On the Fence about ordering a 2021 TRX

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So I'm on the fence about ordering a Ram TRX, but I need some input. I know the TRX Forum Members will all tell me to do it, but I'm hoping for a little less biased opinion.

I don't know how many have followed the TRX, but there have been some Quality Control Issues that have plagued the truck (see attached PDF for examples). That has me a little concerned.

The kicker is I can order a TRX for well below MSRP, and they are offering me $3,000 in trade MORE than what I paid for my 2020 Raptor last year (Raptor prices are crazy right now).

One of the hold ups is my Raptor is paid for and has bumper to bumper warranty for 8yrs/75,000 Miles, and I have Life Time Oil Changes

In short- I can get a Level 1 TRX with basically every option I want but Adaptive Cruise (that's with Level 2 and that adds a chunk of change) for my truck plus roughly $5,000 more.

2021 TRX I'd Order


Current 2020 Raptor

 

[MJS73]

So you could upgrade to a TRX for $5,000 out of pocket? I'd already be at the dealer.

 

[AeroF16]

Figure out why you want to trade the Raptor for the TRX, then ask yourself if you're OK with having the TRX in the shop IF you come across some of those issues in the PDF. If it's not worth your time and you don't want to deal with the POSSIBILITY of having potential QC issues, then don't do it.

If the difference in truck is worth the risk of POSSIBLY having it in the shop, then do it. No matter how good the dollar value seems, you'll have buyers remorse if your truck is in the shop often and that kind of thing bothers you or it's your only vehicle or whatever.

However, with almost any vehicle, if you look on the internet and compile all the problems people have, you'd never want to buy any of them! With a truck this expensive, I imagine they'll take pretty good care of you getting issues ironed out.

I think the probability of having the TRX in the shop to get assembly issues fixed once or twice is likely higher than previous years due to COVID and how that changed operations in the plants. I think the probability of having it in the shop more than that is low. Also, you could probably just show these concerns to the SA and have them give it a solid once over when they are doing the PDI anyways.

 

[AeroF16]

I'd also add, I wouldn't make any decision based on lifetime oil changes - how long have you owned the Raptor before considering trading it in? Even if you kept it forever, you're talking a couple hundred bucks a year for oil changes unless you drive a bunch (maybe 2 per year? Not sure what the Raptor/TRX calls for).

Your $5000 has the buying power of $8000 right now since they are giving you more for the trade than you paid for. From a pure monetary value, this sounds like a great opportunity. Unless you really need that $5k to put towards something else, that seems like a small enough difference on two very high priced trucks that I probably wouldn't factor it into my decision.

I think you just need to figure out which truck you want to drive the most, seems like all other factors are negligible on this specific deal.

 

[Piening2150]

Most of that list sounds like one off (or at least very rare) issues that always pop up on a new model. The TRX has its own separate sub-assembly line so they had to get people trained in those new positions. Most of that sort of stuff should be ironed out by now. The only 'normal' problem I see in that list is the 3rd brake light leak. That one seems somewhat common on the Ram forum, but I've never had the issue nor has anyone I know with a 5th gen Ram. YMMV obviously, but gauge your own personal experience with your Raptor versus the typical F-150 forum problems.

I wouldn't hesitate with the crazy used truck market the way it is right now.

 

[BULL]

I realize that the list on the PDF is a culmination of many different owners, but damn, that's kind of sad...

 

[BULL]

And typical of first production runs????

 

[AeroF16]

Most of that list sounds like one off (or at least very rare) issues that always pop up on a new model. The TRX has its own separate sub-assembly line so they had to get people trained in those new positions. Most of that sort of stuff should be ironed out by now. The only 'normal' problem I see in that list is the 3rd brake light leak. That one seems somewhat common on the Ram forum, but I've never had the issue nor has anyone I know with a 5th gen Ram. YMMV obviously, but gauge your own personal experience with your Raptor versus the typical F-150 forum problems.

I wouldn't hesitate with the crazy used truck market the way it is right now.

I had the 3rd brake light issue on my 2014 Ram 1500. Had to change the bulb once a year or so.

 

[GdBye]

So I'm on the fence about ordering a Ram TRX, but I need some input. I know the TRX Forum Members will all tell me to do it, but I'm hoping for a little less biased opinion.

I don't know how many have followed the TRX, but there have been some Quality Control Issues that have plagued the truck (see attached PDF for examples). That has me a little concerned.

