Luxury and Capability on a Budget: Your Guide to Shopping for a Used Ram 1500

Every truck manufacturer has a signature or calling card; Ram is renowned for building trucks that blend luxury and capability. The automaker’s signature is prominent across its award-winning truck lineup and makes shopping for a used Ram for sale incredibly rewarding. Why? A used truck like a Ram 1500 means enjoying premium features and outstanding capabilities at a fraction of the price. So, what’s the catch? Fortunately, there isn’t one. Our dealership is home to an incredible selection of used Ram 1500 trucks, and we’re here to help you narrow your search. Here’s a closer look at getting the most for your money when shopping for this full-size workhorse on the used lot.

Best Budget Off-Roader: Shop the Ram 1500 Rebel, Found on 2015 Models and Newer

Earning widespread acclaim from Motor Trend, the 2015 Ram 1500 is an outstanding option for budget-savvy shoppers looking for Ram’s signature luxury and potent capability. Ram expanded the full-size truck lineup with the Rebel in 2015, enticing drivers with a penchant for adventure. Today, the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel and its successors are incredibly popular because of their factory-fitted suspension lift, skid plates, and air suspension. The truck’s off-road components ready it for adventure, with the exclusive air suspension improving ground clearance and offering a smooth ride regardless of the terrain.

The 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel relies on the award-winning 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine to make 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The output makes the truck agile and responsive, with the Crew Cab fitted with a 5’7” bed. If you’re looking for more potency, skip the Pentastar-powered Rebel and look for the legendary 5.7L HEMI V8 that delivers 395 horses and 410 lb-ft of torque for outstanding low-end capability.

Best Bed and Tailgate Design: Shop for 2019 and Newer Models

The Ram 1500’s brute strength is undeniable, with the truck renowned for its HEMI heartbeat and best-in-class capabilities. In 2019, Ram capitalized on the truck’s work ethic by introducing the newly redesigned model with more functional features and innovative technologies. These updates earned the 2019 Ram 1500 the North American Truck of the Year Award and numerous other honors.

The Ram 1500’s top honors in 2019 include widespread praise for its newly introduced multifunctional tailgate. Ram transforms how drivers maximize the truck’s cargo area by adding a revolutionary tailgate that features the industry’s first-ever 60-40 split. With dual sides, the hinged tailgate doors swing away and improve accessibility into the bed by opening up to 88 degrees. Moreover, the design ensures the tailgate works when a trailer is hitched, even offering a 2,000-pound load rating that enhances the Ram 1500’s already impressive capability.

The Ram 1500’s multifunction tailgate makes 2019 and newer models more appealing on the used lot, especially those with the RamBox cargo management system. The RamBox system transforms the wasted space above the wheel wells into weatherproof storage that’s drainable, lockable, and well-lit. The combination of the RamBox and the multifunctional tailgate makes the 2019 and newer Ram 1500 models incredibly valuable and versatile by capitalizing on their functional designs and the impressive work ethic ingrained in the truck’s DNA.

Best Trailering Technologies: Shop for 2021 and Newer Models

The Ram 1500 is well-known for its class-leading trailering capabilities, but taking advantage of that strength is even easier on models like the 2021 Ram 1500. Building on the Ram 1500’s class-exclusive four-corner air suspension that delivers class-leading ride and handling, the 2021 Ram 1500 also introduces more trailering technologies that lessen the learning curve of towing a trailer. How so?

Since 2021, Trailer Reverse Steering Control has been part of the Ram 1500’s Trailer Package. The addition is noteworthy because the advanced technology simplifies the process of navigating a trailer in reverse. You can input a few measurements into the system, allowing the truck’s camera to track the trailer based on size and type. Then, you can maneuver the trailer in reverse by turning a dial left or right, letting the system control the steering wheel as you watch the rearview camera on the truck’s 12-inch center touchscreen.

Beyond the addition of Trailer Reverse Steering Control, Ram extended the Trailer Package with Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring and Trailer Light Check. The 2021 Ram 1500 and subsequent models are also more tech-oriented, offering a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and enhanced driver-assist technologies. These tools form a comprehensive suite that heightens your situational awareness and optimizes your safety in any situation, whether cruising at highway speeds, running errands downtown, or towing a heavy trailer.

Best Splurge: Shop the Ram 1500 TRX (2021-2024)

If you want more excitement behind the wheel, look no further than the Ram 1500 TRX. Introduced in 2021, the Ram 1500 TRX is renowned for its rugged build that ensures it can handle the most extreme conditions. Of course, this rugged road warrior is an investment as a new model, making a pre-owned TRX even more appealing to adventurers looking for a great deal.

The Ram 1500 TRX is built to lead the truck realm, rolling off Ram’s production lineup with a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 that roars to life as it produces 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. This output earns the TRX a place in history as the most powerful and fastest mass-produced half-ton truck in the world. With a top speed of 118 mph, the TRX can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds for pure thrills behind the wheel.

Like many of its predecessors, the Ram 1500 TRX is an award-winning truck that strikes the perfect balance between luxury and adventure. You’ll see this balance firsthand in the TRX’s exclusive design that complements the class-leading spaciousness of the cab and its expansive digital landscape. It’s a stellar combination that prioritizes your comfort and keeps you engaged on and off the pavement in exchange for a few adventurous miles logged on the odometer for an excellent price tag.

Best Work Ethic: Shop the Diesel-Powered Ram 1500 (Recent Models Up Until 2023)

Ram’s association with the HEMI is undeniable, with the legendary gas powertrain earning the Ram 1500 plenty of acclaim. However, shopping for a used Ram 1500 also means exploring the capability of Ram’s EcoDiesel. Not only does the EcoDiesel deliver exceptional power, but it’s also incredibly capable and efficient. The combination is remarkable, especially on a 2023 Ram 1500.

The 2023 Ram 1500 with a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 under its hood is guaranteed to work hard. The diesel powertrain produces 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful half-ton and the most capable light-duty diesel in production. That capability translates to a maximum towing capacity of 12,560 lbs, ensuring you can tackle any job, whether towing a trailer between job sites, pulling a boat to the lake for the weekend, or venturing beyond the city limits with your camper.

Ram encourages drivers to explore the EcoDiesel’s capability without worrying about compromising the truck’s ride quality and handling. How so? Like its predecessors, the 2023 Ram 1500 offers one of the best rides in the segment. Top-tier trims feature a class-exclusive air suspension that smoothes every ride, improves ground clearance, makes ingress and egress easier, and optimizes efficiency. It’s a stellar combination that complements the EcoDiesel’s impressive work ethic.

Driving the Best With Ram

Guess what? The hard part of choosing the perfect truck is over because there’s no question that a used Ram 1500 is the best choice for your needs. Fortunately, the good news continues because Ram is renowned for keeping its full-size truck relevant and modern with frequent updates that add new technologies, better capabilities, and enhanced features. Because of this, shopping for a pre-owned Ram 1500 is exciting as you explore your options, knowing the best is always guaranteed with the Ram marque.