Talk me out of a TRX!

Michael Phipps · Apr 5, 2024

I have a 18 PowerWagon that is my daily driver that I've customized just a bit to the point that I absolutely love it. It only has 35K miles, and other than being generally dirty it's as good as new with nearly every option on it. No problems whatsoever. My wife and I used to go off road alot more but these days it's only one or twice a year, and it's mostly snow, trail, and fire road driving. No rockclimbing or mudding anymore. The floor shifted 4wd is a favorite of mine as I appreciate the positive feedback of chunking it into gear when it's time to have some fun. I love the truck- especially the reliability, toughness, and overall quality of the truck. I don't even care that I get MPG that would make a NASCAR driver blush. I switched jobs from when I bought the PW and now I drive 20 miles into work daily. Before I was a remote worker, so it rarely was driven but now I'm in it probably 6 days a week.

BUT... The dealer near my house has 3 Level 2 TRXs on their lot and even though they are stupidly priced ($122k) I can't stop thinking about them. I really miss the power of my Hellcat that I sold to get into the PowerWagon. The idea of a great truck with all the power of a hellcat under the hood- the sound, the acceleration, the speed- is intoxicating. Also, now that I'm on the highway everyday I'd love the passing power of a hellcat. PS, I never got a ticket when I was in my charger hellcat, but I came damn close several times. Hitting 150 again on an open road in Mexico

with that supercharger whine would make me feel like a kid again.

There's no chance my wife will let me keep the PW and just get the TRX. In fact talking her into the TRX will be no small feat as it's absolutely a mid-life-crisis buy more than anything. I'm fat and don't fit into Corvettes. I can afford it, but it'll take sacrifices. And I have to believe that while it'll never be an appreciating asset it will depreciate more slowly than my PW is.

So, does the switch make sense, or am I just ******* over the TRX's ample cylinders? Is a 5th gen 1500 that much better than a 4th gen 2500 PW?

Lsujker · Apr 5, 2024

You absolutely should should buy it if you can afford to. Dream truck for a lot of us. What are your chances to buy a new one in the coming years? 0.0

Traded my scat pack for a 2500. Family reasons. I miss bang shifting to obscene speeds.

CanuckRam1313 · Apr 5, 2024

Michael Phipps said:
I have a 18 PowerWagon that is my daily driver that I've customized just a bit to the point that I absolutely love it. It only has 35K miles, and other than being generally dirty it's as good as new with nearly every option on it. No problems whatsoever. My wife and I used to go off road alot more but these days it's only one or twice a year, and it's mostly snow, trail, and fire road driving. No rockclimbing or mudding anymore. The floor shifted 4wd is a favorite of mine as I appreciate the positive feedback of chunking it into gear when it's time to have some fun. I love the truck- especially the reliability, toughness, and overall quality of the truck. I don't even care that I get MPG that would make a NASCAR driver blush. I switched jobs from when I bought the PW and now I drive 20 miles into work daily. Before I was a remote worker, so it rarely was driven but now I'm in it probably 6 days a week.

BUT... The dealer near my house has 3 Level 2 TRXs on their lot and even though they are stupidly priced ($122k) I can't stop thinking about them. I really miss the power of my Hellcat that I sold to get into the PowerWagon. The idea of a great truck with all the power of a hellcat under the hood- the sound, the acceleration, the speed- is intoxicating. Also, now that I'm on the highway everyday I'd love the passing power of a hellcat. PS, I never got a ticket when I was in my charger hellcat, but I came damn close several times. Hitting 150 again on an open road in Mexico with that supercharger whine would make me feel like a kid again.

There's no chance my wife will let me keep the PW and just get the TRX. In fact talking her into the TRX will be no small feat as it's absolutely a mid-life-crisis buy more than anything. I'm fat and don't fit into Corvettes. I can afford it, but it'll take sacrifices. And I have to believe that while it'll never be an appreciating asset it will depreciate more slowly than my PW is.

So, does the switch make sense, or am I just ******* over the TRX's ample cylinders? Is a 5th gen 1500 that much better than a 4th gen 2500 PW?

I'm no small potato either!

However, if you're going to jump in, do it with all your moxy!

If you can afford it and fuel economy isn't an issue, do it before you don't have an opportunity to do so!

If you don't tow and/or haul.... then haul us A..Z_z into a TRX!!!!! Period!

