Tough Choice, new to RAM.

[phillipharp]

Hello. This is my first post. I am coming over to RAM from Sierra. I was not unhappy with the Sierra, but my last three had been basically the same truck. I am also going from a half ton to a 3/4 ton. After a lot of research I want to give RAM a try. Here is my dilemma. Any advice is much appreciated!

Truck 1- Has the 12" screen which I like, but it only has the 9 Speaker Alpine Stereo. I have not heard this stereo in person, but the 17 Speaker system blew me away. I don't have a lot of technical knowledge about audio, but I know that I was disappointed with the Bose in my Sierra (Was nice, but for the upgrade cost/name I expected more). I am thinking I will feel about the same way about the Alpine system as I did the Bose. Also has the midnight package which for me is the look I want. Also has the surround camera and other things better for towing (BBQ Trailer).

Truck 2- Has the upgraded audio (Laramie Level B) and the big screen. It does not have the upgraded towing features or the surround camera. It also does not have the midnight package. It has the sport package, but to me that almost looks like a mix of chrome and color...even though I am not a fan of chrome I think i would rather it have the chrome package than pieces of both.

Truck 1 and Truck 2 are the same price.

Truck 3- Custom order from Laura Auto Group. They are having a great deal on ordering through them right now. I could get every bell and whistle on the Laramie and come in $1k more than truck one or two, but I have no idea how long the wait would be.

Should I pull the trigger on Truck 1 and live with the Alpine system (I am not an afermarket upgrade guy, if I go that route I won't be looking to upgrade any speakers or anything). Should I go with Truck 2 and possibly keep an eye out to swap wheels/running boards at some point and just live the remaining chrome?
Should I get exactly what I want at a fair price by ordering Truck 3?

Thanks for listening to me ramble. I have not been excited about a new truck in a while and I don't want to make bad decision just because of how crazy everything is!

 

[snlsmith]

If you aren't in a hurry or huge need right now, go with Option 3 and get what you want. Also, if you read around on here, there are only a few dealers that can beat Mark Dodge in Louisiana. Call them up, send them your spec sheet and get a price. Not sure where you are, but may save enough to make it worth the drive. I wish I had known about them before I ordered.

 

[phillipharp]

Awesome, and thank you for your service. I just messaged and asked to speak to someone in sales about doing a custom order, so I will see what they say. Laura is doing $6,000 off MSRP on custom ordered Laramie 2500's which I thought was pretty good. Everywhere local to me is marking them up, so I don't mind driving.

 

[Havoc Powersports]

are you looking at used or new on the first 2 trucks? if used i have a nice 2019 ram 2500 cc lb 4x4 sport granite crystal with 12" laramie level 2 17speaker etc

Reach out to Sandi @ Samrith@markdodge.net my truck price ordered thru them is Msrp $92870.00 my price $79135.00 plus $444.00 doc temp tag, notary fee. $1000.00 down to order when I ordered.

 

[phillipharp]

are you looking at used or new on the first 2 trucks? if used i have a nice 2019 ram 2500 cc lb 4x4 sport granite crystal with 12" laramie level 2 17speaker etc

Reach out to Sandi @ Samrith@markdodge.net my truck price ordered thru them is Msrp $92870.00 my price $79135.00 plus $444.00 doc temp tag, notary fee. $1000.00 down to order when I ordered.

Thanks for the info. I am mainly looking at new, but I will keep yours in mind! Just got off the phone with Mark Dodge, they are pricing out my build sheet for me. I am glad I joined this forum!

 

[mcarey]

Awesome, and thank you for your service. I just messaged and asked to speak to someone in sales about doing a custom order, so I will see what they say. Laura is doing $6,000 off MSRP on custom ordered Laramie 2500's which I thought was pretty good. Everywhere local to me is marking them up, so I don't mind driving.

Mark Dodge should do better than that, depending on MSRP price. You should get a quote somewhere between like, 13-15% off MSRP. You can do the math backwards to see where 6K falls.

 

[Ickabod]

If it is between truck 1 and 2, I would go with the truck 1. You will not miss the upgraded sound system. The Alpine is a good system and you can easily upgrade the speakers if you find them limited. I replaced the front corner speakers to produce a crisper sound up front.
The best option would be to order exactly what you want. There are several dealers on this forum that offer 4%-5% off invoice. This equated to a little over $8K off MSRP off my truck.

 

[RAM_Dad]

Thanks for the info. I am mainly looking at new, but I will keep yours in mind! Just got off the phone with Mark Dodge, they are pricing out my build sheet for me. I am glad I joined this forum!

If you’re looking at the Laura Auto group, I assume you’re near St. Louis. I’m also in the area and opted for Mark Dodge, I saved about 9k off MSRP on my Laramie.

Best auto buying experience I’ve had.

 

[Brutal_HO]

There's also Granger in IA.

