Looking at buying a Ram

[Schwinn]

Hi all. I'm thinking of buying a 2016 Ram with the V8. Wondering if I can get some thoughts on the truck. I'm sure they will be overwhelmingly positive, but if I could get the negatives as well, I'd appreciate it.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

1500 or HD? I have had both now, so here's my thoughts:

Pros
-Hemi has gobs of power

-8 speed is the best light duty transmission I have ever driven. Period.

-you can achieve decent economy from the hemi if you can control the inevitable case of hemi-foot

-Comfortable, innovative interior.

-best bang for the buck of all half tons

Cons

-the hemi will drink if you are a overly aggressive driver. Lots.

-hemi doesn't REALLY come to life until the RPMs are up. Still responsive and snappy, but the real power comes up high.

-squishy suspension unless you go with the 4 corner air.

-tend to sag in the rear, even lightly loaded.

-tons of pulling power, but they seem to lack the overall frame rigidity to really pull heavy.





Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Schwinn]

It'll be a 1500. Haven't decided on the exact model. I like the sport, but its going to depend on trade in.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Edited my post- see above

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Am3gross]

you will get the best of both worlds on this forum. i wouldnt buy a ram with anything other then one of these hemis!

 

[Bcountry]

OWN the road in a RAM !! I just luv my truck

 

[muzupan]

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 crew cab with the 5.7 Hemi. I absolutely love this truck coming from a 2006 Chevy Silverado. My truck has a 3.21 gears if I would have known then what I know now I probably would have gone with a 3.92 gears because I am looking in the future to buy an RV and my truck is only rated to tow 8 thousand lbs while the truck with a 3.92 gears it's rated to pull the 10,000 pounds. The Hemi so far has proven to be a strong motor but as it has been mentioned if you have a heavy foot it will drink the gas otherwise I've gotten 22 to 23 miles to the gallon on occasion on the highway. As of right now, outside of what I have mentioned, I cannot really think anything negative about my truck because I've only had it for three months.

 

[lonestar21]

Buy it!!

 

[BigDaddyRam]

I'll comment on the interior vs the competition. I have a 1500. It has by far the most comfortable cab of the big three. I am 6'4" with fairly broad shoulders. It gives me plenty of room for my legs and head. Everyone else will tell you about how awesome the rest of the truck is and they are correct!

 

[hinzy]

It'll be a 1500. Haven't decided on the exact model. I like the sport, but its going to depend on trade in.

When I went to buy my first Ram I really wanted a Sport. After doing some shopping I decided to try and save some money and went with an Express figuring I could mod the things I wanted with the extra cash. I changed out headlights, cluster, mirrors, grill, stereo, wheels and countless other things... but it was never enough to get what I really wanted. After a year, I ended up just trading it in and getting a Sport.

My advice.... get what you want otherwise you'll be kicking yourself

 

[Saltillo Express]

You asked for negative too? While I love mine -

I think they drive a little wonky, compared to the previous generation cable TB. From a stop, regular acceleration, the six speed shifts weird. I equate it to a "fat kid running and falling on the playground". Second to third it will just fall flat on it's face. Again regular slow roll driving. And it flops in and out of Eco mode weird. A slow right turn up a hill and it will lay right over into Eco and you gotta give it more fuel to get it to first get out of Eco and then accelerate normal. Many say a custom tune will fix all that and I assume it would.

 

[DrewTZ]

I'll comment on the interior vs the competition. I have a 1500. It has by far the most comfortable cab of the big three. I am 6'4" with fairly broad shoulders. It gives me plenty of room for my legs and head. Everyone else will tell you about how awesome the rest of the truck is and they are correct!

Agreed on the cab space. Excellent interior (I have the Laramie), plenty of space, plenty of leg room in back (also have Crew Cab). I'm 6'6" and incredibly comfortable every drive.

 

[bryan28]

I have the 3.21 gears and 8 speed and it's pretty nice. If I towed a lot I would opt for the 3.92s. I have no real experience with the 6 speed transmission but have heard the 8 speed is the way to go. The only real changes I would make to my truck are crew cab with 6'4" bed instead of quad cab, leather instead of cloth, and I would've added limited slip differential. I chose a quad cab because it has the longer bed and still fits in my garage. Crew cab with short bed would too but I like the longer bed.

 

[Upthewazzu]

My biggest pet peeve is the pedal location (and angle). They seem to be closer to the seat than a normal vehicle and more upright, while the steering wheel does not telescope. It isn't terrible, but you'd think they would have added a telescoping wheel by now. I have long legs and short arms so it can become uncomfortable after a while.

 

[ExpressRules]

Don't listen to all these guys, RAMs Suck!!! Get a ford or Chevy. Sorry, I just had to say that. Hell you are on a Ram forum, we all may be a bit biased. I love my Express with the Black Express Package and it has all the options I care about, rear camera, voice recognition and projector headlights.

I even have the 6 speed with 3.55 gears that many here will tell you sucks the big one, but trust me, while the 8 speed with 3.92 may be the best thing ever invented, my truck still goes like stink on a skunk !!