Bigskyroadglide · Apr 5, 2024

Op, your money your life. Do what you want.

Please consider the following only as an observation. A supercharger for your PW is about $9k before labor and tuning.

Way cheaper than a TRX.

mikeru · Apr 5, 2024

Here's my take on your situation since you asked us for our opinions...You're happy with the PW. I'm going to assume it's either paid off or nearly there? Trading it in might get you in the neighborhood of $40k. That leaves over $80k to finance for the TRX unless you've got gobs of cash. I get the excitement of the power the TRX has, but as someone who has had three mid-life crisis cars that excitement will probably not last beyond six months. You mentioned you'd have to make some sacrifices that I assume you don't have to make with your PW. And it seems the wife is happy with your owning the PW but might not be as accepting of the TRX. Given those variables my advice would be to keep the PW that you love and have customized for your taste.

Burla · Apr 5, 2024

It sounds like you want to trade a man's capable truck for a boy's wet dream truck with no capabilities other then speed. There is zero chance I would ever do that, I couldnt even imagine moving to a 1500 if I had a 2500 that I was happy with.

Lsujker · Apr 5, 2024

Burla said:
wet dread

You make a great argument for getting the TRX. I remember those things being fantastic.

Gregket1 · Apr 5, 2024

PW + super charger. Acceleration of TRX with usability of PW. Tons more money in your pocket.
PW + super charger + something REALLY nice for boss that she wants.

CalifPhil · Apr 5, 2024

Life is short. DO IT!

kcampbell09 · Apr 6, 2024

I think the TRX's are great but extremely over priced. and they will lose value extrmely quickly. They might hold value as the v8 is the last of its generation for the time being. If money is no object for you.... thats one thing, but if financing a very large car payment... that get alot off people, even well of people, into trouble in the long run.

Wild one · Apr 6, 2024

Gregket1 said:
PW + super charger. Acceleration of TRX with usability of PW. Tons more money in your pocket.
PW + super charger + something REALLY nice for boss that she wants.

There's alot more to a TRX then a blower,for one thing it has the 8HP95 transmission,plus you're not boosting a stock bottem end 6.4 to the same power level of the TRX. At the very mininium you're putting a set of pistons and rods in it,then you have to unlock the pcm / install the bypass cable and find a compenent tuner to tune the engine and transmission. He'll either have a 66RFE or an 8HP75 behind his 6.4,both transmissions are a long ways off the HP95 in regards to power holding capabilities.
I'm not a big proponent of the TRX's,but to tell a guy he'll have comparable power to one by just slapping a blower on his 6.4 isn't quite the whole story

Racer9 · Apr 6, 2024

You might want to talk to your insurance agent, and see how much that'll cost you.

KalboKalbs · Apr 6, 2024

As guy that has talked myself out of a few expensive, but affordable mid life crisis purchases,.
- Have Never Regretted bypassing them.

Ya pleased as punch with your truck, wife is happy. Seems life is smoothly humming along on all cylinders.

Lsujker · Apr 6, 2024

mikeru said:
Here's my take on your situation since you asked us for our opinions...You're happy with the PW. I'm going to assume it's either paid off or nearly there? Trading it in might get you in the neighborhood of $40k. That leaves over $80k to finance for the TRX unless you've got gobs of cash. I get the excitement of the power the TRX has, but as someone who has had three mid-life crisis cars that excitement will probably not last beyond six months. You mentioned you'd have to make some sacrifices that I assume you don't have to make with your PW. And it seems the wife is happy with your owning the PW but might not be as accepting of the TRX. Given those variables my advice would be to keep the PW that you love and have customized for your taste.

Buying a 122k vehicle is horrible financial decision. Would not consider this toy or a boat for that matter unless my net worth was $6mm plus. My suggestion to buy was assuming the OP is financially well off. We are not financial advisors. The PW is far more capable as a pickup. If you NEED a work truck keep the PW. Commuting, want to go fast and the retirement fund is fat (putting on my financial advisor hat), let’s go smoke some mustangs.

The wife will get over it. Through thick and thin right?

mikeru · Apr 6, 2024

Lsujker said:
Buying a 122k vehicle is horrible financial decision. Would not consider this toy or a boat for that matter unless my net worth was $6mm plus. My suggestion to buy was assuming the OP is financially well off. We are not financial advisors. The PW is far more capable as a pickup. If you NEED a work truck keep the PW. Commuting, want to go fast and the retirement fund is fat (putting on my financial advisor hat), let’s go smoke some mustangs.

