honest opinion of ram 1500

steveo2155 · February 21, 2016

Maybe im thinking too much about buying brand new and should look for a lightly used model in the next year or two. Ive heard new vehicle are biggest waste of money you can buy. What are your thoughts on that? Is there any advantages of buying new besides the obvious that it is yours from day one no worries about previous owners?

MikeNH · February 21, 2016

It's common knowledge that new vehicles take a big depreciation hit but whether or not it's a waste isn't so cut and dry in my opinion. Buying new you can get exactly what you want compared to used you will often have to settle, you can usually get a better finance rate, you have all the warranties and you know the history. Buying vehicles is never an investment (exotic and rare stuff aside), yet people always seem to think of it that way. I don't. I'm very particular about options and such and there is no way I'm compromising just to save money and buy used. The vehicle is something you have to live with every day for the next few years, to me it's worth it to get exactly the right thing. Look at all the threads here of people saying "I want to install this option" or "I wish my truck had that". Don't be like that, do it right the first time.

atsbob · February 21, 2016

I bought a new 2015 Ram quad cap 4x4 with the Eco Diesel, I love the trucks comforts as it has 4 corner air suspension, and Laramie comforts inside. I pull an enclosed 18 foot trailer with around 5000 lbs and the mileage I get is remarkable. I was a GM man all my life and the Eco D and the 8 speed transmission where the two things that made me switch to Ram. I get better millage with my ram pulling my trailer than I did empty with my 2010 5.3.

I hate that stupid shift knob and no On-Star. and my ram is ugly compared to my old GM! I know truck looks are ones individual tastes of what they like but I think Ram is one of the ugliest out of the big 3 and the GM,s still make the best looking truck!

diyer2 · February 21, 2016

Life is full of choices and compromises, do what suits you. That being said I have always bought used vehicles with 40k or so miles.

I don't put my self in a situation where I need a vehicle now and I'm patient. Doing this allows time to find the vehicle with the options I want used.

The 2012 I'm driving took months of internet searching and I compromised on the color.

If money is no object buy new, but I figure I have saved $60K probably more in the last 25 years buying vehicles for the wife and me. This figure factors in the money saved on, the taxes, plates, insurance, depreciation and up front cost.

If you love to work buy new, if you want to retire why give money away. I don't care what the Jones's do.

atsbob · February 22, 2016

Life is full of choices and compromises, do what suits you. That being said I have always bought used vehicles with 40k or so miles.

I don't put my self in a situation where I need a vehicle now and I'm patient. Doing this allows time to find the vehicle with the options I want used.

The 2012 I'm driving took months of internet searching and I compromised on the color.

If money is no object buy new, but I figure I have saved $60K probably more in the last 25 years buying vehicles for the wife and me. This figure factors in the money saved on, the taxes, plates, insurance, depreciation and up front cost.

If you love to work buy new, if you want to retire why give money away. I don't care what the Jones's do.

Well said, the loss we take when we leave the dealer is crazy.

Badass69 · February 22, 2016

Life is full of choices and compromises, do what suits you. That being said I have always bought used vehicles with 40k or so miles.

I don't put my self in a situation where I need a vehicle now and I'm patient. Doing this allows time to find the vehicle with the options I want used.

The 2012 I'm driving took months of internet searching and I compromised on the color.

If money is no object buy new, but I figure I have saved $60K probably more in the last 25 years buying vehicles for the wife and me. This figure factors in the money saved on, the taxes, plates, insurance, depreciation and up front cost.

If you love to work buy new, if you want to retire why give money away. I don't care what the Jones's do.

It's called living within your means.... 95% or more of people don't. Some can afford a new truck like it's a new toaster oven... and some finance it like a small mortgage over the course of 7 years. If your retirement is impacted by what you choose to drive you have some serious life choices to make.

But this is about pros and cons of a Ram... not life advice lol.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

diyer2 · February 22, 2016

Maybe im thinking too much about buying brand new and should look for a lightly used model in the next year or two. Ive heard new vehicle are biggest waste of money you can buy. What are your thoughts on that?

Thus my reply.

