2015 Laramie First Impressions

[mh3c]

I purchased a 2015 Laramie Crew 1500 4WD two weeks ago. This is my fourth Ram (1995 2500 Standard cab, 2006 Laramie Quad, and 2008 Laramie Quad.) I have to say, while the 2006/2008 Laramies had every option, the functional feel of the 2015 in comparison makes it feel like another truck line completely. The touch of Benz and Fiat has really had an impact.

Here are the options:
3.92 rearend
8 speed tranny
Hemi
Sunroof
8.4 AN
Vented bucket seats
Power fold mirrors
Proximity Sensors

Here are some observations:

- the new 395HP engine in comparison to the older 345HP is outstanding. I thought the old one moved, but this one can get me arrested. Especially with how quiet the interior is on the 2015. I do love the rumble of the exhaust in this one.

- LOVE the 8 speed transmission. It is incredibly smooth, no hesitation like the 2008 had when shifting. Especially like that it seems to engine brake itself on declines when off the gas, meaning it wont shift up just because it feels no exertion. Reduces braking significantly.

- Overall ride quality is outstanding. You forget you are driving a truck. The suspension differences since 3rd gen are unreal. No empty bed shudder or hop.

- Again the overall quietness of the ride is on par or better than my wife's Cadillac SRX

- The fold flat system in the back is vastly improved. Not yet on par with the F150 Crew's, but substantially better than the 3rd Gen Ram. Coupled with the crew, I can pack all of the groceries in the rear. My six year old has it in his head he is going to fold up the rear seats and sleep in the back when we go camping.

- FINALLY a folding mirror option for those of us with double garage doors. No more rolling down the window to manually fold in the mirror to get it in the damned garage. I'm so glad i researched and found this option was available on select models because I nearly bought one without it.

- I love the tech integration with my phone, but I hate that it pops open the Uconnect app on my phone all the time. Just assume I want to be connected and be done with it. I do hate that you cant actually shut off the radio and when you mute it then start it back up, it is no longer muted. I did figure out today that if you turn it all the way down it will stay down upon restart. I do like that I can play a song via Bluetooth, then plug it in and have it continue the same song via USB. I actually prefer USB to avoid lossless issues with bluetooth.

- speaking of, i'm so glad Ram decided to do what most of us did anyway and upgrade the speakers, add an amp, and drop a sub under the rear seat. This will be the first Ram I've ever owned that didnt make a trip to the stereo shop it's first month. The Alpine system is really top-notch and I am really pleased that I can get that system in a pickup.

- yes i know not to operate the nav system while im driving. Stop warning me everytime i start up the truck.

- It does take longer to connect bluetooth in comparison to previous models, which is irritating if you are on a call when you get in.

- first cold snap since purchase yesterday, and found out the heated seats and steering wheel automatically come on accordingly. Found that oddly amusing and pretty cool.

- At first I was dead set against the idea of the turn knob shifter. Now? I kinda like it. I guess I really didn't need a stick that was just for show anyway since everything has been electronic shifted for two plus decades now.

- I like to rest my right arm on the console. But mine squeaks when I do so. It appears the console lid doesnt rest completely on the console and instead has a small gap. May be able to eleviate this by installing some soft cabinet door bumpers.

- Still cant figure out what to put in the top glove compartment.

 

[CMil527]

glad to hear your review.. they are wonderful trucks!

 

[Upthewazzu]

My bro-in-law has a 2006 2500. The difference between his '06 and my '15 are mind-boggling (we both have the Big Horn trim level).

 

[TruckNut]

Good points--I had an 02 RAM QuadCab 2WD with the 4.7. It's a whole new world with my 15 Sport. These things move with a 3:92 and 8 speed. (If I were a practical sort I might have gone with a 3:55) I do like that the UConnect doesn't ask me again to verify after I select Mobile or Home from the phone book. But it does remind me to press the Phone button to disconnect every time. Great trucks.

