Tradesman with a Hemi or Big Horn with a V6?

I will be buying a new Ram 4X4 sometime this fall, God willing, and I will be looking to buy the truck outright (cash) as I don't want a payment. I've found several trucks that I like. I can afford a '19 Tradesman with a Hemi -or- a Big Horn with the V6. These trucks are starting around for $30,000 - 34,000, which would be in my budget. I even found a V6 Laramie for $34,500. The Tradesman has a somewhat spartan interior vs. the Big Horn or the Laramie, and I prefer the larger display. I would rather get a Big Horn or Laramie with a Hemi, but that is out of my budget. I never tow and don't plan to so I'm thinking the v6 would be adequate. Trying to decide.

I would look for something slightly used with everything you want say no more than a 2017 model with 20K miles tops. You ought to be able to find something that meets most of your expectations for that amount of money I would think even in CA.

Just curious, why 20k tops?

Not sure if those are discounted prices but you're money might go further. I'd check some high volume ram dealers. They discount nicely as a policy plus FCA is offering 20% off MSRP including new body 1500s on dealer lots. You should be able to get over 30% discount from MSRP (minus tax, license).

If you plan on keeping the truck long-term, I think you would be happier having the Hemi

I paid $33,500 for my 2015 Hemi Bighorn, brand new , or get a 2019 Classic Bighorn, Hemi and interior. Now's a good time, now until Oct, I'm sure discounts will be deep.

Here is a brand spanking new ‘19 classic big horn with the hemi. Even has a full size short box with the crew cab. Just over $36 after discounts.

https://www.dennisdillon.com/invent...ig-horn-4wd-crew-cab-pickup-1c6rr7ttxks571408

Wdriver,

I was in the same situation as you. I went with the tradesman crew cab hemi. I’m so glad I did. I’ve put some upgrades on over the last few months and I love the truck. While the interior is spartan the ride is awesome. You can always upgrade your interior comfort and audio over time. I can’t imagine driving without the hemi. Hope this helps.

if possible resale value will be a factor down the road, in my neck of the words you have to have a hemi. just the way it is.

RamminMopar said:

Just curious, why 20k tops?

Click to expand...

Its a random number that I basically pulled out of my ass. Just kidding! My truck is a 2017 with 24K miles and still looks new inside and out the only thing being the seat bolster on the driver seat(Laramie pleather) is starting to show the tiniest bit of grain so it sounded like a good mileage.

hodl said:

Not sure if those are discounted prices but you're money might go further. I'd check some high volume ram dealers. They discount nicely as a policy plus FCA is offering 20% off MSRP including new body 1500s on dealer lots. You should be able to get over 30% discount from MSRP (minus tax, license).

Click to expand...

Be

wdriver said:

I will be buying a new Ram 4X4 sometime this fall, God willing, and I will be looking to buy the truck outright (cash) as I don't want a payment. I've found several trucks that I like. I can afford a '19 Tradesman with a Hemi -or- a Big Horn with the V6. These trucks are starting around for $30,000 - 34,000, which would be in my budget. I even found a V6 Laramie for $34,500. The Tradesman has a somewhat spartan interior vs. the Big Horn or the Laramie, and I prefer the larger display. I would rather get a Big Horn or Laramie with a Hemi, but that is out of my budget. I never tow and don't plan to so I'm thinking the v6 would be adequate. Trying to decide.

Click to expand...

hodl said:

Not sure if those are discounted prices but you're money might go further. I'd check some high volume ram dealers. They discount nicely as a policy plus FCA is offering 20% off MSRP including new body 1500s on dealer lots. You should be able to get over 30% discount from MSRP (minus tax, license).

Click to expand...

Be

wdriver said:

I will be buying a new Ram 4X4 sometime this fall, God willing, and I will be looking to buy the truck outright (cash) as I don't want a payment. I've found several trucks that I like. I can afford a '19 Tradesman with a Hemi -or- a Big Horn with the V6. These trucks

Click to expand...

