Buying my first Ram. All advice welcomed

[RLJ10X]

For me, the Number One feature that I MUST have is the 3.92 rear end. Preferably a Limited Slip Diff.

I don't care which engine you get, or how far you drive to work, get the 3.92. You'll thank me later.

 

[Quyonmob]

For me, the Number One feature that I MUST have is the 3.92 rear end. Preferably a Limited Slip Diff.

I don't care which engine you get, or how far you drive to work, get the 3.92. You'll thank me later.

Not available on the V6 as far as I know... which really is dumb as it would pair beautifully.

 

[rule18]

Not available on the V6 as far as I know... which really is dumb as it would pair beautifully.

I got a 3.92 in my 2017 Rebel w/3.6.

 

[Quyonmob]

I got a 3.92 in my 2017 Rebel w/3.6.

Yeah, I think it was a rebel only option.

 

[RLJ10X]

Do whatever is necessary to get a 3.92.

**The only exception is if it’s 2WD. in that case, budget for 3.92s. 4.10s would be even better.

 

[jws123]

Avoid the Eco diesel at all costs they are money pits.

 

[Halligan]

I should mention that both trucks are under $30k. My concern is the unknown regarding the maintenance costs of a diesel and their performance in New England winters.

I advise against the Ecodiesel. The track record with them has been spotty at best. I almost bought one back in 2015 and I'm glad I didn't. My cousin bought one new in either a 2016 or 2017 (can't remember which) and his motor blew just outside the 100,000 mile warranty. He did mostly highway driving and had all maintenance done at the dealer on schedule. It cost him a pretty penny to get it running again.

 

[Halligan]

Bed size is important (bigger is better) but I think I could live with 8” difference if it came down to it.

I'm at point in my life where I could live with the quad cab over crew cab but I couldn't live with a 5' bed. I like the silver 2019 and that would be my choice.

Also, like you I live in Mass and will second the Fluid Film advice. I just treated my truck the other day. Not sure if you over sand permit your trucks but if you do that's even more reason to do it.

 

[CVX20]

Not if they were lease returns. Also, ask how many owners trade in/up after only a few years, you'll be surprised.

I think you'd have to be a special kind of stupid to trade a vehicle with 10k and no issues or you have money to burn and don't mind taking a huge hit.

 

[rule18]

I think you'd have to be a special kind of stupid to trade a vehicle with 10k and no issues or you have money to burn and don't mind taking a huge hit.

People do it all the time. It's not my thing, but many owners do that. Their money, their option.

 

[indept]

Keep in mind there are some that lease because that is their only option financially to get into a new vehicle and if they're one of the unfortunate that lost their job with the pandemic these could be repossessed trucks.

 

[Halligan]

I bet the silver on was a either a lease trade in or a loaner vehicle. My local Ram dealer has quad cab classics as loaners.

The ecodiesel could either be a lease trade in or a problem child somebody dumped (traded in).

FWIW, I once sold a truck within a year of buying and under 10,000 miles. It was a nice truck with zero problems but I wanted to go in a different direction so I sold it at a financial loss. And situations like that happen every day.

 

[stenerson]

I have no regrets yet with my 2018 (bought new) v6. Smooth ride and plenty of power for my needs. 62K miles so far. I commute 100 miles a day , 4 days a week. I really like this engine. Can't speak for the Eco. There are people that have gotten many miles out of it, but lots of horror stories also about reliability.

 

[Kevin Bellmore]

Beware of the dreaded hemi tick, I haven't read all the replies, but be prepared to replace the cam and lifters.

 

[CamperMike]

Beware of the dreaded hemi tick, I haven't read all the replies, but be prepared to replace the cam and lifters.

Lol op is looking at v6 or eco Diesel so this doesn't apply

 

[JWARam]

Welcome! I took a leap of faith last year and bought my first Ram and love it!! 2019 Limited... not one problem at 16,000 and still rolling!

 

[Senzapaura]

I think you'd have to be a special kind of stupid to trade a vehicle with 10k and no issues or you have money to burn and don't mind taking a huge hit.

The 2019 had a lien against it...

 

[Rick Gabler]

I’m a first time truck owner. My suggestion for what you want to spend and useage is a 2019 1500 Classic Warlock. Brand new 30k. Drives like a car, very quiet and smooth with good gas mileage. I have the quad 4 with a 3.6 L V6. Very quick! Overall a great ride and will easily handle everything you’re looking for. Good luck.

 

[Aggie86]

I’m 40mi each way to work and love my gas V6. Only thing I would change would be to get 3.55 gears.

I have 2018 Regular cab Tradesman 4x2 with the 3.6 and 3.55 gears. I was skeptical at first as to its capabilities when I first decided to go that route. I have previously had a regular cab R/T with the Hemi and 3.92 gears and a 3500 Megacab 4x4 single rear wheel with the 6.4 and 3.73 gears. I am super happy with the 3.6. It performs WAY beyond the way that I thought it would as a daily driver. I average about 21 MPG in all around driving. It will get 25 MPG on the highway at 65 mph if there is no headwind. I have gotten as high as 28 mpg with a 20 mph tailwind and as low as 17 mpg with a 30 mph headwind. Wind is the biggest factor with these trucks. I towed a Jeep Compass on a Uhaul trailer from Gillette, WY to Dallas, TX. Fairly level terrain and 90 percent of the time I didn't even know it was back there (those Uhaul car trailers tow really well) and averaged 18 mpg. I REALLY like the 3.55 gears. They are a bit hard to find on the lot and would go out of my way to get them. I don't know why, but the "book" towing capacity almost doubled to 7000 pounds with the change from the 3.21 to the 3.55 gear set. Unless you are towing much of the time, I'd skip the Ecodiesel.

 

[Cactusmonkey]

never borrow a travel trailer