 

[Millmutt]

I think the Alpine is just fine. I have read posts on droning sound from the audio and amp issues and I believe they all have occurred on the 17 speaker systems.

 

[phillipharp]

Lots of good info in here. I am glad I found this group! I was literally able to get every single option that I wanted going with Mark Dodge. Came back with 11% of MSRP which I was very happy with. Looking forward to having a new truck to learn!

 

[cobracnvt]

I have 21 2500 with the base 8.4" radio with Car Play. It's a level below Alpine and the speakers and overall sound were not very good. I believe the Alpine system adds an external Amp to the radio to drive these speakers.

A crutchfield speaker order for about $300 and a couple of hours swapping out 6 speakers (dash, front and rear doors) made a tremendous improvement. It needs a subwoofer and an external amplifier, but I'm very good for now with what I have.

I swapped the 3 1/2" dash speaker first and it made a tremendous improvement over the stock speakers. They were $99. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R3032CM/Infinity-Reference-REF-3032cfx.html

Are there any Ram dealers giving good deals more towards the North East US?

 

[gimmie11s]

The factory Alpine system is pretty good--many on this forum like it and some have said they prefer it over the HK system--that seems like a stretch to me, but ive never heard the HK.

If you swap out the dash speakers on the Alpine, it becomes even better.

 

[G’Dave]

If you’re looking at the Laura Auto group, I assume you’re near St. Louis. I’m also in the area and opted for Mark Dodge, I saved about 9k off MSRP on my Laramie.

Best auto buying experience I’ve had.

I did the same. I live in St Louis and went with MD.
However, I probably would have purchased from Zach at Granger in Iowa if I had known about him. Similar pricing, and 350 miles away instead of 700 from STL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blythkd1]

Also a lifelong GM guy I'm just coming off of 4 straight Bose systems and the '22 Alpine is not a compromise at all in my book. The later Bose systems were better than my first in 2007 but I'm liking the Alpine just fine so far. For what I saw the HK costs, I personally wouldn't spend the money for it.

I just received an ordered truck in 4 months but there's no rhyme nor reason to the leadtime. Some guys have been waiting much longer. I suppose if you can wait it out go for it but with the '22/'23 changeover coming soon I'd say it's likely you could get caught up in that, further extending your wait. With the order deal you get what you want at a good price with the right dealer, it's just about the wait. Also not sure if you're trading something in but that can be another battle on a new order. And another thing, there's a thread somewhere about all the options that aren't available and/or causing undue delays. You might check that out. Parts shortages seem to be hanging on apparently with no end in sight.

 

[jebruns]

There's also Granger in IA.

That's where I just ordered from. I had Mark Dodge and Granger both price the same truck. Granger was a little cheaper, and a little closer.

 

[phillipharp]

Also a lifelong GM guy I'm just coming off of 4 straight Bose systems and the '22 Alpine is not a compromise at all in my book. The later Bose systems were better than my first in 2007 but I'm liking the Alpine just fine so far. For what I saw the HK costs, I personally wouldn't spend the money for it.

I just received an ordered truck in 4 months but there's no rhyme nor reason to the leadtime. Some guys have been waiting much longer. I suppose if you can wait it out go for it but with the '22/'23 changeover coming soon I'd say it's likely you could get caught up in that, further extending your wait. With the order deal you get what you want at a good price with the right dealer, it's just about the wait. Also not sure if you're trading something in but that can be another battle on a new order. And another thing, there's a thread somewhere about all the options that aren't available and/or causing undue delays. You might check that out. Parts shortages seem to be hanging on apparently with no end in sight.

Thanks for the info. I will try to find that thread!

 

[CdnHO]

Unless you need to have truck NOW, then go with option 3. Waiting is hard but you will be driving it a long time and you will not regret the wait.

 

[fuchsroehre]

Go with option 4:
Look US- wide, find the right truck and do a nice road trip in a brand new vehicle. Its a once in a lifetime experience.
Did it several time and it was always a lot of fun.

 

[jetrinka]

Also a lifelong GM guy I'm just coming off of 4 straight Bose systems and the '22 Alpine is not a compromise at all in my book. The later Bose systems were better than my first in 2007 but I'm liking the Alpine just fine so far. For what I saw the HK costs, I personally wouldn't spend the money for it.

I just received an ordered truck in 4 months but there's no rhyme nor reason to the leadtime. Some guys have been waiting much longer. I suppose if you can wait it out go for it but with the '22/'23 changeover coming soon I'd say it's likely you could get caught up in that, further extending your wait. With the order deal you get what you want at a good price with the right dealer, it's just about the wait. Also not sure if you're trading something in but that can be another battle on a new order. And another thing, there's a thread somewhere about all the options that aren't available and/or causing undue delays. You might check that out. Parts shortages seem to be hanging on apparently with no end in sight.

I agree. I have the HK and while it’s nice it certainly doesn’t blow my socks off