothers (More than 1) Gas burner Rams have all done well with very little issues.
My 05 cummins is just broke in at 180,000 and not even a transmission issue.
That rust/paint issues has not been an issue around here since the late 80s

Believe your truck has the 48re. That is a stout trans. Needs another OD gear, but tough as nails nonetheless.
 

OETKB

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I just looked at the RAMs on the local dealer website. Holy crap. Configured like I want, new for $8-10K less than most of what's available in the way of Fords.

I may not end up with one, but I guess it would be stupid to not at least go look.
Need to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples.
 
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Screw-Rice

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your personal circle is far removed from the reality of probably at least half the country.

According to that chart anyone less than 35yrs on average makes less after tax pay in a whole year than the msrp on a base model xlt f150.

As a ford share holder i think they should charge as high as the market will bear but at the same time it is a shame that the blue oval is getting further and further away from its "blue collar" roots. I know of several people who make a decent living that ended up buying dodges cause they perceived they got more for there money.

Wasn't saying my anecdotal example (those I know) somehow validates the pricing, if we were in BFE Alabama it obviously wouldn't be the same. No different than those you know who decided to spend less on a Ram. Lot of factors for each person's decision.

That said, the reason behind the chart was there are salary brackets that can support the model, breaking that down into age groups to debate who's buying is a whole other argument. Outside of when I worked oil field, I don't see many young guys in a new Platinum Lariat. They obviously sell, as to whom, it seems to be older and not younger buyers. You don't have the best selling truck ever, by having them sit on lots.

Should note I agree on the pricing being high, as I've considered a half ton instead of my diesel, but no way I'm spending $50k on a half ton, when $10k more gets me a diesel with more function.
 

03Sssnake

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I've never owned a dodge hemi truck, but after seeing my cousins fall apart and my buddies drop a valve into the 5.7, not that interested in them. I know that is anecdotal evidence, but its enough to keep me away.

FWIW: I don't particularly care for GM trucks either. My wife's Tahoe has had one issue after another, mostly electrical; replaced upstream O2 sensors twice in 77K miles, blower motor, TB once, passenger side window motor, back passenger window switch, all speakers, tshooting AC climate control issues, interior trim is shit (particularly the dash)...I will be getting her an ecoboost expedition soon, done with this ****ing thing.
 

DaleM

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I just looked at the RAMs on the local dealer website. Holy crap. Configured like I want, new for $8-10K less than most of what's available in the way of Fords.

I may not end up with one, but I guess it would be stupid to not at least go look.
Need to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples.
I posted a link to the 2019s.

Might be my next ride after I unass the bmw. Who needs a 500 hp convertible that has girls flashing their boobs at me when I drive by or are clogging my grill with nasty panty tosses at highway speeds.?

I am too old for having to wade through a bunch of bitches' vag slime as they surround my car at the beach! Any idea what that feels like when you wear flip flops and walk thru the sand? Dee skusting

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