Trying to Decide on Trim Level LT vs RST

Imcrazy · October 12, 2020

Good Evening!

I'm down to it to buy a new crew cab 1500.. All other things being equal the only difference in the RST vs LT is:

RST has:

Rear seat back storage

Painted Bumpers

Black Bowties

Fog lights

Anything else I'm missing?

Dealers in my area seem to be taking an extra $1500-2000 off comparably equipped LT's than they are RST's

Being quoted $10280 off an LT with a $49,180 sticker & $8700 off an RST with a $50,800 sticker, only options checked on the RST that are not on the LT are: Z71, spray in bed liner and trailer brake controller.. I like the look of the RST but, $38,900 for the LT and $42,100 for the RST is a $3,200 difference... The things I really like on the RST is the black bowtie up front $50.00, painted to match grill ($300 for the body shop to paint maybe?) Foglights $295 from GM + programming, & spray in bed liner $500 from line-x and a trailer brake controller which I can remove from my current truck, so $1500 worth of stuff with tax?? Not sure it's worth another $1700 to have the RST or not...

Thoughts? Am I missing anything?

OnTheReel · October 12, 2020

Well, to me, the LT non-Z71 to an RST Z71 is the bigger difference. Z71 has two speed transfer case, dual exhaust, hill descent control, skid plates, etc.

Those things aren’t important to everyone, but I would say it would be worth the $1500 to me, plus the benefit of not having to farm all the other little projects out. All too often here people compromise and then kick themselves.

Booger T · October 12, 2020

44 minutes ago, Imcrazy said:

Rear seat back storage

My 2020 Z71 LT came with the rear backseat storage.

Imcrazy · October 12, 2020

27 minutes ago, Booger T said:

My 2020 Z71 LT came with the rear backseat storage.

It's an option on the LT, comes with the convenience II package I believe, it's standard on the RST.

Imcrazy · October 12, 2020

53 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

Well, to me, the LT non-Z71 to an RST Z71 is the bigger difference. Z71 has two speed transfer case, dual exhaust, hill descent control, skid plates, etc.

Those things aren’t important to everyone, but I would say it would be worth the $1500 to me, plus the benefit of not having to farm all the other little projects out. All too often here people compromise and then kick themselves.

After writing this up and talking it over w/ my wife & my dad I'm pretty sure I'll go with the RST.. Going to try and squeeze another $750 out of the deal tomorrow morning..

amxguy1970 · October 12, 2020

52 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

Well, to me, the LT non-Z71 to an RST Z71 is the bigger difference. Z71 has two speed transfer case, dual exhaust, hill descent control, skid plates, etc.

Those things aren’t important to everyone, but I would say it would be worth the $1500 to me, plus the benefit of not having to farm all the other little projects out. All too often here people compromise and then kick themselves.

Considering a two speed transfer case is useless for most people and the skid plates can be added for a couple hundred (though again if you aren't one that has a use for low range you probably aren't going to have a use for skid plates) and hill descent control is a gimmick; I have never used it on any trails.

Positives of the LT other than being cheaper is chrome bumpers, they won't chip and pit down the road nor will you have to cover them in expensive paint protection film for a few hundred dollars so they look descent a few years down the road.

Tyler

OnTheReel · October 12, 2020

Most people don’t have a use for a two speed transfer case, I grant that. But it is impossible to add after the fact and a few people have posted here all pissed off that GM silently removed low range from many of their trucks so I try to warn people in advance...

And on the flip side, I have never heard of anyone being mad that they did have the low range and a neutral position.

The seat back storage is somewhat inconsequential, but you do also get a fold down rear armrest.

Edited October 12, 2020 by OnTheReel

mafd2 · October 12, 2020

I'd double check the differences and options. I looked at an LT and almost pulled the trigger on it; was playing with the radio while salesmen went work deal up and went to switch from FM to XM and there was no XM. Looked at the RST and it had much more including Bose.

econometrics · October 12, 2020

Get the RST. Like OnTheReel said, you’ll get dual exhaust, a 2-speed transfer case, and a truck without chrome. I used 4L recently doing a 3-point turn around in a very steep field approach on a highway. It was a nice piece of mind knowing I wouldn’t dip my truck into the ditch.

You get LED taillights with the RST as well.

loopbacksean · October 12, 2020

I have the LT Z71. Mine has the rear seat storage, dual exhaust and a tasteful amount of chrome (LTZ's have too much chrome). Only thing I wish it had were fog lights, but those can always be added later.

De-chromed trucks used to be cool, until everyone jumped on the bandwagon

redvettez06 · October 12, 2020

1 hour ago, Imcrazy said:

After writing this up and talking it over w/ my wife & my dad I'm pretty sure I'll go with the RST.. Going to try and squeeze another $750 out of the deal tomorrow morning..

Good choice. I’d pick the RST for the Z71 package alone.

jnissen · October 12, 2020

Get what you like. Especially true if your going to hang onto it for a few years. You will long forget about a few hundred bucks a couple years in but you will always remember not having options you really wanted.

That said under seat storage, bed liner, and fog lights are all after sale upgrades if important to you.

newdude · October 12, 2020

The real differences between LT and RST is body colored everything, 6.2 is an option, availability of buckets and Bose. Can't get those 3 items on an LT.

99% of all the items are identical otherwise because RST is based off of the LT trim.

SILVER SLED · October 12, 2020

I'm getting old and still like chrome. But I think these new trucks look terrible with the chrome front ends so I'm getting an RST with leather buckets and a 6.2. Unfortunately it's getting into LTZ pricing. Only thing I think I'm gonna miss is the auto dimming mirror.

redwngr · October 12, 2020

57 minutes ago, SILVER SLED said:

I'm getting old and still like chrome. But I think these new trucks look terrible with the chrome front ends so I'm getting an RST with leather buckets and a 6.2. Unfortunately it's getting into LTZ pricing. Only thing I think I'm gonna miss is the auto dimming mirror.

I find that the vehicle paint colour can have a significant difference in the appearance of chrome.

Chrome that blends in on one colour can appear over-done on another.

Same sort of effect with black trim.