 

[QwikKota]

Good points--I had an 02 RAM QuadCab 2WD with the 4.7. It's a whole new world with my 15 Sport. These things move with a 3:92 and 8 speed. (If I were a practical sort I might have gone with a 3:55) I do like that the UConnect doesn't ask me again to verify after I select Mobile or Home from the phone book. But it does remind me to press the Phone button to disconnect every time. Great trucks.

You can only get the 3.55's on the diesel. I went with the 3.21's for fuel economy, hopefully.

OP, did you get the bucket seats? Hopefully the bench seat console doesn't squeak on my Laramie I ordered. My current car does that and it drove me nuts but I either tune it out now or it went away.

 

[martian171]

I just moved up from an 03 quad cab with the hemi to a 15 sport with the hemi and 3:21 gears. I loved my old truck, but it pales in comparison to my new one. I was looking at the Laramie too, but just liked the way the sport looked more, not really a fan of chrome bumpers. I also went for the 3:21 gears for economy as well. I have a boat, but it's at a marina and too big to tow so the gear ratio wasn't that big of a deal.

I looked at all four trucks when I was looking for a new one, but went with another ram cause these trucks look bad ass. Never liked the way the Ford looked, tundra is awesome, but just didn't do it for me. I really liked the gmc 1500, but had been reading a lot of complaints about vibrations and driveline issues. I actually took one for a test drive and felt the damn truck shaking and vibrating at different speeds. Salesman was trying to say it was the road, but it was a newly paved road so that really turned me off of that truck.

 

[AzRamLover]

First off, congrats, man!

- I like to rest my right arm on the console. But mine squeaks when I do so. It appears the console lid doesnt rest completely on the console and instead has a small gap. May be able to eleviate this by installing some soft cabinet door bumpers.

I had this problem too. It drove me *NUTS* for weeks. The bright side is that the truck is quiet enough for it to be an issue. I came from an Infiniti and the Laramie is definitely quieter. (Not to mention faster to 60!)

I fixed this by using 1mm felt tape (Amazon it). The cabinet stoppers were too thick. The rubber stops on the bottom bin (2 round ones in front) can just be pulled out to avoid any rubber/plastic squeaking. I put felt tape on the 2 rear, rectangular rubber stops in the middle also.

The top bin's rubber stops (in front) were problematic. They kept squeaking no matter what so I just cut them off with a razor. The rear rubber stops on the top bin were OK.

Felt tape on the contact points, and voila - silence.

 

[MADDOG]

I was amazed at the changes in function, driveability and feel of the Ram trucks from the third generation to the fourth.

When I traded in my 2007 MegaCab I figured I'd be driving a newer version of that truck. How wrong I was!

The seating, options, display, controls and almost every aspect of the truck is a significant step up.

I'm glad you are enjoying your Laramie. I am thoroughly enjoying my BHB (Big Horn Beast)!

 

[mh3c]

yes, Bucket seats were a MUST for me. All my previous rams had bench seats and damnit, I wanted a real cupholder this time. ;-)

 

[QwikKota]

The new trucks have 3 cup holders in the bench seat arm rest but it folds up obviously. I'm curious what's on the dash below the radio and buttons etc. I only drove a bucket seat truck.

 

[darthdzl]

You can only get the 3.55's on the diesel.

You can get 3.55s with the V6 as well.

 

[QwikKota]

I was talking real truck engines, lol.

 

[TruckNut]

.........I looked at all four trucks when I was looking for a new one, but went with another ram cause these trucks look bad ass. Never liked the way the Ford looked, tundra is awesome, but just didn't do it for me. I really liked the gmc 1500, but had been reading a lot of complaints about vibrations and driveline issues. I actually took one for a test drive and felt the damn truck shaking and vibrating at different speeds. Salesman was trying to say it was the road, but it was a newly paved road so that really turned me off of that truck.

The GMC 1500 I drove felt a little "unbalanced" too. Sluggish as well since they flash the trans for economy and 6th gear by 30mph. Drove a Ford 150 Lariat with the larger ecoboost. Nice truck but the RAM coils just rode better. Can't imagine how nice the air setup is.

Nice review on the Laramie. Almost bought one instead of the sport-like them both. They had a 2 tone blue and silver one that was beautiful.