Daryl LBZ · February 22, 2016

I've bought three brand new vehicles, and all I can say is never again. That's how I feel about it.

white1500 · February 22, 2016

I have yet to purchase a new vehicle so I'm anxious to get it over with but I understand that used will be a better value to me. And I'm not picky at all about options so it won't be a big issue for me at all.

And if I had the means right meow I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new GM truck. And if it doesn't convince me 100% I would buy an 06 silverado and bring it up to spec, pretty simple.

Jernik · February 22, 2016

I came from a 2010 RAM. Reason I went to GMC? Primarily I was never comfortable in the RAM seats - I'm not a big guy, the seats felt like they were made for someone twice my size. The GM seats fit me better and are more comfortable. Even the wife remarked about that the first time we took a long trip (12 hours one way) in it.

Otherwise, opposite of what someone else here said, I feel my GMC is better off the line. The RAM 5.7 pulled harder on the top end where the 5.3 seems to start running out of breath around 90-95. I can't speak for the new 8 speed RAM, never drove one. One thing I hated in my 2010 was the torque management and traction control nannies - I feel they were set way too sensitive and were too intrusive. Maybe the 8 spd is better, mine had the 5 spd.

Towing, I never had any issues with our old 17 ft Bass boat or a utility trailer. Granted, I was nowhere near any stated max. capacity. From what I read on RAM forums, most guys who tow heavy with the 1500's install air bags in the rear to help.

Right now the best trucks out there are the Chevy/GMC twins and the RAM, IMO. It's a tossup. If the RAM seats were more comfortable (for me) it would have been a much more difficult decision to make. I know Dodge/Chrysler/RAM/Jeep gets knocked for quality, but we've had 2 Dodge trucks, 2 Jeeps, and a Sebring - none of which were ever in the shop for anything outside routine maintenance.

SnakeEyeSS · March 3, 2016

I've bought three brand new vehicles, and all I can say is never again. That's how I feel about it.

I just thought about it, and I have bought 4 new vehicles. 3 of them were because I got sick of working on a car. All three times was to replace a failing GM! Just realized that last part.

Daryl LBZ · March 3, 2016

I just thought about it, and I have bought 4 new vehicles. 3 of them were because I got sick of working on a car. All three times was to replace a failing GM! Just realized that last part.

I've had no luck buying brand new. The 09 I had gave me transmission trouble, and the 2011 had a few dumb issues like rattling interior parts, stuff like that. The Cruze hasn't been much better so far either.

Sirspeedy · March 3, 2016

Here in the northeast Ram trucks rust fast! See 4-5 year old Rams with tire wells rotted. Other than that, I appreciate what they do for the light truck market. They are innovative, have the balls to release a truck like the power wagon, air suspension all great stuff. Means more competition & better trucks from all manufacturers

pickmeup · March 6, 2016

My god just the look of them is enough for me . Talk about a design look that is ''long in the tooth''. They have needed something new and refreshing for a decade now .

Colossus · March 14, 2016

I'm torn. I was loyal to GM trucks but over the past few years, that has changed. In observing both on here and from folks I know who have purchased, all the crappy issues that have yet to be resolved even in 2016 such as the vibration and shaking issues, tranny gremlins, radio issues.. I've lost faith in the General. I am seeing loyal customers get screwed by GM and GM not stepping up to the plate or stepping up well enough to take care of their customers. Pattern failures such as the shake/vibration issues, transmission programming or uncommanded sudden 2-4 gear changes in a matter of a second or two, add to that the oil consumption problems.. I won't buy a new GM Truck. I'd rather take my chances in something I've been in that has not had very many problems.. such as my previously owned 08 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax. And that will likely me my next truck.. a low mile LMM Duramax. I have had my eye on the Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins.. but Dodge still has a crappy truck built around a good engine, not worth the risk in my opinion. Their crappy reliability ratings prove that. Awesome looking truck, much better than the previous generation, but the only thing good about it is the Diesel. Ford you say? No thank you. Their 6.7 powerjoke is just that, a joke. Crappy reliability. Nope, not going to touch that one either. Too ugly of a truck too.