I keep hearing about how the 100k RAM 2500 Limited Models have a lot of discount room and I’m interested in this truck. Is 20k to 25k off realistic? Anyone know which dealers in SoCal discount the most? Are discounts usually on in stock models or can I order one?
While I’m not sure which part of CA he is in, I know @DailyDriven has a 2500 and may be able to shed some light on it.
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Yes, @ApexHunt is correct. I have had several 2500s and 3500s, and now drive a 3500 Limited. Mark Dodge in Louisiana usually gives the “best” discounts nationwide (and that allegedly includes orders as well) and prior to that it was the Dennis Dillon and Dave Smith dealers in Idaho that were the lowest. If they or another out of state dealer can give you the best deal and it is way better than deals in CA, then flying there and driving back or shipping it can make perfect sense. Order is “usually” less of a discount like most cars/trucks are as opposed to a lot unit.
With all of that aside, and after you have done research on the Ram HD, Cummins forums, and the FB pages for Ram HDs, etc. to see what people are paying, you should use the Ram Build & Price tool and see what you can find close to you in SoCal and then beyond. The tool is very good and shows you what options are missing or added from your build, a window sticker and where the unit is.
In SoCal and CA in general the dealers are hit or miss on huge discounts, and it is the same in AZ, NV and OR as well. I have bought Rams in CA and Oregon and have been prepared to go to the midwest until a closer dealer finally caved in. You really need to find what you want, know what you can live without on options and then hit the emails to get your deal. There are lots of dealers in SoCal but not a ton of HDs when compared to 1500s.
You can find a Limited for an MSRP at usually $90-$110k, but the 2025 and 2026 models are facelifts/new with a new tranny and updated Cummins engine so dealers may be less aggressive than the last gen that was through 2024. The forums and FB will tell you what people are paying but most of those peeps have been ripped off anyway so take it with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that many of the 2025 and 2026 units have had serious issues and recalls that you can read up on in those Ram HD forums and FB.
IME $20k off is realistic for sure on a Limited, $25k will be a bit of a stretch and above $30k will be really tough but you might be able to do it, especially on a loaded $100k+ build and a leftover 2025.
Also remember that if you are paying for a 2500, a 3500 with better towing cap and payload is not much more (but will ride rougher due to leaf springs) and I guess it depends on what you are using it for as far as towing and payload. For me, it is always a diesel, SRW, Limited, Aisin, HO and crew cab as I don’t want gas or need a DRW 95% of the time. Also be careful as the GVWR on all 3500s (and some 2500s) will be 11.8K lbs. and you will need to pay a commercial registration and weight fee in CA that is like $1k+ each year for at least the first 5 years.
If you have any questions just hit me up and I can provide more info if you need it.
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Thank you for such a great and detailed response. I appreciate you @DailyDriven and your time. I don’t want to buy out of state because that limits my rights under the lemon law should I ever need to exercise that option (hopefully not). The 2026 with the 10 year warranty is a big selling point for me too so I won’t want any 2025’s, even with bigger markdowns on the 25.
I’m looking for a 2500 diesel truck. The ford F250 was my first choice but there is minimal movement on price for those trucks. I have heard Stellantis is hurting and willing to move trucks with big discounts. I also have heard really good things about the ZF trans and the cummins platform. Man if I could get a 100k Ram Limited for 70k, I think it would be a no brainer…
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Not wanting to buy out of state is one thing but using Mark Dodge pricing as a barometer by which to gauge your local market doesn’t require buying from them. What I’ve been seeing is dealer discounts around 10% to 12% and maybe $3K in rebates. That makes a $100K limited more like $87Kish. OTOH, the MMR on a 2026 demo unit, with around 8k miles, is $72K which makes a very attractive balloon loan ($700/mo pretax).
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The $20k number is within reach but it will take some legwork though.
Also keep in mind that many people that get discounts like that do not advertise the deal as such on the Ram HD forums at the dealer’s request, unlike it is here in most cases. That request should be honored if you want a shot to ever buy from that dealer again.
An earlier 2500 I bought was right around $25k off with all discounts and incentives and the current 3500 Limited I have now was closer to $30k off when it was all said and done. Both of those deals were several months in the making and required some heavy lifting.
OP - work the dealers via email all over California and you will find $25K off on the right unit but your hopes of a 2026 may be unlikely until later
this year.
Thanks for the input everyone. I’ll start hunting around and see what I can come up with. Appreciate the help.
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