Pickup trucks have been around for quite some time, and they are some of the most reliable vehicles that you see on the road today. There's no mistaking how popular they are, especially in today's market. New or used, it really doesn't matter, these machines have a huge appeal to so many people. Undoubtedly, the demand for pickups pushes up the price for new ones, but thankfully you can get older versions that offer all the things that you want at a fraction of the price.
Some of the most reliable American pickup trucks on the used market come from Ram that is well-known in the industry for making trucks that are built to last a long time. They've combined the elements of hard work, ruggedness, toughness, ability, power, and agility, and wrapped them all up in the Ram 1500 pickup truck. Of course, getting a new one can come with a hefty bill, but if money is more of a concern than trim, then a used one is a viable option. There are lots of plus points for the Ram 1500, and taking data from various sources like the iSeeCars lifespan study and longest lasting cars study, Vehicle History, and Edmunds, we have made a list of 10 reasons why it's worth buying a used Ram 1500.
10 The Ram 1500 Has Good Ride Quality
In the department of ride quality, the Ram 1500 excels, making it drive like nothing else in its class. The smoothness is the result of an independent coil-spring rear suspension. Ram introduced this system back in 2009 and it, quite literally, revolutionizes how this truck feels on and off the road. By moving away from the traditional leaf-spring suspension that most pickup trucks have, the Ram 1500 is in a league of its own when it comes to ride quality.
Don't think this departure from convention compromises carrying and towing ability, because it most certainly does not. It can still hold its own with the best of them in that department. The rear suspension design is so good that it soaks up virtually any imperfections in the road and makes driving more of a pleasure than a chore. Some would say it's one of the reasons to buy a Ram 1500 over a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500. One thing is for sure, the superior ride quality is definitely a plus point when you're looking at used trucks for sale.
9 There's Lots Of Tech In The Ram 1500
There are plenty of used trucks for sale to choose from and depending on the age of the truck, you will find some level of technology inside. In that respect, the Ram 1500 is no different. However, what is different is that Ram first put in class-leading technology back in 2009 which many would say was ahead of its time.
This means that you get a lot of what you see in modern trucks already installed in older versions of the Ram 1500. Features such as an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, USB connectivity, memory card slots, rearview camera, adjustable pedals, premium audio system, and Bluetooth all come as standard. Safety features get improved as well with things like a post-collision safety system, four-wheel anti-locking brakes (ABS), emergency brake assist, and blind spot detection system. All these are common in modern trucks, so to have them in older pickups is a bonus. It's also another reason why a Ram 1500 is a great purchase for a used truck.
8 Plenty Of Engine Options In The Ram 1500
One of the things to know before buying a Ram 1500 is that Ram is well-known for having powerful engines in their trucks. But what's more impressive is that the Ram 1500 has a range of engines to choose from. So finding one in a used truck that suits your needs is not that hard. For example, if you look at a truck from the fourth generation like a 2016 model, there are three engine choices available.
The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that churns out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and for an entry-level engine, those are some pretty impressive numbers. Next is a 5.7-liter V8 engine that generates 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The third option is a turbocharged diesel 3.0-liter V6 with 240 hp and a mighty 420 lb-ft of torque. Its output is less than the gas-powered variants, but the high levels of torque more than compensate to make it a powerful engine. When you're looking at used trucks for sale, it's always good to know there is more than one engine available, and the Ram 1500 gives you those engine options.
7 The Ram 1500 Has Great Off-Road Ability
One of the fundamental features for any vehicle to go off-road is good ground clearance. With near enough ten inches of clearance, the Ram 1500 is high enough to scale practically anything off the beaten track. When you add things like independent front and rear suspension as well as 20-inch all-season tires, it's not hard to see how the Ram 1500 is a highly capable off-road pickup truck.
For a more enhanced off-road experience, there is a TRX package with extra things that make the Ram 1500 TRX great such as the upgraded suspension, bigger tires, and a stronger skid plate, for example. However, even the standard Ram 1500 is more than capable in the wilderness and countryside. The TRX package may prove difficult to find as a used truck for sale, but the standard versions can still give lots of fun in the dirt.
6 Lots Of Storage Space In The Ram 1500
One of the benefits of having a pickup truck is the amount of storage space it offers. Having those little extra areas to put things is always handy for those electronic devices that we all carry with us on a daily basis. Aside from the expected deep door pockets and glove box, the Ram 1500 offers storage in the center armrest as well as under the rear seats and an overhead console.
