How Crazy Am I? Ram 1500 vs F-150

[Ayala]

I am currently the owner of a 2023 XLT Powerboost. I have seen some 2023 Ram 1500s in my area up to 18,000 below MSRP. I’m guessing that their terrible sales numbers and excess inventory are causing these big discounts. Anyways, I’m considering going from my XLT Ford to a Laramie Ram. How crazy am I?

Monthly payment would be about the same. The main reasons I’m considering it are:

-Luxury upgrades over what I currently have. Heated steering wheel, premium sound system, ventilated seats, leather seats, upgraded interior materials, etc.

-I want a truck that I can pay off and keep for as many years as possible for the family. Hopefully 15-20 years. At this point, I think the Hemi powertrain is more likely to be cheaper to repair and more reliable in the long term.

Reasons I would keep my Ford:

-Absolutely love the Powerboost powertrain. It might give me no issues for a very long time for all I know. So powerful and I’ve been getting pretty great mileage

-hard to beat the pro power on board feature

-I can upgrade what I want over time in my Ford and don’t care that much about luxury features

With the Hemi being discontinued and these discounts being so great, I’m just wondering if it’s worth considering for the additional luxury features and possibly more reliable powertrain in the long term. I mostly use my truck as a family hauler and have three kids.

Any advice would be appreciated to knock some sense into me. I look at the market too much and should try to enjoy my Ford, but I’m a sucker for a good deal.

THANKS!

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[Bossharp]

One thing you MUST consider is the cost of a extended warranty..And it must be a factory not 3rd party sourced and the right term in years and milage. Can you even picture what repair costs will be in 5 to 7 years? Look at zero deductible and loaner coverage just in case. I had a 2006 SRT-10 Quad cab and the fantastic extended warranty was the only reason I had a great ownership experience.
Long term ownership is not the norm now so really look at the extended warranty as a must have since new trucks are tech and electronic marvels that must be dealer serviced and sourced for parts and repairs. LED lights key fob zero deductible first day rental are cheap add-ons now..But if you EVER develop intermittent electrical issues..

 

[Ayala]

One thing you MUST consider is the cost of a extended warranty..And it must be a factory not 3rd party sourced and the right term in years and milage. Can you even picture what repair costs will be in 5 to 7 years? Look at zero deductible and loaner coverage just in case. I had a 2006 SRT-10 Quad cab and the fantastic extended warranty was the only reason I had a great ownership experience.
Long term ownership is not the norm now so really look at the extended warranty as a must have since new trucks are tech and electronic marvels that must be dealer serviced and sourced for parts and repairs. LED lights key fob zero deductible first day rental are cheap add-ons now..But if you EVER develop intermittent electrical issues..

One thing you MUST consider is the cost of a extended warranty..And it must be a factory not 3rd party sourced and the right term in years and milage. Can you even picture what repair costs will be in 5 to 7 years? Look at zero deductible and loaner coverage just in case. I had a 2006 SRT-10 Quad cab and the fantastic extended warranty was the only reason I had a great ownership experience.
Long term ownership is not the norm now so really look at the extended warranty as a must have since new trucks are tech and electronic marvels that must be dealer serviced and sourced for parts and repairs. LED lights key fob zero deductible first day rental are cheap add-ons now..But if you EVER develop intermittent electrical issues..

Great point. I currently do not have an extended warranty with my Ford (I know, I am stupid). I also cannot purchase one from Granger because I am in CA.

How do Ram and Ford extended warranties compare?

My dad has had zero issues thus far with this his 2007 Tundra, but maybe trucks like that just don’t exist anymore with all of the electronics in them now

 

[JExpedition07]

The Hemi would be good if you delete those lifters, it seems like the Ford 5.0 is the only reliable variable displacement implementation to date. Still see lots of sticky lifters on new Rams and Chevys where it’s crickets from the 5.0 crowd on CD complaints barring A/M exhausts being raspy when it kicks in. Idk if the Hemi is any more reliable than the 3.5 EcoBoost with those lifters in play. I’d probably stay your course unless you prefer than Ram overall

 

[Ayala]

The Hemi would be good if you delete those lifters, it seems like the Ford 5.0 is the only reliable variable displacement implementation to date. Still see lots of sticky lifters on new Rams and Chevys where it’s crickets from the 5.0 crowd on CD complaints barring A/M exhausts being raspy when it kicks in. Idk if the Hemi is any more reliable than the 3.5 EcoBoost with those lifters in play. I’d probably stay your course unless you prefer than Ram overall

I appreciate the info and advice, man. Thank you.

It would be good for me to do some research on lifters if they’ve been a common issue.

 

[aFordable]

I think you also get reclining rear seats in the Laramie. Would be a big plus for children not in car seats.

I’m also considering the steeply discounted Ram option. I have a KR PB on order and I really don’t want to give up the 7.2 pro power, but several reviewers talk about how good the interior is on the Ram, and the storage options they have is hard to beat.

 

[discothan]

Have you gone down to the lot and test driven one?

 

[Ayala]

Have you gone down to the lot and test driven one?

I have not, but am considering it. I definitely will before pulling the trigger

 

[BMCGC]

I love the Larmie Limited. The Kings throne room is not as nice.

