2017 V6 Outdoorsman VS 2018 V8 Sport

JR Scrappy · Feb 19, 2018

Hey guys,

First time posting, any insight would be helpful. So I'm looking at buying a RAM (first truck and new vehicle purchase).

Having a difficult time in which engine to go wth. I know I want a crew cab but I'm just not sure whether to go with the V6 or V8.

I don't tow anything and I do not have a commute to work (3 km to work). I do live in Canada so the winters can get rough sometimes but I've managed with a 4-cylinder 2 wheel drive Jeep for 3 years now.

I've attached the exact trucks below (both 4x4) . So here's my question I guess:

Does the V6 in a full size truck with 4x4 option do the job for the everyday average Joe? I just want to know if I'm going to be hearing the engine overworking itself etc. since it is still a full size truck or if I should just go with the V8?

Put it this way, I would be using the vehicle the same way I am using my 2008 Jeep Patriot manual transmission. TRUCKS ARE BELOW, thanks guys.

2017 Ram 1500 4x4 Outdoorsman - V6 | $38,335 CAD

https://www.peelchryslerjeep.com/new/Ram/2017-Ram-1500-21e52f820a0e0a6b13730521d65e4e66.htm

2018 Ram 1500 4x4 Sport - V8 | $43,990 CAD

https://www.peelchryslerjeep.com/new/Ram/2018-Ram-1500-bde0436d0a0e0aea33de5982723de459.htm

Graygoose · Feb 19, 2018

Id get Sport.

V8 power, plus better resale or trade in later

Headed steering wheel and seats
sport hood.
dual exhaust
projector headlights
LED tail lights
should have remote start?

TerraNewf · Feb 19, 2018

Go with the sport, you'll be happy you did

quietpeen · Feb 19, 2018

i would get the sport but I am very biased

Graygoose · Feb 19, 2018

quietpeen said:
i would get the sport but I am very biased

Because your is awesome !

quietpeen · Feb 19, 2018

Graygoose said:
Because your is awesome !

thanks!!

shadowhawk · Feb 19, 2018

sport, but I'm also biased.

Jeepwalker · Feb 19, 2018

What other driving in the year do you do? How many miles do you expect to drive? The newer V8's get better MPG's and you don't have a long commute (to burn too much fuel). So, if you don't put too many KM's on per year, then you're not going to save much in fuel savings by going with the V6. But if you do a lot of other driving, then the V6 can save you some $$ in fuel. Plus the Hemi is a yr newer.

zrfraser · Feb 19, 2018

Its wants vs needs. Will the V6 suffice? Absolutely mine never feels overworked, but I don't tow with it. The Sport has more creature comforts, and the HEMI is very nice. If I didn't have the commute I have and a little more money in my budget I would have gone with the HEMI, but I don't/didn't which I why I went with the V6 and have been happy ever since.

TruckNut · Feb 19, 2018

I love my Sport, but I tow with it, so the V8 was a must. Given your needs, the V6 would do nicely. It’s hardly a slouch and with the 8 speed you would be quite happy.

jmh288 · Feb 19, 2018

Sport is a must.
Hemi is a must.

But that’s IMO

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smiley · Feb 19, 2018

I would get the Outdoorsman with a Hemi. You would gain having metal bumpers vs plastic that the sport has. You also get the better transfer case for 4wd that can lock mechanically. Don’t settle and just get what is there. I did that and wished I would have custom ordered or waited for the ram box and the right gears.

Jeff CA · Feb 19, 2018

I believe the Outdoorsman gets the better BW 44-45 transfer case vs. the BW 44-44 in Sports, so the OD should do better in the snow and any other off-roading you do.

I believe I've also read OD's may have a marginally higher ride height.

Lomey · Feb 19, 2018

I have a V6 Outdoorsman CC and it has plenty of power for me. I don't tow anything, but do haul dirt and rocks on occasion with out any issues. I also have no problem passing other vehicles on the highway. I drive a 4 wheel drive so I expect to get a lower mpg. I got the V6 because it had all the features I wanted plus more for the right price.

Michael Deery · Feb 19, 2018

zrfraser is right, it all boils down to wants vs. needs. Decide what is most important to you and what you want your budget to be.

clay282 · Feb 19, 2018

I don't remember where I heard this but... "drive the base model motor, if you like it, buy it, if not, drive the bigger motor and go from there". I drove the V6 and it was more than enough for me. Around town, stop and go, secondary roads, I was impressed. The 8 speed does shift quite a bit but it keeps the V6 on it's toes and it's great. The only time I notice the power is down is on the interstate at the 80-85 mph ( 128-136 kph ) and it likes to stay in 7th gear unless your driving flat lands. 75 mph or 90 mph and she stays in 8th. AND YES in any case... that's speeding since the highest speed limit in our state is 70 mph lol.

I did drive the HEMI and it was a beast! It hauled ass and was fun!!! BUT I asked myself some questions. A: How often would I actually use all that extra power? B: Was the extra power worth the extra money initially? C: Were the extra comfort options I was getting on the V6 more or less important than the HEMI? D: Was 4x4 more useful than 2 wheel drive HEMI of the same price?

Disclaimer, I was not buying new. I never buy brand new. I always buy Certified Pre Owned and vehicle shop based on what I want and what is available and not by a certain dealer. So, weighing prices, options, mileage etc, is a big thing for me. You will get less on a trade in but your initially buy in is also less so that point is mute. So far I haven't regretted it at all and the V6 8 speed Crew Cab is a very usable and comfortable truck.

stimpy433 · Feb 19, 2018

I have the V6 and it's got plenty of power for what I need and it gets better gas mileage then the V8.... plus it doesn't sound like a sewing machine!!!

FriedDumpling · Feb 19, 2018

This particular Outdoorsman looks less equipped than most. Surprised that there is not heated seats, and you may want to verify that the wheels haven’t been swapped.

I traded a 2015 Outdoorsman that had some electrical and computer issues for a 2015 Big Horn, and in doing so went from a 6 to an 8. Definitely prefer the power of the 8, and I don’t haul or tow. Better for resale, more desirable and my gas mileage is extremely comparable.

With the Hemi, 89 Octane is recommended - 87 is acceptable. I am getting 18 mpg using 89 - and recommend it.

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Purplert · Feb 20, 2018

One word... HEMI

Get the sport !

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FriedDumpling · Feb 20, 2018

One more point. While I liked the V6 in the Outdoorsman, the Sport may have an Eco mode which helps with gas economy, but you’ll want to verify.

Check out the Big Horn. I have the equivalent equipment of an Outdoorsman, with Hemi and 4x4.

Certified Pre-Owned will put you in a decent price range.

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2017 V6 Outdoorsman VS 2018 V8 Sport

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