Like any pickup truck, the truck bed offers storage space, but the amount depends on which size bed you get. The Ram 1500 comes in two sizes, a 5-foot 7-inch bed, and a 6-foot 4-inch bed. On top of that, the cabin offers up to 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Plenty of room to take care of your storage needs. When it comes to things you need to know before buying a used Ram 1500, storage will always be a consideration and the Ram 1500 has got that covered.
5 The Ram 1500 Has The RamBox Feature
In 2009, Ram introduced the RamBox, which at the time was unique. You see many of the RamBox characteristics on modern-day pickups, but not on older models. Many loyal fans would say it's one of the things that makes the Ram 1500 a great full-size truck. The RamBox combines storage, safety, and practicality into a neat little package, adding to the versatility of the Ram 1500.
The RamBox is what's known as a cargo management system. It features side storage pockets in the truck bed that are both lockable and weatherproof. These pockets have lights in them, making them usable at night or when there are low-light conditions. They're also designed to drain water making them ideal for wet items like clothing, tools, camping equipment, and so on. The system also includes truck bed dividers, a cargo rail system, and a two-foot truck bed extender. All of these things increase the functionality and appeal of the Ram 1500, especially on the used market. You could even say the RamBox alone is a reason to buy a used Ram 1500 instead of one of its rivals.
4 A Used Ram 1500 Is Affordable
One of the biggest factors in looking at trucks for sale is the price. Whether they are new or used trucks for sale, money will always play a big part in purchasing decisions. Where a new truck is costly and out of some people's budget, a used one makes a more affordable option. A used Ram 1500 falls in this category of being affordable.
Whereas the base model 2023 Ram 1500 has an MSRP of just over $42,000, a 2015 base model has an MSRP of $25,660, and the 2018 Ram 1500 MSRP is $27,095 according to Edmunds. If you compare that with a base model 2015 Ford F-150, that has an MSRP of $26,030, and the 2018 model is $27,705. As with any used truck for sale, the age, mileage, and condition of the pickup will affect its selling price. Nevertheless, that is still a very affordable price to pay for what the Ram 1500 has to offer in return. When you look at the big picture, a used Ram 1500 is a real truck at a bargain price.
3 The Ram 1500 Is Durable And Reliable
Regardless of what vehicle you are buying, reliability will always feature as a priority. No one wants a truck that will constantly break down. Not only is the Ram 1500 a powerful and performance-oriented truck, but it's also reliable and durable – both of which are qualities you definitely want in a used truck.
Reliability ratings for the Ram 1500 score well over the years, with some years better than others, but that's the same for any vehicle. More often than not Ram trucks are solid, dependable, and reliable pickup trucks. For example, Vehicle History calls the 2018 model a 'powerful full-size truck with good reliability ratings as it ages'. They go on to say 'a well-maintained 2018 Ram 1500 can last around 250,000 miles.' Furthermore, the iSeeCars lifespan study also notes the Ram 1500 has a potential lifespan of 215,521 miles. They also found in their longest-lasting cars study that 14.1% of Ram 1500s will surpass 250,000 miles. If anyone asks how reliable is the Ram 1500? or does it last a long time? The answer is a simple yes.
2 The Ram 1500 Has Great Towing Power
For many people, the towing ability of a pickup truck is very important and can be the deal-breaker in deciding whether they buy a truck or not. With the Ram 1500, you get a lot of towing power no matter which engine you choose. It outshines some of its rivals in its class when it comes to pulling power.
If you take, for example, a base model 2015 Ram 1500 with a 3.6-liter V6 engine under the hood. That’s got a towing strength of 10,650 lbs. The 5.7-liter V8 can pull up to 10,340 lbs. A comparable 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with its largest engine, a 5.3-liter V8, only manages to haul up to 9,500 lbs. It's the same with a 2015 Nissan Titan. That’s got a 5.6-liter V8, but can only pull a trailer up to 9,400 lbs. The bottom line is, one of the many things you should know about the Ram 1500 is that it's got great towing power.
1 The Ram 1500 Has Good Fuel Economy
For a full-size pickup truck with powerful engines, the Ram 1500 is surprisingly not that thirsty. A lot of that is down to the design of the engines as well as improvements in reducing drag, such as shutters that close the front grille. The end result is a heavy-duty pickup truck that doesn't drink fuel like there's no tomorrow.
Good fuel economy is another reason why getting a used Ram 1500 makes sense. For instance, take the 2018 model, data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency shows the 3.6-liter engine returns a combined mileage figure of 20 mpg, with 17 for the city and 25 for the highway. No matter how you look at it, those are some impressive figures for something that weighs nearly 7,000 lbs.