Truck shopping

[artsamm]

Good Evening, I am in the market for a new truck.
Currently have a 96 F150 and 08 F150. I'd be trading 08 in. Lots of miles on 08, wife said "go get new truck".Who am I to argue??
Thinking of changing brands.
Are most folks here generally satisfied with their newer Rams? Uncertain on 1500 or 2500. Uncertain on trim level too. I technically don't "need" a 2500/workhorse.
Thanks!

 

[jdmartin]

I'm very satisfied with mine so far. I drove Nissan Titan trucks for the previous 15 years before that, and buy Ford trucks as fleet vehicles at the office. I've owned Chevy and Mazda trucks as well and the Ram is my favorite so far. Like driving a Cadillac that has a utility bed, can tow a boat or utility trailer with a small bobcat, and go up the side of a muddy mountain.

I have a Bighorn 4x4 crew cab with North, Tow and Level 2 packages.

 

[eyeguy]

I have owned 5 all 1500's. 2005 4.7 bought used at 90k miles added 35k with only one head gasket and a wheel bearing. 2010 hemi going strong with 105k. Traded off 2015 outdoorsman eco diesel with 100 k no problems but no warranty on that eco worried me so had to go. 2017 laramie with 3.6 my oldest son inherited when I just bought my 2020 laramie with hemi no etorque. Really love this new truck!! Only 400 miles on it so its pretty fresh but its great so far.
I know if you read all the topics on this forum it looks like they have all sorts of problems but like everything a guy with a problem tells 10 and somebody who is happy might tell only one or 2... You would likely be pretty impressed with a new ram. Good luck. Maybe go drive all 3 major brands and pick what suits you.

 

[Richard320]

I like mine.

My previous full-sized pickups were a 1956 Willys and a 1973 Chevy C20 and both of them were sprung like a stagecoach. In the interval, I drove a couple Jeeps. My Ram rides better than any of them.

I went through the ram site checking the absolute must-haves until I got down to one vehicle in stock within 150 miles. It had some options I didn't think I'd want, but it was during the June 25% off sale, so it was still cheaper than ordering one. Now I'm glad I did.

I like the Level 2 equipment group with the 110V outlets and the power seat w/lumbar. I like the LED lights. I like the bed utility group. I wish it came with the running boards and all-weather mats, but they were easy to add.

So... saying that, I think you need to bite the bullet and go to a dealership and deal with car salesmen. Look at the Ram website, see what options there are. Search the terms here and see what people say. Go drive one. See what these options are. Decide if you really need something, or just want it, or are just fantasizing.

I probably could get by just fine with the V6, but I wanted the V8. The etorque would probably save me a lot, but I was already buying the first year truck, so I didn't want to be the guinea pig to find any bugs with that. You'd probably be safe if it's a 2020.

 

[Patsy1099]

I drove pretty much every 19’. Ram won by a landslide for me. Very happy one year later. But as stated above, need and personal preference will vary. Go drive a few and check out the various trims to see what you like. There’s also the cost factor. I’m sure I would have been happy in a raptor but not for the extra 30k+ which was the spread at the time I was looking. That made the decision very easy.

 

[SilverSurfer15]

I’ve got about 50k miles logged between my 15 and 19 hemi trucks, no issues on either one. Some little random things on both but nothing too bad. Example, in both trucks the radio would randomly turn off/reset or get stuck on a certain input/station. Turning it off and back on seems to always fix that. Or like both trucks randomly flash the front parking sensors disabled message and then moments later say they are back on.

Honestly the only negative I have is the the engine kind of sucks compared what everyone else has going on, but I guess you can’t win them all. The transmission is easily my favorite, even over the 10spd which I’ve driven but not owned so there’s that, but the 8spd drives exactly how I want it to and they’ve really perfected the shift patterns IMO.

Even on the later 4th gens I’d argue the interior was nicer than the other two brands, and now it’s just painfully obvious that GM and ford are behind in that department. Not that there stuff is bad but ram has really just taken it up a notch especially on the nicer trims.

Shop around like everyone said, or maybe you have, and see what you like it. I wouldn’t be afraid to jump into one.

I’ve seen some pretty low prices on used 19s lately as well if that’s an option.

 

[Ronkartz72]

I just traded in my 2016 King Ranch on a 2020 Ram Limited. There are a few things I miss from the Ford. The tailgate step was great, I miss the massaging seats, and this new navigation is a bit more finicky than the Ford. The Ram is a super nice truck too. Do some research and and get everything you want on your new truck so you don't regret not having something 6 months down the road. If you are going to spend that much, make sure you are happy.

 

[mikeru82]

I would stick with a 1500 if you don't need a HD for towing or hauling. Much smoother ride.
I am a fairly recent "convert" from GM trucks (since 2016). I really don't like the direction they have gone with their truck designs. And have never been a fan of Fords. My current 2020 Laramie is hands down my favorite truck I've ever owned. I think Ram really nailed it with this design. But you'll be the best judge of what you like. Just get out there and drive some. And there are some really sweet deals on left-over 2019's to be had.

 

[Neurobit]

I just traded in my 2016 King Ranch on a 2020 Ram Limited. There are a few things I miss from the Ford. The tailgate step was great, I miss the massaging seats, and this new navigation is a bit more finicky than the Ford. The Ram is a super nice truck too. Do some research and and get everything you want on your new truck so you don't regret not having something 6 months down the road. If you are going to spend that much, make sure you are happy.

Agree. The Sync on the Ford is a much more mature system. I wish UConnect was more solid, and eventually they'll get there.
Also, the 12" screen seems to have more issues than the 8.4", (I have the 12"). So take it for what it's worth. On everything else, the RAM kills it. No better truck on the road in my opinion.

 

[brian42]

Love my truck. I'm coming from 11 years with a 2003 Ford F-250. I looked at all the trucks out there and this was the only one that made me want to go back and see it again.

 

[Neurobit]

Love my truck. I'm coming from 11 years with a 2003 Ford F-250. I looked at all the trucks out there and this was the only one that made me want to go back and see it again.

And of course you got the best color they make...