Which one to buy?

[hudsonOH]

Greetings all! I'm new to the group and looking to purchase a new-to-me Ram 1500 5th-Gen crew cab with the Hemi engine. I have narrowed it down to two likely candidates and would love some advice on which one might be the best choice. The two options are linked below:

Option 1 - 2020
Option 2 - 2022

Which one would you choose? What should I be looking for while checking these two over?

 

[mikeru]

I would recommend that you keep looking for one without etorque. If you are unfamiliar feel free to search the forum or the internet for information about the system. For 2019 thru 2022 models you could get the Hemi with or without etorque. For 2023 and up all Hemi’s come with etorque.

It’s easy enough to tell if it has etorque or not. When in the cab look to see if it has the button to disable stop/start below the shift knob. Non etorque Hemi’s don’t have stop/start. You can also identify it if you look in the engine bay. Instead of an alternator mounted up top it will have a motor/generator mounted in its place.

Some people like etorque and some don’t. I’ve owned two of them and never had any issues with it. But people who have had issues have sometimes had to wait for months for replacement parts. And since you’re looking at older used trucks it’s possible the factory warranty has expired on one or both of those trucks.

 

[hudsonOH]

Thanks for the information! I believe both of these do have etorque, but I will double-check the VINs and the window stickers. It seems that most around here do have etorque...

 

[mikeru]

I can tell they both have etorque from the interior pics showing the shift knob area.

2019 thru 2024 models with etorque have this button and trucks without etorque do not (ignore the red arrow, it was for a different topic)...

 

[DanAR]

Here’s hoping that reintroduction of the e-torque Hemi improves the MGU supply situation for servicing when one does go out. Yeah I know, there’s no guarantee of that. So far my 23 Limited has been trouble free but I did purchase some additional Max Care protection just in case.

 

[mikeru]

I think that’s wishful thinking Dan. But the optimist in me wants to believe that as well. It would make sense that they would ramp up production of MGU’s to meet production numbers. But Ram is dependent on the vendor who makes the MGU to do that. The fact that there was a shortage of them when the Hemi was out of production doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy about it now that more are needed for the new trucks being built. I’m just glad our Hemi doesn’t have etorque.

 

[RamDiver]

I will never buy or own an E-torque, but for those who like to gamble with their sanity and potentially be without wheels for an unknown period, I strongly suggest buying a spare MGU with the truck, or walk away.

IIRC, a member here who wants to live on the edge recently purchased a new E-torque truck with a new MGU for an additional $900. I suspect this MGU price is unusually low and didn't come from a stealership.

.

 

[Marshall]

I would also wonder about a newer truck with mult. owners as that first one is.
asking what truck to buy is kind of like having your mother pick a wife,
usally I just seen one I liked and if all the parts are in good shape, then we would start on the money part, as you must not pay what the asking price is.
That takes all the fun out of dealing.
I will say that the dealer I usally deal with is very good . and local.

 

[hudsonOH]

Thanks, everyone, for the input so far! It seems that etorque is very common amongst the vehicles I'm finding for resale. I see some that are a few hours away that do not have that option. How significant are the etorque concerns? I have driven option one listed above, and it's in great shape. It seems that the MCU availability in the event of a failure is the most pressing concern. If I negotiated language in the purchase agreement such that, in the event of an MCU failure, a loaner vehicle will be provided until the repairs can be made, does that ease any concerns?

 

[ExpressRules]

Pricing on both look within reason and my 19 Crew Cab Bighorn is granite like your examples and I do like the color. Drive both to check for any drivetrain issues. Bought mine with 56k on it and have been very pleased.

 

[mikeru]

Thanks, everyone, for the input so far! It seems that etorque is very common amongst the vehicles I'm finding for resale. I see some that are a few hours away that do not have that option. How significant are the etorque concerns? I have driven option one listed above, and it's in great shape. It seems that the MCU availability in the event of a failure is the most pressing concern. If I negotiated language in the purchase agreement such that, in the event of an MCU failure, a loaner vehicle will be provided until the repairs can be made, does that ease any concerns?

It’s personal preference really. As I said before, plenty of people are happy with etorque. I’m just making recommendations based on what others have experienced. It’s likely that you won’t see issues with it. But I wanted to make you aware of problems that people have had.

Parts shortages can happen with other parts too. But etorque seems to be something that is an added risk, especially with a used truck. And if the system goes down the truck will be unusable until it’s fixed.

 

[diymirage]

Thanks, everyone, for the input so far! It seems that etorque is very common amongst the vehicles I'm finding for resale. I see some that are a few hours away that do not have that option. How significant are the etorque concerns?

What I'm hearing is that people who bought an etorque are selling them, and people who bought a conventional hemi are keeping them

What does that tell you ?

