Farewell GM, youve never done me wrong...

[mc7719]

Hey guys,

Well today it happened. My month long search for a new truck (after my poor Sierra was written off) has ended. I evaluated all three big names, (however Ford only got a passing glance and one drive before I ruled it out) And it came down to two diesels: the Ram and Silverado.

 

Don't shoot me, but I ended up going to Dodge. I managed to get a screaming deal on a 2011, on a truck that in options, features, and price, GM couldnt compete. I know we all have our opinions, but for me, this was the best "bang for my buck". GM trucks (both the actual vehicles and this forum), have never done me wrong. Its just the next chapter. This rig has every single option possible (many that aren't even available from GM).

 

This forum has been an AMAZING resource for me in upgrading my Sierra (my bluetooth VCIM project, to name one), so thank you.

 

 

And now, because you all love pictures, here she is.

 

2011 RAM 3500 Longhorn

 

 

[zach1990]

Congratulations! That's a beautiful truck any big plans for it?

 

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[rbiggers277]

Very nice! What options do you have that aren't available from GM?

[mc7719]

Plans?? Haven't even got that far yet. It's been in my driveway for 4 hours LOL

 

Its got more power than I know what to do with, and every option in the book. So no, nothing planned

[mc7719]

Very nice! What options do you have that aren't available from GM?

 

 

Off the top of my head, one of the more useful is the in-floor storage/coolers in the back seat area. Great for ice and water/pop on roadtrips. And they are drainable once the ice melts. The built-in under seat storage in the back have lids, so when the seats are up, and the dog's back there, she's not getting into all the tools, tie-downs, etc. Also, all four doors have storage, and either side of the center console have thinner storage areas for papers to be held.

 

One option that really didn't make a difference for me (since I never sit there) is the rear heated seats. Not really a must-have option, but they're neat. And the heated steering wheel, (yes I know its avail on the Denali which was priced way out of my zone). Also nice, a built-in inverter, so there's an AC outlet for my gf's laptop. The cooled front seats are nice. (which I understand that the GM 2012's come with this now?) However I couldn't afford a '12.

 

My big thing was the multimedia center. How it handles the inputs from USB, Bluetooth, DVD is awesome. Full BT streaming, video, hard drive, picture storage, album art, call display (names from your phone's address book)... basically all the things that you can get from the OGM1 for $1000. GM's factory multimedia center is lacking. The Ram's Alpine audio system and sub sounds way better than the Bose system ever did in my SLT. I still don't believe the Bose system included a sub lol.

 

Also love the look of the two tone paint. AND GM doesn't offer anything like the Longhorn package (Ford has the King Ranch, why not GM??) The center console is tiered, with an area directly under the lid, then a deeper area under the second lid. No tray to have to lift in and out to access underneath like my SLT had.

 

The interior is all stitched leather and vinyl, making the dashboard quite luxurious. I was somewhat disappointed with the Sierra's/Silverado's plastic dashboard.

 

Annnnnd, no DEF

 

This rig is a highway beast, for road trips and towing my RV, so all the comfort things and bells and whistles are nice to have.

[kstruckcountry]

Urea free is the way to go.

[tanked_darren]

If I ever go diesel, that is what I would buy. Nice choice! Sometimes I wish my truck would get written off so I had to buy a new one. Just can't justify selling and buying again right now.

[j-ten-ner]

I'm happy if there is no sub in the SLT. My hard plastic dash is vibrating enough allready!

 

Congrats to your new truck. I'm not a fan of the two tone paint though. But who wants to argue about taste?

 

When you say you've made a hammer deal, what would be the difference to a comparable GM truck? (I don't wanna ask what you actually paid for, but a clue of the difference would be great)

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[06_GMC]

Sad to see you went dodge but at least you did it right!! Beautiful truck man you did well and I'm sure you'll enjoy owning it! Congrats!

[mc7719]

If I ever go diesel, that is what I would buy. Nice choice! Sometimes I wish my truck would get written off so I had to buy a new one. Just can't justify selling and buying again right now.

 

 

Oh for sure, if mine wasn't written off, there's no way I could have gone this route on trade-in value alone (I looked at a new Silverado, and they would give me 18K on trade in. Insurance paid me $29K written off) So after looking into it, I was pretty resigned with holding on to my Sierra.

 

 

 

I'm happy if there is no sub in the SLT. My hard plastic dash is vibrating enough allready!

 

Congrats to your new truck. I'm not a fan of the two tone paint though. But who wants to argue about taste?

 

When you say you've made a hammer deal, what would be the difference to a comparable GM truck? (I don't wanna ask what you actually paid for, but a clue of the difference would be great)

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

 

I dont mind getting into it.. so I found a used 2011 Silv 2500 LTZ (Chevs best-equipped, w/ 35,000kms) for a price comparable to what I had negotiated to get a top-of-line 'Laramie' 3500 (w/NO Longhorn package and 25,000kms) but equipped with more (See "options" post above). THEN to top it all off, today after the final test drive on the Laramie, the brake indicator light came on with a "ABS error" on the computer. Total fluke. The manager (who was really a genuine nice guy) felt bad since I had driven over three hours to see this truck, (and it wasn't at a Dodge dealer so they'd have to take it down the street to get it scanned), so he offered the Longhorn packaged model (also a 2011 w/ 28,000kms) I had looked at earlier (and had already ruled out because it was $3000 more), and matched the negotiated price on the regular Laramie.

 

I'm effectively getting a DenaliHD-equal model, for an LTZ price. And then bonus, throw the Longhorn package on top for free. If that makes any sense LOL

[tanked_darren]

Got a new forum picked yet? Got a friend with a 2007 looking for a reputable site to use for him.

 

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[mc7719]

I've been hanging around ramforumz.com while I was researching the trucks. Seems pretty good.

 

 

[kstruckcountry]

There's a couple really good Cummins forums as well...

[tanked_darren]

In my experience the only real concern with dodge trucks is front end problems not sure if they have been addressed in 2011 but "death wobble" is a term I've heard and my friend needed front U-joints at just over 100,000 kms not bad in my opinion Dodge trucks are pretty good last few years

 

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[yukon25008.1]

I think gm,s part to "king ranch/longhorn " would be the denali..

But i do like to two tone options and interior colors offered in king ranch and longhorn...