 

[RAMHON]

Just do it - I spent two years deciding whether or not to trade my Honda Ridgeline for my 2016 1500 Laramie HEMI and should have done it sooner. One month into owning here is what I have:


Pros:
Comfort (I have air suspension) ride is better than our Mercedes 450GL with air ride
Interior space (I'm 6'4" with really long legs)
32 Gallon gas tank must have (no more going to gas station twice a week as I did with Ridgeline's small tank)
Gas mileage is about same as Honda Ridgeline 15/16 city 20 highway
Parking sensors
Auto dimming high beam headlights
Heated everything (kids love second row heated seats)
Folding mirrors (wish they could autofold- maybe they do I just don't know it yet)
remote start


Cons:
No telescoping wheel (not as big as issue as I thought thou)
less space in my garage (much bigger)
have to park in isolated spots in parking lots to avoid dings
stock tonneau cover a bit awkward/flimsy (I had the Peragon metal on Ridgeline)
stock tires not that impressed in snow
chrome trim is not metal - plastic but that's not a surprise

Overall best truck for the money in my opinion.

 

[gassersarentdead]

Don't listen to all these guys, RAMs Suck!!! Get a ford or Chevy. Sorry, I just had to say that. Hell you are on a Ram forum, we all may be a bit biased. I love my Express with the Black Express Package and it has all the options I care about, rear camera, voice recognition and projector headlights.

I even have the 6 speed with 3.55 gears that many here will tell you sucks the big one, but trust me, while the 8 speed with 3.92 may be the best thing ever invented, my truck still goes like stink on a skunk !!

I had the 6 speed and 3.55s too. Bilsteins maxed, 6" suspension lift, and 37s with no problems.

 

[SilverSurfer15]

Cons:

1) do not buy 3.21s. Theres no reason to, and they suck. You arent going to get better mpg with them. 3.55 or 3.92 only.

2) if you have the 8.4 with dual climate control, you have to go on screen to change it back to sync, theres no one button press from the dash to do it. Its annoying when you are just trying to fix the a/c. Its probably my biggest complaint of the ram in genral.

3) the navigation sucks. period. turn left (with right arrow displayed on screen). Seems to get worse with each update.

4) auto wipers, all or nothing most of the time.

5) sport model doesnt have memory seats as an option. WHY??? This truck cost MORE than my laramie ecodiesel. go figure...

6) rear visibility (especially when backing up in parking spots and what have you) isnt as good as other tow makes. You end up using the camera a lot to really get a feel for where you are. Its one of the hardest trucks ive owned to park, and I used to drive two 10" llifted trucks, f250 on 38s and a HD on 37s. But you get used to it.

7) turning radius isnt stellar.


Pros:

1) Hemi has plenty of power when you need it, even if you get stuck with 3.21s like me.

2) as stated, the current 8spd is the best transmission in a truck. seriously, its great. you can lock it in 7th on the highway when its constantly hilly, lock it in 5th in the city, it adjust the shifts points a little as you do this, its legit. Also when you get on the brakes hard, it will downshift to help engine break and slow down faster, especially on downward inclines. Its a thing of beauty.

3) interior is superior.

4) top tier sound system is great (and im not an audio person)

5) proximity key, priceless. seriously. I dont know if i can go back to not having it.

6) doesnt have a bunch of useless bs like Active cruise control and self parking and lane keeping assist and all this other bs that no one wants or needs. Seriously if you cant drive, just get off the F-ing road.

7) parking sensors are awesome. no more wondering how close you really are to the front of the garage, etc. And this is much different that number 6. Everyone can benefit with a little parking assistance, but you shouldnt need a vehicle that has to drive for you.


Bottom line, its the best half ton out right now. GM has the 6.2L which is cool and they look nice, but go drive one. The brakes are TERRIBLE. They still feel like 98 silverado brakes. You have press the pedal half way down to get any action. their 8spd sucks. like bad. not to mention its breaking down alot, according to the forums. Turn on the overhead lights in a silverado, a High Country or denali, and feel that quality. Seems simple, but they cant even put in a real light switch in a 60k dollar truck. Imagine the rest of the short cuts.

And the f150, the ecoboost motor is cool but thats it. They are having ALOT of issues with quality control. Those probably wont be safe to buy until 2017-2018.

by the way, im a GM truck fanboy. But im no longer driving one.

 

[avantiguy]

How you set up a truck is a personal thing so visit a few dealers and drive a few but as a suggestion, if you buy 4WD be sure it has the auto mode for driving in wet/snowy conditions and for my money, the best thing anyone can add to a truck is the Limited Slip rear end.

It would be the first option I would check if I ordered one, particularly for a 2WD. Truthfully, my 14 Sport doesn't have it and the 4WD auto and Traction Control have done quite well this winter in Michigan but I'd have it if I had ordered the truck.

Otherwise, my Sport model with most of the bells and whistles is a great looking truck that drives very comfortably, has excellent heat and defrost capability and was an excellent value when I purchased it.

As an addendum, the design of the front fenders allows a lot of crap from the wheels to get on the doors and rear portion of the front fender. I suggest that you find something you like in splash guards and add them also.

 

[Schwinn]

Thanks all. I appreciate it. We've been waffling on keeping my "little" truck and moving up, but my daughter told me last night it was too small in the back for her, the dog and her sister. One more question--how much difference in room is there between the Quad Cab and Crew Cab?