Be careful of tradesman 5.7 hem I had a 2014 and aa2019. Both having transmission downshifting to first and most stops where it will bump into 1st at a complete stop or when you go to accelerate it with bump into 1st. No cure just a glitch and can get me answers at all. Other with great truck I bought it new fit 28,395 great talk down so.. getting the 6 cylinder will not help gas as it burns just as much trying to pull the weight along. Get the hemi you lol be glad you did.

i agree on 20K miles as well simply because i think in most cases you have to assume a truck has been used harder than cars by nature of what they are. Now..where I live, they seem to be a unicorn at that mileage. I was looking for a 2016 or newer on recommendation and I found:

-low mileage asking too much
-higher trim trucks available with low mileage but out of my budget (40K canadian or less)
-sketchy history on truck (we are in oil country. lots of young guys and gals who got jobs in oil out of high school and made quick and big money. when oil downturned, dumped the trucks on used car lots to get out of payments. Trucks driven hard on hard roads to work, never mind was the truck hard rode otherwise)

This choice comes down to which is more important to you long term: Spartan interior and great towing/payload capacity, or driving comfort and adequate capability.

I’ve had a 2017 Sport with V6 and now a 2019 Laramie with Hemi. Long term ideally I’d go with higher trim and V6 combo, as I don’t haul a lot and driver amenities count for more.

wdriver said:

I will be buying a new Ram 4X4 sometime this fall, God willing, and I will be looking to buy the truck outright (cash) as I don't want a payment. I've found several trucks that I like. I can afford a '19 Tradesman with a Hemi -or- a Big Horn with the V6. These trucks are starting around for $30,000 - 34,000, which would be in my budget. I even found a V6 Laramie for $34,500. The Tradesman has a somewhat spartan interior vs. the Big Horn or the Laramie, and I prefer the larger display. I would rather get a Big Horn or Laramie with a Hemi, but that is out of my budget. I never tow and don't plan to so I'm thinking the v6 would be adequate. Trying to decide.

Click to expand...

if you go with the 19 classic you can get the hemi...just bought a 19 bighorn classic cc hemi 8sp....sticker $44640...paid $26640...otd $31246....I'm in cali so you should be able to make a better deal...I also wanted to pay cash but they gave $1000 off for cc loan so I took it and paid the loan of the following month...no penalty...good luck

I bought my 2019 new body style 4WD Crew Cab Bighorn pretty well loaded out (towing package, north package, level 2 package) with the Hemi for $37k + tax/tag, and I got another rebate on top of that so it was really $36750. If you plan on keeping this truck for a long time, you would be foolish (in my opinion) to save a couple of thousand bucks because you don't want a payment and get a truck that doesn't have the options you want. Of course that can be a slippery slope where you pile on options and end up 15k beyond what you wanted to spend, but saving $1k by buying the V6 is penny wise/pound foolish if you ask me. For one, the truck will be worth less if you wanted to sell.

Let's say you ended up paying $5k beyond your 'budget' and you plan on keeping the truck for 10 years. That's $500 per year. If you've saved up enough cash to buy this truck outright, how long would it take you to save a couple thousand more?

Two things you should really think hard about what you really want and then buy them when you're getting the thing: cars and houses. Because it's expensive to change your mind, whether that means adding on options or adding a wing onto a house. There's a thread here somewhere a guy bought a truck and now wants an E-locker. Well, it was a $500 option when he bought the truck, but trying to retrofit it will cost way more than that.

So if you want a Bighorn with a Hemi, you should go buy a Bighorn with a Hemi. Leave off the 12" display, the E-torque, the Panorama sunroof and the bling wheels and you should be able to buy it in the upper middle 30's like I did.

tidefan1967 said:

Its a random number that I basically pulled out of my ass. Just kidding! My truck is a 2017 with 24K miles and still looks new inside and out the only thing being the seat bolster on the driver seat(Laramie pleather) is starting to show the tiniest bit of grain so it sounded like a good mileage.

Click to expand...

Likewise, my 17 longhorn still looks and feels new right around the same mileage. I always look for them at 20k miles or less as well, I've been able to do very well upfront and at trade in a few years later by doing this.

Just like the old commercial That thing got a hemi ? SWEET!!!!!!!!

Don't bother listening to anyone who tells you that you have to get the "Hemi" to prove your a man or need to get the "V6" to save the world (myself included).

Drive them both and decide for yourself which would suit your needs and driving style.

Me? I don't tow much and drive like a grandpa (maybe because I am) and I find the V6 to be quite nice to drive. But hey, if you absolutely have to have a Hemi, then your asking a rhetorical question anyway.