The wife will get over it. Through thick and thin right?

OP indicated that he "can afford it, but it'll take sacrifices". That could mean a lot of things actually and really gives no real indication that they are well off. In fact, I wouldn't consider someone to be well off if they can't keep the PW in addition to buying the TRX. But people can have differing definitions of what it means to be well off. In the end, we don't know (nor do I want to know) the OP's financial situation. In the title of the thread the OP is asking for us to talk him out of the TRX. So I was obliging his request.

I agree that buying a $122k vehicle is a horrible financial decision. It's a depreciating asset. But it doesn't sound like the OP is looking for investment advice.

oe542bob · Apr 6, 2024

OP, do you have a garage to keep it in? Do you live in an area that has a lot of stolen vehicles? TRX, Hellcat Challengers & Chargers, HC Durangos are on that list. I’ve never been paranoid about it till I got my HellCat. Where you be taking it and leaving it parked when in use? Not trying to be a buzz kill, but it is something to consider your tolerance level on security.
There is a TRX forum you may want to visit for information. Good luck with your decision.

RamDiver · Apr 6, 2024

Here's my humble opinion, because you asked for it. I've been retired for almost 10 years now so, my perspective is likely different than yours, although...

I bought a '21 Warlock new in January of '22, with several great discounts. I feel as though I've won the lottery. I've had almost zero grief with this truck and it fulfills my needs other than it's a pig on gas.

If I were to win an actual lottery and have more money than I could spend, I might buy another fancier Ram but I'd store my Warlock because I know that it's reliable.

Given all the madness of the past few years, the lack of work ethics, and the number of warranty claims that get challenged or ignored, I'd never trade a vehicle that was 100% reliable and something that I enjoy driving, every last time I get behind the wheel.

Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Imagine if I were asking for your advice.

If I thought my vehicle was fantastic, met all my requirements, paid off or was almost there, should I consider gambling that I don't get a lemon or Friday afternoon special production and add a fat financing responsibility to my life?

Unless I own my own business with a guarantee of employment long enough to pay my new truck mortgage or have a rich uncle or a money tree, does that sound like a sensible choice in maintaining my happiness into the future? LOL

I wasn't planning to be laid off from work in 2014, I thought that my job was secure and would last until I decided to retire. Lucky for me, I had my finances under control or otherwise, it would have been nasty.

What would happen if you lost your job tomorrow? Now, the same question with a new TRX mortgage.

.

Lsujker · Apr 6, 2024

mikeru said:
OP indicated that he "can afford it, but it'll take sacrifices". That could mean a lot of things actually and really gives no real indication that they are well off. In fact, I wouldn't consider someone to be well off if they can't keep the PW in addition to buying the TRX. But people can have differing definitions of what it means to be well off. In the end, we don't know (nor do I want to know) the OP's financial situation. In the title of the thread the OP is asking for us to talk him out of the TRX. So I was obliging his request.

I agree that buying a $122k vehicle is a horrible financial decision. It's a depreciating asset. But it doesn't sound like the OP is looking for investment advice.

Could not agree more. We are all providing some opinions, filling in the blanks with assumptions. There is zero logical reason someone needs a 700hp truck. Some of us sure do want one though.

Docwagon1776 · Apr 6, 2024

If you're kidnap resistant, why not add a sports sedan to the stable and keep the PW? Sports trucks aren't really a thing for a reason. You can get enough power to overcome the weight for straight line acceleration, but unless you're just really into drags...so what? A Kia Rio does significantly better on a skidpad, so that should give you an idea of how well you can use that speed once you want to deviate from a straight line. A Jeep Trackhawk makes more sense than a TRX if you just want to go fast on the road in something that's not a sedan or coupe.

I wouldn't trade my PW for a TRX and damn sure wouldn't make any 'sacrifices' to do so.

marine0311 · Apr 6, 2024

For what its worth, I'm in love with my '15 Ram Laramie. I not ever thought having a comfy truck would improve my life. Here I am though with a big ear to ear grin every time I get to go run a errand. I use to feel I like I had to run a errand in every truck before since either my '04 Dodge Ram or my '98 Dodge Cummins. Even if I had enough money to outright buy a TRX, I am still driving/keeping my Laramie. My insurance lady will also be easier on my wallet by doing such

Talk me out of a TRX!

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