Best bang for your buck?!

[Deepsleep777]

Hey there,

I'm pretty new here, like 5 seconds ago lol.

Anyways, i'm in the market for a 2015+ Ram 1500.

My burning question is: which model of RAM is really worth the buck?

Keeping in mind I will be lifting the truck and putting some new wheels and rubber on it, which route do you go? Get an Express and add all the snazzy features or shoot for a Bighorn or maybe Sport and have it all there?

I mean is there a better deal typically with certain models and are some models just not worth it?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[huntergreen]

Welcome to the forum. I like the bighorn for some of the upgrades. If your lifting the truck and adding one bigger wheels tires, I would suggest the 3.92 gearing.

 

[Deepsleep777]

Welcome to the forum. I like the bighorn for some of the upgrades. If your lifting the truck and adding one bigger wheels tires, I would suggest the 3.92 gearing.

So probably not worth going much above a Bighorn?

Curious if cloth is a bad idea, versus leather. I've always had leather, but am open to cloth really.

 

[mohemipar]

It really depends on how important extra features are to you. If you only want to get by with the Hemi, 8 speed and the basic essentials than the Express will do you fine. Big Horn will get you some nicer interior materials, maybe heated seats, the big UConnect, etc. Laramie gets you very nice interior with soft touch materials and a few nice details like wood accents, Ram emblems in the doors, etc and standard leather seats. Plus pretty much all the little features standard. Sport is similar to Laramie but has a little less polish IMO. However with the Sport you get all color matched bumpers like the Express. Big Horn and Laramie you get chrome.Also be aware that to get the projector style headlamps and LED's you need to get at least the Sport trim.

I would suggest going on Ram Trucks .com and playing around with the truck configurator. They trucks have not really changed much from 2015-present. So you can see what options come with what.

 

[mohemipar]

Deleted

 

[69GWC]

All depends on what you want out of a truck.
Myself I did not want all the junk and just wanted the basics plus I wanted the color matched bumpers.

Express for me.

 

[quietpeen]

All depends on what you want out of a truck.
Myself I did not want all the junk and just wanted the basics plus I wanted the color matched bumpers.

Express for me.

This....it all depends on what you think is a needed feature. I got a sport because i hate chrome, but i also like the added features over an express.

 

[69GWC]

^^^^
Yes I started looking at the Sport because it was the look I wanted but had more features than I wanted so the Express was the ticket.
Would have liked leather and buckets but was not a deal killer.

 

[Deepsleep777]

This....it all depends on what you think is a needed feature. I got a sport because i hate chrome, but i also like the added features over an express.

I'm torn between chrome and color matched, they both can look good, if done right. My problem is Bighorn or the extra dough for a Sport. Ohhhh, the choices :/ there is too many lol

 

[quietpeen]

If 4x4 performance will ever be an issue you might want to read up about the different systems. And their limitations

 

[Purplert]

For me it was a easy choice when I was looking.. didn’t want all that gawdy chrome I wanted to stick with colormatched bumpers from the get go and didn’t need all the extra features because I would just add what I wanted rather if it was aftermarket or oem. I have always had leather and thought at first I would completely hate the cloth and have Katskin installed but the first time I got in it and didn’t burn the hell out of myself I changed my mind. If you want leather Katskin sell there covers for around $600 on eBay and shouldn’t cost more then $400 to have someone local install them for you. Just can’t beat the price for Express, has the basics that I wanted/need.. Hemi...4x4.. and crew cab.

 

[Deepsleep777]

If 4x4 performance will ever be an issue you might want to read up about the different systems. And their limitations

I don't think i'll ever need off roading capabilities

 

[Deepsleep777]

For me it was a easy choice when I was looking.. didn’t want all that gawdy chrome I wanted to stick with colormatched bumpers from the get go and didn’t need all the extra features because I would just add what I wanted rather if it was aftermarket or oem. I have always had leather and thought at first I would completely hate the cloth and have Katskin installed but the first time I got in it and didn’t burn the hell out of myself I changed my mind. If you want leather Katskin sell there covers for around $600 on eBay and shouldn’t cost more then $400 to have someone local install them for you. Just can’t beat the price for Express, has the basics that I wanted/need.. Hemi...4x4.. and crew cab.

Ya, right on. I would def want the uconnect in there, but could come later as well too.

Do you think it would be easier if you had park assist?

 

[Graygoose]

I had a 2011 express, loved it, but when I bought my 2015, the interior and 8.4 screen, console, etc the Bighorn had a much better interior IMHO. I don't need the added features for the Sport. If I want leather, $600 I can add Katzkin. You don't need seat heaters, maybe ventilated seats. Sunroof...nah, something to leak.
So the Bighorn saved me on the price.
Added the things I wanted, tires, wheels, lift, remote start, lights, tails, etc...

 

[Deepsleep777]

I had a 2011 express, loved it, but when I bought my 2015, the interior and 8.4 screen, console, etc the Bighorn had a much better interior IMHO. I don't need the added features for the Sport. If I want leather, $600 I can add Katzkin. You don't need seat heaters, maybe ventilated seats. Sunroof...nah, something to leak.
So the Bighorn saved me on the price.
Added the things I wanted, tires, wheels, lift, remote start, lights, tails, etc...

So you like the chrome, rather than color matched?

 

[01Ram2500]

So you like the chrome, rather than color matched?

The reason I like the chrome on the front of the truck is less paint on the front to get stone chips. Chrome cleans up a LOT easier. Love the Big Horn interior.

 

[Deepsleep777]

The reason I like the chrome on the front of the truck is less paint on the front to get stone chips. Chrome cleans up a LOT easier. Love the Big Horn interior.

What's different from Express to Bighorn interior?

 

[huntergreen]

So probably not worth going much above a Bighorn?

Curious if cloth is a bad idea, versus leather. I've always had leather, but am open to cloth really.

I have had leather and cloth. For me cloth is fine.

 

[Graygoose]

So you like the chrome, rather than color matched?

I wanted something different, I had an all white Express front end. I loved it, but when bugs got all over it, being white, you need to clean them fast!
But I just wanted something different this go around.

 

[Graygoose]

What's different from Express to Bighorn interior?

Bighorn has better seats, full console, 8.4 screen, better door panels, power fold mirrors, etc.