There are many used trucks in the market today. However, very few offer the value to performance ratio that is seen with a used Ram 1500. The Ram 1500 is a powerful truck, there’s no denying that, but as is the case with many new vehicles, it might be out of some drivers’ price range. However, purchasing a used Ram 1500 is a popular option for a few reasons, namely the similar performance you’d get to a new Ram 1500 while saving money in the process. While the prospect of driving a brand-new vehicle is a nice thought, the reality is that the industry is designed with a strong focus on the used market.
This comes down to a few key differences between new and pre-owned vehicles. The first difference is the effect of depreciation. What depreciation means is that a brand-new vehicle will rapidly lose value not only years after its initial purchase date but also the minute it drives off the dealership lot. This isn’t the case with pre-owned vehicles, as most of them have already experienced the worst of the depreciation process.
Saving money is one of the main reasons you would consider purchasing a used Ram 1500, and you could even find some models being sold as a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle. Older models of the Ram 1500 are so popular, Ram continues to build and sell them as the Ram 1500 Classic, so you can trust that a used Ram 1500 is gonna get the job done.
How Powerful is a Used Ram 1500?
Pre-owned Ram 1500 trucks still have much of the power that is seen in the lineup today. The Ram 1500 has been offered with three engines for quite some time, and between the 2014 and 2019 model years, you’ll find an identical powertrain arrangement. Coming standard with the Ram 1500 since 2013 is a 3.6L V6 that can produce an impressive 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Also introduced with the 2013 model year is an 8-speed automatic transmission that comes paired with the base engine.
The most powerful engine in the lineup was introduced with the 2013 model year and is still the top-end engine today. This engine is a 5.7L V8 that can produce 395 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. With both of these engines appearing in a wide range of used Ram 1500 models, it helps shine some light on the value these trucks can offer. Older Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the aforementioned V8 engine can tow up an incredible 10,150 lbs, which rivals many new trucks today.
Where most pre-owned Ram 1500 trucks differentiate from their brand-new counterparts is with the turbo diesel engines they offer. The first turbo diesel engine for the lineup was introduced back in 2014, and this was the available diesel-powered engine for the Ram 1500 until the 2019 model year. Models afterward utilize a similar engine, albeit a bit stronger. The difference isn’t substantial as both are 3.0L V6 engines, but the newer ones produce 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque while previous years’ models produce 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Many drivers are likely to decide that paying extra for a new Ram 1500 isn’t worth such a minimal performance gain.
How Different are the Interiors?
While things remained somewhat similar under the hood throughout the years, the inside of the Ram 1500 is a different story. There have been many changes to the Ram 1500’s interior, such as offering different seating configurations. The newest Ram 1500 supports a maximum seating capacity of six passengers, but you’re restricted to a five-seat minimum. This is due, in part, to the cabins that Ram 1500 is configured with.
For over a decade, the Ram 1500 was offered in the same three different cab configurations. The first of these cabs was the Regular Cab, which gives the Ram 1500 a maximum seating capacity of only three passengers. This cab was followed by the Quad Cab and the Crew Cab, which double the available seating. Luckily for those shopping for a used Ram 1500, there are more interior configuration options than new models.
Older models of the Ram 1500 offered three different bed sizes, while newer models only offer two. The third and largest bed size was then made part of the Ram 1500 classic lineup but remains absent from the new lineup. Ram 1500s from 2018 and before offer beds sized 5-foot 7-inches, which is the smallest of the three and is followed by 6-foot 4-inches, which is the largest the new Ram 1500 allows. The bed size that you can find on a wide range of used Ram 1500 models is a massive 8-foot long bed that can hold an extensive amount of cargo. This means that you won’t have to worry about a lack of space when purchasing a used Ram 1500, as it might even offer more space than the current-year model.
The Ram 1500 has always had a comfortably spacious interior and is comfortable to sit in for those long road trips. However, something to keep in mind for those looking to purchase a pre-owned Ram 1500 is to pay attention to what sort of connectivity features that you’d like to have. A standard implementation of an infotainment center wasn’t included until 2019, but you can find a Ram 1500 with an infotainment center as far back as 2015.
Those looking to purchase a pre-owned Ram 1500 with more modernized tech-centric features should opt for a Ram 1500 from 2018 onwards for the best results. This is primarily due to the inclusion of a rear-view camera that can display onto the infotainment center’s screen, which helps your visibility when reversing. Additionally, this year introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which have become immensely popular over the past few years. These features aren’t exactly what everyone is looking for, but those who are should pay extra close attention to the changes made over the years.
Finding A Used Ram 1500
There are very few pre-owned trucks on the market that retain its value quite like the Ram 1500. These vehicles are immensely popular, and millions of loyal fans and enthusiasts constantly praise its capabilities. The pre-owned offerings help show us that you don’t have to pay the price of a brand-new truck to get like-new performance. Whether it’s for worksite tasks or hobbyist activities at home, this truck offers something for everybody.
Starting the process of purchasing a used Ram 1500 is easier than ever as you’re likely to find a handful of offerings in your general area. By visiting your local Ram dealership, you’ll have all of the tools necessary to do your research and shopping in one trip. The Ram dealership you visit will also let you take one for a test-drive so you can see for yourself just how powerful these trucks are. Those looking to purchase their first truck or even those looking to upgrade from their current truck can find a lot of value in the Ram 1500. As a vehicle that has historically been a powerhouse, we can only imagine what the future holds for this beloved lineup. When it comes to high-quality trucks that are built to stand the test of time, nobody does it quite like Ram.
