2018 Ram 2500 Mega Cab SLT 2WD 5.7 Am I wasting My time?

[tbird71]

Saw a leftover 18 2500 SLT 2500 Mega Cab with the 5.7 Hemi and 2WD
I want a truck with room but am I wasting my time thinking it's going to ride
decently and get decent mileage? I'm reading these are underpowered with the 5.7
ride rough unladen and get around 14 MPG

Will be mostly highway use and unladen little to no towing no reason to own it except it looks cool and is priced right
They do have a good clearance price (39000)





but there's probably a reason it's still there...

let's hear what you heavy duty guys say

 

[RodeoRam]

It might come down to the gearing for mileage. I have 3.73 diffs in my 4x4 CC LB with the 5.7L, and I get 15-16 mpg to work and back, 70 mi. round trip, mostly interstate, between 65 & 75 mph. I would guess that mine is heavier having the front diff so this one should get a little better, but I don't honk the tater much, either. On longer trips back to TN, I usually get about 17 hand-calculated. I only wish I had the Cummins for the one week per year I tow heavy about 3,400 miles. Then it's around 8 mpg or lower depending on how hard Kansas is blowing. It was down to 6.4 mpg a couple of weeks ago because of the 30 mph crosswind between Salina and Colby.

That truck looks good. I would see if they would come down more because you know they want to get rid of it since the 2018s have been out for a couple of years.

 

[mtnrider]

Well it's not 4x4 so you have that going for you. I know a 5.7 2500 4x4 gets around 11mpg give or take so you should be a little better then that. I wouldn't expect miracles though. If mpg is a concern to you I can tell you right now you will not be happy.

And it's a 2500 so it is going to ride like an HD truck.

The mega cab is awesome but it really doesn't sound like an HD truck is what you are looking for or need. That's a lot of money to spend and not be happy with the ride and mpg.


.

 

[maverickmk]

I am rather partial, but I have a '15 2500 4X4 with the 5.7 and it has more than enough juice and it rides like a truck is supposed to. If you're looking for a truck that will ride well you should probably be looking at the smaller trucks like a Colorado, Frontier, Ranger etc. 2500's are built to tow and carry a lot weight. Mileage sucks, most trucks do.

 

[tbird71]

You're right of course. As far as ride I'm thinking it wouldn't ride any rougher than my present 2014 Express with the Reg Cab and 20" wheels and I can live with that.

However, 39K would get me a new 2019
1500 Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab Short box with the discounts they have on them right now.
(38,149 for this one)






I told the dealer he'd have to be closer to 30K than 40K on this Mega Cab. Heavy Duty buyers here aren't interested in the little motor and 2WD which is probably why he still has it. Ram won't help him out so he may well be eating Thanksgiving dinner with it unless he decides to sell at a loss. It's a looker tho IMO

 

[22hemi13]

I have a 14 2500 4x4 with the 5.7. 11-13 mpg depending on how I drive. Mine spends lots of time off-road. I’ve towed goosenecks with it. It is not fun but I never did it often enough to be a huge issue. I like the feeling of the 2500 vs 1500. My wife’s feels like a car. Granted mine has a 3” lift and 35”. Of your not towing or hauling it would work. A few mods and I bet it would be just fine. It’s just a big ass 1500 lol. I didn’t know they put the 5.7 in them anymore. Oh and best part is. The hd 5.7 has no mds crap!

 

[tbird71]

Well, I'm in no hurry, and I don't HAVE to buy anything so time is on my side. That mega cab just kinda trips my trigger is all. I've always liked driving something a little different. Plus it's got the spray in bedliner 8" radio and the running boards already installed and i like the alloy wheels and 18" tires too. Last of the old school Rams with the 6 speed trannie (which I have now in my 14 and it's been trouble free) Other than back and forth to FL we don't drive all that much (both retired) so fuel mileage really isn't a factor. What the hey, I'll just go over there and drive it down the road a few miles, then make up my mind. He's still gonna have to sharpen that pencil tho.

 

[JoshR104]

I picked up my limited megacab 4x4 with the 6.4 in October for 49k out the door... dealer had it marked down 10.5k off sticker plus FCA was offering 7k in rebates I qualified for. At 40k for a bighorn 2wd 5.7 I wouldnt say thats really a great price being the 19s are out with way nicer interiors for similar money.

Do you just want the larger interior room? If so look at 5th gen 1500s the CC on those are just as big as the megas on 4th gens.

I do love my truck tho so I get why you are interested in it but I got this one for the payload the 2016 1500 only had 1300 payload with no one in it.

 

[olyelr]

Price seems high to me for that.

Also, it sounds to me like a 1500 would be way better for you. The 3/4 will ride much worse and get way worse mpg’s as well. I have one of each, and the half ton is waaaaayy better for a dd’r. Gets an honest 6+ mpg better in most scenarios, rides better than my wifes yukon denali and the 8 speed is so much better than the 6 speed.

Personally, I would run from that mega cab and start looking at half tons, even if its one of the classics. They have some damn good deals out there right now.

 

[NewBlackDak]

I picked up my limited megacab 4x4 with the 6.4 in October for 49k out the door... dealer had it marked down 10.5k off sticker plus FCA was offering 7k in rebates I qualified for. At 40k for a bighorn 2wd 5.7 I wouldnt say thats really a great price being the 19s are out with way nicer interiors for similar money.

Do you just want the larger interior room? If so look at 5th gen 1500s the CC on those are just as big as the megas on 4th gens.

I do love my truck tho so I get why you are interested in it but I got this one for the payload the 2016 1500 only had 1300 payload with no one in it.

View attachment 172694

Now that the 5th gen doesn’t have that stupid half middle seat in the back, I could go back to a CC. Well, that and no more kids in car seats.