The Hemi is a fine engine, but dated and gets horrible mileage.

You will get torched on trade in value.

My experience with Ram is that there is no way they are giving up that truck at the advertised price.

I do my research before I go in the dealer and figure my best OTD price. If the dealer cannot meet that price, I walk. I also negotiate for 30 minutes max. Thats why I like my locally owned Ford dealer. He gives me his best OTD price up front, I can take it or leave it.

 

[Ayala]

I love the Larmie Limited. The Kings throne room is not as nice.

The Hemi is a fine engine, but dated and gets horrible mileage.

You will get torched on trade in value.

My experience with Ram is that there is no way they are giving up that truck at the advertised price.

I do my research before I go in the dealer and figure my best OTD price. If the dealer cannot meet that price, I walk. I also negotiate for 30 minutes max. Thats why I like my locally owned Ford dealer. He gives me his best OTD price up front, I can take it or leave it.

Great advice. I had such a great experience with my local Ford dealer, but I am not familiar with the Ram dealer I’ve been looking at. I hope they would give me the advertised price because they clearly have not been selling well and even have a lot of 2022s in stock. I would appreciate a clear and upfront OTD price

 

[missileboy]

Personally, with all of the turmoil with Stellantis/Chrysler right now, I would not buy any DODGE/RAM/Chrysler products. Stellantis has tanked CHrysler and they are talking about bringing RAM back into Dodge vice it's own brand etc.

Chrysler has killed off jobs at corporate and this will continbue to get crappy for a while and will eventually effect service/warranty etc. 1 major US car Dealer conglomerate announced they are stopping any new orders of Chrysler/Dodge products-

Do some homework before you buy a RAM given where they are today-There is a reason they are discounting stuff-I'd worry the dealer you buy from may not be a RAM dealer soon?

 

[Ayala]

Personally, with all of the turmoil with Stellantis/Chrysler right now, I would not buy any DODGE/RAM/Chrysler products. Stellantis has tanked CHrysler and they are talking about bringing RAM back into Dodge vice it's own brand etc.

Chrysler has killed off jobs at corporate and this will continbue to get crappy for a while and will eventually effect service/warranty etc. 1 major US car Dealer conglomerate announced they are stopping any new orders of Chrysler/Dodge products-

Do some homework before you buy a RAM given where they are today-There is a reason they are discounting stuff-I'd worry the dealer you buy from may not be a RAM dealer soon?

That’s a great to perspective that I had not yet considered. Stellantis does seem to be a mess

 

[Bossharp]

Ayala.. I'm in Florida and have a issue with buying from Granger also. In Florida you are restricted from buying online BUT if you can give Granger (love this term lol!) a 'Wet' signature it's perfectly fine/legal
to buy it. No fake out of state address needed and valid nation wide. No Dealership in Florida would discount off MSRP that in my case that was $4,650.00. Granger was a little over half of that number. That's a LOT of money and well worth the trip to Iowa. Call Granger and see how you can legally AND ethnically buy it from them. Higher milage trucks might have to be inspected but even if you had to fly out in the morning and leave in the afternoon back to California the savings might be in the thousands Sir... It's ALL about keeping your truck for years. Dealerships have a wide latitude on repairs time scheduling service and loaner policy. Especially on loaner vehicles. Ford only ENCOURAGES dealerships to provide one. Again for most folks a extended warranty doesn't pay. Most have NO problems at all. But the costs of repairs and parts can absolutely wreck a avarage budget if you are in that small percentage of owners who DO get a 'problem' truck.. or a 'Bad' servicing dealership. And you absolutely cannot argue with the service manger..

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

I test drove a RAM before buying my PB. The lack luster performance and terrible gas mileage were enough not to choose it. They do have a nicer interior than the Fords do. I also test drove a 2025 RAM Rebel. The Hurricane engine is really an improvement over the HEMI's, but I wouldn't buy the first year of anything with a new powerplant in it. The 8 speed ZF transmission is superior to the 10 Speed in the Ford's for sure

 

[Ayala]

Ayala.. I'm in Florida and have a issue with buying from Granger also. In Florida you are restricted from buying online BUT if you can give Granger (love this term lol!) a 'Wet' signature it's perfectly fine/legal
to buy it. No fake out of state address needed and valid nation wide. No Dealership in Florida would discount off MSRP that in my case that was $4,650.00. Granger was a little over half of that number. That's a LOT of money and well worth the trip to Iowa. Call Granger and see how you can legally AND ethnically buy it from them. Higher milage trucks might have to be inspected but even if you had to fly out in the morning and leave in the afternoon back to California the savings might be in the thousands Sir... It's ALL about keeping your truck for years. Dealerships have a wide latitude on repairs time scheduling service and loaner policy. Especially on loaner vehicles. Ford only ENCOURAGES dealerships to provide one. Again for most folks a extended warranty doesn't pay. Most have NO problems at all. But the costs of repairs and parts can absolutely wreck a avarage budget if you are in that small percentage of owners who DO get a 'problem' truck.. or a 'Bad' servicing dealership. And you absolutely cannot argue with the service manger..

Wow, thanks bro! Amazing advice. I have to look into that

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