 

[turkeybird56]

What I'm hearing is that people who bought an etorque are selling them, and people who bought a conventional hemi are keeping them

What does that tell you ?

Not selling mine lol. I wanted a 26 but no E Junkola. Which means my 2019 stays on driveway.

 

[turkeybird56]

Thanks, everyone, for the input so far! It seems that etorque is very common amongst the vehicles I'm finding for resale. I see some that are a few hours away that do not have that option. How significant are the etorque concerns? I have driven option one listed above, and it's in great shape. It seems that the MCU availability in the event of a failure is the most pressing concern. If I negotiated language in the purchase agreement such that, in the event of an MCU failure, a loaner vehicle will be provided until the repairs can be made, does that ease any concerns?

U honestly think U will get in writing a promise from a Dealership will guarantee U a loaner if the MGU goes down? U got more faith than me. But hey what ever Works for U. Keep up the faith.

 

[mikeru]

U honestly think U will get in writing a promise from a Dealership will guarantee U a loaner if the MGU goes down? U got more faith than me. But hey what ever Works for U. Keep up the faith.

Loaners are definitely within the purview of the dealership so theoretically it could happen. The dealership where we bought our last two Ram 1500's would probably do that in fact. They offered a loaner while our truck was down waiting for the replacement RF hub. Since we have four other vehicles I didn't want to drive their loaner Jeep Patriot for what eventually turned out to be five months.

 

[Yardbird]

I look at parts availability like this, if Ram can't keep something as important as steering racks in stock, how likely are they to have e-torque parts.

At least you can usually find a rebuilt or used steering rack somewhere.

When searching for oh so long for my truck (two years), as soon as I saw the word e-torque on the hood or side, I turned around and walked away.

Now, there are many who will question my choice of a Pentastar, but I was willing to take a chance on that, as I don't drive my truck much.

At least for now, Pentastar parts and engines are easily obtainable.

 

[diymirage]

Loaners are definitely within the purview of the dealership so theoretically it could happen. The dealership where we bought our last two Ram 1500's would probably do that in fact. They offered a loaner while our truck was down waiting for the replacement RF hub. Since we have four other vehicles I didn't want to drive their loaner Jeep Patriot for what eventually turned out to be five months.

I got a loaner from my local shop once and everyone there is Mexican

Of course, they don't know I speak Spanish so I was privy to a hilarious conversation when I asked for my loaner last time...long story short, I ended up with Enrique's personal vehicle

 

[turkeybird56]

Loaners are definitely within the purview of the dealership so theoretically it could happen. The dealership where we bought our last two Ram 1500's would probably do that in fact. They offered a loaner while our truck was down waiting for the replacement RF hub. Since we have four other vehicles I didn't want to drive their loaner Jeep Patriot for what eventually turned out to be five months.

Loaners here are booked out 2 months if even any available, and that is from a decent dealership, but each place is different.

Couple years ago had warranty work done, had to leave truck one night. THEY had no loaners. SO my SA got permission and had a Mechanic drive me home 1 hour away and came back the next day to pick me up. But I have a decent dealership.

 

[Mojo88]

Thanks for the information! I believe both of these do have etorque, but I will double-check the VINs and the window stickers. It seems that most around here do have etorque...

I bought my '19 Longhorn last year, after looking for about three months. It truly pays to educate yourself on all the options that you want, and also the things you don't want (eTorque). It took me a couple of weeks to finally study up on the eTorque issue, and then when I started looking, I realized the vast majority for sale were equipped with eTorque.

The key is, find your ways to quickly sort through HUNDREDS of trucks online, because the non-eTorque trucks are less than 10% (that's about what I noticed). So right off the bat, you simply want to scratch that ~90% off your list, and quickly move on. You may need to buy remotely, that's what I planned to do. But I ended up getting lucky and finding one at a dealer only twp hours from me.

Moral of the story: get educated first. Search hard, discover the options you REALLY want, and be ready to pounce.

 

[mikeru]

I look at parts availability like this, if Ram can't keep something as important as steering racks in stock, how likely are they to have e-torque parts.

At least you can usually find a rebuilt or used steering rack somewhere.

When searching for oh so long for my truck (two years), as soon as I saw the word e-torque on the hood or side, I turned around and walked away.

Now, there are many who will question my choice of a Pentastar, but I was willing to take a chance on that, as I don't drive my truck much.

At least for now, Pentastar parts and engines are easily obtainable.

I didn't question your choice of a Pentastar until you defended that choice in this post. Since you ended up with a 4th gen you could have just bought a 4th gen with the Hemi and avoided etorque all together. No 4th gens came with etorque, including 2019 thru 2024 1500 Classics.