To Keep or Not, That is the Question?

[Ram-in-PA]

I have a '15 Ram Sport that I really like. It's the first vehicle in 20+ years that I have kept for more than 3 years - BUT - I'm at a point where I am debating on getting a new Truck.

I have the Mopar Warranty good until 84K miles, and am at 58K mile now. I will also pay this one off this month and will no longer have a payment to make.

My last 2 Ram's prior to this one (an '01 & '03) both needed trans rebuilds and had a list of minor issues. I am wondering what others have seen on these 4th gen trucks over 60K+ miles? Does it start to have issues, will it be reliable past 60K, 70K, 80K?

Having no payment would be very nice, but having a reliable and trouble free vehicle is a bigger priority for me.

Thoughts or Experiences?

TIA!

 

[stuckmoto]

Dude, pay it off - keep saving the same amount for a down payment. When this one dies, you'll be that much ahead of the game.

 

[Ram-in-PA]

Dude, pay it off - keep saving the same amount for a down payment. When this one dies, you'll be that much ahead of the game.

Yea, that's probably the best route. I've been paying $800/mo on this one to pay it off early, be nice to have that payment free for other "Stuff"

If I keep the Ram, I may look at adding a small sporty car to play with on weekends!

 

[MRFREEZE57]

without knowing your financial status I can not recommend what you should do, just remember though, buying new vehicles frequently does not help grow your savings.
just think for a moment how much you are spending on depreciation alone.

 

[avantiguy]

Truck prices go up every year and your trade in value will be going down at the same time. Rams are currently selling at pretty low prices new so if you forecast out the next couple of years the expected increase in prices, reduced trade in value and current pricing then you some data to make a decision.

For me, when I saw the trade in value of my 14 Sport and the new truck pricing, I decided to buy a new 19 Laramie. I was comfortable with the decision.

I won't try to tell you which way to go as it's your decision but having current savings vs a new truck is a personal decision only you can make. You just need to be comfortable with it both personally and economically.

 

[Ram-in-PA]

without knowing your financial status I can not recommend what you should do, just remember though, buying new vehicles frequently does not help grow your savings.
just think for a moment how much you are spending on depreciation alone.

Yea, I'm pretty comfortable financially, that's really a small part of a decision to trade up to a new Truck. It would be nice to bank the monthly payment, or help my kids cover student loans or something like that. My concern is IF I keep my '15, will it turn into a money pit of repairs as it racks up more miles? The most miserable moments in my life are related to car's breaking down and leaving me stranded, so I focus hard on reliability.

If others are getting longer, trouble free life from these 4th gens, I may just keep it for 5 more years - then buy a new Peugeot Ram 1500 in 2025

 

[ram1500rsm]

I have 86K miles on mine, bought it used with 40k something, only issue has been the manifold bolts and those were covered by the local Carmax where i bought the truck from last year, and i had the fuel tank sender unit issue that makes your gas tank needle reads empty, so i had the fuel pump replaced in full for about $500 or so at a local garage shop this year. She's paid off in full and the only thing i've spent good money in is mods for her , asides from the $500 and change for the fuel pump replacement. She's a good girl.

 

[Smokey613]

We traded our 2014 Laramie in with 87K and the only issue was the running board steps cracked, both sides. I replaced the plastic step covers myself for 1/3 what the dealer wanted. I hope our 2018 will be as trouble free.

 

[Burla]

drive till wheels fall off. I dont trust new stuff.

 

[Rampower2012]

I would keep. For a long time just thank whith put the payment you can spend it on. Thangs to mak it look bad a**

 

[Dinky]

I would keep it if you like it. I have a 14 with 96k and no issues just keep up on maintenance.

 

[Jrod]

If I owned I dealership I’d wish all my customers would dump perfectly good trucks for new trucks..

 

[RVGuy]

My 2015 has over 150k and no issues. I'd say keep it.

 

[Luau_Pig]

I bought my 2015 @ 40k miles. Had it for 3 years until 73k miles. In that time I had to replace a burned out taillight bulb. Sadly it got totaled in an accident. Upgraded to a 2019 Classic. The old truck held its value well. Got over $4k back after insurance paid it off plus got half the money back I paid for the maxcare lifetime warranty. Went straight to mods on the new rig.

 

[demonram]

I have a 2011 Sport that ate the cam lobe off the number 3 cylinder at a little over 92,000 miles and right after the 5 year powertrain warranty ran out. I called the Ram owners 800 number and explained the situation to them, and after confirming with the dealership, agreed to pay for the parts and labor if I would pay 10% co pay. My advice would be get an extended warranty just in case.

 

[demonram]

Should have added, other than that no a single issue and the truck has 127,000 on it now.

 

[CamperMike]

Yea, that's probably the best route. I've been paying $800/mo on this one to pay it off early, be nice to have that payment free for other "Stuff"

If I keep the Ram, I may look at adding a small sporty car to play with on weekends!

Do that. I was able to get a fun car for weekends because I kept my previous car for a few years after paying it off. I doubt you will have serious issues with any modern vehicle until around 100k or well over. Of course there are exceptions but usually you'll do well to keep it.

 

[Dusty]

I have a '15 Ram Sport that I really like. It's the first vehicle in 20+ years that I have kept for more than 3 years - BUT - I'm at a point where I am debating on getting a new Truck.

I have the Mopar Warranty good until 84K miles, and am at 58K mile now. I will also pay this one off this month and will no longer have a payment to make.

My last 2 Ram's prior to this one (an '01 & '03) both needed trans rebuilds and had a list of minor issues. I am wondering what others have seen on these 4th gen trucks over 60K+ miles? Does it start to have issues, will it be reliable past 60K, 70K, 80K?

Having no payment would be very nice, but having a reliable and trouble free vehicle is a bigger priority for me.

Thoughts or Experiences?

TIA!

In '01 and '03 Ram 1500 was still using the RE transmission series which had a so-so reliability record depending on how they were maintained. The early years of 4th gen Ram 1500s had the 545RFE transmission and they have a bullet proof reputation. Late 4th gens got the 8HP70 eight speed, and the 5th gens now get the 8HP75. These are not prone to catastrophic failures.

The launch of the new 5th gen Ram 1500 in mid-2018 (2019 model year) was not enviable, but most problems were either body assembly or electronic. I believe all or most of these issues have been resolved by late production 2019s.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at: 027277 miles.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Yea, that's probably the best route. I've been paying $800/mo on this one to pay it off early, be nice to have that payment free for other "Stuff"

If I keep the Ram, I may look at adding a small sporty car to play with on weekends!

Pretty much what I did. Paid off the RAM in about two years, bought a Camaro SS, and now live payment free with a nice summer toy and a nice truck. Split the miles between them, I doubt I have to buy anything at all for 10 years or so. By then the mid-engine vettes will be reasonable, so....

 

[Rado]

You pay $800.00 a month on it to pay it off early :O
My 2 cents if it were me (YMMV )
I would bank that $800.00 a month and hold off a year or so, Take that $9,600.00 you saved in a year and add to the down payment of your next truck or $19200.00 if you wait 2 years ! BUT all depends on how you use the truck IMO.
Helping the kids college fund is also a good idea
have done that with 2 of mine and a grandson .
I got tired of paying the bank after about 2 years on my 2015 and paid it off as well as my car. Nice being payment free
Now to decide if I want to pay the house off lol
But it really is hard to say what to do, it is about what fits you best !