The kicker is I can order a TRX for well below MSRP, and they are offering me $3,000 in trade MORE than what I paid for my 2020 Raptor last year (Raptor prices are crazy right now).

One of the hold ups is my Raptor is paid for and has bumper to bumper warranty for 8yrs/75,000 Miles, and I have Life Time Oil Changes

In short- I can get a Level 1 TRX with basically every option I want but Adaptive Cruise (that's with Level 2 and that adds a chunk of change) for my truck plus roughly $5,000 more.

2021 TRX I'd Order
View attachment 41094

Current 2020 Raptor
View attachment 41095

You definitely have good taste in colors (both Raptor and TRX). Sounds like you have a tough choice really. Myself, I don't buy first model years because of issues like this. If it was me, I would wait until next year and see what's out there. TRX prices may come down more or Ford might up their game with the Raptor. Do you have anything to lose by waiting?

 

[vortecd]

Figure out why you want to trade the Raptor for the TRX.

because HELLCAT

 

[Jimmy N.]

If it was me, I would wait until next year and see what's out there.
Do you have anything to lose by waiting?

What if it turns out that there will be no '22 TRX? Wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Then there's lots to lose money wise if this crazy market doesn't last.

 

[Jimmy N.]

because NOT FORD

There, I fixed it for you, vortecd.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I’ve also priced out a Level 2 TRX which adds a lot of goodies including Adaptive Cruise Control, Memory Seats, Cooled Seats, and so on. It looks like that would cost me my truck plus around $7,000.

I just don’t know if the TRX is worth that kind of money when I have a proven platform. Is $5,000 - $7,000 worth the extra HP in a half ton truck? It it was Hellcat vs 392 Challenger/Charger I’d say yes all day. But to gain one second from 0-60 in a truck and then lose pretty good fuel economy? One minute I say yes, and then another I just don’t know.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I’ve also priced out a Level 2 TRX which adds a lot of goodies including Adaptive Cruise Control, Memory Seats, Cooled Seats, and so on.

Goodies?? I doubt that a TRX is so boring to drive that you need adaptive cruise. Or that Montana even has enough traffic to make it usable.
Memory seats? Even I can tell if the seating position is comfortable or not. If it isn't, I can usually remember to change it.
Cooled seats? You're not in Yuma, AZ, and they all come with A/C, right?

 

[vortecd]

How about blue looks better then red. That help any

 

[vortecd]

Goodies?? I doubt that a TRX is so boring to drive that you need adaptive cruise. Or that Montana even has enough traffic to make it usable.
Memory seats? Even I can tell if the seating position is comfortable or not. If it isn't, I can usually remember to change it.
Cooled seats? You're not in Yuma, AZ, and they all come with A/C, right?

Cooled seats are as good in the summer as heated in the winter

 

[Jimmy N.]

Cooled seats are as good in the summer as heated in the winter

I did try mine in the Challenger, once. Stopped at roadwork and had time to fiddle with the damn touch screen.
Yeah, they did work. Whoopee.

Of course, living in "the desert", I don't have the same need for things like that as you semi-aquatic guys do.

 

[ChargerChallenger]

If I was going back and forth the only way to resolve the decision is drive the truck and if I remember correctly you did. To me that’s the real answer being is it that much better than the Raptor? And big trucks and speed are nice but it’s a lot of material rolling down the road at high speeds and it’s noticeable. I think it’s more about what fits the seat of your pants and for me I am very happy with my Raptor.

 

[WhipCat]

If you wait till 2022 then you will be getting close to the RaptorR.

And then there will be something else, and something else.

Just get what you want.

I had a customer of mine stop by my store this past Tuesday in a TRX and he let me check it out and also took me for a ride.

It is amazing truck. Absolutely amazing. Smooth, fast, comfortable.

Can’t wait to get mine.

Looks like mine might be done in the next 4-5 weeks.

Super pumped to get it.

 

[AeroF16]

What's the downside of making the deal? Sounds like the equity in your Raptor will help offset some of the depreciation of the TRX. With the demand for these trucks, sounds like you shouldn't have a problem getting your money out of it if you don't like it.

I think your 392 to Hellcat analogy is a good one. When you're buying cars/trucks like this, logic doesn't apply (as long as you could afford it). Buy what you want, like you did with your Hellcat.