Cancelling my TRD Pro deposit :/

[RaskyR1]

So I've been kicking this around since pricing for the non-hybrids came out. With the large increase in MSRP for the new model year and current shitty interest rates, I just couldn't justify getting a mid-sized truck for over $60k...probably closer to $65K in reality. I've been leasing Ram 1500 trucks for the last 10 years and my 3rd one was about to end. While I've been wanting a mid-size truck for years, the lack of features and poor interiors has kept me from making the move. I don't "need" a full-size and I hate parking them, but the benefits of having a full size are nice. After weighing all the pros and cons I decided to trade my current Ram in on a loaded 2024 Laramie. It has all the tech I wanted and more. Current residual is at 54% and a lease rate of only .31%, plus $4k in incentives, $8k off MSRP, and another $4k in equity from my current lease, it was a no brainier. I know I'm going to be kicking myself in the butt when I see a TRD Pro going down the road, but this was just the best choice for me at this time. Maybe in another 3 years it will be Taco time! ;)

Window sticker on the new ride. It's 6hrs away and I'm driving down after work today. Will post pics after I get home.
https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/wind...8.1300431142.1706542850-1420739818.1706317888

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[JBSwine]

Were you getting a Pro just to have a Pro? You look at the Colorado ZR2 or Canyon AT4X?

 

[RaskyR1]

Were you getting a Pro just to have a Pro? You look at the Colorado ZR2 or Canyon AT4X?

Yeah, it was the look that sold me on it. I thought about going with the Sport but it wasn't available with the HUD and it just didn't have the mean look of the Pro. I did look at the GMC Canyon too but some of the reviews turned me off on those. Plus the reliability and resale value made more sense with the Tacoma for a purchase.

Really I just couldn't see buying a vehicle right now with interest rates so high. Even buying out my current Ram didn't make since when I could step into this new lease for less per month.

 

[TacoTraveler]

Emailed pretty much every Toyota dealership in Southern and Central California today to inquire if any of them will be selling Pros at MSRP. Longo is literally the only one that's going to sell at MSRP... Everyone else said that they will be doing markups on the Pros.

Not sure where you're located, but looks like you made a wise choice. I can't even imagine what the markups are going to look like for those.

 

[Tsturbo]

You are passing on a Toyota to buy another ram? Buy the Limited if you need HUD, buying a ram just doesn’t make sense in my mind. Good Luck Not even in the same league.

 

[JBSwine]

Emailed pretty much every Toyota dealership in Southern and Central California today to inquire if any of them will be selling Pros at MSRP. Longo is literally the only one that's going to sell at MSRP... Everyone else said that they will be doing markups on the Pros.

Not sure where you're located, but looks like you made a wise choice. I can't even imagine what the markups are going to look like for those.

California dealers are something else! Between them and all the fees the state charges it is just terrible.

 

[jcwls3]

I totally understand. RAM interiors, particularly on uplevel models, have buttery real leather everywhere — including the dashboard; expensive-looking and -feeling wood trim; quality switchgear; air springs for a brilliant ride and self-leveling; and enough luxury appointments to make an E-series Mercedes look sideways. And if plus-size vehicles are your thing, then there’s that.

When you consider how much more you get for your money, any $50K-plus Tacoma with a scrunchy backseat, fake leather (aka post-modern vinyl) somehow bring marketed as an advantage, missing low-level luxury appointments (would it have cost an extra $100 for memory seats, Toyota? Geez), a four-cylinder engine, etc. quickly loses as a value proposition on its face. It’ll look much better down the road if resale holds and reliability meets Toyota standards.

(Wait, did I just talk myself out of a Tacoma?)

Good luck with your big luxury truck.

 

[RaskyR1]

Emailed pretty much every Toyota dealership in Southern and Central California today to inquire if any of them will be selling Pros at MSRP. Longo is literally the only one that's going to sell at MSRP... Everyone else said that they will be doing markups on the Pros.

Not sure where you're located, but looks like you made a wise choice. I can't even imagine what the markups are going to look like for those.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm up in MN. I was told MSRP but Cali is a different story. Best of luck!

 

[RaskyR1]

You are passing on a Toyota to buy another ram? Buy the Limited if you need HUD, buying a ram just doesn’t make sense in my mind. Good Luck Not even in the same league.

Leasing another Ram. ;)

It is definitely apples to oranges but the Ram is the nicest riding truck out there and the interior is the bench mark too. The Limited Taco will be close to $60k with the iForce max and that's just too much IMO. Plus I don't like all the chrome. Cheers!

 

[RaskyR1]

I totally understand. RAM interiors, particularly on uplevel models, have buttery real leather everywhere — including the dashboard; expensive-looking and -feeling wood trim; quality switchgear; air springs for a brilliant ride and self-leveling; and enough luxury appointments to make an E-series Mercedes look sideways. And if plus-size vehicles are your thing, then there’s that.

When you consider how much more you get for your money, any $50K-plus Tacoma with a scrunchy backseat, fake leather (aka post-modern vinyl) somehow bring marketed as an advantage, missing low-level luxury appointments (would it have cost an extra $100 for memory seats, Toyota? Geez), a four-cylinder engine, etc. quickly loses as a value proposition on its face. It’ll look much better down the road if resale holds and reliability meets Toyota standards.

(Wait, did I just talk myself out of a Tacoma?)

Good luck with your big luxury truck.

LOL! Thanks! Yeah, that was a big deciding factor between them. The Taco is much more plain/rugged looking on the interior where the Ram is much more lux, which I've come to appreciate. The Laramie I got is fully loaded so it has pretty much everything the Limited has, but the Limited doesn't lease near as well.

The TRD Pro just looks amazing though!

 

[RaskyR1]

Black truck is the new one, burgundy one in the background is my old '21 that I traded in.

Driving the 370 miles back home made me realize just how much I missed adaptive cruise, HUD, wireless CarPlay, and a massive sunroof. The 19 speaker HK sound system is definitely a step up from the 9 speaker Alpine my old one had. The larger 33 gal tank and not having to stop for gas was nice too and my parents will appreciate the running boards and air suspension so I can drop it down for entry. Very happy with my decision. Cheers!

 

[GRKTRD]

Black truck is the new one, burgundy one in the background is my old '21 that I traded in.

Driving the 370 miles back home made me realize just how much I missed adaptive cruise, HUD, wireless CarPlay, and a massive sunroof. The 19 speaker HK sound system is definitely a step up from the 9 speaker Alpine my old one had. The larger 33 gal tank and not having to stop for gas was nice too and my parents will appreciate the running boards and air suspension so I can drop it down for entry. Very happy with my decision. Cheers!

They are probably thanking you 10 fold for buying some of the most sitting trucks on the lot of an average 70-90 days

 

[RaskyR1]

They are probably thanking you 10 fold for buying some of the most sitting trucks on the lot of an average 70-90 days

No doubt! That why the rebates and everything are so good. All other manufactures had much. much higher lease rates right now.

 

[Lando]

I’ve considered a similar situation. The higher trim Tacos prices just don’t justify a mid size truck to me. My apple to orange is a 1500 Sierra SLT, if I don’t like the Tacoma in the lower trim when I see it and actually sit in one.

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