I got my ‘14 Mega Laramie 6.4 4x4 for $42.5K in February of ‘14. I would call $30K a deal. $40K is highway robbery for a truck they obviously have a hard time unloading.


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[tbird71]

You're probably right, in any case that Mega 4x2 with the 5.7 is WAY too high as you said.
I was thinking and told the dealer 30K as well. Just looking further I found a 2018 2500 CC with 4x4, the 6.4 motor AND the off road package for 36K, WAY more truck than that Mega 4x2 5.7.





I'm seeing 2019 CC 4x4 classics close to 30K, and slightly used 2018s close to 25K. There ARE a ton of good deals out there right now and I'll get one for a good price or keep my 14, appreciate the insight.

 

[tbird71]

I missed a new 2019 CC 4x2 Big Horn short box for 31K...that was the best deal so far.

The first truck I looked at was a consignment, a 2015 Big Horn 1500 4x2 with the comfort and luxury packages, the 5.7 with the 8 spd trans and 30000 mi. I can buy this for 21K, but think I want a new one.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Price seems high to me for that.

Also, it sounds to me like a 1500 would be way better for you. The 3/4 will ride much worse and get way worse mpg’s as well. I have one of each, and the half ton is waaaaayy better for a dd’r. Gets an honest 6+ mpg better in most scenarios, rides better than my wifes yukon denali and the 8 speed is so much better than the 6 speed.

Personally, I would run from that mega cab and start looking at half tons, even if its one of the classics. They have some damn good deals out there right now.

Everything olyelr said. He hit all the nails right on the head.
I've had a 1500 5.7 5-spd 4x4 QC 3.92 rears and now I have a 2500 6.4 6-spd 4x4 CCLB 4.10 rears. I can't imaging how hard a 5.7 would have to work pushing around another 1500-1600 lbs of truck. And yeah, it rides like a HD truck should ride. My wife NEVER wants to go anywhere in it. he he he. Personally, I'm just a little thick in the head. I like a truck that feels & sounds like work is gettin done. If I want a Cadillac ride, I'd go back to a 1500 low rider.[emoji4]

 

[tidefan1967]

Everything olyelr said. He hit all the nails right on the head.
I've had a 1500 5.7 5-spd 4x4 QC 3.92 rears and now I have a 2500 6.4 6-spd 4x4 CCLB 4.10 rears. I can't imaging how hard a 5.7 would have to work pushing around another 1500-1600 lbs of truck. And yeah, it rides like a HD truck should ride. My wife NEVER wants to go anywhere in it. he he he. Personally, I'm just a little thick in the head. I like a truck that feels & sounds like work is gettin done. If I want a Cadillac ride, I'd go back to a 1500 low rider.[emoji4]

Hell I bet the 3/4 ton RAM rides just as good as any 1/2 ton Chevy or Ford with those coils in the back!

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Hell I bet the 3/4 ton RAM rides just as good as any 1/2 ton Chevy or Ford with those coils in the back!

I really don't know. I've owned 5 pickups in my life; 3 Rams ('84, '09, '17), 1 Toyota T-100 and a 1955 Ford F-100. The Ford was completely customized. Had the rotten Ford drivetrain removed and replaced with engine/trans/rear from a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere! 383 motor, push button trans in the dash and that big rearend!

There just is no better bang for your buck than a Ram. Period. I get a little tired of seeing all you buttholes in your Rams every time I turn a corner but, that must tell you something.

It's funny, in the 43 yrs I've been a licensed driver, the ONLY Ford I ever owned had a Chrysler Corp.drivetrain.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Hell I bet the 3/4 ton RAM rides just as good as any 1/2 ton Chevy or Ford with those coils in the back!

I 100% agree! When I was test driving before I bought mine, I thought the 3/4's rode almost as smooth as the 1/2 tons. After I lowered the air in the tires to 55-60lbs. it probably is just as smooth now. We've had a couple of Chevy 3/4 ton 2wd. trucks here at my work that ride much rougher than my Ram. Every time I see a Ford 3/4 ton with any kind of load, they are squatting a lot, so they might have a better ride but they can't handle the load nowhere near what Ram & Chevy can.

 

[weldguy]

2WD will kill any trade-in value later on

 

[JimE]

2WD will kill any trade-in value later on

For you maybe but not everyone needs or gives a damn about a 4X4 because their need is not off road or they are not into thinking it makes them cool. Personally to me a limited slip rear axle can get one out of traction trouble in most cases. Wouldn't give you a bucket of warm spit for a 4X4 and their prospective maintenance issues for the type of usage I have.

 

[tbird71]

That dealer with the 2WD 5.7 Mega Cab called the other day, and asked what he had to do to sell me that truck. I said get it down close to 30K
and i'll come. That was about the end of the conversation. He's dreamin at 39,000 for that truck.

 

[Dusty]

Saw a leftover 18 2500 SLT 2500 Mega Cab with the 5.7 Hemi and 2WD
I want a truck with room but am I wasting my time thinking it's going to ride
decently and get decent mileage? I'm reading these are underpowered with the 5.7
ride rough unladen and get around 14 MPG

Will be mostly highway use and unladen little to no towing no reason to own it except it looks cool and is priced right
They do have a good clearance price (39000)


View attachment 172652


but there's probably a reason it's still there...

let's hear what you heavy duty guys say

I have two friends with a 2500 and I have to tell you they ride pretty darn good for a 3/4 ton. Nobody else comes close to the Ram when it comes to HD ride. I would think the longer wheelbase of the MegaCab would ride even better. Two-wheel drive does not scare me, but I don't think you'll get the fuel mileage a 1/2 ton will.

Good luck with your decision.

Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 April 2018. Now at 017934 miles.